A winter morning

Around 9 o'clock yesterday morning we went out for the first walk of the day.  The snow plow was working hard at the junction of the two county roads that bound my property. The dogs checked under the west feeder for The Dread Red (the family of red squirrels that plague them constantly).

It was cold - and it had snowed on top of the mushy icy stuff from the day before. The pathways were slick underfoot with the six inches of fluffy stuff, but it was beautiful.

The sound of bird wings  - that flit-flutter-flutter-flit - and bird song as they chatted among themselves after the plow went back up past the church where I live, were the only sounds to be heard for several minutes.

I stood drinking in the sights and the sounds. It was so still, only a few flakes gently drifting to the ground. I turned and saw the sun gleaming through the clouds to the south making the snow shine as it was caught like winter decorations in the pine needles.

I inspected all the spots the dogs had investigated, brought in some wood for the fire and checked out the surrounding countryside.

A truly beautiful winter morning, one to savour and remember over a steaming cup of coffee when I returned from my amble around the pasture.

My wish for you is that your mornings are truly beautiful and memorable as well.

Where did it go?

Yesterday we still had tons of snow, and the dogs, being Labs were having a ball out hunting whatever they thought was around. Heads were buried in snow in the pasture as they thought they heard or smelled a mouse or a mole.

Every track and tiny opening in the snow was thoroughly sniffed and then sniffed again. What one did, the other had to inspect to make sure that the job was well done.

Here the boyz think they've caught the scent of the Dread Red - for those of you who aren't familiar with that fearsome creature - it's a notorious red squirrel. Actually I think there are two or maybe three, and they have a home underneath the front of the church where I live.

"Hmmm- better check the bushes, and maybe along the back of the house? You look that way Bliss, I'll see about back there," spirit (the black one) is the boss you see. He usually directs traffic if it needs directing in his opinion.

Oh - there it is! Up the tree! Should have thought of that!







Happy New Year everyone - may you have as much fun in the coming year as my two doggy companions do every day - and may adventure and joy fill your lives!