~
Saturday, December 31, 2005 9:00 a.m.
15 degrees, calm, overcast
The term winter wonderland may be copyrighted and
maybe even a little overused at this time
of year, but when I look outside those are the exact
words that spring to mind. Every little twig is
completely covered in a fine frost of flakes, and when
viewed against the pale cold sky it is as if entire
coral reefs have suddenly become airborne. I was admiring
this awesome view when an old friend suddenly
appeared from the forest across the road; a raven flew
swiftly with deep wingbeats, swerving and weaving
across the meadows towards our eastern hedgerow. It
perched briefly on the tallest tree, and I saw three
smaller black birds following it. I thought they might be
young raven offspring until they dived straight down
and began to harass the larger bird. Oh crumb, the old
crow-raven boundary disputes have escalated again.
The crows finally drove the raven back into the deep
woods. I wonder where the raven’s mate is? Did one
stay behind while the other went on reconnaissance? Or
has it succumbed to harsh weather, west nile virus,
or the thoughtless projectile from some well-concealed
hunter’s bow or rifle? I will head over into the
trees
later to see if I can catch sight of my summer companions.
It is odd that I mentioned in Wednesday’s entry
that the ravens hadn’t been seen for a while, and voila!
one drops by to say hi three days later. I see
now
that a little breeze is starting to blow; if I postpone
indoor chores until later, I should be able to get out
under this amazing frosted canopy before the snowy
crystals blow away.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Friday, December 30, 2005
I am away from the computer today, so I will share one of
my favorite poems for your enjoyment.
This one reminds me of our beautiful white kitty who
showed up in our barn on a bitter cold night
three years ago. To this day we can’t leave a loaf
of bread on the counter; she will chew through
the wrapper and eat quite a bit of it, carbo-loading just
in case.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
"To My Cat with an Eating Disorder"
by Alice N. Persons
-
You were thrown out of a moving vehicle
on a dirt road in chilly winter downeast Maine,
little fur scrap, and I hope you don't
carry that memory with you,
but the hunger, the deep fear
that you'll never see food again
is still there five years later
when you are huge and sleek,
a sumo Buddha of a cat.
-
I've seen you, after a big meal,
heave yourself from a sound sleep,
pad into the kitchen, launch your bulk
onto the counter, and check the food supply,
then crouch there chewing and chewing,
green eyes empty, concentrating
on your burden, your compulsion,
doggedly eating, whether you want to or not.
-
There are stories about Holocaust or
Depression survivors whose refrigerators
and pantries are always full, just in case,
how some of them still wake in the night
and check their abundant supplies,
run their hands over the packages,
or eat without hunger, just because they can.
-
Cat, I stand in the dark kitchen
stroking your broad back,
wishing I could banish the fears
of one small, common creature,
those bad dreams that awaken you,
that hollow place in your memory
which can never be filled.
~
Thursday, December 29, 2005 7:30 a.m.
36 degrees, breezy, mostly cloudy
Some rain fell in sporadic spits last night, definitely
not the downpour that was in the forecast.
Breaks in the clouds are appearing directly overhead, but
the sun is still obscured in the east.
The valley floor is buried in mist, and the gently jagged
skyline of the Adirondack Mountains
is but a rumor for now. A pileated woodpecker pounds a
monotonous tattoo on some dead
wood in the forest, and that is the only natural sound
that breaks the air this quiet morning.
Yesterday I hiked on icy packed trails, and our dog
enjoyed the afternoon with me. It was
a fine day to be outdoors, warm and calm for this time of
year. We saw many chickadees
in the old-growth trees by the roadside, and a quick
flash of rose in a new stand of spruce
could have been pine grosbeaks. We heard crows but never
saw them; they teased us with
their invitation to follow, and remained just around the
next bend. The snowmobile trail
makes for a good hiking surface, frozen solid and churned
up a bit for traction. There
wasn’t much traffic during the day, but around
sunset the pace picked up considerably.
We may see a little more rain today, but right now the
morning is very pleasant.
Enjoy your day,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, December 28, 2005 9:00 a.m.
