We’re now into our 12th day without electricity thanks to Hurricane Ike. There have been conflicting reports on when our power might be restored. Centerpoint Energy’s map last week said we’d be on by now, but yesterday’s updated map shows that we won’t have power until Sunday at the earliest. Rumor in our neighborhood, however is that we shouldn’t expect to see any power return until Friday, October 3.

So I’ve now entered the generator era. It’s funny that with all the electronic gadgets, computers, phones and toys, we’re dead in the water without a simple watt of electricity. So instead of me being the one promoting to all my friends and neighbors the advantages of the latest hi-tech toy, they’ve finally convinced me to purchase a good ol’ fashioned, gasoline-powered, rock concert-loud Briggs & Stratton 5500-watt generator.

And this morning there was cold air coming from a portable a/c unit sitting by my fireplace, hot coffee in the coffee pot… and a lamp by which to shave with an electric razor.

I guess sometimes getting back to the basics reminds you to appreciate all that you have.