March, 2003
My View From the Top
~ by Mrs. Gomer Hill ~

Email Daisy
~

Monday, March 31, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

22 degrees, sunny, breezy, 4" new snow

It is a very pretty morning, the sun glistening off of all the new snow.
The plow has been up and the snow is melting quickly from the road,
even though the temperature is still below freezing. The crocuses that were
on the brink of blooming are now buried, but the snow won’t hurt them. It is
amazing that the apparently delicate blooms of spring can withstand so many
extremes of weather. Last year there was a snowstorm in the middle of May;
tulips and daffodils were bent right over double under the weight of six inches
of wet snow. When the snow melted, the flowers straightened back up,
shook themselves off, and proceeded to continue dazzling us with their beauty.
Strength and resilience under adverse conditions, now there’s a good idea !
Bend but don’t break,
Daisy


Sunday, March 30, 2003, 6:30 a.m.

25 degrees, breezy, overcast, snowing

There was just a dusting of new snow at dawn,
but now it is coming down pretty hard and starting to cover every surface.
There is a handful of snowdrops in a little vase on the windowsill,
rescued from the dropping snow. (On the other hand, can it be a true
rescue if they were brought in only to wilt and die in a few days ?
Today’s lesson, Grasshopper...) The snowflakes are huge, floating
and twirling in the gentle breeze, presenting little or no obstacle to
the dozens of birds threading their way through them.
A pair of hairy woodpeckers is hanging out in the tree by the barn,
along with a huge flock of starlings. The robins were warbling from
the treetops before dawn, their cheerful song wafting in through an
open bedroom window. There is a crust of ice on all of the water
pooled in the meadows. One of the larger wet spots has been home
to a pair of great blue herons for the past few days, but they are
not there this frosty morning. There is time for a short walk before
the snow becomes too deep. If you enjoy wintry weather, go out for just
a bit and watch the snowflakes’ gentle descent. It is an interesting dichotomy,
the wintertime touch of snow on the face coupled with the springtime songs of birds.
Have an excellent day,
Daisy


Saturday, March 29, 2003, 7:45 a.m.

50 degrees, overcast, windy, sprinkles

It is a very windy morning, but the mild temperature makes it seem fresh
rather than blustery. The wind is from the west, preceding a strong storm
front that is expected to have heavy rain, fierce winds, and maybe even
some fireworks. Perhaps March will be going out like a lion instead of a lamb.
Yesterday was a perfect day for a long cross-country ski trip from Carpenter
road back to the Gomer Hill Road. Parts of the state trail were muddy or wet,
but overall there was good coverage. Bushwhacking through the woods proved to
be better traveling than on the official trails, which were full of rotten snow
that crumbled underneath our skis. The snow was wet and fast, and even the
evergreen needles and other debris didn’t slow us down too much. There was
water everywhere, from great ponds of standing meltwater to the plink, plink
of gurgling brooks. Mill creek was a roaring river, muddy water raging down to
the Black in a fast foaming frenzy. Surely the trout will be churned awake in
time for opening day Tuesday... There is still time this morning to get out for
a walk before the weather changes; feel that wonderful air on your face,
let the sprinkles of spring refresh your spirit.
Have a great day,
Daisy



Friday, March 28, 2003, 8:00 a.m.

50 degrees, mostly sunny, breezy

It is nice and warm outside this morning,
and the flies are beginning to swarm on every sundrenched surface.
Their noisy buzzing rivals the birdsong in volume, and they don’t
seem to notice the giant who walks in their midst. There are more flies
making their way indoors as well, and several mosquitoes have been buzzing
around the woodshed. One lone ladybug has appeared on a windowsill,
and it won’t be long before there are hundreds crawling around looking
for a way back out. Hooray for all of the critters who are awakening
and frolicking on this fine spring morning, even the most lowly !
Let’s go join them...
Have a rambunctious day,
Daisy


Thursday, March 27, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

38 degrees, sunny, breezy, filled with song!