28 degrees, calm, overcast
In spite of pervasive cloud cover, it is a pretty nice
morning. Crows and blackbirds are all
over the place, it must be the stillness of the morning
that has encouraged them to rile things up a
bit. I haven’t seen our pair of ravens for a couple
of months; I wonder if they have gone deeper into
the forest for shelter from the storms. I look for them
every time I enter the woods, but they are nowhere
to be found. There is an abundance of deer this winter,
and they have been all over the road at all times of
day and night. I creep along at a snail’s pace,
watching for the gleam of eyes in the headlights. Last
night
I waited halfway up the hill in my car while a dozen deer
picked their way slowly from bank to bank,
taking their sweet time before leaping into the willow
swamp. I will be heading into the woods today
for a last ski before the rains return. Lately it feels
like we are stuck in some freaky monsoon belt.
Imagine if all the rain had been snow! I suppose I had
better be careful what I wish for...
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, December 27, 2005 9:30 a.m.
20 degrees, calm, cloudy
Very little snow fell in this neck of the woods, barely
enough to cover the ice. I think
the areas north and east of here stole our snow; they
were under a winter storm warning
for much of last night. We went for a little walk this
morning, and there may be as much as
an inch of snow in the woods, where it didn’t blow
away like in the fields. Cross-country
skiing may actually be pretty good today and tomorrow. It
is cold outside right now, but the
clouds are thinning and it seems like the sun is trying
to make an appearance. Thursday
will likely bring more rain; I hope this isn’t a
weather pattern for the rest of the winter.
Oh ! The sun ! That certainly is a welcome sight;
have a brilliant day,
Daisy
~
Monday, December 26, 2005 8:30 a.m.
32 degrees, calm, overcast, foggy, rain
Rain was supposed to have morphed into snow by now, but
it is still raining anyway, a light but steady
sprinkle adding more weight to the deep snowpack. Fog is
on the move, low clouds passing through in
waves as substantial as the woodsmoke they gather along
the way. As the mercury drops we hope to see
some flurries that will bind to the glazed surfaces left
by all this rain. Otherwise, It will be a tricky task to
remain upright walking over to the barn, let alone trying
to avoid sudden gravity syndrome on skis. We
had a good hike yesterday, staying on top of compressed
snowmobile tracks, comfy in sturdy nylon trail
shoes fortified by wool socks. Crows galore held a noisy
aerial parade, and several chickadees hopped
from branch to branch along the roadside, a cheery
presence on an otherwise drab day. A pileated wood-
pecker swooped low across the path, with a deep thwomp
thwomp of wingbeats like a drumbeat in the
still air. A ski trip planned for later was postponed in
favor of shoveling barn roofs, a task made even more
difficult by a layer of ice that frost-welded snow to the
tin. Early deep snow totals alternating with periods
of rain has made the snow in gullies and gorges very
unstable; take care on the steeps. Avalanche, while un-
common in the eastern states, still occasionally claims
victims who venture into potential slide areas unaware
of the danger. A good plan is to avoid cornices (overhanging
snow) entirely, and if you aren’t certain what
underlies the snow (could be shale, compounding the risk)
then find an alternate route.
Play safe,
Daisy
~
Sunday, December 25, 2005 9:00 a.m.
36 degrees, breezy, mostly cloudy
Low clouds caught the sun’s emerging rays first
thing this morning, with the underside of them
illuminated by most awesome magenta and orange hues. Much
of the sky was clear at that time,
heavenly blue against the warm colors making a nice
counterpoint. Clouds are moving in, and it is
a very mild morning. It almost feels, sounds, and smells
like spring, meltwater plopping heavily from
rooftops and wet sand whiff from the road faintly
redolent of worms. Yesterday I skied in the fog, just
me and my packful of old apples to stick onto tree
branches for the wild critter’s Yule. I saw nine big
deer bounding through the woods, and a fat porcupine
watched it all from a low horizontal branch of a
Grandmother tree. I’m glad my little dog stayed home.
The deer trails are worn down a couple of feet into
the snow, and places where they left the trough to search
for food they sank in up to their haunches; what a
struggle it must be. I hope they enjoy the apples culled
from the bin, the ones with soft spots and smooshy
ends, not fit for people but no doubt a real treat for
deer at this time of year. I counted fifteen depressions
in the snow where deer had bedded, which is a large
population for our little forest. Most were along the
rim of the gorge across the road. I peeked over the edge
and noticed that the dam we built last June has
held fast and water is backed up for thirty feet or more,
forming a nice pool. Skiing was surprisingly
good yesterday, zippy in the meadows and a little mushy
in the woods from water dripping down
off of tall spruce trees. Today’s mild temperature
will help the snow to pack down even more,
creating a superb base for the snowfall coming tomorrow.
