"The View Beyond The Balcony" by Randy Weeks
We are expanding the field of vision of this column beyond The Balcony for the time being. Readers may not notice the difference, but believe us, there is one－for now at least.
Ice Storm Fern brought devastation to much of North Mississippi, particularly Lafayette County and Oxford. I’ve lifted portions of Facebook posts (anonymously and minimally edited in some cases) from Oxfordians in an attempt to give a truthful, fair, and accurate chronicle of Fern’s impact on our lives.
I’m trying to focus on the ground because looking at the blue sky and its blank patches where tree limbs used to be is really hard.
I spent almost twelve years in the Northeast, so I figured I’d seen about all winter could throw at you, but I’ve never experienced anything like what we went through last night.
Is it weird that I’m craving ice cream?
Yes, we got a sprinkling of snow overnight. Hopefully, that’s all we get.
Apparently some people lied about wires down so that they could get someone to their place sooner.
Dystopian conditions ahead. Use caution.
Outage start time: 01/25 12:19 a.m. Outage duration: 15 days, 07 hours, 10 minutes.
Spring melts the ice from our eyes.
Ice Storm Fern did a number on us.
…lots of lightning and thunder as well as the devastating sound of trees imploding. The dog refuses to sh*t out there…
I just saw a cherry picker and a bucket blade come down my street. It’s exciting.
On Thursday, we woke up to the sounds of chainsaws and a crew from Wiscon and Texas removing fallen trees and limbs on our road in front of our house. What a welcome sight and sound!
I smell your pain.
All 15 chickens survived the fallen trees, frozen water, and blocked gates. Two geese landed in our pond yesterday!
The word of the day is “crangy”. It’s when you’re so sick and tired of being cold that you’re cranky AND angry.
Ain’t so peaceful in the Valley no mo’!
WATER’s ON!!! Power is out…flushed toilets – lit gas fireplace.
No power. Only the sound of cold rain and tree limbs falling.
A tree like that is more than just a tree. She becomes a companion…Now, after a $5,000 funeral, she is firewood.
Square squatting looks a lot different now.
44 has power back on after 18 days! No more pioneer man!
THE OWL MADE IT!
I always wanted a walk-in refrigerator. Be careful what you wish for.
I had not been downtown until today. The destruction is incomprehensible.
Our snow globe shattered, but we will get through it.
We have power!
I mourn for the trees.
Dear Past, thank you for all the lessons. Dear Future, I am ready.
I told you ice was coming!
Got to love a clean sewer line!
Day 4 headlamp grilling…different vibes tonight.
Still have no power, but we have eggs and bacon and a propane grill. Whew!
Growing up in the Mountain West I thought I had seen the worst winter had to offer, but I have never experience thunder ice at 15 degrees and exploding trees.
Thanks to the incredible kindness of family and friends I have safe places to stay in town.
I have a space of quiet inside me－a bit of quiet inside me－a bit of safety to hide in－thanks to you, my friends. I love you.
…and that’s The View Beyond The Balcony.
Randy Weeks is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Shamanic Life Coach, a singer-songwriter, an actor, and an ordained minister. He prefers the cold to the heat, but Fern was a bit much. Randy can be reached at randallsweeks@gmail.com
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