~
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 8:30 a.m.
27 degrees, calm, mostly cloudy
There are presently more clouds in the sky than sun, but
an hour ago it looked like
today might be fair. No breeze stirs twigs and weeds, all
is calm if not bright. Yesterday
was an amazing day, all bluster and warmth. We drove to
Canton, and were beat up by wind
the entire way; driving became an isometric exercise just
to keep the car between the lines. The
roads up there are flat and open, with few natural
barriers to slow down the gales. For all its fury,
the wind felt like a tropical breeze, lacking the arctic
chill that is usually present this time of year. Re-
cord highs were set all across the state, with the
dashboard thermometer showing 66 degrees in early
afternoon. We didn’t really see much rain until
after we returned back to Gomer Hill, and then the sky
opened up and unloosed a couple of inches of water in a
short time. Runoff was level with the road in the
deep drainage ditches that bracket the pavement, and it
gurgled in sheets through the yard. It has been
too wet to harrow the gardens, which is actually a good
thing; the plant litter that is left has prevented
erosion during the heavy torrents of the past six weeks.
The garlic bed has sustained a lot of water
damage. If we have any crop at all next summer it will be
a miracle. Of course, when you think of it,
any time something survives the hard North country winter
and sends up bright green shoots in the
spring it is a miracle of the most primeval kind,
regeneration of that which seemed dead and gone.
Call it faith, call it Spirit, call it magic; call it
whatever you know in your heart to be true.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, November 29, 2005 6:45 a.m.
52 degrees, windy, partly cloudy
Big smoky clouds move swiftly across a brightening pre-dawn
sky. A very thin sliver of moon appears
in the southern sky now and then as it makes its was to
the west where it will set mid-afternoon. Several
rain showers during the night have taken away all of the
snow except for banks leftover from the plow.
More rain is on the way, and flooding is a real
possibility for low-lying areas. We have business up
north
today and will have to plan our return route carefully.
The Black River is still running high from the mid-
November deluge and recent snowmelt and the flooded
alluvial fields look like lakes when seen from the
edge of Tug Hill near Martinsburg. We notices large areas
of water ponded in the woods while we skied
over the weekend, and mentally marked their location for
future reference to avoid crossing them before
freeze-up. Today’s temperature is going to climb
into the 60s, making this an official indian summer day.
Tomorrow will bring snowflakes back to the North Country,
and usher in December with true wintry style.
Enjoy this unusual day,
Daisy
~
Monday, November 28, 2005 8:30 a.m.
39 degrees, calm, foggy
Snow is disappearing quickly in the fog, adding its
substantial moisture to the thick mist. It was nice
while it lasted, and we enjoyed a weekend of cross
country skiing that served to whet our appetites for the
long winter of fun yet to come. Yesterday was warm enough
that we had to shed layers of outerwear as
we warmed up from exertion. We stayed on an unplowed back
road for the most part, as unbroken snow
in the woods was a little sticky and slow. We skied back
to a new pond that just went in last summer; the
surface had a skimcoat of slushy ice that barely
supported the weight of the snowballs we lobbed onto it.
We saw tons of deer tracks, but no deer. Someone nearby
must have seen one, as we heard several
shots that weren’t all that far away. We made enough
commotion as we glidedalong that we couldn’t
possibly have been mistaken for anything other than human
beings out for an afternoon of fun.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Sunday, November 27, 2005 8:00 a.m.
25 degrees, calm, partly cloudy
Clouds are indistinct and thin, so the overall impression
is that of a sunny day in the works.
Sunrise was very pretty, and the snow sparkled with pink
multi-faceted crystals in the early light.
A pair of downy woodpeckers circles the aspen tree
outside the window, stopping occasionally to
pry out a tasty bug. A single bluejay sits atop a
beanpole; maybe he is going to try to choke down a
gigantic scarlet runner bean. So far no critter has tried
to eat the few beans that escaped harvest. They
are bigger than dried limas and hard as granite. Even the
deer have left them alone. I think the gardens
are finally devoid of edible scraps and seeds. They have
either been picked clean by scavengers or ren-
dered inedible by wet weather and mold. I saw plenty of
critters and their sign yesterday on a long after-
noon ski tour. I headed up a nearby unplowed road,
following a snowmobile track that afforded effort-
less glide with minimal effort. I turned into an old
spruce plantation and followed the orderly rows for
quite a while, seeing several flocks of chickadees and a
few pine grosbeaks peering down at me from
slender branches. The snow is about a foot deep, but
fluffy, so it wasn’t too hard to make my way through
the trees and scattered berry canes. A varying hare
dashed out from under a log, half mottled brown and
half white, well on its way to an immaculate snowy winter
coat that will help keep it camouflaged for the
long cold season. A fox crossed the road well ahead of
me; it too was a patchwork of red, grey and white,
its long plume of a tail held straight out as it trotted
along, nose to the ground, seemingly oblivious to my ap-
proach. I didn’t see any deer, but their footprints
crisscrossed the road many times. I skied until dark,
which
fell quickly yesterday. There was no sun to set, no long
twilight or purple hour, it was just very dark all at
once. I was glad I checked the time of sunset before I
left, and was close to the house when visibility
disappeared. Today’s sunshine will entice some
friends to join me on another cross-country trek,
and many feet will make breaking new trails an easy task.
