Spending a week this time of year in this cabin gave me a taste of Thoreau at Walden. Some of the nights were quite icy, even with a wood fire beside me.
Tag: Nature
LOBSTER TRAP DEBRIS
Wreckage on the shore serves as a warning and reminder. The sea can turn violent in a moment. Another harsh winter’s ahead for all of us in these parts. And commercial fishing’s an especially dangerous occupation.
Just look at what it does to metal.
WHEN NOR’EASTERS HIT HOME
New England gets hit by nasty storms called nor’easters. Often, they’re like off-season, slow-moving hurricanes that move up the coastline, spinning wind off the ocean and inward over land. That is, the wet wind comes out of the east. (Although, to be technical, it often arrives out of the south.)
Sometimes, their wallop comes as heavy rain. At other times, it’s tons of snow – even a blizzard. Either way, power outages, falling trees, wind damage to roofs and chimneys, and flooding can follow.
A power outage with flooding knocks the sump pump out, as well, and then there goes the furnace, if there are delays in restoring electrical service. To say nothing of the freezer out in the barn.
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The so-called Perfect Storm, by the way, was one more nor’easter. A reminder to take these things quite seriously.
OF GALAXIES AND CRICKETS
As I said at the time …
To what extent can we break free of prose narrative cloaked in verse form? (What the critic Paul Chowder calls “slow prose.”) Sing and shout! Chant! Evoke incantation! It’s always comforting to know of others who feel the same way! Keep it up! The night is friendly, indeed.
~*~
Sometimes, even the galaxy seems to drum along with the crickets.
MOHEGAN ISLAND
There’s a romantic allure to the idea of living on an island, and Maine has more than its share. Still, a day visit can be memorable.
ALONG THE MERRIMACK
For three years I lived along the banks of the Merrimack River, a primary energy source for 19th century New England industry.
DROUGHT RECOVERY
As I said at the time …
The ground was so dry the rainfall ran right off. The grass had all browned and turned to thatch.
But then, after a week of storms, the green returned. Mushrooms sprouted everywhere, even in broad sunlight.
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Gee, these days I don’t even remember where that was. But I do know it’s true.
FALSE ALARM
Five volunteer departments responded, “The whole hill is on fire!” – only to discover a brilliant sunset in the woods. Five, all of the members dropping their daily activities to dash off on an emergency mission.
Now the caller was running for sheriff.
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All these years later, I can’t remember who won.
BASIC TRAVEL
There are many approaches when it comes to travel. Some folks like the big cruise ships. The Jet Set, well, flies off to chic-chic hot spots – and skips everything in between. For more down-to-earth vagabonds, there are camper-trailers and the like, and a whole range of campgrounds geared to their needs. Add to that bus tours and trains or the ol’ family car or even a bicycle or motorcycle.
And the destinations can be just as varied – from big cities, foreign countries, mountains or seaside, resort or casino, dude ranch or nature preserve, family or friends.
That’s even before we throw in factors like snow (either to escape or use for skiing) and sunshine.
My preference leans toward the back pack in one way or another. When I was “on the road” covering 14 states in sales, I used to call my valet bag a businessman’s back pack, for good reason. On my own, I’m likely to be using my sleeping bag, too, so you get the picture.
Maybe now that I’m retired I’ll even get back to some backpacking in the nearby White Mountains. We’ll see. I learned the lessons well as a Boy Scout.
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REDWOOD AND RED CEDAR
As I said at the time, all too long ago now:
Preserved and mature, how tall the great trees along the Northwest rim: the redwood, red cedar, Douglas fir.
Too often a memory, the tall-masted vessels as well, billowing in the current.
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Jnana's Red Barn 