A little rain will fall first,
so get out and enjoy this beauty of a day while it is
still user-friendly.
Have a festive day,
Daisy
~
Saturday, December 24, 2005 8:15 a.m.
31 degrees, calm, foggy
It is a very mild morning for the end of December. The
air is still and damp and redolent of
sweet woodsmoke that is entwined with dense fog. Our
blackbirds have abandoned the maple tree
and are strung out along the power lines across the road,
whistling and chuckling. Three bluejays are
down among the beanpoles, lending their bell-like tones
to the soundtrack. Deep tracks in the garden
show where several deer have pawed through the snow in
search of leftover beets and spinach. The
snow is pebbled with yesterdays rain which has frozen
into a rough surface giving good traction for
walking. A giant icicle has formed at the corner of our
roof, curving back towards the door like a
big ivory tusk. Rain and snow cover it with a shining
white shroud; it is an unusual thing to see. As
we walked yesterday rain began to fall, gently at first,
then pummeling us with big icy drops that
stung our faces and hissed on the nylon shells of our
parkas. Fortunately the bulk of the journey
was spent under cloudy but dry skies, and only the last
ten minutes or so were rainy. At least
the wind was at our backs. Five crows kept us company for
much of the walk, and flew off
into the woods when the rain came. Today will be mild and
dry once the fog burns off;
rain returns later tonight, leading to a wet but white
Christmas.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Friday, December 23, 2005 8:30 a.m.
30 degrees, calm, overcast
The light is very flat this morning, no shadows are cast
and the view is monochromatic at best.
Four deer just went strolling past the house, headed down
the road like a family out for a morning stroll,
which they may very well be. They bounded over the
snowbank at the southern edge of our property and
disappeared among the dense trees and alders, blending
seamlessly into the scenery. A large flock of small
birds swooped through the yard earlier, but by the time I
got the binoculars adjusted they were gone. They
were moving so fast I couldn’t get a clear look a
them; they were the size of chickadees but I didn’t
see their
trademark black heads and white bellies. Yesterday I saw
a huge flock of starlings as I drove to work, sitting
very still on the power lines. My own personal crew of
blackbirds is enjoying the warming trend, and are
visiting loudly on their regular perches outside the barn.
It is a good day to get the dog out for a walk;
he is a little ball of kinetic energy from being cooped
up indoors during the cold snap.
A long walk will be good for both of us.
Enjoy your day,
Daisy
~
Thursday, December 22, 2005 7:30 a.m.
11 degrees, breezy, overcast, flurries
There was a little purple glow beneath the cloud layer
over the Adirondack Mountains,
but no visible sunrise. The sky has gradually lightened
up, but still not enough to hit the sensor
that keeps our yard light burning. We received about
eight inches of snow from yesterday’s storm,
light powder that will be wonderfully skiable for cross-country
and downhill enthusiasts alike. There
are a few flurries whooshing about this morning, but I
think the real snowfall is over for the day. Horsey
Creek is nearly covered by snow, the rush of water slowed
to a trickle by Old Man Winter’s icy breath.
It is probably now possible to ski through some of the
shallow swampy areas of Tug Hill, resplendent with
their naturally frosted small balsam trees and redtwig
dogwood bushes. I don’t believe I would trust the
ice
over deeper ponds and beaver meadows yet, but barring
those areas we should be able to ski or snowshoe
just about anywhere we want. The weekend weather is a
gamble, and we may see some snow or rain, de-
pending on altitude and wind direction. What this means,
in the long run, is that if you dress warm enough
and have plenty of hot beverages standing by, it should
be a good weekend to build a few snowmen,
or a fort, or a replica of Michelangelo’s David to
give the neighbors something to look at.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 7:30 a.m.
5 degrees, calm, mostly sunny
Here comes the sun! First there was a glowing pillar of
orange light shooting straight up from
behind the mountains into the low hovering clouds above.
And now the sun is fully here, polishing
all of the jet contrails and wisps of vapor that paint
the sky this beautiful winter solstice morning. Days
will now grow a bit longer, little by slow; tomorrow’s
daylight will only be two seconds longer than today’s,
but the closer we come to the spring equinox the more
suntime will arrive, as much as three minutes a day.
This turning point in the year has been historically and
spiritually very important. We are assured that the
growing season will return, bringing us new life and
bountiful blessings. To read about how this day has
evolved and influenced humankind through the ages, visit http://www.hermes3.net/dec405.htm
. Don’t
forget to light a candle for a little while today, to
help guide the sun on its journey back into the light.
