Well, it’s here again. The 365th day of another year, this one marked 2007. As I sit thinking about what to write, I recall previous New Year Eves spent in various degrees of merriment and insanity. For the past few years they’ve been spent much quieter. I could claim that I reflect and think wise thoughts. Instead, I’ve been wondering just what the end of the old year or the beginning of the new one actually means to me, apart from putting up a new calendar, writing a different digit, wondering why I didn’t notice the time getting away - again, promising to take greater notice of my life. Read the rest of this entry »

We had that 17 inches and then we had a thaw. Warmed up for a couple days up to 40 ish and it rained. What a mess. Took the snow down a couple inches, then it froze. That was fun. Two inches of ice on everything. But we carry on and we’ve had a few more inches on top of that, so now instead of sidewalks we have obstacle courses.  I’m not complaining, winter is still beautiful. And my dog, Dakota, loves the snow so much - it is a delight to watch him in it. Read the rest of this entry »

We’re all dug out now. After the big blast dumped 17 inches (official report from Caribou National Weather Service) we had some hefty winds that created some interesting drifts.

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The photo was taken from my family room window. We call it our own personal Gibraltar. While it was forming, we had fun watching the shapes change from gust to gust. Yeh, life is exciting around here.

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Vincent had fun, too, watching the wind swirl dead leaves in tornadic style. He did that cat thing…that chattering of excitement … while they jumped about as if alive.  Last year we had a bird feeder attached to the window as a little entertainment center for the boys. We neglected to put that up this year. We haven’t put up feeders at all. We had some hungry bears last spring that destroyed all our feeders. Then of course the racoons had their fun, too.

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Dakota loves the snow and is seen here enjoying the blizzard. He asks to go out several times during every storm. But the rule is, upon entering the house, he wants to be paid for his services. I’m not clear on what services those are, but a cookie is definitely his price - low fat, of course.

It’s only December and looks like an ole fashioned northern Maine winter is in progress. I’ve lived in Aroostook County for about 22 years and I’ve heard stories of how winters “used to be.” In the past 22 years I don’t think I’ve seen much of the infamous County winters. But here it is not even the end of December and we’ve already had one nor’easter and are bracing for another. The snowbanks are rising and the city of Caribou hasn’t yet cleared the sidewalks from our last one.

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It certainly isn’t warm out there either, it’s been colder than usual for December, too. Makes it a bit tough in rural areas like this when the heating fuel costs are so high. I’m very fortunate these days, but there was a time when a starving student, I lived in a cabin with just wood heat and an outhouse. Yikes. Good thing I had two dogs and a big sleeping bag.

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But after a big blast and digging out, the beauty is extraordinary. I wear my sunglasses more in the winter than the summer around here. Anybody who lives where the skies are big know exactly what I mean. Many Mainers have no idea what beauty Aroostook County offers. Maine isn’t just about the coast, lobsters and Portland. This “other Maine” is as the bumper sticker reads, “The Way Maine Used To Be.”

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So, I guess I’m ready for the next blast. Will post an update and maybe snap a few pix.

August is here already. It seems there’s hardly been a summer worth getting out into. Up here in northern Maine it’s been warmer and more humid than I like it. It’s just as well that I’ve been so busy inside where it’s cool.

The potato farmers report all is well and schools are gearing up for the new year. The scenery with the fields in bloom and the fantastic cloudage of Aroostook County reminds me to stop once in awhile and enjoy.

So, here’s a bit of that cloudage.