I wonder what surprises are in store ?
Enjoy your day,
Daisy
~
Saturday, November 26, 2005 8:00 a.m.
16 degrees, breezy, overcast, flurries
Snowflakes drift past the window willy-nilly, not adding
much to the little heaps and banks that
the plowtruck sculpted yesterday morning. Lots of snow
fell to the north and south of here, but the
worst of it seemed to avoid Turin. Snow Ridge is covered
with a layer of snow, but not enough to warrant
running the lifts today. Perhaps next weekend, who knows?
There isn’t really enough snow for snowmobiles
to run on either, but that didn’t stop them last
night. The high-pitched whine of tuned pipes (tuned
to exactly
what? the wails of soulless banshees?) sent me searching
for earplugs at an hour when coyotes usually sing.
Where exactly is there to go in the middle of nowhere at
2:30 in the morning? I suppose I will get used to
the noise, as I do every winter. It is a small price to
pay for living at the edge of such a beautiful wilderness
area. The sky is beginning to brighten and it seems that
the sun may appear in due time this morning. Yes-
terday’s strong breeze and cold temperatures killed
the urge to do much outdoors; a short hike in the
bluster was just right. There will be plenty of time for
skiing, months and months if we are lucky.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Friday, November 25, 2005 8:00 a.m.
12 degrees, breezy, partly sunny
What a wonderful sight ! Although we didn’t receive
nearly as much snow as predicted (so far,
anyway), there is about eight inches of coverage and the
view is white all around this morning. We
should be able to do a little cross country skiing on the
mown meadow paths, but elsewhere there is
too much stubble and rubble poking through to make for
great gliding. It is snowing very hard just to the
south of here; we can see the wall of snow as it falls,
and northern Oneida County is getting hammered. We
are still under a winter storm warning until six o’clock
tonight, so we will just have to wait and see what the
day brings. There were a few periods of intense snow
yesterday, especially just after dark. The wind was
strong, and snow swirled underneath the backyard light in
a most satisfying manner. A festive candlelight
supper brought out the holiday mood in us all as we
watched winter beating at our window, while we sat
indoors snug by the fire and full of good food. There is
much to be thankful for, and even though there is
only one official day a year set aside for this, every
day that we have good food and shelter is a blessing
indeed. Show some appreciation for the things we tend to
take for granted, and enjoy your leftovers.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Thursday, November 24, 2005 7:30 a.m.
14 degrees, windy, overcast, snowing
It is snowing just a little bit, tiny flakes that often
are deceiving in size, as they tend to pile up quickly.
The town truck has been up to sand the roads, and I am
sure the crew will do their usual excellent job
even on this special day, when they would much rather be
home enjoying turkey and pie with their families.
Snowstorms don’t pay attention to the calendar; they
show up when they feel like it. We will wait and see
if we get the lake effect snow that is forecast for the
next two days. Word on the street is that Snow Ridge
will open Saturday if there is enough cover; check their
site www.snowridge.com
before you make your plans.
I hope there is enough to take my flatland relatives for
a little cross-country ski trip before they have to head
back to the midwest. I love introducing the sport to
those who have never tried it before. It’s not all
that tricky,
and the cool things one sees in the woods in winter are
certainly worth the effort. Yesterday we hiked a little
of the Whetstone Gulf north trail from the top down and
peered over the edge at a very unusual sight. Snow
had fallen into the gorge and blown up against the sheer
shale walls creating a complex pattern in black and
white. Ansel Adams would have been able to put it on film
with an artist’s eye. We all stood there and said
wowza! not a camera in the group, but that picture
etched itself on my mind’s eye forevermore. It was
unbelievably cold as the wind whipped up the gorge, and
the footing was too slippery to be able to walk
fast enough to generate much body heat, so we cut our
hike short and passed some time driving through
the backroads around the windfarm. At last count 106 of
these huge obelisks have been completed. As
clouds passed overhead, some of the white towers assumed
a dusky hue, and it seemed like they had been
spray-painted different shades of grey. We drove across
the river to the Chase Lake Road and saw the
wind farm from a whole different view. Many towers are
visible in their entirety, from the base to the top,
and the vast scope of the project becomes more evident
than when viewing them point blank. That’s the
way it is with most things; give them the long view and
the perspective becomes more complete.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, November 23, 2005 8:00 a.m.
