New Beginnings

Spring officially arrived on the pond this week, but remembering that we're in Maine doesn't mean that we're picking tulips just yet. What the arrival of spring does bring is the onslaught of renewed energy and the excitement of things to come. We know that soon the ice will melt off the pond - in fact there are many "Ice Out" parties had in that honor.

Once the ice melts, that will bring all of the summer birds back we so miss all winter long. I feel particularly thrilled when I hear the loons begin their mating calls in their first nights back home. The calls are entrancing and quite magical, and fill your heart with the spirit of love. Give it a listen (click title for audio clip) and let your mind wander to a warm spring evening, sitting out on the dock. Perhaps you've even had the great fortune to see the loons swimming nearby as we have. The speed at which they swim underwater is amazing.

Of course getting the cottage ready for visitors now seems much more important than it has all these long slow winter months. We must empty out the closets of boots and hats and coats to make room for life jackets and water shoes and paddles. Yes indeed, spring certainly is a season of renewed energy. For that I'm thankful I enjoyed the quiet restful months of winter, building up a reserve; as there is much to be done at the cottage this spring.

A Cold Winter's Day on Kennebunk Pond

As most January mornings are in Maine, today is no exception. We have single digits on the thermometer and the constant sounds of new holes being drilled where the next big fish is sure to be caught. Last time I counted we have somewhere around 35 plus Ice Shanties scattered around the pond.

It's quite a site when they show up on New Years Day. This year proved to be no exception. At exactly 5:15, the sound of the first Ice Auger firing up woke us out of a short winter's night slumber. We peeked out of the bedroom shade to see folks with their miner's lights strapped to their mad bomber hats, getting a head start on claiming the "best spots" on the pond.

As it stands, for some reason; just feet from the shoreline behind our house seems to be one of those spots and our little dog is none to pleased to find people mere feet from our house - in the dark no less. If you calculated the time I just mentioned and remembering that it was New Year's Eve that had just passed some 5 hours ago; it gives you a new appreciation for celebrating sober.

Here we are 10 days into the New Year and the exuberance to be the first out for the day has waned to waiting until after the dawn's first light (thank heavens). We have yet to venture out but are prepared with all of our gear right by the back door but still need to pick up some fresh "shiners". As we approach February, the talk is turning to our annual Ice Fishing Party that is more party and less Ice Fishing but none the less a good time for all. Plus it's an excuse for me to cook all my favorite party foods and make the most of living in a cottage on the pond.

We're expecting another 6 - 8 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow, so we will join all of the others that go and stock up at the grocery store; just in case. You might think that once it begins snowing we are all going to be shut in for months, which is really quite ingenious marketing from my perspective.

Winter is one of those seasons that you either love or hate. I love the fact that we are more or less forced to slow it down and work on projects that if it were warm outside, we just wouldn't take time to do. Plus you somehow feel a little less guilty snuggling up with a good book in front of the fire if it's snowing out! Best go bring in a load of firewood, come to think of it.

'till next time,
MJ
Classic Cottage Living (website coming soon)

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