The dangerous beauty of ice

For the first time since I started writing this blog, a post is late, and by several days. Oh, well, it’s the holidays, you may think. But no, for almost a year now, I’ve managed a timely entry despite holidays, vacations and intense pressures to come away from the computer and enjoy myself.

So it’s not Christmas that has delayed things, it’s the weather. Until yesterday morning, December 25, we had no power. For 72 hours, Glen Villa was dark unless the sun was shining. We had no internet, so no blogging was possible. Power was out throughout the region. That meant neither we nor any of our neighbours had lights, telephone or heat. Which made things rather chilly when the temperature dropped to -22C.

But we survived. We even had fun, eating bread and cheese by the fire, telling stories, sleeping under thick layers of blankets. And we simply delayed Christmas until today. (The turkey will go into the oven as soon as I finish writing.)

The ice storm that hit major parts of eastern Canada hit Glen Villa with a very loud bang.

A terrible tangle of broken branches and trees losing their heads.

Everywhere, trees have broken under the weight of the ice. A large birch tree fell across our driveway, making it impassable under the chainsaw did its work. You can see the cut end of the tree on the right side of the drive in the photo below.

The tree was BIG. Here’s praising chainsaws and the people who can use them!

Everywhere, trees are hanging their heads, as if ashamed that they can’t stand up to the pressure.

Two hangdog pines droop behind the roof.

Our driveway gives a hint at how many trees are assuming this posture, and not because they want to.

A tangle of arching trees. Luckily, our car just fits under the lowest arch.

Hydro company workers did their best. Some people had power restored after only 48 hours, but with the number of broken lines in our heavily wooded area, it took them longer for us. They performed well under extremely difficult circumstances, working late into the night and all through Christmas day.

Hydro workers at work. Lots of trees to cut and branches to remove before lines can be repaired.

The ice was dangerous, but oh, so beautiful. Once the sun came out, the land sparkled. Trees glittered, and when the wind blew lightly, they tinkled like thousands of tiny bells.

Early morning, December 25. Power is on. So is coffee!

Winter wonderlands appeared along every road.

An icy tunnel leads to a neighbour’s house.

This is the effect people are aiming for when they wrap branches with small lights. It’s much more effective when it’s real.

The view down the lake shows a few small open patches of water. Early in the morning, steam rises from these spots, a sure sign that the water is soon to freeze over.

This photo is a little fuzzy — I took it through the window because it was too cold to go outside.

That was yesterday. And now, today, guess what the weather is bringing us? Snow, of course. Lots of it.

Another view towards the lake, across the lower garden.

Don’t you just love winter? Well, yes, I do.

Happy holidays to all. Let’s hope that 2014 brings health, happiness and no more ice storms!