Shine on, you crazy diamond !
Daisy
~
Tuesday, December 20, 2005 8:30 a.m.
13 degrees, breezy, overcast, snowing
It is snowing pretty hard right now; lake effect is
surely the cause and frosty fluff is beginning to
pile up pretty good. I tried to check Nexrad radar to see
how large an area is being affected, and
it is not available. Odd... ever since I mentioned on
Saturday that I found radar maps somewhat in-
accurate, our local station has been down for
maintenance... coincidence? At any rate, I don’t
need
an outside source to tell me that this kind of intense
snow can fall within a very limited range, and leave
just as quickly as it arrived. Sometimes I drive down
from a real squall on Gomer Hill and the valley
is sunny and calm. Let’s all try to enjoy the snow
while it’s here; at the very least, catch a few
flakes on your tongue. We may see a wintry mix of rain
and snow for our holiday weekend,
so take advantage of this beautiful snowy day in any way
you can.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Monday, December 19, 2005 9:00 a.m.
14 degrees, breezy, overcast/sunny, snowing
It has been snowing pretty hard since we arose, and the
low clouds that carry the snow
occasionally allow the sun to shine through. most of the
time it is just a big bright circle veiled
by mist, but at this moment it is streaming in through
the windows and touching the walls with a
cheery glow. Our sunporch windows are still iced top to
bottom from Friday’s wintry mix, and the
effect of sunlight through the crystals makes that room a
truly magical spot this morning. The plow has
been up already, but it looks like they might have their
work cut out for them today. The ski trails that we
have laid down in the meadows and forests will quickly
fill in with snow at this rate, but this stuff is so
light
and fluffy it won’t be too hard to make new ones.
With 60+ inches of snow so far this season, we have de-
veloped a good solid base for cross-country skiing and
snowshoeing. Downhill skiing has been fabulous, and
Snow Ridge will officially open for the season this
Thursday. Please note that the area will be closed on non-
holiday Mondays; when in doubt, give them a jingle before
heading up to Turin on a Monday. Hmmm,
maybe we should temporarily change the town name to Torino,
in honor of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Sunday, December 18, 2005 8:30 a.m.
22 degrees, breezy, overcast
A pair of geese has just lifted off from the copse by our
springbox. What in the world has kept
them in this neighborhood for so long into December? I
have heard that geese mate for life; perhaps
one of them was injured or ill, and the spouse hung
around with it while it recovered enough to continue
the journey south. Such loyalty and affection is
noteworthy, especially in light of the awful ice storm
that
just passed through the area. Maybe they got separated
from the rest of the flock during that wintry
pummeling, and have been hanging out down by the spring
for two days getting their bearings.
Two birds, many possible scenarios... what sparks your
imagination? Do you have a tale to tell ?
What’s your story ?
Daisy
~
Saturday, December 17, 2005 8:30 a.m.
22 degrees, breezy, overcast, flurries
Intermittent flurries have been falling all morning,
flung about hither and yon by some mighty stiff December
breezes. Little branches and twigs are frosted with ice
and snow, stuck fast and not dispersing much in the
erratic bursts of air. The crystalline forsythia hedge
looks hard-edged and softly feathered all at the same
time. There is snow in the forecast for the entire week,
and where it ends up will be at the whims of Old
Man Winter and Sister West Wind. I’m beginning to
trust them more than I do Nexrad Radar, which
has been less than accurate this year. When you head out
for a day of adventure and exploring, dress
for anything, and carry a pack with some calorie-dense
food, water, firestarting kit, headlamp, and
space blanket. Thank goodness I have never had to depend
on the contents of my daypack, al-
though the chocolate does have a way of disappearing...
Better safe than sorry, I always say.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy
~
Friday, December 16, 2005 8:30 a.m.
25 degrees, breezy, snowing
I slept in the guest room last night so I could watch the
action through three big windows.
