After arriving in New Martinsville for my evening, I began my routine by exercising at a local gym where you can obtain day passes, followed by some reading outdoors at Lewis Wetzel Park. There is a large pond with hundreds of ducks and geese. Once the water fowl realize I don't have food, they leave me alone for some reading time. Then back to the Travelers Inn for dinner, PT exercises, Skyping Renee, some TV time and sleep.
Last evening I had a surprise shortly after returning from Wetzel Park; the lights went out. Not just in the Travelers Inn but the whole region. I know this because I drove around trying to identify the extent of the power outage and it was endless. Even the cell towers which have blinking red lights at their tops were coal black against the night sky. An strange feeling to say the least. Traffic was horrid as every one was driving around and the roads looked like Morgantown on a football Saturday. I safely returned to my darkened hotel room, brushed my teeth with the light from my cell phone and then to an early bed in absolute silence and darkness.
While I enjoyed briefly my time of quiet and solitude, I also found it disconcerting. As a culture we are tuned in to constant access, connectivity, creature comforts, back ground noise, etc. I think we come to identify with all the electrons that govern our lives. I admit I am hooked to some of the creature comforts and electronic connectivity. I wonder if we would be less stressed if we had regular days of no electronics in our lives? Probably not but it is something to think about.
I did find my quiet time meaningful, but was ready for routine electronic life to continue shortly thereafter.
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