{"id":957,"date":"2012-10-29T11:32:20","date_gmt":"2012-10-29T11:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janice-campbell.com\/?p=957"},"modified":"2020-03-18T17:18:58","modified_gmt":"2020-03-18T17:18:58","slug":"storming-time-to-enjoy-books-games-music-and-crafts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doingwhatmatters.com\/storming-time-to-enjoy-books-games-music-and-crafts\/","title":{"rendered":"Storming? Time to Enjoy Books, Games, Music and Crafts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Reading<\/a>In the mid-Atlantic region, we’re battening down the hatches in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. Preparations include drawing water, gathering candles and oil lamps, and trying to get everything washable washed in case the power goes out. Once the basics are done and the power is out, life slips into another rhythm\u2014slower, quieter, and in its own way, more peaceful. As soon as I hear a stormy forecast, I feel an almost irresistible urge to make chili, popcorn balls, and other delights so that we’ll be ready for whatever comes.<\/p>\n

Books, board games, musical instruments, and hand-crafts are key ingredients for making these times memorable in a positive way. One of my favorite memories is of sitting around the dining room table reading Macbeth<\/em> by flickering lamplight with trees lashing and rain pounding on the roof as the edge of a hurricane passed by. It provided a dramatic and memorable backdrop for Shakespeare’s tale of murder and mayhem and the semi-darkness encouraged even the most reserved reader to add a bit of drama to his parts.<\/p>\n

[NOTE: Our thoughts and prayers are with those closer to the center of the storm. This post is shared for those who are safe and unharmed, and may need ways to pass time and comfort small children. We know that storms can be life-changing, but most simply pass by and those are the subject of this post.]<\/p>\n

Good books to read when power goes out<\/h3>\n

If you’re in the storm zone and as safe and prepared as possible, I encourage you to approach schooling through the power outage as a bit of an adventure. Pull out books that tell of life in simpler times\u2014things such as:<\/p>\n