When the rain started around midnight, all I could really
see was how quickly it turned to ice
and very soon all of the windows were thickly encrusted
with ice. The rain kept up most of the
night, alternating with brief periods of fine snow, until
the precipitation changed into all snow during
the hours before dawn. Four inches of ice-riddled soggy
snow is proving difficult to plow, its sheer
weight making it hard to push. It is snowing pretty hard,
big fluffy flakes that seem to be accumulating
into some decent coverage. Snow Ridge will be open today;
with so many schools closed it should be
a good day of downhill skiing and riding for everyone
lucky enough to get to the slopes. This lovely snow-
fall will provide just the right backdrop for decorating
the fragrant balsam tree which has stood unadorned
in the dining room for the past few days. The holiday
season can be a time of great stress for some people,
sometimes feeling stretched thin and pulled in many
directions at once. Remember that the whole idea is
one of peace and harmony and a return to the light,
whether that of the winter solstice or of one solitary
bright star and what it represents; good news, either way.
Create a safe and shining place within your
own spirit, and remember that peace on earth begins with
peace in everyone’s personal space.
Let your worries go, enjoy the snow;
ho ho ho,
Daisy
~
Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:00 a.m.
10 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
Striations of cloud in the east made for a very colorful
pre-dawn light show.
The sun comes up directly across from my office window
this time of year, and it is
blindingly bright even through the window tapestry. The
temperature is the same this morning
as yesterday, but it feels much colder due to windchill.
Seven blackbirds cling to slender branches
and are singing their little hearts out, just to
celebrate the day. Several crooked deer trails meander
around in the meadows, but it has been a while since we
have seen any actual deer. There are a few
well-worn deer trails beginning to show up in the forest,
but not too many shallow depressions where
they have curled up for the night. We should all be extra
grateful for our snug homes and warm beds
especially during these cold snaps. Some messy weather is
headed our way later tonight, laying down a
good sloppy slurry for tomorrow night’s lake effect
snow, a little wintry glue to hold the fluffy powder
tight.
Just what the doctor ordered !
Enjoy your day,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 9:00 a.m.
10 degrees, calm, sunny
What a pretty morning ! A few fluffy white clouds are
beginning to appear in the west,
bringing a weather change to the area tomorrow. Depending
on the source, we are in for
some snow, or maybe a wintry mix including sleet or other
surprises. A little ice would help to
settle the snowpack into a good base for more snow to
land on. These cold temps have really
been helpful in freezing the groundwater that is leftover
everywhere from the wet autumn. Snow
and ice bridges are beginning to form over small streams
and creeks, and soon we will be able to
go anywhere we wish on our backcountry skis. Our pets
have not been too inclined to explore
outdoors these past few days, and the dog stays close to
the house on his necessary hygienic
excursions. Be extra watchful of your pets during these
subzero days and nights; don’t leave
them out unattended, and make sure your barn cats have a
warm dry spot to hang out.
Take good care of yourself, too; don’t forget your
snuggies !
Bundle up,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:00 a.m.
2 degrees, calm, sunny
It was a cold and clear moonlit night, with the mercury
plummeting to six below zero here on Tug Hill.
It was colder in the valleys, good old thermal inversion
at work. The air is filled with frosty crystals this
morning that reflect bright sunshine a hundred times over.
Humidity is 77%, so even though the air seems
dry I guess all of those little diamonds translate to
just plain moisture in the final analysis. Sometimes I
think
it is better to ignore the science and just enjoy the
phenomenal results. The meadows are a clean expanse of
gleaming snow, unbroken by any animal tracks. The sky is
free of birds this morning as well, not one black-
bird or crow in the picture. Yesterday another large
flock of geese flew over in the afternoon; what has been
keeping them up north so long past their normal departure
date? If this new surge of arctic air doesn’t send
the last few stragglers winging their way south, they
will become goosicles for sure. For those of us who
choose to overwinter in this beautiful frigid place,
bundle up and enjoy winter’s many gifts.
Have a cozy day,
Daisy
~
Monday, December 12, 2005 8:30 a.m.
11 degrees, breezy, overcast, flurries
There has been just enough snow overnight to cover up the
grungy looking sand-filled snowbanks
that bracket the road. It seemed to snow a lot yesterday
afternoon while we were skiing, but it didn’t
really amount to much. We toured some abandoned farmland
and the adjacent balsam forest, following a
half dozen crows as they winged their way from limb to
limb. We were a merry group, and didn’t stand
a chance of sneaking up on any deer or smaller critters;
they would have heard us coming a mile away.
There were many tracks, mostly deer, and the small
regular round pawprints of a feral cat. The rabbits
were staying put for the day; we were in bunny country,
but saw no sign of them. It was a beautiful
afternoon to be out, a little on the breezy side but not
too cold. Still, we were glad to have the
wind at our backs for the return trip; that last long
downhill glide of the day, nuthin’ like it !