An early morning stroll was quite pleasant, if a little chilly.
There are dozens of birds of many varieties all singing their joyful spring tunes.
The most prevalent species is the red-winged blackbird;
there are also many robins warbling their sweet notes, crows hollering,
and a pair of mourning doves is voicing their plaintive call.
The ever-present starlings’ erratic clicks and whistles are almost
drowned out by the newcomers’ mating songs, but I will never forget
how their complex and beautiful musings cheered me on the cold mornings
of winter. Late yesterday a pair of great blue herons flew low overhead,
perhaps looking for a landing spot for the night. The biggest surprise of all...
the snowdrops are blooming! Although they are surrounded by huge heaps of snow,
a little patch of ground close to the house has been melted clean, and a score of
beautiful white flowers are nodding their waxy heads in the morning breeze.
All of the spring bulbs are starting to thrust up out of the soil,
a little prematurely according to the weekend forecast.
The sun is strong this morning; get out and enjoy it for as long as you can.
Save your indoor chores for the weekend.
Have a wonder-full day,
Daisy


Wednesday, March 26, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

34 degrees, overcast, calm, a little drizzle

Yesterday’s sunshine and warm temperature took a lot of snow from the meadows,
leaving soggy sod in its place. There is still plenty of snow to ski on,
and the afternoon’s excursion was interesting. The snow was quite fast
in some places. Pointing the skis downhill, it was easy to gather speed
and be at the brink of losing control. Then, all of a sudden, I would hit a
patch of waterlogged and rotten snow, sink down a foot or two into the slush,
and come to a screeching halt. The air was full of small swarming insects,
and it was best to ski with a closed mouth. I came upon a small herd of deer
browsing in a thicket, and stood stock still for several minutes so as not to startle them.
They are having a hard time getting around in the soft snow, and I didn’t want them
to make a mad dash away, possibly breaking a leg. It is interesting how much
pity and compassion I feel for the deer at this time of year, when their winter
has been so hard and they are stick-thin. In August, however, I am ready to
place land mines around the garden to keep them from eating the broccoli,
and in October I am eager for fresh venison. But now, with the worst of the winter
behind us, I can’t help but feel admiration for those deer that pulled through.
There was less forage than usual this year, as well as extensive frigid temperatures;
those deer I saw yesterday are true survivors of an abnormally harsh season.
Life does go on; no matter what the conditions,
there will be those that make it through unscathed.
The big wheel keeps on turning...
Have a great day,
Daisy


Tuesday, March 25, 2003, 8:00 a.m.

43 degrees, cloudy with sunny breaks, breezy

They are back !
If "one robin does not a springtime make" then how about six ?
Four were bobbing along in a muddy patch of meadow, and two
were pecking at something on top of the snow. Several flocks of
geese passed overhead as we walked, all but one group heading east,
toward the Black River. The other flock was sky high, and aimed true north.
There is still almost full snow coverage in the fields, but the meltwater
is creating many freshets that will quickly open up more bare ground.
The snow is disappearing from around the house and outbuildings and
crocuses have thrust their pointy little heads through the mulch.
Snowdrops are always the first to bloom, but not this year;
they are buried under a huge mound of snow that avalanched off the roof.
Hmmm, I wonder if that is why they are called snowdrops...
Enjoy this beautiful day,
Daisy


Monday, March 24, 2003, 6:45 a.m.

33 degrees, overcast, calm

The mud is still frozen at this early hour, so the walking isn’t too bad.
There are a lot of blackbirds whoopin’ it up, and a large flock of crows
is on the move. No robins have arrived yet, although there have been
reports of them on the flats. The air is absolutely still, and the smell
of smoke hangs about the yard from the morning fire. Heating with wood
is tricky this time of year; the house heats up quickly, and what begins
as a little fire to take the chill off sometimes results in a house that is
too hot for a good night’s sleep. The alternative is to let the fires go out,
but then it’s a chilly business to take a shower in the morning. The oil
furnace has been mostly idle all winter, but comes in handy when there is
no one to stoke the stoves. The woodpiles are getting low, leaving piles of
bark and a few snakeskins to puzzle over; did the snakes wriggle out of their
old clothes in the woodshed, or did the skins get transported inside unobserved ?
(I would prefer to think the latter.)
Have a surprising day,
Daisy