10 degrees, breezy, partly cloudy, flurries
Little bits of winter sparkle in the clear cold air. I
was surprised to see the thermometer;
this is the coldest it has been so far this season.
Clouds are arranged in big layers with vast
spaces of blue sky separating them. A very light dusting
of snow swirls and dances along the
frozen surface of the road. There is lake effect snow in
the forecast for tomorrow, but after so
many disappointing recent forecasts I think we will just
have to wait and see what develops.
Whatever happens is okay by me; I’m not going
anywhere. It is my hope that all travelers
reach their destinations in a safe and timely manner,
with a clear highway and a minimum
of don’t make me stop this car! Meanwhile, it
is a very pretty morning and worthy
of a little exploration. Make sure to bundle up; take a
little time from your busy
day to appreciate the view wherever you are.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, November 22, 2005 9:00 a.m.
34 degrees, breezy, fog
It is a quiet morning on
Gomer Hill; I arose too late to hear the blackbird choir,
and the only
birds around at this hour are a dozen turkeys pecking at
the little bits of cabbage that the deer
passed over. I don’t know if it’s still wild
turkey season, but on many mornings I believe I could
bag one with a slingshot, they come that close to the
back porch. They look so comical, trudging
slowly along, heads bowed and moving single file. When
they sense my presence, they become like
one single hive entity, lift their heads in unison, and
with a startled little leap take off running down one
of the meadow paths, eventually disappearing into the
mist. Turkeys are absolutely silent this time of
year, all done with self-important male mating gobbles
and frantic motherly clucks. I think it is interesting
that humankind is the only species to continue with
mating rituals and parental nurturing long after the
actual physical need for them exists. That is part of
what makes us human, and what makes this
life on earth so complicated. Snuggle your hunny and give
your family a jingle soon.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Monday, November 21, 2005 7:30 a.m.
35 degrees, calm, mostly sunny
There are a few clouds moving in from the north, but for
the most part the sky is pure blue. Seven
blackbirds were very noisy from their usual perch in the
big maple tree by the barn, and greeted us at
full volume with every sound in their vast repertoire. I
hope they stay around all winter to brighten up each
morning with their optimistic serenades. Today will be
gorgeous and suitable for just about any activity, in-
doors or out. Although, in my opinion, the days full of
snow that are on the way will suit me just fine also.
Yesterday we walked up a seasonal road and came upon a
big mess of trees that must have come down
during last weeks high winds. They were mostly balsam;
one giant had fallen across the road and had been
chunked up into shorter pieces and dragged into the ditch.
The air was intoxicating with the sweet Christmas
smell of resin and bruised needles. There is a new
logging road just past the blowdown that has totally
filled
with water, a little artificial pond right by the
roadside. It was glazed with ice and looks like it may
still be
there when the snow flies. It is something to think about
when we ski there later on, a water hazard that
might prove an unpleasant surprise if the ice isn’t
thick enough to bear our weight. I can’t wait to
explore the new trails some quiet wintry day when the sky
sparkles with frost.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Sunday, November 20, 2005 7:30 a.m.
35 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
The morning view began in a blaze of glory as a huge sun
rose through a few strips of cloud.
Jet contrails formed shiny magenta streaks moving from
east to west, straight as arrows. Now
everything is illuminated brightly, a perfect polished
November morning. We walked the meadow
paths late yesterday afternoon, and it is unbelievable
how wet the land is for this time of year. The
juiciest parts of the trail were overlain with lacy mats
of frozen snow that crunched under our feet and
left boot-shaped puddles in our wake. The soundscape was
peppered with occasional rifle shots as
hunters made a last effort to bag a deer before sunset. I
stopped worrying about getting accidentally
shot the day two high-speed rifle bullets crashed into
the ground at my feet as I stood in the barnyard
cleaning pumpkins. If there’s a bullet bearing my
name, it will find me even if I am sitting by the kitchen
window, thinking I am safe as houses. Of
course, we wear bright orange vests as we hike, and the
dog has a jaunty bow made of fluorescent safety tape
adorning his collar, lessening our chances of
being mistaken for prey. Sometimes I sing real loud too,
fake opera arias that I make up as I go
along. No sense asking for trouble. There is so much to
see and do during this beautiful time
of year; grab your blaze orange garb and head on out.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Saturday, November 19, 2005 8:15 a.m.
26 degrees, breezy, mostly cloudy
A thin band of salmon-hued brilliance is sandwiched
between the Adirondack Mountains
and a heavy grey cloud bank that covers much of the sky.
