A Day Without Technology(II)

6 A Day Without Technology (I) As the children helped their mother prepare for the coming night, they were amazed at how much a power outage could affect everything in their lives. The refrigerator, stove, television, computer and lights all stopped the moment the electricity went out. With no electricity, the family might have been helpless. But the Wiltons lived in the country and were prepared for life without technology. As Mr. Wilton used to say, “ We are tied to technology in this modern world, but we do not have to be slaves to it. " As the night closed in, Mrs. Wilton and her two children sat in the dark kitchen. They had candles for light. Since the oil furnace did not work without electricity, the Wiltons were glad their father had installed a small wood stove in their living room. The warm air from the stove filled the house as their dinner-a big pot of soup with bread and cheese-warmed up on top of it.

Radios and television didn't work in power outages. But the Wiltons had a battery-powered transistor radio. It was their only way to connect to the outside world. It was tuned in to the nearest news channel, which was broadcasting news about the massive ice storm. To their surprise, the ice storm had shut down everything in the province. All over Ontario and Quebec, families were left without electricity-no radios, no telephones and no heat. Many of them were desperate. The Wilton children sat with their mother in the still night. The family began to play a game. It seemed like a good way to pass the time. They laughed and joked as they took turns acting out simple scenes for which the others had to guess the meaning. Later in the evening, they went outside and marvelled at the beauty of the night sky. As they stood looking up at the sky, they realized how lucky they were. They were prepared for the emergency. They could easily live without technology for a day or two.