Birds, Winter

After the Storm

78 Comments

In central Maine, we came through Tuesday’s storm just fine and were spared the worst. We didn’t lose our power, for which we were very grateful.

I did make some oatmeal squares ahead of time, just in case we needed to console ourselves in the flickering light of an oil lamp.

As it turned out, we consoled ourselves in the nonflickering light of electric lamps.

But we did get some snow, and then some rain, which made a slushy mess Clif had to clean with his scoop. It was too wet and heavy for our electric snow thrower.

The birds, who had sheltered in the woods behind our house during the storm, were out in full force on Wednesday morning. It’s hungry work staying warm during such bad weather. Most, if not all, are finches.

The Maine coast, however, wasn’t as lucky as inland. There were massive surges and flooding where roads and even some homes and businesses were destroyed. Here is a clip from News Center Maine that shows some of the damage from Tuesday’s storm.

It’s been one heck of a winter, and it’s just barely started.

 

 

78 thoughts on “After the Storm”

  3. Thank goodness you were spared the worst of it but at least it was a good excuse to make some ‘just in case’ baked goodies. We have had a very wet late autumn/winter so far with lots of flooding in some places so I’m quite pleased that we’re having bright, albeit very cold, days this week. You can keep the snow though – best admired from a distance in my opinion.
    Happy New Year by the way.

  5. So far we have had virtually no snow, though we got an inch or so last night that is stuck on all the branches making it pretty. Predicted for many inches though, over the weekend. Penny will like it. I stocked up, so I’m staying in for the duration. I’m glad yours wasn’t as bad as it might have been but I’m also sad that those on the coast suffered so much. Our weather seems to be so far out of whack I wonder if it will ever be what we experienced as kids again.

    1. I have been thinking the same thing, Dawn. I have lived in Maine for most of my life, and I have never ever seen weather like this. Flooding in Maine in December and January? What the heck!

  7. Definitely pretty bad along the whole eastern coast. Makes me glad I live inland. 🙂 Glad you came through okay. Those oat bars look pretty darn good!

  8. All the towns along the Midcoast, from Damariscotta to Belfast have had a lot of flooding. Some of the pictures I’ve seen are devastating.

  9. We were lucky, too, except that we had the same combo of slushy snow completely inundated with rain, which wasn’t all that lucky. I’ve just come in from my final efforts at scoop-pushing before the temps plunge for a day or so. No need to go to the gym when you have a driveway full of cement-like slush-snow to clear off! What a strange, strange winter so far. 😳

  10. I’m pleased to read you were spared the worst of the storm, and didn’t lose power..best wishes for those along the coast. Enjoy your oatmeal squares..😊👌

  11. So glad you came through with the lights on because it’s much better to see those oatmeal bars with power. 🙂 That is quite the video, and hope all near those flooded areas came out okay. A little break would be good now.

  12. So glad to hear you have dodged the worst of the storm and you didn’t lose power! You and the family will have to eat all the oatmeal squares in celebration!
    However, my best wishes goes to those living along the coast, the storm and water raging looks dreadful.

  13. Glad you all experienced minimal impact from this widespread storm. In Western Maryland we had rain and wind. So, I’m thinking it’s time for you to share the recipe for those tasty looking oat bars!!

  16. Thanks for the update, Laurie, and I’m so glad you survived pretty much unscathed. We’re expecting bitterly cold (below zero temps) and fierce winds (gusts to 50 mph) this weekend. I might have to tie weights on poor Monk to keep him from blowing away!

  19. I’m so glad you managed to consume those delicious-looking bars in the soft glow of electric lights. That’s quite a video. It reminds me of our hurricanes; did this one qualify as a true nor-easter? Of course, a storm by any other name can be just as destructive. I hope you all get a reprieve now.

    1. No, I don’t think it qualified as a nor’easter. At least nobody called it that. But you are right. No matter the name, that was one destructive storm, and tomorrow, there’s a forecast for another one with more flooding for the coast. I don’t know how much more they can take.

  23. Phew! So glad you kept your power. The weather here is behaving very strangely too. Stay snug and warm and may all your snow be light and fluffy and no trouble at all from now on.

      1. We had snow today but not much and it should warm up tomorrow. So far all has been OK.

    1. We are are a hearty bunch, but that last storm really knocked the stuffing out of our coastal communities. And, yes, more storms are coming our way. Sigh.

  25. Thank you for the update, Laurie. I’m glad you stayed safe, warm, and dry through the storm. Let’s hope the poor people and animals affected by the worst of the storm will get back on their feet soon.
    Best wishes,
    Tanja

  26. So glad to hear you didn’t lose power and that it wasn’t as bad as predicted. Our coastline had similar weather during that storm. We had some coastal flooding today from the wind driving the water inland. Looks like the next round is coming through on Tuesday. Stay safe and warm. This winter is a doozy. 🙂

      1. How very sad! We have lost a number of houses in our coastal villages and towns this winter. The cliffs have been battered by waves wind and rain and the houses have fallen into the sea. Nothing can be done about all this unfortunately.

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  29. I’m glad you came through okay, Laurie. Oregon also had some severe weather (for Oregon), but we missed it by some miracle. It’s cold though. Your oatmeal squares look like a nice treat for weathering the storm. 🙂

  30. We lost a big pine tree in our second wind storm. The ground was so wet that it just blew over and uprooted the whole root ball. Bizarre weather for this time of year. Glad you made it through this one OK, my friend. That video was heartbreaking.

  31. That was some video! The same thing is happening in the city of Boston, thanks to gross indifference. Cassandras have seen the future for years. Warnings ignored.

  32. So glad you kept your power and got through the storm safely Laurie and lovely to see all the birds being so well cared for! 💜 Our hearts go out to all the people affected by the storms along the coast, it looks very bad there in the video 🙏

  34. Three cheers for delicious baked goods and electric lights. A bird’s life must be endlessly challenging. I’m happy to hear they take refuge behind your home, and then head to the feeders when the time is right.

    It’s hard to believe you’re at this stage with just three weeks into January. Are they predicting more or will you finally get a break?

  35. Good to know you stayed warm and well-lit through the storm. Keep feeding those birds, they must be so miserable right now. What a start to the year.

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