It takes a pick-axe to break up the 18 inch sheet of ice over the path and the steps (thank you, thank you, dear neighbors!) but the electricity is on again after five days. Even though we’ve no water because a pipe burst the night the temperature went down to -30, we can now supplement the wood stove with the electrical heaters – and I can use my laptop. Time to write.

But I’m outside. I try not to stand under the trees in case any branches fall. That’s hard – we’re in the woods.

Every branch, every twig is encased in ice. Icicles drip off icicles. The ice is so heavy that many of the trees are broken or bent double.

All around an icy clattering. The trees are talking.

And then I realize I’m being watched…