Here we are in March, which in Maine means peak ugliness. The snow is melting. There is mud. There are dirty snowbanks.
This little beauty is not far from our home.
See what I mean? I wasn’t exaggerating even one little bit about peak ugliness in Maine in March.
Flowers are still only a dream. Instead, we have last season’s dried remnants clinging to branches.
But, but, and but. I am an American, and even in this time of the novel coronavirus—whose true name is now SARS-CoV-2—and the terrible lies and incompetence coming from those at the top who should know and do better, I wanted to find something good in this God-awful month.
And, lo and behold: I did find something. Two somethings, actually.
Just up the road from us is a magnificent tree that was horribly damaged during the Great Ice Storm of 1998. After the ice storm, the tree looked as though it had been maimed. (Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of the tree when it was in that sorry state.) Even though this tree is not on our land, we love it dearly and worried about it.
But twenty-two years later, the tree is thriving, beautiful in any season, even March.
Not far from this magnificent tree there are other smaller trees providing sap to a neighbor who taps them every year.
While March brings peak ugliness, especially this year, it also brings the running of sap, which in turn is boiled down to one of nature’s sweetest gifts—maple syrup.
Can pancakes be far behind?
There is always beauty somewhere. Lovely post.
Many thanks!
So glad about that tree. Nature is really wonderful!
Wonderful to see how it survived that terrible ice storm.
I also think we can find beauty everywhere if we only look around us, even when it comes to humans. At least there are still a few who try to do good.
Yes, beauty is everywhere. There is so much good but sometimes it seems that good gets swamped by not so good. (Dare I say bad? Or go even darker and say evil?)
It’s a wonderful time of year when pure white sap runs our of our favorite maple trees only to be boiled and turned into delicious syrup. Nothing beats pancakes and New England Maple Syrup.
You bet! I could have some right now.
Regarding the pancake question, I would say that the answer is, “I hope not!”
This weekend!
Boy, was the sap running today! What a glorious day… we walked in just shirtsleeves for the first time since October. Then I read a few chapters of David Sedaris on the front porch, which had me laughing out loud. All in all a great day– it really is up to us to keep our spirits up. ❤
Sounds like you had a finest kind of day, as we Mainers would say. Plan to go outside and pick up sticks in the backyard. Excitement!
It’s nice to be out in the fresh air and sunshine after so long of being cooped up. 🙂
Sure is! Yesterday, I picked up all the sticks in the backyard. Loved it!
I think spring chores are the happiest, lol!
I had feelings of nostalgic affection sweep over me when I saw that dirty snow. That was March in Iowa, too, and those dirty snowbanks were a sign that spring was coming — eventually.
My most amusing dirty snow story might amuse you. I was supposed to be going to the library during my senior year in high school. I decided to take the car into the country for a little joy ride.I took a muddy and snowy 90 degree curve a little fast, and ended up in the ditch: just sitting atop all the snow and mud that had filled up the ditch and solidified.
A nearby farmer pulled me out with his tractor and a chain. The dirt on the sides of the car wasn’t even a little disturbed, so I drove home and parked the car in the garage without saying a word. Three days later, all that mud dried and fell off onto the concrete floor of the garage. My dad came in that night and said, “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”
Oh this made me laugh! Great story. And I must admit I’ve never heard anyone say that dirty snow has brought feelings of affection and nostalgia. 😉
The thought of pancakes and maple syrup helps brighten any day! Love the photos of the trees!🙂
Many thanks! I think pancakes are on the menu for this weekend.
I just look forward to the Spring to come!!
I think it is here.
That big tree looks great. Especially with that perfect blue sky above it.
Many thanks!
One (of many) reasons that I regularly follow this blog is your ability to see beauty everywhere. I’m hoping that this quailty is contagious! 😀
Many, many thanks! Also, I live in a beautiful area of lakes and woods. Very easy to find beauty, even in March.
Nevertheless, you find and present the beauty.
It is all around me, even in March. 😉
I love the metaphor of the surviving tree, Laurie. I’m going to hang on to that image today.
Yes, me, too! I wish I had a picture of the way it looked right after the ice storm. Oh, my!
The transition from winter to spring is always beautiful. And I love those sap buckets!
Sure is! I, too, love seeing those buckets come out every spring.
what a sweet post. Cheered me to read it. love Michele
Thanks, Michele!
🙂 All will be beautiful very soon.
Pancakes, ah I better make them tomorrow. I have home made cherry jam, no maple syrup 🙂
Cherry jam is delicious, too.
🙂 yes it is