Sunrise this morning was unremarkable;
instead we are being treated to a bit of color an hour
after the main event is over. Frost sits on the
truck’s hood so thickly that I thought it must have
snowed a little bit overnight, but it is hard and crusty,
not the airy fluff I expected. Pickup traffic has been
heavy this morning, hunters I suppose, heading up
into the backcountry to get their venison for the season.
I hope everyone bags their limit; the ones that
are full of broccoli and brussels sprouts, I believe you
should drop off a few packages of meat to us,
as we fattened them up for you. (Those are my terms of
en-deerment ).
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Friday, November 18, 2005 7:30 a.m.
18 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
A very light dusting of snow covers the ground this
morning. The town plow went by before
dawn with the blade down, so I expected to awaken to at
least a few inches of the white stuff;
what a disappointment. As usual, the media made such a
big deal about a storm that never really
arrived. Yes, there was a lot of wind, and yes, it did
get plenty cold, but the actual snowfall stayed
north of here. Ah well, I am certain we will get our fair
share as winter draws closer. Last night’s
waning moon is still in the sky, slowly lowering into the
west. It rose just before sunset, and while
the sun’s exit was obscured by the storm to the
north and west, the moonrise was lovely and bright,
framed between parting clouds in the east. I peeked
outside at 3:00 a.m. to see if I should bother
going out to look for the Leonid meteor shower, and there
were more clouds than stars at that
time. Plus, the moon was high in the sky, and the meteors’
sparkle would have been hard
to see in the radiance of moonglow as it reflected from
clouds. Perhaps tonight will
be better for stargazing, just after dusk before the moon
gets too bright.
Keep looking up,
Daisy
~
Thursday, November 17, 2005 8:00 a.m.
30 degrees, windy, partly sunny, snowing
There was a very light dusting of snow on the ground at
sunrise, as today’s lake effect storm is
taking its sweet time arriving on Gomer Hill. Snow is
flying sideways with great energy, but blowing
down into the valley before it has a chance to stick to
anything. Clouds come and go and the sun is very
bright right at this moment; the curtain must be lowered
lest I become bedazzled. Now there’s a term that
could be used accurately in either definition this
morning: 1. To dazzle so completely as to make blind.
2. To please irresistibly; enchant. (www.dictionary.com).
We all know that looking at the sun can be
harmful to one’s vision. However, the sight of that
glorious star shining through the first serious snowfall
of the season is both irresistible and enchanting, and I
am indeed pleased. Nexrad Radar shows that we
are just now on the leading edge of a cell of snow that
will slowly drift south as the day passes. I simply
cannot imagine living in a place where snow never comes.
The first flakes awaken in me that little kid who
would pull on her brother’s old flannel-lined
dungarees and hand-knit hat and mittens to go out and
make
a snow fort, build a snowman, or take the Flexible Flyer
down the Bouncing Betty sledding hill out back.
The outfit has changed, but I still can’t wait for
the snow to pile up so I can go outside and play. Mean-
while, tonight’s Leonid meteor shower will go on as
planned, but the likelihood of it being visible in
this neck of the woods is slight. If the skies do happen
to clear, the best viewing will be at 4:00 a.m.
Set your alarm and bundle up if the clouds have parted;
it’s a great show.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 8:00 a.m.
62 degrees, windy, overcast
Yesterday’s hard rain ushered in a huge puff of warm
air that is totally out of context for
November. I guess it might qualify as an Indian Summer
day, but only for a little while. Another
front is hot on the heels of the warmth, bringing lake
effect snow and much colder temperatures.
By this time tomorrow we could be looking at a very white
landscape indeed. High winds and possible
thunderstorms will accompany the change, so if you have
any outdoor plans, it is best to get them accom-
plished before noon. Throw an extra fleece in your pack
before heading out, as once the mercury begins
to drop it will come along with some rain and even higher
winds. There is a small flock of blackbirds chat-
tering in the yard right now, keeping close to one tree
and shifting from branch to branch with little short
hopping flights. Most of the larger flocks of birds have
already passed through the area on their annual trip
south. A few blue jays have been hanging around the
cornfield, even though pickings are getting kind of slim.
It has been a while since I spotted the pair of ravens
that lives in the forest across the road, and crows have
likewise been keeping out of sight. Perhaps we will see
some woodpeckers and chickadees as we walk
in more protected areas this morning. Oh look; The sun
has made an entrance, just in time!
I’m off,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 9:30 a.m.
