Backstory... we got hit with the big rain and ice storm out my way just before the holidays. Power has been iffy at best and I've been popping out to the gas station to top off the generator and wheeling my home-built solar generator around the yard to keep as much juice coming in as I can so that we can have all the basics until the power company gets the mains stable and fully back online.

Today, I got a special treat from my unknown (but hardly unappreciated) Secret Santa... and it couldn't been a better gift at a better time!

I mentioned in my profile the I love to camp and hike and busy about in the outdoors... and that must have struck a chord - because I just opened up a fantastic present that I'll be putting to immediate use!

My Secret Santa gifted me with an Eton Scorpion - which is an amazing little hand-held power station that contains both a solar and magneto hand-cranked battery that can also charge a cell phone or tablet thru a USB connector, has a built-in AM/FM/Weather Band radio, has a big and bright LED flashlight, jacks for using as an external speaker for my media player, a fully weatherproof case - and, as if that's not badass enough - a bottle opener for that moment when a refreshing beverage is an absolute neccesity!

The fact that I'm also a Scorpio is simply a bonus.

It's also got a heavy-duty machined aluminum carabiner clip up on the top - that makes the flashlight work perfectly as a tent light - and keeps me from bouncing this little treasure out of my pockets antd down a hill... a mighty nice design feature, I have to admit.

I'mm make use of this gift today, tomorrow and well into the future - and I'll secretly thank my Secret Santa every time I plug in, tune in or crank it up for a quick charge - he or she has no idea how grateful I am - or how timely this gift really is.

Thank you... thank you... and thank you again. I wish I could return the favor. Know that you've impressed me with your kindness and thoughtfulness... you couldn't have been more spot on if you tried!

(low-light potato-quality pics follow - I'd use the built-in flashlight for illumination, but I have no access to a portal, let alone decent time-shifting software at this time)