With summer come dry weeks punctuated by occasional thunderstorms in many parts of the US. These conditions often cause power outages. First, make sure you have a range of technology. Candles, oil lamps and fuel, matches, and other basics are essential. Camping lanterns are great. Stock food that doesn't need heat or refrigeration, like granola bars.

To ward against power outages, cast this spell. You need two pictures that will fold easily, like magazine clippings or computer printouts. One should show a sky full of lightning, and the other should show power poles with electrical lines.

First, as you fold the lightning picture away from you, say:

Lightning, stay far away.

Then, as you fold the power picture toward you, say:

Power stay on, from dawn to dawn.

Discard the lightning picture far from home, and tuck the power picture under an appliance.