Have some fun today,
Daisy
~
Sunday, December 11, 2005 8:30 a.m.
20 degrees, calm, partly sunny
A dazzling magenta sunrise has given way to high thin
clouds that gently sift the sunbeams before
heading to earth. The stillness of this quiet morning is
a direct contrast to yesterday’s blustery greeting.
Last night’s waxing moon spread milky light all over
the snowy meadows. It was already high in the sky
when the sun set in a blaze of glory. Mars is still very
visible, and according to Jack Horkheimer, “it will
ride across the sky with the full Moon on the 14th. Face
east after sunset and rouge gold Mars will knock
your socks off. Only the Moon and Venus are brighter.
It's at opposition this week, which means it glides
across the sky all night long from sunset to sunrise.
Plus on Monday the 14th it will be accompanied by
a nearly full Moon. Half the size of Earth it actually
has more land area because our Earth is over 70%
covered by water. It has a grand canyon 3000 miles long
whereas Earth's Grand Canyon is only 277
miles long. Plus its biggest volcano could cover the
entire state of Georgia. Watch it ride the sky all night
long.” Wowza! Time to get the binoculars or spotting
scope out, and take a gander at that canyon.
As Jack always says,
keep looking up,
Daisy
~
Saturday, December 10, 2005 8:30 a.m.
22 degrees, windy, overcast, flurries
The wind is whipping the snow around into graceful drifts
and ripples.
I picked a lousy morning to empty ash pans, but it needed
to be done. Featherweight
ashes mingled with tiny snowflakes and the murky mix flew
hundreds of feet across the meadow,
dispersing over snowcovered hay stubble instead of into
the garden as was intended. Little bursts of
snow keep skidding across the Hill, coming out of nowhere
apparently. There is no precipitation
showing up on the radar, and none in today’s
forecast. I hope the forest will provide some
protection from the wind today, as the snow will be wind-packed
and the skiing should
be great. Maybe the sun will even come out; that would be
a treat !
Have a fun day,
Daisy
~
Friday, December 9, 2005 8:30 a.m.
19 degrees, breezy, overcast, snowing
Snow has been falling steadily since the middle of the
night, bringing four inches of fine sugary snow
to our part of Tug Hill. Many schools are closed or on a
two hour delay, in anticipation of more snow
to come this morning. Cross country skiing has been very
good to totally wretched, depending on where
you go. The trails at Carpenter Road were a mess
yesterday, all torn up by a gang of quad riders who
ap-
parently couldn’t decipher the signs that are
everywhere forbidding motorized vehicles on the ski
trails. There
are many deep un-skiable ruts and several places where
the mud is so churned up that snow just soaks into the
ooze. If you plan to ski these trails this weekend, make
sure you bring a putty knife along in case you need to
scrape the mud and ice from your skis. I expect the
snowmobiles will return to Tug Hill in full force this
week-
end; please respect the ski trails as well as private
property. Snow Ridge will open tomorrow for the season,
so you powderhounds will have to get there early if you
want to make first tracks. It looks like it will be a
great weekend for most outdoor winter sports except for
ice fishing and skating. We have to wait for
much colder weather before the ice will be safe. (Another
good reason to stay on marked snowmobile
trails; there are lots of rain-filled ponds in places
where you wouldn’t expect them...)
Wow, it is really snowing pretty hard right now; yippee!
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Thursday, December 8, 2005 9:00 a.m.
10 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
Our low temperature last night was 7 degrees, but in the
valley there were reports of
eight below zero. For sure, when I stepped into the yard
with the dog earlier I was thinking
maybe I should have worn a hat, or at the very least,
socks... I was able to enjoy a little bit
of birdsong and warm sun on my face before dashing back
inside to warm up. Yesterday morning
we were visited by dozens of geese. Three birds landed in
the back meadow in the same spot where
some deer had been pawing at grass under the snow.
Meanwhile, the rest of the flock hovered in mid-air,
wings beating furiously to compensate for the wind and
snow that were buffeting them about. Many of them
were looking at the house; I swear they were trying to
catch my eye. They were big geese, heavy-bodied with
their sturdy little legs dangling underneath, staring and
flapping in silence until finally they all turned at once
and
settled into the field. After some wing adjustments and
neck-stretching exercises, they snuggled down into the
snow and appeared to sleep. The bulk of the flock faced
north, but one goose was set apart and turned the
other way, watching the rest. A dozen geese formed their
own group on the other side of the spring, gathered
around a little trickle of runoff. They all remained
motionless for a couple of hours, and during one sunny
break
most of them lifted off in a fluster of honks and squawks.
