Mother and Dad liked to play the card games, bridge and pitch, with their neighbors. When the Merritts came over to our house to play cards they usually played all night long. Although our house had direct current lighting, the electric lights were used sparingly. Coal oil lamps were used to supplement the battery power, because battery conservation was important. I can remember Ronnie and I crawling around on the floor under the table on our hands and knees, while our parents played cards.

The Merritts used Coleman gas lanterns and a gas powered generator to light their house. I can remember being impressed at how bright the lights were in their home.