Ice Out
If for a moment we make way with our petty selves, wish no ill to anything, apprehend no ill, cease to be but as the crystal which reflects a ray – what shall we not reflect! What a universe will appear crystallized and radiant around us!
– Henry David Thoreau, Letters 1850
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As with the rest of New England, northern Maine experienced an unusually early spring thaw. In what I’m referring to as “The Great Meltdown of 2012,” we recorded seven straight days of temperatures in the 50s, 60s and 70s, peaking at 78 degrees on two consecutive days. Linda and I live on the north branch of the Meduxnekeag River and “ice out” is a major event at our place. This year the ice started breaking up and jammed on March 18th and went out early Tuesday morning on the 20th. (It was still officially winter.) While this is certainly earlier than the norm and has the locals still talking, at least the canoeing is excellent.
Part of the “ice out” experience is what I call back woods beachcombing; checking out the chunks of ice left behind on the river banks and flats after the water has receded. Some of these frozen slabs are like small icebergs parked beside the flowing stream just waiting for somewhere to go. If you look closely you can see layers to the ice. Some of the layers are opaque, frosted or holding debris, but some are perfectly clear like an ice cube you could float in a drink. When the sunlight hits the clear ice the ice comes to life.
The transcendentalists spoke about the individual becoming clear of self-limiting tendencies. When these blockages are removed the creative energies of insight, compassion and equanimity flow effortlessly wherever they are directed. The universe is charged with life and we are a part of it. Go outside and feel the sun warming your body, your shirt and your spirit.
Soak it in.
Radiate.
Dave