Sunday, March 23, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

29 degrees, breezy, foggy, trace of new snow

The light dusting of snow is clinging to the old snow,
but has not been able to cover the road or the bare spots in the yard.
The stepping stones are treacherously icy, but the trees are bare.
The blackbirds and starlings are raucously celebrating the morning,
and a flock of geese was heard earlier. It’s business as usual for the birds;
the season will proceed in spite of the snow and ice that have reappeared.
The fires feel good this morning, and the urge to explore outdoors has
not yet struck. It seems to be a stay-inside-and-bake-bread kind of day,
a cinnamon toast and Irish coffee morning.
Here’s to us all,
Daisy


Saturday, March 22, 2003, 8:00 a.m.

33 degrees, windy, overcast

The wind howled across the Hill last night making sleep elusive.
No stars were visible, and the sound of twigs hitting the roof was
often accompanied by the plop of giant raindrops. There were a few
breaks of sun yesterday, and a late afternoon walk was rewarded by
the sight and sound of hundreds of red-winged blackbirds on the move.
The buds on the swamp maples are starting to show the red hue of spring,
and the copious amounts of steam rising from several sugar-houses proves
that the sap has been flowing in the sugar maples as well. The wind seems to
be dying down just a bit now. Time to put on the mud boots and walk the dog
(who got all excited just as the words were typed... the psychic doggie hotline?)
Have a great day,
Daisy

Friday, March 21, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

34 degrees, high thin clouds, a little breeze

Although the equinox officially arrived yesterday,
today is the first full day of spring. Red-winged blackbirds are
calling to each other from across the hedgerows with their cheerful three-note
invitation to stay and plaaaaaay. The valley is totally obscured by dense fog,
but on top of Gomer Hill the air is bright with diffused sunlight. The yard is
extremely juicy, with the frost finally gone and the rain super-saturating the clay soil.
The meadows are still totally snow-covered except for deep rivulets running from the
springbox down towards the woods. It won’t be long before vernal ponds form, giving
their temporary shallow depths over to the many species of frogs that breed in the spring.
There are many wonderful sounds out there this morning; leave the news of the world
behind and lend your ear to the call of this new day.
Peace,
Daisy

Thursday, March 20, 2003, 8:00 a.m.

28 degrees, breezy, rain/snow mixed, 1/8" ice

The sound of rain on the tin roof just before daybreak suddenly
turned into the hiss of tiny snow crystals. The rain and mist have built
up a thin layer of ice on the cars, twigs and clothesline. The stuff falling now
is not clearly rain or snow, but when the gaze is averted and eyes’ focus dimmed,
it is seen as a mass of semi-solid moisture moving sideways across the meadows.
This is a big contrast to yesterday’s beautiful sunny day. It wasn’t too warm,
and the snow was perfect corn... just the right combination of temperature
and moisture so that it formed little balls of wet ice, gleaming transparent in
the late afternoon sun. Cross-country skiing was lickety-split, even going uphill.
The scent of sun-kissed spruce and balsam filled the air,
and the pussy willows were nodding their plump fuzzy heads.
There was a single red-winged blackbird singing its spring song from a hedgerow,
a perfect recessional for the winter season. Today we celebrate the vernal equinox,
and welcome the spirits of growth and renewal back to the land.
Start your garden seeds today,
making sure to try something new this year.
Happy spring,
Daisy

Wednesday, March 19, 2003, 7:15 a.m.

33 degrees sunny calm 2" new mud...

It was below freezing last night, and the snow is just starting to thaw
out a bit. The cats are able to tread on the crusty surface this morning,
whereas yesterday afternoon they were sinking in the mushy stuff up to
their knees. They have been prowling the yard and barn daily since the
weather broke, looking for some unlucky rodents to supplement their daily kibble.
They come in at night smelling of the haymow,
licking their muddy paws clean and purring in contentment.