We went out to watch them leave; they made several
low circles above the house before taking off towards the
Black River. Another flock came from farther north,
flying in a perfect vee high in the sky. Perhaps our
birds were just waiting for those guys to catch up. The
smaller
group of birds remained clustered by the spring until
later in the day. We skied a few miles under the bluest
of
skies, and when we returned when the shadows were long,
they were gone. In the chilly hour before dawn this
morning, we heard more geese passing over the house. I
wonder why so many waited so long before heading
to their winter feeding grounds? I don’t recall ever
seeing such a large amount of geese in December. This
has certainly been an odd year for natural phenomena,
weather, critters, trees and plants, and all.
Have an interesting day,
Daisy
~
Wednesday, December 7, 2005 8:45 a.m.
13 degrees, breezy, partly cloudy
Yesterday afternoon and evening we finally got enough
snow to brag about, but still not as much as
other parts of the North Country. About a foot of new
snow fell during yesterday’s storm. We were
on the extreme southern edge of a lake effect band, and
when I went to work in the afternoon I drove
right out of it about four miles down the road. The sun
was shining and there wasn’t one flake falling from
the sky in Boonville. A few people that had come down
from Lowville reported the storm to be quite bad
up that way. We were enjoying watching the bluster
outside from our cozy warm dining room after dinner,
and all of a sudden the swirling frenzy stopped dead in
its tracks. The heart of the storm scooted south and
is now stalled out over the Southern Tier. Rome is under
a winter storm warning right now, and many schools
are closed south of here. At any rate, a good base is
beginning to form for cross-country skiing. It was hard
breaking trail through the meadows yesterday morning, but
gliding was good on the back roads where a
couple of snowmobiles had been earlier. A huge flock of
geese flew over around noon, winging their
way south in a long straight line, just ahead of the
squall. The sun shines nicely across the land this
morning, but there are several big clouds in the sky that
could possibly bring us a little more winter.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Tuesday, December 6, 2005 8:45 a.m.
17 degrees, breezy, mostly sunny
Frosty crystals sparkle in bright sunlight as they drift
through the air on a slight west breeze.
Several blackbirds chatter and sing from the big tree by
the barn, and a few turkeys are pecking
salt from the road as they stroll across the view. The
back meadow has many animal trails this morning;
now that hunting season is over, deer have left the
forest to look for easy food. I don’t think much is
left
in our gardens for them, but the tracks indicate that
they were scratching through the snow to get to some-
thing or other. The apple and nut crops were so plentiful
this year that the deer should be all set for a while,
as long as the snow doesn’t get too deep. Meanwhile,
a few clouds are starting to drift in from the west,
whence cometh most of our major snowstorms. There is a
lake effect snow warning for much of today and
all of tomorrow, but so far all of the wintry bands have
gone around Turin. I will not count my chickens until
they have hatched... under two feet of snow. Still,
better get the skis out again. Snow Ridge has been
making snow, and with more natural snow on the way is
planning to open for the season this Saturday.
Have a great day,
Daisy
~
Monday, December 5, 2005 8:15 a.m.
18 degrees, calm, partly sunny, snowing
Yippee! There is finally enough snow on the ground to
cover autumn’s lackluster leftover rubble.
There is about a foot of fluff with more coming in a
light flutter of flakes. The air is absolutely
still, and snow falls in a lazy mosey, some drifting
right or left in a crazy crisscross pattern.
Conifers and dense shrubs are topped by snowy coverlets,
while larger tree trunks have
been plastered along one edge with sparkling spackle.
Through it all a silvery sun comes and
goes, creating shadows that lend depth and realism to an
otherwise slightly surreal scene.
(I’d best be gone before another awful attack of
alliteration appears...)
Live, love, and laugh,
Daisy
~
Sunday, December 4, 2005 8:30 a.m.
19 degrees, calm, overcast, flurries
It is becoming more and more obvious that the earth is
turning towards the shortest day of the year.
We have only two and a half weeks left of rising to dark
skies and checking our watches to make sure
we aren’t caught out on the trail after dark. I
think it is interesting that in Australia (or anywhere
else in the
southern hemisphere) December 21st will be the
longest day of the year, and summery weather to
boot. I
can’t imagine putting up the holiday tree in the
middle of June, the North American equivalent. Meanwhile,
it
snowed pretty much all day long yesterday, and for some
reason there are merely a few inches on the ground.
