Well the first half of the storm is over.... We received about 1/2 to 1 ince of ice throughout the day yesterday. We have been blessed to not have lost power for any long amount of time yet. This is truly a blessing, as there are thousands all around us who have lost theirs. The lights flickered a bit last night and was off for maybe 30 minutes yet came back on. Mind you we could still lose it as it is not suppose to warm up past freezing until Sunday and the wind is picking up. 
When I woke this morning I was eager to see if any damage was done to any of the trees. It appears that the willows are taking minor damage. I guess the pruning we have done helped tremendously. We did lose a large branch off of a small redbud in our front yard. I am not sure if we will be able to save the whole tree as the branch that broke was a large part of the tree. As I went outdoors this morning to survey the area, I cold hear the creaking of the trees under the weight of the ice.... A few snaps could also be heard. This really is still too early to know how much damage we will have. I am only hoping for minimal. 
I love how mother earth cleanses herself in such manners. Much like the order of the land with the strongest surviving. We usually think of such an example when we think of animals yet it pertains to the natural world also. The clearing of the trees we had done earlier helped the others remaining to become stronger. This is evident in the manner in which they are handling this ice storm. I know that there will be loss again yet I also understand the need for it. I do not question her reason. She knows what she does. It is amazing how such death can be so beautiful. Although I am eager for the sun to come out in the coming days so that it can melt and ease the burden that is being carried, I am also eager for the view. There is nothing that is more brillant and beautiful then the warmth and life of sunshine against the icy cold of winter ice. In truth it is making Imbolc that more special and symbolic to all it is. The turning of the wheel... the passing of the coldness of winter into the warmth of spring and the return of the sun.
Pale winter sun lingers, lengthing each day
On twig and branch new buds begin to swell
Songbirds give voice, each striving to excel
Seed senses change in its deep bed of cold clay
Earth goddess weaves her magic to propel
Reborn cycle of her womb along its way.
Life returns in every tree's slow thought
In pond and stream the dance begins again
Spring flowers show their purpose to proclaim
A new season comes; winters reign is short
And darkness no longer exercises any claim
Green growth dispels grey moods it brought.
Imbolc by Ian R. Thorpe
17 comments:
I am glad to hear you are still with power. I worried about you yesterday. So far it has missed us but they keep telling us we are not out of the woods yet.
Keep warm.
so horribly beautiful. I am both fortunate and unfortunate to have never been in an ice storm. Your photographs are simply breathtaking, I can hear in your post the silence broken by the creaking and snapping sounds of branches breaking under the weight of their glass like frosting.
I hope you are able to stay warm and safe.
Wow, what a storm. Thankfully you still have your power. Love that poem. Thanks for sharing it.
I know it's destructive, but it's so beautiful. I'm glad to hear you are with power.
I'm glad to hear you are hanging in there. I'm sure your redbud will be fine in the long run. We had a 75 year old maple split in two right down the trunk by a tornado and we actually had it bolted back together. It healed very slowly, but, it is still standing strong. Things of nature are resilient.
Love the poem by Thorpe.
Stay safe.
Oh wow -- that ice storm hit you hard, huh? I am glad tough that you are safe and sound. The photos you shared -- not just in this post, but in all your last posts! -- are amazing. Scaring, too. And somehow beautiful.
Take good care,
Birgit
I am happy too that all is well. Strange that something so beautiful can be so dangerous. Keep safe.
Willow
The poem is lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us.
We dodged the storm this time but there is another expected to come through on Wedsnesday. We'll see. The kids are home today from school because both of them have awful sour throats and coughs. So we are having a healing day.
My Mom lives in Tecumseh, Ok. so I gotta go call her and see how she is after seeing these pictures, WOW.
So glad you have power. You sure got a winter blast there. We only got a big freeze here.
Touch wood... so far this winter we haven't had more than a tiny bit of ice. So beautiful and so destructive!
So glad that you still have power. I thought about you lots last night when it started cooling off here. Please be careful when you are outside, things look so unstable. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
(((HUGS)))
Your photos are great , hope the ice doesn't damage the trees to much.
We made it through last night and still have power too. But we're getting freezing rain now , so don't know if we're out of the woods yet , as the storm will linger around today.
~ Many Blessings ~
I've been thinking of you a lot, especially ever time the news starts reporting on this storm. I'm glad you've been able to keep your power on for the most part and that you're staying warm and safe. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your tree friends!
My the ice is heavy upon your area! Take care in this weather. Light a candle for Brigit :) Have a great weekend!
Beautiful poem! I am ready for Imbolc, but I understand the desire for one last snow. I can't say I'd be sad about one more little bit of white. But my heart is calling for some green...
What a lovely poem.
I truly hope the damage wasn't too bad. It breaks my heart seeing those trees nearly ready to snap. Yet it is oddly beautiful.
)O(
boo
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