A pair of mourning doves just swooped by the window,
probably from the same family that has built generations of nests in the lilac bush.
It is a terrible place for a nest, close to a clothesline and just at eye-level when
we mow the lawn, startling both the birds and ourselves as we frequently pass by.
A lone snow goose flew overhead yesterday, honking loudly and heading south;
I wonder what inside information that goose has. Another winged flock has made
its presence known, a sure sign of spring... cluster flies. They are massed on the
uninsulated sunporch, all abuzz, trying to find an exit. These newfangled windows
keep most of them out of the main part of the house,
but it only takes ONE... at midnight...
as you are trying to read the last chapter of a real page-turner...
dive-bombing your nose... landing on your upper lip... ewwwwww !
Lights out !
Have a great spring day,
Daisy

Tuesday, March 18, 2003, 8:15 a.m.

36 degrees, foggy, breezy, snow flees...

It is very moist outside this morning. The snow is one with the sky,
a seamless curtain of dampness that starts under your feet and shoots
its way skyward like a fountain. It is a gigantic vaporizer out there,
and if your head feels a little muzzy, just step outside and walk briskly
for ten minutes. Any congestion will be broken up and gone, guaranteed.
Let your bare face drink in the wonderful fragrant mist; pretend you
are walking in the peat bogs of Ireland or the rainforests on the
northwest coast of our country. Just be sure to wear boots;
mud season has officially begun.
Drink it all in,
Daisy

Monday, March 17, 2003, 8:15 a.m.

49 degrees, mostly sunny, a little breeze, less old snow...

There are a few clouds high up in the sky this morning, but in
spite of them the sun is pouring its warmth all over the Hill at this moment.
Great muddy patches have opened up in the yard, and one clothesline has
been restrung. (No sense putting them all back up, as the plowtruck will surely
be needed again, and the lines only get in the way.) It is a fine day for hanging
out sheets and towels; the whole house will be redolent of spring when they
are stretched over the mattresses and hung on the towel bars.

Several of us went cross country skiing yesterday in search of the elusive
minks that share our neighborhood. We skied from one snowy hummock
to the next, looking for tracks and scat, or the holes leading in and out
of the dens. "The rolling moguls of the swamp were great fun! What splendor !
That was the first time I attempted skiing in wash-your-face snow", reported
one adventurous woman in an early morning e-message. It was tee-shirt warm
yesterday, roll the pants up above the knees weather. The breeze was blowing
balmy for a change, and we just couldn’t stop grinning.
Today will be another fine day for exploring outside.
Take some time before or after work to energize your spirit
with the delicious breaths of spring.
Have fun, Daisy

Sunday, March 16, 2003, 7:15 a.m.

43 degrees, sunny, calm, no new snow

The cats wanted to go outside this morning for the first time in months.
Two of them are sitting in the open barn door watching the blackbirds fly
from branch to branch in the big maple tree. Both cats are excellent hunters,
and occasionally bring a young bird to the back step for our admiration.
If you are planning on erecting some bluebird nesting boxes, you need to
consider their placement very carefully if you are a cat owner.
Adult bluebirds are ground-feeders, easy prey for a cat with good stalking skills.
Our senior kitty brought us two adult female bluebirds many years ago
from two different boxes in the back yard; we no longer encourage nesting
near the house. Fortunately, their eggs had not yet hatched.
There are many birds active this morning, and a woodchuck was spotted
on route 12D north of Turin yesterday.
Today’s temp is supposed to climb into the 50’s.
What an excellent day it will be to go look for more signs of spring !
Enjoy the day,
Daisy

Saturday, March 15, 2003, 6:30 a.m.

24 degrees, high thin clouds, calm, no new snow

Life is full of choices, and some of them are hard ones. Take today,
for example; there is an event I must attend, and have to leave here by 7:00.
Should I take the time to write in the Tug Hill Almanac,
or should I make a good breakfast for my husband...
glad I bought eggs yesterday !
Have a great day
(and a nice breakfast),
Daisy

Friday, March 14, 2003, 9:00 a.m.

