the past 48 hours

 

the ugly:
no electricity, internet or phone : no dry firewood left for heat (it is April, afterall) : a foot of water in the basement : 30 trash bags (and counting) of ruined basement stuff : one tree on the house (no damage) : flooded roads and beloved trails : trees down all around : the stomach flu (just Mama) : lots and lots of cleanup for friends and neighbors much worse off than us : emerging from it all to such sad news : feeling cold, wet, sick, sad, and grumpy

the beautiful:
no electricity, internet or phone : many games of checkers : favorite books by candlelight : embroidery until sunset : a soon-to-be immaculate basement : enough firewood now lying about to last through the upcoming winter (and maybe next?) : awe and humility at the strength of the Earth : feeling incredibly grateful and blessed for what we have

More photos on Flickr. I'll be back in a few days...I've got some drying, cleaning, and warming to do!

Comments

[Jess H.]

I was wondering how you guys made out. It sounded like Southern ME really got hit. Things actually are ok here, we had lots and lots of wind and rain, but no real damage. The funny thing is we were looking at photos from last year and we had a big bonfire last April and stayed outside quite late incredibly cozy... sigh, not this year.

[Tanya B.]

I really love your way of looking at the silver lining. It's always there -- and your post is a great reminder that even amid the messy and uncomfortable, we can all look forward to an "immaculate basement" :-) in our own lives. Thanks for that - and best wishes for a smooth transition back.
PS: I always especially enjoy reading your posts about Ezra - he reminds me so much of my middle son. I have the same "child distribution" as in your house.... :-)

[Tee tee]

Chin up. We are expecting snow today in western Canada! Must have been because I put away the toques & mitts and bought the kids some new shorts for summer. Oh well, this too shall pass!

[Qalballah]

Global warming just doesn't look cool like this. Subhan'allah how powerful Allah is and how quickly we become complacent about life.

I'm glad you are all OK (ish).

Hugs

[Heidi]

Sending you warmth and sunshine from our hearts...I too am so amazed at your reflection and perspective even in the yuckiest of times. Take care of you mama, and don't work too hard on that basement- "immaculate basement" may be an oxymoron you know! ;)
Heidi

[Leslie]

Thank goodness you're all safe!

[Sheila]

I hope you all stay warm and well. This is a winter you won't forget.

[bellablue]

CRAZY! I feel so far away today. Dying to get back home and clean up the yard. I imagine you're beating us all with the decluttering! Hope you haven't had to let go of anything you really loved.

I miss you! See you soon, xoxoxoxox,
Jessie

[Nelly]

A big hug full of sunshine from across the planet. Take care of yourself and your family.

[Rebecca]

So sorry to see these pictures (although that tree is amazing) - hope the clean up is going ok.

[Courtney]

Sending you warm (and dry) thoughts...

[ellen]

So wonderful that you can see the good with the bad. It is nice to have that time with your family without the distractions of the phone and television etc. Just wish it was under better circumstances. Hope you are all back to normal soon!

[Veronica TM]

oh, amanda, i congratulate you for having the awareness to see the light as well as the dark. i am so glad you are all safe. wishing you dry and warm weather.

[Lisa K.]

I can't take my eyes off that fallen tree pic.

Glad you're safe, sorry you're sick. I'm sorry about the basement too. Good luck cleaning up and I hope you feel better soon.

[madmommy]

So sorry to hear about your basement, but glad you are all safe. Like you said, at least it was a good excuse to clean up? Hugs and prayers.

[suzy]

Wow. I thought you had been quiet this week, but hadn't heard about the storms. Glad you are all safe and good luck with the clean up.

[BipolarLawyerCook]

Best wishes for speedy cleanup, speedy recovery, and continued bright-side-looking!

[Katrine]

I'm glad you're safe. Feel better soon!

[Andrea]

Wow! What pictures. That is incredible! My heart goes out to all of you over there from dry and sunny Okanagan.

[Dacia]

how strange, the grass looks like wool carpet. it sounds miserable. I hope sun and warmth come your way soon.

[Linda]

Just delurking to wish you and your family well and hope things return to something approximating normal soon.

I also wanted to thank you for sharing (parts of) your life and inspiring me to make more stuff with and for my children. I'm not in your league, but I'm trying!

And I thought you might like to know I saw Wilco in Melbourne last night. They played lots of old favourites and some songs from the new album. As you might imagine, they were sweet and brilliant! Hope you can catch them when they make their way back to your side of the planet.

Cheers,
Linda

[lisa s]

thinking of you... that tree shot... wow....

dry out and be well!!

[robin]

Wow Amanda! I will be praying for you all. <3

[Laura]

Oh my you poor dears, we had a tree fall like that once ... it missed out house and fell on my dads old chevy truck and totaled it. I'm glad it missed you, but that you were able too get that cool shot! It looks like its lifting up the Earth's rug doesn't it?

Sending you all very very warm thoughts!

[Melissa]

good luck on the mess!

[wren]

I admire your spirit and fortitude. Hope you recover quickly from the stomach flu, and are soon dry and warm.

[Helen]

oh my goodness. all the best with cleaning up and enjoying some quiet time.

[Kelly]

Thinking of you and all you are enduring at this time!

[Helena]

Sending Texas love for you and yours. If there is anything we can send you, please let us know. Take care. XOXO Still shocked over basement yuk. Flu..double yuk! It is a good idea to hit the stitching to calm the mind.

[ilse]

oh my god. I've seenmany off these storm on the news ( when we still had a tv) they are always so amazing and strong, but I think also very scary. thank god you're all OK.

I send you lots and lots of love and warmth. take care.
(((((((((()))))))
xxxxxx

[Kristy]

Wow you guys really get to experience some extremes of weather don't you! So glad you were able to build lovely memories despite the worst xxx

[Erin S.]

I'm glad you and your family are all safe. How scary to see that big tree. The grass looks like a carpet they way it clung to the tree like that. Hope you get back on your feet soon.

[Heather Bailey]

I see a face in the water photo. Look. Do you see it too?

[melissa]

thinking of you and your family this week, amanda. thank you for sharing those amazing photos with us- isn't the earth an amazing force? hope you're all feeling better soon. x

[Sheeeba]

What we wouldn't give for the rain water here in Australia! Of course, without the damage that came with yours!

[ginny]

So glad you are all safe. x

[tania]

oh my goodness i had no idea!!
i havent been able to pop in all week and my, what a storm- thank goodness you are all ok-
xo
t

[Shula]

Struck me as kind of wonderful, in an awful kind of way. The shot of the candles and chequerboard made me wish I was there.