The last time we were marooned by the weather it was due to 15 inches of snow. Our neighborly neighbors plowed us out the next day and we were back in business. This time treacherous ice has kept us housebound since Friday and with new ice coming and temps remaining below freezing all week, I'm wondering when I'll ever be able to venture out of here. My oldest daughter went home with a friend on Friday for a sleepover and although she is doing fine, it's a helpless feeling to know that we cannot retrieve her. 
What first seems an inviting cozy respite from the obligations of mobility, replete with stacks of good books, new music and the opportunity to emerse into long neglected projects, quickly descends into out cabin fever. We are well supplied with batteries, candles, food, etc. and so far we have not lost power. If we do it will get quite chilly and we'll be tramping to the nearest neighbors with a wood burning stove. In a strange way, it's kind of nice to be reminded that we skate on the edge of oblivious comfort and stark survival at any given moment of our lives, to know friendly neighbors are a necessity rather than a condiment, to realize so much of happens in our lives is beyond our control. Comfort and safety can become soul numbing, inuring us to harsh realities faced daily by most inhabitants of our planet who are thankful that they and their children woke to see another day. We all need to be shaken up once in a while.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Dangerous Beauty
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6 comments:
Allison,
What an adventure. The pics are gorgeous. I'm sorry your daughter is over at a friend's home. I know that must be disconcerting. I guess it'll be one of those adventures she'll recount for the rest of her life. I hope you're able to get out on the roads safely soon. You're right about the reminder of our shaky state, and how vital friends and neighbors are.
Stay warm and safe. Have fun reading and being together.
Sounds like a couple of years ago when our power was out for nearly two weeks due to and ice storm. The pics are gorgeous.
I wanted to stop by and tell you how much I enjoyed your poems in Relief's first issue. Beautiful in every sense of the word - they made me with I wrote more poetry.
Nathan Knapp
wish*
Amy,
My daughter was rescued by our adventurous neighbor with a 4 wheel drive. I was so happy to have her back! And we still have power :)
Nate,
Thank you for searching me out and leaving your note. It is very much appreciated. So, you don't really have a lisp? awww.
Hinter Wonderland. The empty benches almost look like two deer grazing through the snow. Did you ever read Franzen's book on How to be Alone? We crave it until it happens to us and then we'll do anything to find connection. (that's not from the book, that I know of. I haven't read it yet.) It's a discipline, much like organizing a busy life. I imagine the trick for you is keeping the girls occupied and content so you can actually immerse yourself in bird feathers.
I think your insight into comfort and safety is 100% correct. I thank God for it, but I need to do so more often.
I'm glad y'all are ok!
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