Ice

Ice. So inconvenient, yet so beautiful.

Usually the Machias River sings a solo of snaps, crackles, and pops of ice moving out with the changing tide, but every sliver of grass, every rose bush, and every alder has joined in this week since being encased in a layer of thick ice.

Maine's weather is obnoxious, it's fascinating, and it's everyone's favorite topic. The Ice Storm of 98' left me with some pretty great memories. Friends and family came to our house almost every night to make dinner out of everyone's quickly thawing food. We read books during the day, played board games by candlelight at night, and stayed connected to the outside world with a battery operated radio tuned in to the local channel, WVOM. There were no cell phones, no television, and no internet. Maniacs were unplugged.

Did we survive? Yes, we did.

Scrolling down my newsfeed on facebook, I couldn't help but notice that most of the comments (mine included) were about the weather, the power outages, and the overall stress that this storm has caused. Just days before Christmas. Everyone wanted a white Christmas but no one wanted an ice Christmas.
I am right there with everyone else. Power outages are a little exciting at first but the rush wears off real quick. Everyone enjoys a hot shower and all the amenities they're used to. We are creatures of habit and do not enjoy anything that screws with our daily routines.

As much as I sympathize with the annoyances and inconveniences, I do not enjoy the hyper-negativity that comes with the power outages and the storms. It is Christmas Eve day and we are alive. We are alive to hear the ice crack from the slightest nudge of the wind. We are alive to see the beauty in all the shades of gray. We are alive to celebrate the holiday with loved ones. There are so many who are not able to say as much.

Go outside, take a deep breath of that fresh Maine air, and step back from all the negativity that the storm has brought....simply because you can.

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