I’m a Virgo, and I have six planets in Virgo and a rising sign of Pisces (a water sign), all according to my astrological chart. What does this have to do with ice dams?

I’ll tell you. People born under the sign of Virgo are fastidious, great attention to detail, perfectionists, must analyze every situation, have difficulty making decisions because they want to be right and also often live in denial.

This winter, I stood out in the blizzard and frequent snowstorms to rake the roof of my home. I know my neighbors stood at their windows, probably sipping hot cocoa, shaking their heads at the crazy woman fighting with the snowy roof. I was determined to prevent ice dams from taking over my beloved shelter.

The first day of springlike weather (46 degrees), I walked into my foyer and stopped and stared in horror at the ceiling, which was bubbled and wrinkled like a blistered and peeling sunburn. I felt so betrayed – all my work had failed.

After calling my insurance company, after the visit from the adjuster, the contractor arrived. After my forlorn “Why?” he turned to me and, in his soft voice, he said, “Water follows the path of least resistance.”

I stared at him, struggling with the concept and the difficult decisions I had to make, and laughed at myself, realizing that this Virgo with a rising water sign, like the ice dam, has followed the path of least resistance.

After 30 years of not wanting to know what inner workings plague my house and what work needed to be done, I have scheduled an energy audit. I can no longer kiss the boo-boos and think they will go away. My home has provided me with great comfort and joy, and it deserves my loving care.

Stephanie Betzold

Cape Elizabeth