20 degrees, sunny, breezy, 1" new snow

Could it be ?
Is spring finally getting ready to spring ?
Temperatures will be rising into the 40s and 50s the next few days.
The road crew is out with the snow blower, cutting holes in the massive banks
so the water has somewhere to go. The copious amounts of snow this winter
will provide much-needed meltwater to replenish the water table, which fell
dangerously low last summer. The morning sunlight is full of late winter warmth;
although it is only twenty degrees outside right now, the strong rays of the sun
have provoked the eaves into shedding their load, one drop at a time. Wisps of
ethereal vapor rise from the road, and the dog’s hair was warm to the touch
when he came in from his morning toilette. It is a wonderful morning,
full of the promise of springtime. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts;
you never know what is just around the corner here on Tug Hill.
Enjoy the day,
Daisy

Thursday, March 13, 2003, 8:30 a.m.

15 degrees, calm, filtered sunlight, 3" new snow

The sun is trying to appear from behind a high thin veil of clouds;
there are almost shadows on the meadows. A pair of hairy woodpeckers has
been exploring the poplar trees, wondering where last year’s home has gone.
In the manner of poplars (also known as popple up here on the Hill) it broke
in half during a high wind last summer, giving us some fuel for the kitchen range,
but wiping out the woodpeckers’ nesting cavity. There are several bluebird boxes
scattered around the property; perhaps it’s time to put out a few woodpecker
homes as well. If any of you currently maintain a bluebird trail or plan on
putting out some nesting boxes, this is the time of year to inspect your boxes
or put out the new ones. The NYS Bluebird Society has plans online www.nysbs.com
and directions for maintaining the little shelters during the year. Ours are all cleaned
out and ready to go, except for two that are still under snowdrifts. Even if you can’t
put out nesting boxes, visit the site later this spring to check out the nest-cam;
it is very cool to watch the whole process, from the first twig to the last nestling’s flight.
It won’t be long now before the first male bluebirds are looking for suitable
digs for themselves and their mate(s). Keep your eyes peeled...
Have an interesting day,
Daisy

Wednesday, March 12, 2003, 7:00 a.m.

28 degrees, snowing, breezy, ½" new snow

The snow has been picking up speed in the last ten minutes,
but the maple tree in the yard is brimming with blackbirds.
The half dozen that have spent the winter up here have called in the troops,
and the joyful noise emanating from the branches is a fine thing to hear on
this snowy morning. It sounded like a couple of geese passed overhead earlier;
what were they thinking! There is no other wildlife in sight this morning,
just the people driving off the hill to work, school, or play.
Whatever your plan is for today, take some time to connect
with your friends and family. If blackbirds can do it, we can too...
Have a great day,
Daisy

Tuesday, March 11, 2003, 7:00 a.m.

7 degrees, partly sunny, calm, 1" new snow

It was just as windy in the valley yesterday as it was here on Gomer Hill.
There were plenty of whiteouts between Turin and Boonville, and the lack
of visibility made for treacherous driving conditions. It is a much nicer day today,
one of those brittle gray skies with streaks of pale blue. The sun is just coming up
over a long cloud bank, with very little of the warm colors that are usually present
at this hour; it is all pewter and silver, with little flashes of tin.
The snow has drifted into interesting shapes in the meadows, long shadows
beginning to appear along the western edge of each little mogul.
It looks like a good day to enjoy the last of the winter’s beauty.
The vernal equinox is only nine days away, and the temperatures are predicted
to rise into the forties this weekend. There is still plenty of snow on the ground,
but the skiing conditions will gradually change from the hard crisp surfaces of
winter to the zippy corn snow of spring; we will be able to trade in the snuggies
for the tee-shirts and sunscreen, and have picnics in the woods while
the creeks thaw out and lend their music to the occasion.
Enjoy your day,
Daisy

Monday, March 10, 2003, 9:00 a.m.

