Flood waters deluged downtown Machias on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Here you can see Route 1 and Court Street covered in saltwater and salt ice. Photo by Bill Kitchen

One short week, two big storms

After a warm drive home from Helen’s, the run to the house was all I wanted to see of last night’s 20 degrees. So imagine my disappointment when I realized I had left my phone in the car. I reluctantly put on a scarf and set back out, this time at a slower pace.

Friday night’s clear skies and brilliant stars did not hint at the fury that might descend on us today. Saturday,. January 13th is predicted to deliver the second in a one-two punch of storms that could once again flood downtown Machias, and many of Maine’s coastal communities. If you haven’t seen the footage this week, take a look here, and here.

Locally, I think the best compilation is the one put together by The Maine Story, to the tune of Johnny Cash’s Five Feet High and Rising. The floodwaters weren’t five feet high in Machias, mercifully, and no humans were injured in the storm. But multiple downtown buildings were given unwelcome saltwater baths, including the Machias Town Office, which temporarily became an island – a soggy island – and as a result, is closed until Tuesday. 

Or longer, depending on what Saturday brings. The wind is kicking up, and high tide will come just before noon. But still, mercifully, no rain or snow.

Maybe this storm will go easier.

No town is an island, but sometimes, a town office is an island. (Forgive me, John Donne). The Machias Town Office building, seen here, was one of many downtown businesses that took an unwelcome saltwater bath on Wednesday, Jan. 10. You can see video of tidal water overtopping the Machias dike here. Photo by Bill Kitchen

Meanwhile, in the Dedmon household, we have all been missing our beautiful barn cat, Fern, later renamed Fernando when a vet tech informed us we had a male on our hands. What she actually said was, “Oh my god, how could you think this is a female, he’s HUGE!”

But I didn’t know much about cats, not having had them since my teens, due to allergies. Still, we were utterly charmed by Fern who came from we-know-not-where and chose us, moving into the attic of our garage for his mostly-home lo these past six years.

We fed him, we made heated nests for him in the wintertime, and we enjoyed his conversation. He would chat with me while I worked in the garden, chat with my husband while he worked in the garage, and he would even allow us to pet him – to a point. And then, he would slash at us, and start chatting again.

Fern, later named Fernando when we discovered he was a male, was — is? — a feral cat who loved human company, and like so many in my family, enjoyed nothing more than a nice chat in the garden. Photo by Sarah Craighead Dedmon

We could tell that Fern was a fighter by the injuries he would have in the mornings and the new notch in his ear that showed up after a night on the town. But, he was also sweet, and so when the polar vortex was predicted last February, allergies or no, we decided Fern had to come inside.

It was what he had always wanted.

For the duration of the 2023 freeze (we thought), Fern moved into our 15-year-old’s room, and Sam was over the moon in love. In fact, they were in love with each other. Sam could carry Fern around like a baby, and not risk a slice to the jugular, and Fern would sleep on a stuffed shark close to Sam’s head each night. Soon, despite my allergies, we couldn’t resist letting Fern roam the house, too. I loved finding him in a bookcase, or on the kitchen table, or blissfully napping beneath the Christmas tree.

Still, Fern wanted to be an outdoor cat, too. We tried providing him with a litter box, but he refused. He would cry to be let out, and, we told Sam, what can we do? This is an outdoor creature. 

We knew Fern was not entirely ours.

So, every time Fern wanted to go outside, we would announce, “Fern is going out!” and Sam would come give him a hug.

Just in case.

But no one remembers letting Fern out on the last day of the year. When we arrived home from our friend’s New Year’s Eve party, he didn’t come when we called. And he didn’t come the next morning. And he didn’t eat the cans of tuna we left out by the road, or the cat treats on the Jeep, and even though it was 15 degrees outside, he didn’t come in through the bedroom window Sam left open overnight.

Many nights in a row.

It’s been almost two weeks now. We’ve searched the neighborhood. I’ve posted on social media. We’ve hung flyers. I’ve filed missing pet reports with all of the major Maine organizations.

One of their volunteers kindly called and said to take heart, most cats on their site are found between the 2 and 3-week mark. Most of them, she said, are either trapped in someone’s outbuilding or garage or driven out of their territory, and have lost the way home.

Leave your socks outside, she said, to guide him. 

I hear hopeful stories from friends who have lost cats for weeks, even months. Just this week I heard of a neighbor’s pet raccoon making its way the full 9 miles into Machias, and thought, if a short stubby raccoon, why not Fern?

But being gone this long really isn’t on brand for Fern, who so late in his fierce, King-of-the-Night life, had come to appreciate the merits of a crocheted afghan, in a bookcase, by a fire. 

We miss him.

Upcoming Events

PUBLIC SUPPER: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 10, when the town of Machiasport will host a fundraiser supper to benefit the restoration of historic Liberty Hall. The evening will also include a silent auction full of incredible items, live music, and a Fort O’Brien student art show. Click here or on the photo to learn more.

Through the work of the town and devoted volunteers, especially Anna Grimshaw and David Freedberg, Liberty Hall has been brought back from the brink of ruin, but there’s so much more work to be done to this building which long served as the cultural and civic heart of Machiasport. Read more of its history here. Photo courtesy Town of Machiasport

VALENTINE’S DAY BAKE SALE: Can you bake something delicious, or purchase something delicious? Then I’m looking for YOU to donate to the Porter Memorial Library Annual Valentine’s Day Bake Sale, scheduled for the day itself, Wednesday, Feb. 14. All proceeds to benefit Porter Memorial Library! If you are able to donate, you can let me know by responding to this message, or contact the library directly by calling 255-3933.

New on the podcast

My interview with Beth C. Wright Executive Director Angela Fochesato, who came on the podcast to announce that Beth Wright has opened a facility in Washington County, for the first time, fulfilling a longtime dream of the late Beth Wright. Learn how this organization is providing vital services to Way Downeast cancer patients and their families. You can listen easily and for free by clicking the image below, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

We enjoy sharing our love of Washington County, Maine, so much that we’d honestly do it for free. In fact, we do! But we wouldn't say no if you wanted to buy us an oat milk macchiato for our troubles. Now you can donate through the mail (see PO Box below), PayPal, or Stripe!

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