By MONTE DUTTON

In times such as these, a million people have this thought crackle across the synapses of the brain.

One doesn’t appreciate power, particularly the electric variety, until one doesn’t have it anymore.

All blessings flow from God, but hot water, wi-fi, air conditioning and untold other modern marvels flow from electrical sources.

Nothing awakens a person like a cold shower. I still don’t recommend it. Not at my age. My reaction was similar to George Jones singing “White Lightnin’” or Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Great Balls of Fire.” If I had it to do over, I might have just walked through a car wash.

It was just a week or so back that I began my little Open Jam set at The Lumberyard with three Kristofferson songs. Now, after a hurricane, word arrives that Kris has died.

I told my friend Vince Pawless, “It’s damn near down to Willie.”

Who knows? On Saturday, without access to email, I drove to Greenville, where there was no game, back to Clinton, no game, in the house, stolen laptop and router, to Laurens, nothing, to Newberry, last flashlight at the Dollar General.

Now it’s Tuesday, and I know folks who have electricity, but not I. The library opened this morning. If McDonald’s is open tonight, I might watch the Vice Presidential debate on my laptop there.

I couldn’t imagine that until I just thought of it.1

On Friday, Fountain Inn could visit Laurens. Clinton could travel to Liberty. Laurens Academy could go to Wardlaw (in Johnston).

Or maybe not. I thought there would be ballgames last week. That storm strengthened in a hurry. I doubt anyone’s taking I-40 through the Smokies any time soon.

Presbyterian College’s football team may have a better chance to play in San Diego, Calif., on Saturday, than ballgames anywhere near here.

What do you know? Something happened.

Sophomore Spence Hagood shot a three-under 69 in the final round as the Presbyterian Blue Hose wrapped up play at the Ironwood Collegiate Classic at the Ironwood Country Club in Greenville, N.C.

Presbyterian finished in 11^th place with a two-round score of 572 (-4). Presbyterian posted a two-under 286 in Tuesday’s final round. The host East Carolina Pirates won the tournament title with a two-round score of 548 (-28).

Florida Atlantic’s Biagio Gagliardi won the individual title with a two-round score of 131 (-13).

Hagood collected six birdies and nine pars on the way to a final round of 69 (-3). He finished tied for 16^th place with a two-round score of 140 (-4).

Senior Jack Wofford posted a final round score of 70 (-2) after recording an eagle on the par five 568-yard 16^th hole to go along with four birdies and nine pars on his round. He finished tied for 22^nd place with a two-round score of 141 (-3).

Presbyterian returns to action in two weeks at the Elon Phoenix Invitational on Oct. 14-15.

Wellpilgrim.com surpassed the 100,000 mark in page views over a week ago and has already exceeded the numbers of the entire 2023 year. At least one story had been posted for 59 consecutive days. … until Helene arrived.

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Read my novel of small-town crime and corruption, Forgive Us Our Trespasses. Download it for $3.99 here, or order it in paperback for $16.95.

Photo galleries are posted on Instagram @furmanatt and @laurenscountysports.

Thanks for putting up with me.