5 degrees, partly sunny, very windy, 2" new snow

It is extremely windy on Gomer Hill today, and at five degrees
the windchill must be about a zillion below zero. The fine-grained snow that
fell last night is streaking and skidding across the frozen meadows
as if it has a life of its own. There is nothing seen from the window
that would entice a body outside at this moment, not even with a
fleece balaclava and a tummyfull of cocoa. Visibility is poor, and driving off
the Hill will be an adventure. Often, however, when the wind is whipping
dervishes on Tug Hill, it is relatively calm on the flats, especially during
the month of March. The lake effect snow that was predicted for this morning
just kissed the southern end of the county and moved quickly on.
It is a good day to do a little spring cleaning, mending, organize the computer files;
soon the weather will change,
and it will be harder to stay housebound.
Have a great day,
Daisy

Sunday, March 9, 2003, 8:30 a.m.

20 degrees, partly sunny, calm, flurries, 2" new snow

The snowflakes are falling so gently right now, floating suspended
in the bright morning air, moseying right or left or wherever the gentle
currents take them. They are big fat flakes, the kind that show up as perfect
lacy hexagons against the background of a dark fleece anorak.
An occasional little gust of breeze adds a plop of snow from the roof,
all confusion in the air until the zephyr dies down,
and the flakes continue to weave their invisible patterns in the stillness.
Have a wonderful day,
Daisy

Friday, March 7, 2003, 8:30 a.m.

15 degrees, bright sun, calm, no new snow

The radio weatherman said it was –5 degrees in Boonville,
but up here it is twenty degrees warmer than that. Maybe the sun
shines brighter on us up here, a thousand feet closer to its warming
rays than on the flats. The sky is a beautiful shade of blue with not
a cloud to be seen. There are many animal tracks in the meadow,
including lots of turkey prints. They were moving in unison yesterday,
a medium sized flock all walking slowly, round-shouldered with heads down,
pecking steadily at the snow; what nourishment they were gleaning is a mystery,
unless they were slaking their thirst. Hopefully the number of tomcat pawprints
will disappear from the barnyard after today; the little white kitty has just
been taken out of the gene pool, and is recovering nicely. Our other foundling
pets have welcomed her into their karass, and she has won our hearts as well.
We are at full capacity now, no more room at the inn...
Have a great day,
Daisy

Thursday, March 6, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

9 degrees, breezy, overcast, trace of new snow

The light is very flat this morning, no shadows at all being cast on the land.
Every so often a stray snowflake drifts past the window, floating erratically on
the gentle breeze. March is toying with us, revealing itself to be neither a lion
nor a lamb, just more of the same old stuff so far. It has been an exceptionally
snowy winter for our neighbors to the south, but normal snow amounts for Tug Hill.
What has been unusual is the relentless frigid temperature;
we have tapped into the reserve woodpile and know many folks who are down to
burning chips, chunks, and leaves. March can be very cold, but last year we
burned more wood in May than in March. A change is coming this weekend;
you might imagine Saturday is the beginning of a thaw until the thermometer
tells you otherwise Sunday.
Stay warm,
Daisy

Wednesday, March 5, 2003, 8:00 a.m.

30 degrees, calm, snowing lightly, 1" new snow

Although it looks like another wintry morning right now,
last night the skunks were on the move, a sure sign of impending spring.
On the twelve mile stretch between Boonville and Turin, there were four
dead skunks on the road, and the glowing eyeballs of several more who were
luckier. They are still a bit confused and slow from their winter torpor,
and unable to get out of the way of a fast-moving vehicle. This is also
a good reason to keep your dogs under control; the leash law is for the
protection of all wildlife, and in the case of skunks, for the protection
of the dogs as well. Let’s watch out for all creatures, great and small.
Drive with care,
Daisy

