The drawing power of power

A Column
by Karen Henslee

     Do you like lightning storms?
     The thunder rumbles and shakes the roof. The lights and power go out and there we sit in silence, waiting.
     Lightning storms -- you either love them or you hate them.
     At the first clap of thunder, my dog heads for cover. She reacts the same way when the fireworks explode on and around the Fourth of July, or a gun is discharged anywhere within earshot of the house.
     I am fascinated by the randomness and power of the storm. I am repelled by it and yet drawn to it at the same time.
     Perhaps that's the way it is with things I don't fully comprehend. We're afraid of what we don't know.
No matter how much I read and learn, nature always has a way of astounding me over and over again.
     However, an opportunity is coming to our community. An opportunity to learn more, to find out new ways to save power and energy. To see new techno-gadgets and other cool things.
     It's the first annual Energy Expo.
     "What's that?" You ask.
     A strange name for what may be the best thing since sliced bread! With hands-on demonstrations for everyone (yes, even the adults can get in on this), folks can learn literally first hand, about how individuals utilize the new technologies in and around their own homes.
     It's sort of like a mini-OMSI, with all the neat little models and things. (Any parent who has walked through the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, has to admit to wishing they were still 10 years old, if only for a few hours.)
     Think of it as a way to be more self-sustaining. And aren't we all looking for ways to be more independent?
     As the landscape across the County becomes dotted with more wind towers, isn't it time we stopped wondering what all the hulla-balloo is about?
     Or would you rather just remain in the dark, waiting?