This time of year many people welcome the warmth and sunshine--and even the rains--that come with spring. In climates like Maine, where the winters tend to be long and sometimes wicked cold, spring is an especially welcome time of year, and some residents even take to the streets to celebrate.
A parade in downtown Portland today featured dancers, drummers and others in masks and head dresses as they performed a modified version of the West African Ebune celebration to welcome spring. The ceremony represents a community pulling together, working together, and preparing for renewal. (Photo and story courtesy of Portland Press Herald - http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=249172&ac=PHnws).
On Wednesday, April 8, Jewish residents from around the state will gather for the blessing of the sun -- an international ceremony that occurs only once every 28 years to celebrate the beginning of a new astronomical cycle. According to an article in today's Portland Press Herald (http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/newsupdate.php?updates/sun-blessing-planned-for-wednesday), the ceremony is both a "spiritual tradition and a celebration of the sun and earth."
Our forecast for much of the week is mostly liquid sunshine instead, although curiously enough, the little pictures in the online forecast show a sun image only one day this week -- and that's Wednesday. Coincidence? I wonder.....
Finally enough break in the ice for the fly fishermen hardy enough to cast those flies. Photo courtesy of Maine Outdoor Journal (http://maineoutdoorjournal.mainetoday.com/).As I write this I am enjoying listening to the drumming of that liquid sunshine on our roof outside, along with the low moaning of nearby foghorns, while I sit cozily ensconced in front of a small electric fireplace in our bedroom. I have always wanted a fireplace in my bedroom, and now it's possible without wood or gas or even a chimney -- you just take it out of the box, attach the legs underneath with the turn of a few screws, plug it in and presto! -- instant fireplace.
I bought the fireplace for about $100 on sale from Target a few months ago when they offered free shipping too. Even given my obsessively thrifty ways, this was one of the smartest purchases I've made in a long time because it heats a room or two nicely without a burn or fire hazard (beyond other normal electric appliances of course) -- and the costs to operate it doesn't seem to be much more than a lamp, but it yields a lot of warmth and a comforting orange glow. Since it may be a while yet before our spring nets a substantial warming trend, I look forward to more cozy nights in front of our mobile fireplace. Ahhhhh.
Of course "warming trend" is relative, and while spring in some regions of the country means things warm up enough to shed the coats entirely on many days, in Maine residents are likely to simply trade the winter coat for a lighter-weight one, and it will be well into June (probably almost July) before we venture outside without some overcoat or other. But at least we can put the mukluks away for now!
Best to all, cy
No comments:
Post a Comment