Every tree limb, branch & twig was encased in ice.We lost our electric power the day before , but we were warm and snug inside as we enjoyed the Christmas card scenery from our living room in front of the wood stove.
Base camp the past few days was this spot in the living room. Look at how much light candles put out. We did a lot of reading, and we listened to our battery powered radio from here.
I had clusters of candles in places we needed light. These candles lit our rummy games. ( My husband was the big winner.)
Can you see the little chickadee amidst the iced branches ?
Hearth and mantle.Warmth & light.
With so much ice encasing them, the trees began to pop, crack, burst, explode, and shoot everywhere, or just drop and shatter.For a full 24 hours it was not safe to venture beyond our porch. The animals too, stayed under cover.The bird feeding area in the front of our home was destroyed.
The flowering plum tree and the vine maple will not live to see spring.
The goats could not get into their sleeping loft, but they did enjoy snacking on the barriers.
This broke my heart, one of my husband's bee-hives was shattered by cottonwood limbs, the bees were huddled together for warmth , to no avail.
Well, I guess we have to start all over again around here, but there is so much hard work, so many labors of love my husband invested in Cedar Pond.Now the clean-up begins, and I know this will take awhile but we'll get it done.
Meanwhile, I am keeping the fire going in the wood-stove. The power blipped out as I was down-loading pictures for this post. Winter has only begun and the wood stove has already worked hard to provide warmth. We cooked our meals on it and heated lots of water for baths and washing up. "It's not the case, though some might wish it so, Who from a window watch the blizzard blow. White riot through their branches vague and stark, That they keep snug beneath their pelted bark. They take affliction in until it jells To crystal ice beneath their frozen cells.." Richard Wilbur ~Orchard Trees, January
21 comments:
I'm so sorry for the devastation there at Cedar Pond. I am thankful that you both are safe and have been warmed by the stove. I know it seems overwhelming to begin this massive cleanup (again). Keeping you both in my prayers.
As the news of the storm came in you guys were on my mind. I'm so sorry about your broken trees and the work it will take to clean up.
I'm thankful that you are safe and warm. I often wish we had more trees around here, but now I wonder after seeing yours! Poor bees! Thoughts and prayers with you!
Debbie
Oh Kathy, there is so much damage there. I'll be thinking of you. I'm so sorry to see there is so much destruction left behind for you to clean up. That's very sad news too about the bee hive. I'm grateful that you were able to stay safe and warm until it was over.
I am glad to hear that you guys are ok!! It's been such a scary week. The sounds of snapping trees and crashing limbs could not be ignored here either. What a mess!
I was loving all of your winter beauty until I got to your losses. The trees, bees and birds. So sorry that you're having to go through this. God bless you and keep you safe.
Lovely pictures, haven't had an ice storm this year yet.
Amy
The devastation around Cedar Pond will be felt for a long time to come, I know. As I looked at the photo of your husband I thought of the enormous amount of work ahead of him. Thanks goodness you'd documented everything so well with your photos. You will miss your blossoming trees in April and May.
I hope that your husband will not over-exert himself. I will pray for the two of you as you start to put things together again.
xo
Oh my, now I feel real bad for complaining about our snowfall and icy roads. Glad you have that wood stove. May God give you strength and joy in the restoration of your property...
Oh, Kathy, I'm just so sorry that you've lost so many trees! Trees that have taken years to grow. And what about your bee hive? Did the bees die? Will they come back or go to another hive? SO much work to do. But I'm so glad you guys have been warm and safe and nothing fell on the house, and your critters are okay. Surely the power will be back on soon! In the meantime, put another log on, and get another cup of tea, and play another game of rummy. Sending big hugs your way and prayers for safety and easy clean-up!!!
It's sad that such beauty can bring about such devastation!! Having been through several of those types of storms I feel your pain. And the sounds (like an explosion) of a tree giving way under too much weight... truly frightening. Praying that the cleanup will go smoothly and your losses not too great. Feeling a little sad for you.
It is so sad to see the downed trees and the smashed bee hive. I've got family out there by you who were without power for many days.
It loks awfully cold but the ice sure looks beautiful...Christine
How can the ice be so beautiful yet so destructive. So glad you have the comfort of the warm fire. Be safe during all your clean up.
I know it's hard seeing all the damage to the trees but I'm sure your husband is just devastated about the bees. Did any of them survive?
We have some very similar icy pictures from here too. In all lots of branches down and the loss of three maple tree and one cedar. We were fortunate to keep our power on but it's been iffy, especially last night with the wind storm.
Well we got everything in a weeks time so maybe now we will have an early Spring!
I am so sorry what happened in your garden... we had a similar situation some ten years ago... I am thankful to God for protecting you!
Oh my, I'm so sorry about the bee hives and all the broken limbs/trees......
I'm glad you all are safe and your home was saved from falling trees or limbs.
Keeping you in my prayers.
You have had a hard winter there this year. Sorry you have so much cleanup and lost the bees. Praying for you guys. Not that long til spring, amen... Hugs. LJ
Sorry about everything that got messed up in the storm! I'm glad that you had your wood stove to keep warm with. It all looks so pretty until the ice brings everything down.
Oh, Kathy, my heart breaks for you guys. What a mess, and to think of those poor and much needed bees, and your favorite trees.
I am happy that you have the wood stove and stayed warm and found time to enjoy reading, playing cards and each other. I'm keeping you in my prayers.
Maybe God feels the same way about us sometimes; he makes the world so beautiful and fills it up with lovley kiddos and then something comes along to wreck it. I know that you guys will get things cleaned up, but I am sorry about your losses. Glad that your pets are all fine. Hugs.
Kathy M.
Oh, my goodness, that certainly is a winter snap. Stay warm! blessings,Kathleen
Oh Kathy, I am so very sorry; it's all so horrible. I hate the bee hive was destroyed, the loss of life. Thankfully, the rest of the lives were spared.
God keep you all safe.
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