Days of Miracles and Wonder*
it's been a while
It’s March 29th and there’s a thin coating of snow on the ground from the showers that passed through this morning. The sun is still shining on my face even though it’s 4:15 in the afternoon. On my daily walks, I’m seeing more and more brave little green heads poking up through the cold soil. Spring is valiantly trying to beat back Winter. I’ve long claimed Fall as my favorite season, but every year when Spring marches in, I realize how lethargic and gloomy I had been and how much I really need Spring too. Maybe my fondness of these seasons of moderation and transition are spillovers from my indecisive and peacemaker personality. I’m adverse to extremes in many areas of my life.
Our first winter in Maine was the ‘coldest I have in recent memory’ with ‘much more snow than recent years.’ I’m quoting life-long Mainers here. Yet there were only 3 or 4 weeks where I was afraid of falling due to ice while walking with the dog. And for me, the ‘Maine’ difference between here and Virginia is if you forget your mittens, expect to be in Pain, not just uncomfortable. Hats, gloves, scarves, and thick socks were cozy in the Old Dominion. Here, they were essential. Essential also were all the wool accessories I had retail-therapy splurged on back in that season of working two jobs. My wool leggings, socks, and slip were worn almost daily and kept the chill at bay.
Speaking of two jobs, I applied to be a librarian here on a whim. My interview was the second time I had ever been in the building but I had driven past it and swooned at the setting countless times. Operating hours are only ten hours a week split into two days and there was no conflict with my current employment, so I made the leap. The interview consisted of me with 5 or 6 board members chatting over a delightful spread of snacks (including the most delicious brownies I’ve ever tasted in my life). I had high hopes, but have heard that they found a better fit… perhaps someone who’s lived on the island for decades and is already a known and loved personality to the community. The truth is, we don’t *need* this extra paycheck so I’m interpreting this shut door as an invitation to sink deeper into the gift of time with my family and the beauty of our home with gratitude. There is still so much left to explore and it’s tolerably warm outside most days now.
Being this is my first post since November, here’s a few winter highlights:
Watching pick-up hockey at the neighborhood tennis court (which is converted into an ice rink during winter months)
Enjoying our first town Christmas Festival with Gramma and Poppy Paul (Santa and the Mrs. came to shore on Mark’s favorite boat in the harbor)
Having enough snow to sled (Mark’s first time!!!)
Picking out a LIVE CHRISTMAS TREE for the first time in my married life at a farm
Mark’s first public performance on violin at the school’s “Winter Concert”
Epic charcuterie provided by my employer for Christmas Eve dinner
Enjoying the Christmas morning snow by walking a bit by Eagle Lake after mass
Caroling and cookies with our Northeast Harbor community on New Year’s Eve
Chauncey successfully pulled through a surgery to remove three benign “old man lumps” that were cosmetically ugly but also in spots at risk of scrapes/infection
Venturing out on the afternoon of my 39th birthday to visit Thunder Hole at high tide
A whirlwind visit home (less than 24 hours) to meet our newest nephew, Andrew
Witnessing the various stages of the interior renovations of our parish Holy Redeemer in Bar Harbor (it is going to be so incredibly beautiful)
Mark getting another stripe in BJJ, joining the altar serving crew, and placing 3rd (out of 4… haha) in his first chess tournament
*Mark has taken to our stereo system and has a few favorite albums he cycles through as DJ in the evenings. I re-introduced Paul Simon’s album Graceland to him 1) because it’s awesome 2) he’s been on an Elvis kick and I’m tired of the King’s greatest hits but his HOME is Graceland so Mark was open to this subtle redirection.
