The Morning After

There are still close to 80,000 people without power as we listen to this evening's news. We were among the lucky ones that were only in the dark for 15 hours. This being the third such storm this winter, we are all winter weary. What are the bright spots, because there has to be some, right? I took a call from someone on the cellphone yesterday and confirmed that we were among the 160,000 that had lost power in this latest visit from Old Man Winter. I did admit that I was "forced" to sit in my rocking chair next to a roaring fire and read a thick novel about those testy Boleyn Girls of the frisky King Henry era, Oh my.

Hmmm, yes I had to go out and shovel, and yes I had to tote a couple of loads of wood in; but all in all - I'm no worse for the wear. To be honest, we had the generator as our backup so we didn't suffer by any means. But then, the power came on shortly after 6:00 p.m. and we were able to get back to life as we know it. Truth be told, I had pulled out the lanterns (or lant-ins as they say in Maine) and had candles strategically placed, had the mancala board ready for a night of games, and was just a little sad when the power came back on. We went back to the TV shows, the computer that was calling me, and all of the other distractions that keep us preoccupied.

I'll will tell you, that waking up to such a beautiful morning view makes it hard to remember how crabby I was as I was filling the wood totes while braving 40+ MPH winds. The picture at the top of this article was taken from our front room, facing the water (ice). I will leave you with the thought that no matter how unhappy you may be in a particular situation, if you'll take an attitude adjustment moment (maybe I'm reminding myself), you may be pleasantly surprised at the outcome. Another storm on its way for the weekend - wohoo!

P.S. Hurry 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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