Snow. Ice. Freezing rain. Repeat.
That’s pretty much how things have gone here on my small island, starting well before the winter officially began. Today sky and ocean meld into one continuous gray blanket punctuated with white snowflakes.
Life on the island moves slowly at this time of year. Social life consists of breakfast at the local cafe, potluck suppers at the village church, an exercise class at the fire station. On the plus side, it’s a great time of year to tackle a big project without any distractions. And although it’s not always fun to start the day with an hour of shoveling–or worse yet, thawing frozen pipes–the landscape dusted with sparkling snow is incredibly lovely.
Of course life in Maine in the middle of winter is not for everyone. I’m remembering a talk I gave last year to summer visitors, after which someone in the audience had this conversation with me:
Visitor: Do you really live in Maine?
Me: Yes
Visitor: Year ’round?
Me: Um, yes.
Visitor: Why on earth would you do that?
It was one of those times when one has to stifle a laugh. Wasn’t it Louis Armstrong who was once asked “What is Jazz?” He replied something ot the effect of, “If you have to ask, you’ll never know.”
Best wishes to all for the new year.
