Reporters Notebook (Gettysburg Times - 122207): "Power Outage"

What did ya’ll do during last Sunday’s power outage?
We had a classic “moment” compliments of Mom - at the Pitzer household.
The electric had been out since 9 a.m., so around 10:30 that same morning, Dad decided to brave the dicey weather conditions and trek three miles into Arendtsville, where Salim’s Mini-Mart was sure to have freshly-brewed coffee.
Father returned around noon, and delivered hot coffees to my sister and me.
The three of us then convened in the Dining Room, where Mom had decided to get a jump-start on her fifth-grade lesson plans at the dinner table.
With Mom’s head buried in a pile of note pads and books, the three of us positioned ourselves around the table, sipped our coffees, and caught up on the news of the weekend, hoping in the meantime that the electric in the upper portion of Adams County would miraculously activate.
My occupied mother immediately realized what was transpiring.
“Are you guys going to sit here all day?” she deadpanned.
The chatter immediately lulled as our collective heads veered toward Mom’s chair.
“What?” said my soon to be 20-year-old sister. “Don’t you like us?”
Before she even had a chance to reply, the house lights flickered on. And within seconds, the table congregation scattered.
Regardless, I think she really does like us.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer