Power outage—I went out to wash my hands in snow and discovered there was an ice storm first and then snow — about 6 inches total. R. is outside trying to shake the crust off a ham radio antenna. 

Books. Right now I am near the end of the Chronicles of Barchester by Anthony Trollope, appreciating these novels. And the last one is called the last Chronicle of Barchester. There are other Chronicles of various County places in his oeuvre. And, recently read Can You Forgive Her? From the Pallister set of books. The stores are really good because they show a depth — knowledge of the human condition coupled with affection and mercy that is highly appreciated by readers and believers in God.

Antenna counterweights are up in the tree tops! R. managed to get one closer to the ground. This is a surprise as these wires were quite droopy, and it  indicates how much weight is on the bending trees— in beautiful ice and snow. Encrusted trees without leaves, needles decorated. 28°. Hoping I can be as humble and still in the midst of this power-out.

So we woke in the dark when it started. Turn on the flashlight, this comforter. Bathroom was—  because you need electricity working the pump. Praying for the linemen in their man-lifts. they were working last night in the dark. With frequent breaks. Heroes.. Did you know that when it’s totally dark— you can’t see at all? You have no eyes, it’s black.

I just heard R. for checking in on battery backup— Maine Service Net. They will be talking about the weather and how antennas hold up. Take some pics the aftermath of storm to illustrate this piece. Meantime, boiling water on the match-lit gas stove for coffee —can’t do this on the wood-burning stove. The first is an image of ours generator shed —without its hoped-for generator. Perhaps you can make out the sadly sagging antenna in this one, perhaps not.

Fortunately we have dug and  drilled wells —after drought several years ago. When the power goes out and there has been a rising of the water table, a recent rain, we can then use the dug well with its gravity-feed.  At the moment it doesn’t look clean enough to to drink. Although if it ran a bit it should clear up. I have kept up coffee-making getting the kettle on the stove, cups laid out, but R. finished up making some delicious coffee, highly appreciated.

Recently re-started our blog, this blog, and in fact it is the name of his personal blog from long ago. It’s all for Maine In Winter, latest in the Maine Metaphor series—and winter is upon us here in the Northeast. So far the files have not been returned to me from the publisher for proofing. I sent them a kidding note, wondering if might be published in time for spring. But I remain hopeful, especially as I can pace around in the living room staring briefly at a glowing log. At the moment it’s 71 in here, and we are quite warm; outside on the analog it’s slightly over 30. I’m hopeful the book will be published in time. Put out by Wipf & Stock! Publisher of the previous three Maine Metaphor books.

He walked down the driveway. Looks like he might be able to make it back up. In the dark early morning our neighborly plowman came across the road to work. Would like to take a drive and see if we can find where the power-lines where you might expect workmen —but lots of outages, so…. — 200,000 outages in our Electric company range. So far 16 hours plus on our outage. 

“I don’t think I would’ve got up the driveway without those new snow tires.” So we went out for a little ride and learned that a tree fell over power-lines on the main road —actually lying across the line. A new pole is lying by, ready for installation. Hoping power will be back on tonight, but — a lot of other power outs— we don’t know how they fit with ours.

Black powder season ends day after tomorrow, I’ll be able to stop wearing orange when we go in the woods for a walk.