I didn’t realize how much of an Internet addict I was until I got home yesterday to discover that half of the power was out in our house. Unfortunately, that half included the office where all the network stuff is kept (and my computer, for that matter), so I had to go an entire evening and morning without Web access. As I watched TV last night (the living room power stayed on, thank goodness), I had the urge to Google something. Denied!
Our house was built more than 50 years ago and the electrical system is, to put it charitably, rather cobbled-together. At some point, a previous owner installed a breaker box but failed to upgrade the electrical service coming in. It’s really rather amazing that we manage to run a modern household using our weak and touchy electrical system. I can tell you, we go through a LOT of light bulbs.
This time I believe the problem lies with the ancient fuse box that still lurks in the basement across from the more modern breaker box. It’s filled with old-fashioned “shotgun shell” fuses and the little glass fuses that screw in like light bulbs. It looks as though it should have a sign on it that says, “Touch me, I dare ya!” In fact, I understand that it really IS quite hazardous. The last time one of the fuses went out, I was forced to visit an electricians’ supply store to get a new one. While I was purchasing the new fuse, other customers (professional electricians) came up to me to advise that I not try to install it myself. Luckily my husband has a friend who is an industrial electrician and happens to live just a few blocks away. He’s our go-to guy for scary electrical stuff.
Of course, when I was growing up I used to run down to our root cellar and change fuses all the time. I don’t think it ever occurred to anyone that it might be dangerous. I was more scared of cellar itself than of the fuse box. The cellar was only partially finished with a huge heap of dirt on one side. Worst of all, my dad stored his huge, rusty chainsaw at the bottom of the stairs. It wasn’t a big stretch to picture Jason shambling out of the shadows.
Still, I’ve decided to let my husband and his friend deal with the power issue while I work happily away where there’s light, Internet access, coffee, etc. If no new columns appear over the weekend, you’ll know why!
Leave a Reply