40 degrees, windy, raining
It is such a dark rainy day that the yard light has
remained on long after sunrise. Cold rain
started to fall very late last night, and after I closed
the bedroom window the howling of the
wind didn’t seen quite so bad. We are putting winter
tires on the vehicles today, as there is snow
in the picture for the next several days. All of our
critters are curled up dozing by the stove; none
even attempted the mad dash for the door that occurs most
mornings. The dog only wandered a
few feet from the back step, then set some kind of record
for leg-lifting before dashing back into
the woodshed, bedraggled and shivery. Most days I enjoy a
walk no matter what the weather,
but for today I think I will follow the example being set
by our furry friends, and relax for a while
with a good book, a hot beverage, and my feet toward the
fire. Billows of fog have joined sheets
of rain blowing across the meadow, as if underscoring the
morning plan to embrace torpor. Finally
the harvesting and preserving tasks are complete, the
gardens tended and bedded for winter,
and farm equipment oiled and put under cover. It’s
about time we took a few hours off
to do absolutely nothing. Well, until I have to leave for
work, anyway...
Take a little time off,
Daisy
~
Monday, November 14, 2005 8:30 a.m.
40 degrees, windy, mostly cloudy
Trees sway in the hedgerows, back and forth with the
extreme fluid grace that high Tug Hill
gusts provide. Huge clouds block out all but the most
persistent sunbeams, but then they break
free it is an awesome sight! And I mean that in the old-fashioned
definition of the word, inspiring
awe or admiration or wonder. Here is a word that has
become overused in modern slang to de-
scribe everything from a skateboard stunt to a cup of
coffee, and thus it’s true meaning has become
somewhat diminished. When I see the beautiful countryside
spread out before me, it is pleasant indeed.
When the silvery bright rays of a November sun burnish
every edge of every tree, cloud, and blade of
grass, that, my friends, is AWESOME! It takes my
breath away, brings tears to my eyes, and causes
me to spin slowly with my arms outstretched so that every
pore of my body can bask in the lovely light
that Mother Nature has shared with us. As the sun
retreats behind another fat cloud and the view returns
to being merely pretty and interesting, there is still
the thrill that one perfect glowing moment has left, a
mark upon my immortal spirit that lets me know that long
after the flesh is gone, the light remains. Wow.
Have an awe-inspiring moment and a great day,
Daisy
~
Sunday, November 13, 2005 8:30 a.m.
42 degrees, breezy, partly sunny
Things don’t fit into any nice neat descriptive
niche this morning. It is breezy to windy,
partly to mostly sunny, and chilly to warm, depending on
the wind speed and quality of sunlight.
When I took the dog out just after sunrise, it was sunny
and fairly calm and I was comfy without
a jacket. One hour later, half the first load of laundry
has blown off the lines and hanging wet sheets
out is next to impossible, with fingers frozen into stiff
little wind-chilled sausages, fighting the gusts that
plaster wet fabric against goosefleshed arms and twist it
into ropes as pockets are probed for another
clothespin. If I can keep things on the line, they should
be dry in no time. Old fashioned clothes-pegs
seem to have gone out of style, and replacing ones that
have broken or become lost to the lawn mower
was a challenge. Spring-type clothespins are in every
supermarket and hardware store, but pegs are not
to be found. Younger clerks don’t even know what
they are. I finally found pegs in a craft supply store;
apparently their main use nowadays is gluing three of
them together to make a little reindeer-type orna-
ment. Spring clips do not work on Tug Hill; the wind rips
them in half in only a breeze, pieces flung
far with little metal springs left to rust and get stuck
in rubber-soled shoes or worse, in a bare foot.
At any rate, for all that today’s view is
complicated to describe, it is a day with much charm.
As long as we dress in layers it should be a fine day for
a hike, once the chores are done.
Have a great day,
Daisy
Saturday, November 12, 2005 7:00 a.m.
30 degrees, breezy, sunny
There wasn’t much of a pre-dawn color show this
morning, but the actual sunrise was full of
dramatic fiery glory. A slight haze along the horizon
diffused the glow and allowed us to look directly
at the sun as it slowly showed itself. It is still very
cold outside, and thick frost coats every surface
like sugar on a donut. Yesterday was a beautiful day but
it never warmed up at all; the high was only
thirty-nine. Big clouds and plenty of sunny intervals
warmed us as we walked on a seasonal road. Two
geese passed overhead just before sunset, in a hurry to
catch up with the rest of the gang. There was
plenty of color as the sun went down, picked up by a
skyfull of clouds that spread from west to east with
the scattered precision of a paint-by-numbers canvas. As
the sky darkened, a fat moon came into view, al-
ready high in the sky. In three days it will be full; the
November full moon is traditionally known as the
Beaver Moon in our neck of the woods, from the fact that
the beavers are now actively preparing
for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the
Frosty or Snowy Moon.
Get ready to howl,
Daisy
~
Friday, November 11, 2005 7:30 a.m.
