Candles were so important in the days before electricity. Read Ralph's account of coping before there were any light switches on the wall.

"Candles"
"When I was a boy, candles were still in use and some were made at home. They were made of beef tallow or beeswax or a mixture of both. They were made by dipping stringy wicks in the melted stuff or by pouring the material in molds.

Some people preferred the light of a candle to that of a coal oil lamp. I remember a newspaperman saying he preferred a candle when setting type. I well remember and visually image myself carrying a candle to bed at my German grandparents house. At the bed, I would hold the candle down a little and let some melted wax drop on the window sill by my bed and then set the bottom of the candle in the melted wax. The bed was up to the wall and window. After getting in bed, I would lick my thumb and forefinger and pinch out the flame of the candle. Soon I was asleep under a big feather-holding cover. Sometimes I would have fearful dreams. Dreams came in life-asleep as real as life awake, and my heat beat in them as strong as in life at stake. "

Last winter here in Southern Indiana, we had an ice storm of gigantic proportions! We were without electricity for several days. Living by candlelight during those days was a real treat...the mood of the room seemed to change as a candle was lit. The pace slowed down, the golden light inviting me to read a book or just relax. So hard to do with the TV on or other appliances whirling and buzzing or beeping. I am sure to live day by day with only candlelight as Ralph did became as routine for him as flipping a light switch is to us. But nowadays when we are jolted back to the days of candlelight...for that brief time...what a nice change of pace and serenity it brings.

Tomorrow...the first snow of the season as seen through Ralph's eyes of his childhood.