Wow. Plunged by weather into the 19th century, this past weekend has given each of us plenty to think about…the Friday night freeze and the wrenching sound of trees cracking and ice tinkling, the explosions and blue flashes as power transformers blew up around the neighborhoods. Lying in beds piled high with quilts and comforters we had fingers crossed that no trees fell on the roof. And then the cold…the search for temporary solutions, the taking stock of what could help us survive. No power, no internet, but a few images of the tree tragedy that happened in our town…(these “borrowed from KLE and MLZ)
Our house was built in 1849, back when candles would have been in daily use (as they still are today for us thankfully…we have a cupboard full of Jubla) and there might have been a charming moment or two…
while we rounded up the candles and the right equipment…
but mostly it was just super cold…and not that fun…
and for me personally Monday was surgery day…I had to do some “protocols” which were showers but…no hot water so we drove to Portland in a snow and ice storm, I took a shower at Zach’s house, drove home on Valentine’s day in the dark…it was, well, depressing.
But when we arrived home there was a sack on the porch…
and on we go…thinking of the Wallers in “our” house (or us in the Waller’s house), of all the storms, of the McElhinnys in this same room, of the life flowing through a house and a town and a world…of friends and how they help us. Thank you friends. Keep in touch.
On The Way 
I slept through are outage. Didnt last long, i feel real lucky. just spent days shoveling and crashing with pain. The worst is over i hope
Glad you slept through it Jackie!
Once again you capture our collective experience beautifully.
Hope the surgery achieves all it might.
Savor warmth and devices having returned.
Know we care.
Two weeks out and doing well…appreciate hearing your vooice. xo
Dearest Bonnie & Roger
Such a relief to hear that you survived the storm!!! In discomfort but not in danger.
Love to you both!!
all love to you SDM…xxoo
the unsinkable bonnie & roger hull! we salute you. surgery and a snowstorm trip to portland ON TOP of the other hardships…! a crummy deal.
the crummy stuff seems to be picking up speed after 75, no?
yes, & after 75 our batteries are losing juice.
oh nooooo…the trees……
Glad you made it through everything.
I agree…not the trees!! xxoo
To hear trees going down under ice is a sound I do not care for! My daughter was also without electricity.. they used their fireplace for heat and the grill that burns wood to cook on. They put the grill in the barn so they wouldn’t be out in the weather to cook. Great to see you under those pretty quilts.❤️
Bonnie, such eloquent words for a most difficult situation! Thank you for sharing.
I wore my coat, knit, scarve and gloves for three days straight as we had no power, no internet and our cell phones were down. I couldn’t sew but we, too, built a fire. It was humbling. Sending prayers from Texas for a quick and smooth recovery for you. – Joyce Wilcox
Warmth and cheer from these quilts…we are woefully unprepared for this kid of emergency I’m afraid…
Poor Texas Joyce…hope you guys are doing okay. LOVED the “welcome”…xxoo
You’ve taken the “problem” and given us the beauty in it, well done.
…all aroound town though… and then there will be a favorite tree unscathed. Random.
For me it was a week of no power. Very strange, not even cel phone. I was in another world for sure. Grateful to have a wood stove, but horrified by all the trees down. Glad to see you and Roger survived in style!
Shirley I suppose your property is a mess out there…hope you are getting organized…xxoo
Hello Bonnie,
You just came to mind, I found your blog and am pleasantly surprised to see your words and beautiful art sustaining you while you heal and from the ice storm. I think of you often when I come to Salem and walk by the ‘Arbor Cafe’. It was so good for me to be on the team as a server while living downtown Salem and attending Chemeketa community college, while attending to my second half of life as a vibrant single woman. Oh, this is Marilynn Russell, ☺️. I’ve been in Portland since 2005, I have my welding/art studio at my home here.
It was always inspiring to be around your artwork while at the cafe and going to museum in town.
I come to Salem often and trekked through on my way to my property on the north Santiam. It is gone now with last September fires, I AM REBUILDING, and so is my soul. I love the north fork and it’s continuous solace it gave/gives me.
I’m glad to know you are well and creating-☺️
Take care, I do hope you recall who I am. Once gone from your cafe I had called you on a Sunday afternoon as I was by the cafe and saw the doors were not locked, called you and you came right down to ‘lock up’.
Take care,
Marilynn