At times the air was absolutely filled with snow; where
the heck did it all go? There may be (barely) enough
to ski on today, as long as we don’t venture too far
off the beaten path. Perhaps more will fall this morning;
it is in the forecast, for what that is worth
lately. I guess I should be careful what I wish for, eh ?
Enjoy your day, whatever the weather,
Daisy
~
Saturday, December 3, 2005 8:30 a.m.
15 degrees, breezy, mostly cloudy, snowing
When the breeze quiets down for a moment, it is a
peaceful winter scene that unfolds before our eyes.
Wind has shifted our small amount of snow into graceful
drifts and ridges, and big flakes descend with
lazy circles in the air. Then along comes a gust, and whoosh!
horizontal streaks of white zip by almost
too fast to appreciate. Sometimes the sun comes out, and
then the view is blinding. Yesterday we had
business in Rome, where fell significantly more snow than
in Turin. It looks like today’s bands of lake
effect snow will be passing south of here as well. At the
most we have received about two inches of
wintry fluff; thanks to the wind, the yard is bare as
springtime. The barn door has a big drift in front of
it, and I will need my tall boots to fetch a load of
kindling in comfort. There has been a skunk in our out-
buildings, and it let loose a bit of its signature scent
in the garage, Eau de P-U. None of our pets has
been
targeted, but our vehicles smell a little ripe. I have
not seen any little footprints around the compost pile,
so
it is possible the critter has come and gone. Just to be
on the safe side, we will keep our dog on a leash for
a few days. Skunks are very cute, and eat their share of
garden slugs and other pests. Soon they will den up
for the long winter sleep. There are conflicting sources
as to whether skunks truly hibernate or not. Since they
often emerge from their dens during a January thaw or a
warm spell in February, this suggests that they rest in
a state of torpor rather than true hibernation. Whichever
is true, the sub-freezing nights and snowy days will
no doubt have sent our little visitor to a snug spot
where she will curl up with friends and family for a
while.
That sounds like a good plan, doesn’t it ?
Snuggle up,
Daisy
~
Friday, December 2, 2005 8:00 a.m.
29 degrees, calm, mostly cloudy, flurries
Fine flakes are falling and the ground wears a thin cloak
of white. A random sunbeam transforms the
meadow into a real live snow globe, complete with two
regal deer standing stock still by the garden with their
heads lifted attentively. I love the way snow sparkles in
the sun; it is one of those little details that makes a
winter day extra lovely. Areas to the south are receiving
quite a bit of snow right now; we are headed
out later for some appointments down in that neck of the
woods, and it could be a bit of a wild ride.
Watch your speed when the roads are slippery, and for
heaven’s sake, turn your headlights on.
Even an all-wheel drive vehicle with state-of-the–art
snow tires needs to see what’s coming.
Travel safe,
Daisy
~
Thursday, December 1, 2005 9:30 a.m.
30 degrees, breezy, overcast
Every now and then a few little snowflakes appear out of
nowhere and float by the window.
There were several times yesterday that the air was thick
with snow, but it didn’t amount to anything
more than a little dusting. The day started out fine,
then pinpoint sprinkles developed while we were on
a hike. My glasses became useless from the misty layer,
so I took them off. It is always interesting to spend
a little time in the natural world as seen with an
impressionist’s eye, all big splotches of color and
blurred edges.
I became aware of how much green really remained on the
last grey day of November. Ferns, evergreen shrubs,
hayfields, pine boughs that blew down in Tuesday’s
wind, lots of color here and there. We were followed by a
small flock of chickadees for quite a while, and they
could have been winged sprites or chubby little cherubs;
all I saw was little white puffs dancing from limb to
limb. Good thing I had someone along to interpret and
keep me from falling off the road. Several deer bounded
into the woods at our approach, making lots of
noise and flashing their white tails as they leapt and
trotted away. The rain stopped so I replaced my specs
for the return journey. I noticed that in several spots
the forest floor is full to the brim with water, nowhere
for it to go. Drainage ditches are at capacity, and many
culverts are not able to keep up with the runoff
from Tuesday’s storm plus the early meltwater. Water
tables have to be fuller than full, no more
drought in our neck of the woods. A line of geese just
flew by, headed for the Black River flyway.
Hurry up, little ones, winter is on its way !
Happy December,
Daisy
~
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