LETTERS: GRATEFUL FOR ENERGY TO KEEP GOING

To the editor:

On a recent Sunday we had a power outage of several hours. This was quite an inconvenience for some and a real problem for others. Even a dead battery on one's automobile can cause an inconvenience and a problem if one is caught away from an agency which can come to the rescue.

For those of us who may have lived for a time in a Third World country, power was a more serious problem. Proper development of the source for supplying electric power and in an adequate supply had not been made. As demands increase, the outages became a rather frequent occurrence. One learned to have candles or kerosene and Aladdin lamps available. Even in a city of 8 million people, power had to be rationed. One was advised in advance that power would be out on certain days or nights of a week so that one might plan accordingly.

Fortunately, in the United States this matter of power outages is an infrequent occurrence. We are grateful for those who restore the powr.

As one ages, one may notice that one's body doesn't respond as readily as before. It may indicate a coming energy and power shortage or that the battery needs to be recharged, and an indication that something is seriously wrong. It is a disturbing sound when the cardiologist says that one's heart is in failure. When a replacement is not available, one may face a final outage. Again, we are grateful for those who may help to restore at least some of our power and the hope that we may continue to have some of the energy to continue for a long and healthy life.

IVAN NOTHDURFT

Cape Girardeau