26 degrees, breezy, partly sunny
The temperature almost made it into the teens last night,
and I awoke in the wee hours to
unfold another flannel comforter across the bed. When I
was a young girl, there was one way
I marked the subtle change from autumn to winter; Mom
took the down coverlets out of storage
and replaced our thin orlon blankets with weightless cozy
puffs. There was nothing like snuggling
into a warm bed after a hard day at play. A light dusting
of snow on the ground and the way the sun
shines feebly through thick grey clouds onto bare tree
branches also tells me what time of year it is.
Just after dawn a spikehorn buck and his lady were
strolling through the garden closest to the house,
probably wondering where the brussels sprouts went. They
bounded away with a flash of white tails
when we put the dog out on his cable, pausing for a drink
at the springbox outlet before trotting into
the next field. Now the clouds are moving away; silvery
sun streams through the east window,
painting rainbows all around the room as it hits the
crystal prisms hung there. It will be
another chilly day in spite of the sun, but things will
warm up for the weekend.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Thursday, November 10, 2005 9:00 a.m.
34 degrees, windy, partly sunny, flurries
This morning’s view alternates between sere bluster
and breathtaking bejeweled splendor.
When the sun is shining everything sparkles, including
the air which is abundant with adamantine
snowflakes. When clouds intervene, it rather resembles
the gloomy ambience of an Edgar Allen Poe
tale. A strong series of thunderstorms stalled out over
Tug Hill late yesterday afternoon and into the evening.
Hard rain and a few hailstones filled the meadows with
pools of icy water; the earth is just too waterlogged
to absorbed any more into its mantle. Small amounts of
snow are beginning to whiten the fields and cling
to forsythia leaves. We have been teased by Old Man
Winter acouple of times this autumn,
and I’ll bet this is just another one of his little
previews of frosty squalls to come.
Sunny weather will grace us into the weekend, but it will
remain chilly.
Bundle up,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, November 9, 2005 8:30 a.m.
33 degrees, breezy, overcast
This morning’s dull sky is a direct contrast to
yesterday’s sparkling view.
Seven blackbirds are doing their best to brighten the day
from their perch in the big naked
maple tree by the barn; their merry songs float and weave
in the air painting the sky with music
rather then hues. It is very cold outdoors with a thick
layer of frost over the ground, and vehicles
will need to run for a while to clear the windshields. We
may see some more thunderstorms today
ushering in even colder temps. We could be looking at a
little snow this time tomorrow. It looks like
a good day to bake some bread for the freezer and get a
jumpstart on some wintry chores, like base-
waxing our skis and rubbing lanolin into our boots. Might
as well embrace the snow; it will soon be here.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, November 8, 2005 8:00 a.m.
40 degrees, breezy, partly sunny
The high winds, rain, and hail from Sunday’s storm
sent nearly all of the leaves on
Gomer Hill to the ground, making the view truly November-y
this morning. Big grey clouds
form a perfect background to bare tree branches, and if
we look at the scene from the trunks up,
it is a black-and-white snapshot with little splashes of
sky-blue daubed here and there. Ground level
is splattered with varicolored leaves atop green grass
and occasional bright yellow dandelions, bloom-
ing out of season. Sweetcorn stalks shimmer golden as
intermittent sunbeams strike at whim. It looks
like a repeat of yesterdays magical weather, where the
extraordinary quality of sunlight called the
shots. The temperature will remain in the forties for
today, but the wind has died down to
normal for this time of year, making it a perfect day for
a bundled-up walk.
Have a great day,
Daisy
Monday, November 7, 2005 8:00 a.m.
38 degrees, windy, barely sunny
The last dregs of yesterday’s violent thunderstorm
are slowly draining from Tug Hill. For a while
it was hard to tell which end was up, as large hailstones
pummeled the house from every direction
at once. The wind had been strong all day long, but
during the storm it was roaring like a freight train.
Lightning and thunder appeared simultaneously for about
five minutes, but the front was fast-moving
and the storm moved away as quickly as it arrived. The
temperature dropped from 64 to 46 in a half
hour, and continued to fall to a low of 34, stopping just
short of snow-cold. As clouds continue to scut-
ter apart this morning, the sun’s reflection from
every wet object makes it difficult to focus on any one
thing; I need dark glasses. Yesterday afternoon we were
driving along some back roads north of here
and spotted a huge flock of snow geese suspended helter-skelter
high in the sky, making no progress
whatsoever. The sun was low in the sky and as it
illuminated the geese from beneath they took on an
ethereal quality; as we drew near they regrouped and
disappeared into the Black River Valley, gone
in a split-second, leaving us wondering if they had truly
existed. Perhaps they sensed the coming
storm and had dashed for cover, but we didn’t see
them again, hard as we searched. The wind
is very strong this morning, and it doesn’t seem to
be warming up very quickly. But the quality
of sunlight is so crystalline and unusual it will be
worth bundling up to check it out.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Sunday, November 6, 2005 8:30 a.m.
