The best time to plan for the next power outage is when you are dealing with the ravages of the one you are suffering through,l

Although my Weather Channel did a great job of alerting me about the coming ice storm, long before it arrived, I wasted several days of valuable prep time by succumbing to denial. I love the following cartoon:

Image Credit: Marshall Ramsey

By the time my power was restored, I had experienced all the stages of ice storm grief. Today, the rain is helping move the stubborn patch of ice outside my door, and I am doing what I promised I would do. I am beginning my preparation for the next power outage. No doubt, we will have several others. Fortunately, I had plenty of bird seed. I stock that all year long.

Because of the time I wasted, I did not have adequate time to order other proper supplies from Amazon. I live in a small, shopping-challenged community, but the day before I heard the ice plinking from the sky, I went to my local grocery store and I bought a healthy supply of Crisco and cheap vegetable shortening, and I began making a crude form of Crisco candles and a heater.

Over a week later, I have ordered some things to improve my candle-making efforts. I learned that I needed an improved method of holding the candle wick in the center of the candle–until the shortening set.

I ordered 5″ tall Church Vigil Candles from Amazon. This size is best for use with the shorter jars that I’ll use beneath the clay jar heaters that I have created. For proper air circulation, the candles beneath the clay pots must be shorter than the pots.

I’ll add taller white candles with the taller quart jars.