I had been working through a tedious set of financial reports when the lights vanished, leaving my computer screen black and the house unusually quiet.

I found Meredith in the kitchen, lighting two battery lanterns.

She had already located candles, a flashlight, and a box of crackers.

She had also checked that our elderly neighbor, Mrs.

Reynolds, was comfortable and had a working phone.

“You planned for this?” I asked.

“I looked at the weather forecast,” she answered.

“You should try it sometime.”