60 degrees, windy, mostly sunny
It is wonderful to be able to step outside on a November
morning without a layer of fleece
and wooly hat. Although it is a very windy morning, the
warm air feels good as it whips past us.
Most of the leaves are down now, and the raking up is
pretty much finished for this year. The per-
ennial beds could use some attention, but that can wait
until spring if something better comes along
on this fine day. Yesterday I helped a friend in her
garden as light rain teased us with occasional big
drops here and there. The sweet fragrance of carrots
mingled with the primitive smell of damp earth;
long, straight, and brilliant orange with deep green
tops, the carrots were a visual treat as well. We filled
a wheelbarrow and then packed them into buckets, then
headed back into the garden to hack down brus-
sels sprouts. Nothing grows like these stinky little
green balls, spiraling up the length of a sturdy stem,
ready
to be plucked and cleaned up before hitting the cookpot.
If there were no butter or cheese, would anyone
even bother with brussels sprouts? Our harvest tasks were
monitored by a pair of pileated woodpeckers
who laughed loudly as they passed from tree to tree, deep
wingbeats displaying more power than grace.
Later in the day I hiked with friends on the southern
border of Tug Hill, through old hayfields and beauti-
ful forest paths that inched alongside a lovely gorge.
The brief rain showers had ended, and it was a perfect
afternoon for a walk; the view of the Black River Valley
from the crest of a long sloping meadow was hazy
but far-reaching. Golden leaves lingered on beech
saplings but most of autumn’s glow lay at our feet
as we
trod the forest path. Sunset was colorful, and as I drove
up Gomer Hill Road during the afterglow, an orange
crescent moon was just setting, with Venus bright at its
side. The dog and I took a little stroll to admire the
sky, but were startled by a ruckus raised by a nearby
coyote pack, so we sprinted back to the house in
record time. Today’s mild weather will be short-lived,
as a cell of thunderstorms moves into the North
Country after wreaking havoc in the midwest yesterday.
Snow is no longer in the picture, but batten
down those hatches and park your car away from big trees,
it’s going to become very windy.
Enjoy your day,
Daisy
~
Saturday, November 5, 2005 7:30 a.m.
51 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
A silvery sun nicely highlights fat ribbons of cloud
cover that lurk high in the sky from
east to west. This is what old-timers call a mackerel
sky, small layers of pale mist overlapping
like the scales on a fish. This is a sure sign of rain
within twenty-four hours. Indeed, thunderstorms
may pass through tomorrow, bringing in colder weather and
snow. Make sure your vehicle has a snow-
brush and scraper handy, it’s that time of year.
Yesterday was as good as it gets on Tug Hill in November,
sunny and fairly warm. We hiked up an old farm road,
passing many piles of fresh coyote scat as well as
footprints. We were halted by a flood caused by a small
pond that had surpassed its capacity and overrun
the grassy banks. We could have circumnavigated it, but
that would have taken us through burdocks and
stick-tights, so we cut our hike a little short and spent
time admiring the way the lowering sun reflected from
the pool. All of the local critters were gone; no frog
plopped away in front of our footfalls, no muskrat
trailed
a long liquid vee behind him, not even one insect broke
the still serenity of the mirrored surface. Earlier in
the
season geese and ducks would stop by to rest at this pond
before continuing southward, but the only birds
we saw yesterday were juncos (snowbirds! ) and
starlings. As darkness fell, some clouds moved in, and
stargazing was spotty at best. In the deepest part of
night a pack of coyotes passed very near the house,
raising a loud hue and cry as they chased some
unfortunate prey. No doubt we will find some sign
of their passing on the mown meadow paths later this
morning. We were glad all of our pets
were accounted for. And now, I see a big flock of crows
hovering about the western
meadow. I think I will go and see what they are up to on
this fine morning.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Friday, November 4, 2005 8:00 a.m.
45 degrees, breezy, partly sunny
It was a beautiful clear night, full of stars that shone
even brighter in the absence of moonlight. Mars
and Venus kept watch at opposite ends of the celestial
dome, and while I was admiring Mars’ ruby
glow two big meteorites sped across the sky, one giving
the other merry chase. I saw three more
shooting stars while I tried to cajole the white kitty
into coming indoors for the night, and they were
doozies, huge and sparkly. The annual Leonid Meteor
shower is always in mid-November, and this
year the peak occurs November 17th. Perhaps
last night was just a scouting party for the real deal.
