Following an exhilarating day of grain sampling (looking for good kernels and cobs of corn inside certain plots in a cornfield) and field condition surveys (listing crop, post-harvest condition, and relative stages of flooding), I went for a sunset run.

Then life made me laugh. Right before I headed out the door to run, the power went off. Thinking it would probably be back on by the time I returned, I didn’t consider a lack of hot water for showering.

Well, I ended up stretching in the dark. Kelsey had also gone running, and Emily had rummaged through corn duff and dirt earlier; we all needed showers before heading up to Sacramento for the evening. (Or did we? We were en route to check out Bacon Fest…)

More importantly, I had a partial pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy in the freezer. I’d exercised excellent self-control and made it last the week, but when God turns off the power and tells you to finish your ice cream, it’s best to listen. The 3 of us happily consumed the last 1/4.

Fortunately we’re a trio of wildlife field technicians. Kelsey pulled out a lighter and lit the gas stove to heat water for Tutakoke-style bathing. While I was smiling about our headlamp-lit house and bathing in the dark, the power returned for about 10 seconds. I realized I could start up the water and switch to normal showering, but I didn’t want that luxury when I was already in the minimalist mindset. Although I did exclaim, “That was a tease!” when the power flickered back off, I couldn’t keep myself from smiling.