It had become a Kremer household Pesach tradition, or rather, a pre-Pesach tradition. Somewhere within a couple of days prior the first seder and noon on erev Pesach, something would go awry in the kitchen.

The oven heating element died. The dishwasher refused to cooperate. And other similar moments of “NOW WHAT DO WE DO?!?!” As it has happened, we were able to fix/replace/workaround whatever it was and we began the seder with another pre-Pesach story to share.

Last night, a kitchen cabinet door hinge failed. With the door hanging bny a crew, I told Ellie that I’d get a drill and a couple of bolts and fix it. She said, Just take it off and we’ll deal next week. Right! I thought, Wow, we got off easy this year.

Then, 6:49 this morning, a sharp BOOM sounded near us. A transformer had shorted and our street was without electricity. Ventnor Fire was on the scene in minutes, and one of the guys knew who to contact; it was fixed by 8:00. In the meantime, we had been scheming on alternate plans: use a friend’s house code and cook there (they had kashered the ktichen); make everything on the gas grill; have cold soup; cover the table with tea lights; set aside the not-yet roasted chicken and make Pesach fondue on sterno…

We are grateful for the efficacy and speed of our municipal response, grateful that, as far as we know, nothing but the transformer was affected, and appreciative that a bunch of people who live on the street were out in the early light to check on the noics and neighbors. (One thing I noticed among those who showed up is that we men need better-looking pajamas.)

With the hope of no other mechanical or technological surprises — at least for the next few days — Ellie and I wish you a fulfilling (and filling) Pesach!