Meanwhile, that little white cat was relishing the beauty
of the night as much as I was, and played out-
doors until nearly midnight. She came into our family
nearly three years ago, as wild as a cougar and
still not entirely tamed. Every now and then she does an
overnight disappearing act, but for the most
part is content to curl up in any willing lap or next to
a blazing stove, the picture of domestication. We
worry about her; while her pure white color makes her
highly visible in the headlights of approaching
vehicles so they can slow down and avoid her, it also
makes her a shining target for predators on a
clear night. We can only hope that her years as a feral
cat have taught her important survival techniques.
It is comforting to see her dash under the barn every
time we start a car or tractor, she is road-savvy
at least. Today will be a warm one, with wind from the
east switching to the south later. Sunday and
Monday will be a little wet, maybe even snowy, so spend
your time today and tomorrow outdoors if
at all possible. Make the most of this beautiful late
autumn weather; this day will never come by again.
Enjoy yourself,
Daisy
~
Thursday, November 3, 2005 9:00 a.m.
49 degrees, windy, mostly cloudy
It is a very windy morning and destined to become even
windier as the day progresses.
It is blowing up from the south now, but as it changes
direction to southwest, strong gusts
will develop; be careful where you park your car. We see
the sun now and then, but for the
most part the sky is full of clouds in vertical layers,
some pale as milk and some dark as dusk.
I had a long walk with the dog yesterday afternoon,
keeping to back roads so I could wear light-
weight trail shoes. The forest is still pretty wet, and
hiking boots would soon become heavy with
layers of sticky mud. Also, even decked out in a bright
orange pinnie, I feel a little more secure
during hunting season if I stick to the beaten paths. I
had originally intended to walk for just a little
while, merely stretch my legs and then get back to
household chores. The next thing I knew, we
were miles from home, wandering among tall trees’
shadowplay along the dun dirt road. The quality
of light was extraordinary yesterday afternoon, nearly
too bright to bear. Every object cast a shadow,
and the breeze created a strobe effect as trees swayed to
and fro, ebony road ripples mesmerizing
me into a place where time and distance were meaningless.
The sun was low in the sky as we made
our way home; the hat and gloves I had stuffed into my
pockets as an afterthought during the heat of
the day certainly came in handy. The sun dipped below the
horizon just as we entered our cozy
warm kitchen. The afternoon I shared with my little dog
surrounded by dazzling November
light will remain in my memory forever; the chores are
still a-waiting, as ever.
Better get busy,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, November 2, 2005 8:30 a.m.
37 degrees, windy, partly sunny
Wow, is it ever a November day ! After a gorgeous
sunrise, big slate-grey clouds are rolling
across a silvery sky, driven by frigid west winds.
November is, in my mind, a hard metallic month,
full of pewter skies and tree-bark the same color as a
well-seasoned high-carbon steel chef’s knife.
Brilliant sunsets backlight entire treelines in black
silhouette like so much wrought-iron fencing, and
occasional chromium trim pieces forged from ice reflect
back the waning rays of a fading sun. Mi-
grating geese are long gone, and chickadees and jays are
losing interest as the last sunflower seeds
are stripped from the garden rubble. The few stubborn
leaves that cling to trees have lost that
October feeling, and are now merely brown with age. Here’s
a Haiku to express November:
A single goose, low
Above the russet forest:
Lost, or catching up?
Have a great November day,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, November 1, 2005 7:30 a.m.
50 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
The bare maple trees in the yard are full of blackbirds
that noisily greeted us as we took a little
spin around the yard, a reminder of changing seasons and
time passing. They have been a constant
presence in our lives since we moved to Tug Hill. My
childhood in a large midwestern city was spent
in servitude to domestic feeder-birds, cardinals,
finches, robins and chickadee-dee-dees. When I went
to girl scout camp every summer I was delighted by crows
and herons, but for the most part I thought
“wild” birds were meant to be supported by
humans pouring seeds into trays that were disguised as
little
log cabins. Every house in our neighborhood had several
feeders and a birdbath, and every apron-clad
housewife chased Mrs. Arbogast’s cat out of the yard
with a broom. Here at the top of the world there
are too many birds to count, and a variety of species
that is everchanging along with the weather. Today’s
blackbirds chatter, whistle, squawk and warble as if to
say so long for another year, have a wonderful
winter and try not to miss us too much... For the
past three winters there have been a dozen birds who
stayed behind, eager to share their songs and stories
from the big tree every morning but the most stormy. It
is small things like this that lend continuity to life’s
flow, a thread of beautiful normalcy that serves to even
out life’s bumps in the road. No matter what else is
on the schedule I can start the day with birdsong,
a merry heartfelt greeting from Mother Nature’s kids.
Enjoy your day,
Daisy
~
~
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