Tuesday, March 4, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

zero degrees, overcast, fine snow, dusting of new snow

The snow that is falling right now is so miniscule that it must be
gazed at from an angle, or it disappears. It is felt on the face before
it is actually seen with the eye. It is easy to see the hexagonal structure
of the flakes that fall during a lake effect storm with the naked eye;
these tiny motes still have the classic geometrically perfect six sided structure,
but must be viewed through a magnifying glass. Years ago, there was a popular
book on the market, "Snow Crystals" by Wilson Bentley that consisted of
nothing more than page after page of photographs of snowflakes. It was
a large book, and there were 2400 snowflakes represented, each one different.
For more information about this, check out www.snowflakebentley.com.
As the snowflakes fall on your fleece pullover or the back of your mitten,
notice how quickly they melt or blow away. Imagine capturing just one flake on film;
what a project that must have been! Think about the gazillions of flakes
that have fallen this winter, and no two are alike... it boggles the mind.
Enjoy the snow,
Daisy

Monday, March 3, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

-15 degrees! sunny, calm, 3" new snow

There was plenty of new wet snow yesterday, ending with some wind-driven
graupple by the end of the day. The temperature at 8:00 p.m. was 29 degrees,
and now it is nearly 45 degrees colder than that. That is the awesome power of
the North Wind! The snow that fell yesterday was heavy and wet, then another
inch fell overnight that is light as a feather. The wind blew hard all night,
making sleep elusive. It is calm now, and everything is beautifully covered with a
sparkling white blanket. Yesterday’s ski trip unveiled some hints of approaching spring;
there were open areas of water in the creeks with lots of deer tracks coming and going,
and the pussy willows are just beginning to show their fuzzy little faces.
This cold snap can’t last too long, and there is a small jar of pussy willows
over the kitchen sink to remind us that old man winter is on the way out.
Stay snug,
Daisy

Sunday, March 2, 2003, 7:30 a.m.

30 degrees, snowing, breezy, 2" new snow

It is snowing pretty hard right now,
and the day’s plan to look for wolf tracks is pretty much shot.
That’s right, wolf tracks.
Friday was such a beautiful day I took the dog for a walk along one of the
snowmobile trails up here and we were pretty far from home by late afternoon.
All of a sudden there came a deep throated, agitated howling from the deep woods,
sending a thrill of fear throughout my entire being.
There were at least two canine voices, and from the Nature specials I have seen,
they sure sounded like wolves on the hunt. The cacophony was close, and although
I know deep in my heart that all the Big Bad Wolf stories are false,
the cavewoman in me turned tail and ran like an antelope out of control.
Who knew I could move that fast! When we got back into a more settled area,
we were gasping for air and looking over our shoulders. I have heard coyotes
on the move many times, and their high pitched yipping and singing is very distinct;
this was no pack of coyotes. I have also heard beagles and other hounds baying
after rabbits, and this wasn’t even remotely like that. While I never saw the
animals that made this sound, my primal self cried "wolf !"
I rounded up a posse to go look for tracks and other signs today, so we could
take some photos and measurements. I have heard that several mated pairs of
timber wolves were released onto Tug Hill, but this is the first time I have given
that rumor any credence. I love and respect all creatures of Mother Earth and am
delighted at the possibility wolves in the area;
my more practical side will add pepper spray to the backpack.
Take care,
Daisy

Saturday, March 1, 2003, 8:30 a.m.

30 degrees, partly sunny, calm, no new snow

The air is very still this morning, and the sun was parked right outside the back
porch earlier, so I had my morning beverage while soaking up some vitamin D
through the open door. There is a fairy coating of fog frost on every twig,
lending a magical quality to the day. Although out of sight around the corner,
I could hear the blackbirds (actually, I think they are starlings) at their matins.
I counted eleven distinct different whistles, clicks, and warbles today.
This is a species that has been classified as a nuisance bird, and it is permissible
to shoot them for "sport". This particular group of birds has greeted us nearly
every day this winter, cheered me when I have been disheartened,
overseen the blustery chores of hauling kindling in from the barn and shoveling paths,
and kept our cats lively by there mere presence. They have been everything but a nuisance.
We have been spiritually enriched by their presence,
and fortunate that they chose our tree for the winter.
Step outside and see what you can hear this morning;
if you are lucky, you may find some starlings.
Enjoy the day,
Daisy

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