Love the One You're With

We should have known, when we saw that the traffic light was out, something was amiss.

It all became clear when we entered our neighborhood go-to establishment last night, and, being the observant creatures we are, noticed all the power was out.

No lights. No TV. No-can-do for dinner.

Although they were making plans to shut the place down because they couldn't predict when power would return,  the bartender took pity on us, and before shooing us out, let me have my Tanqueray and tonic.

The effect of drink-with-no-food had the predictable effect, and I trundled homeward in a pleasant haze. Rather than seek another place to eat, and knowing I was in no condition to go home and prepare a meal, Mr. Ginley suggested we stop at Walgreen's and grab some snacks. No argument from "Drunky McWifey," as he fondly refers to me when I'm in this state. I followed him through the aisles as we picked up chips, more chips and a rather large package of M 'n Ms. Our strategy was to eat our way through the essential junk food groups as we watched a couple episodes of the Great British Baking Show (Season 5).

All went according to plan, and there was peace (and later, indigestion) throughout the land.

But, you know, the whole episode gave me pause.

You don't know what you've got until it's gone. I mean, what would we have done if there was no power at our house when we'd returned? We couldn't have watched our show. It being the end of the day, our phones and our electronic devices would have quickly petered out. What would we do? With whom would we converse?

So, I'm suggesting it right here and now. Stop what you're doing. Go over and give your TV a hug. Kiss your cell phone. Tell your I-Pad how much it means to you. These are the things we love, after all, and they deserve to know how special they are.

And, although they can't return the affection, you'll feel the love the next time you log in and check your Facebook page.  All those little thumbs up and smiling emojis will supply the warm and fuzzies.

As for me, although you can't see it, I'm giving my laptop a great big hug right now.

After all, it's aiding and abetting my smart-ass nature. What more could you expect from a bff?