snow flakes

Snow flakes
36 Snow flakes. I counted till they danced so Their slippers leaped the town, And then I took a pencil To note the rebels down. And then they grew so jolly I did resign the prig, And ten of my once stately toes Are marshalled for a jig! Emily Dickinson

when the wind blows

The wind is incredible today. the steady sound, sort of a dull roar, has gone on for hours and hours. The wind races down the highway. Very windy in the front. not so windy in the door yard thanks to many evergreen trees.  It is cold without the wind, but way too cold to be out without a coat when the wind is blowing like it is.

Dark and light clouds, breaks of sun. flurries coming fast and furious. Blue and white sky now but more dark clouds to follow.  The wind is still humming away.

The dogs are in and glad to be. They all have had a few spicy dog treats and chews to keep them busy. inbetween munching they snooze, what dogs do best.

This is the kind of day when i wonder how the little birds manage to survive the cold. I do the best i can, making sure there is a variety of seed and suet  always available.  Water..all the birdbaths are  frozen, but they can stop at the fish pond. While ice floats on the top, there are still several areas of open water. I do wish more birds would find the pond and use it, especially once the heater is on.  The water will not be warm but it will also not be frozen solid.

A good day for people to be inside.

later that same day

well a busy day and i am beat!  Looking around i wonder where the time went and how so little was accomplished. Yet when i go over the day i see a lot was accomplished.

Had a visit from a dear friend, and while the occasion was sad, we still found time for a few laughs. You need those friends and those laughs to lighten the dark clouds that sometimes hang in the mind.  life is... what it is.  All you can do is make the most of every moment, regardless of what you do or how much you accomplish.

More kitchen clutter control, my every day job, and then a movie at 8.  A cold day.  Now a peaceful warm evening. Everyone, including dogs & cats are all settled for a comfortable evening.  Warm dreams, warm wishes
for tomorrow.

Saturday, first weekend in december

There is excitement in the air! A trip to the bank the morning and i noted a craft show at the old train station. Christmas crafts!  Festive decorations inside and out.  many cars in the lot.  I had a destination in mind, so did not stop but they will be there all day.

The sky boiled with dark clouds between here and there.  Brilliant, bright sunlight broke through the cloud cover, accentuating the dark clouds. Breathtaking.  The spark of sunlight also illuminating  the lighter colored wing margins on the underside of a soaring turkey vulture.  he was looking at his next meal but with the traffic was finding it difficult to set down.

Not too cold and snow flurries along the way.  It feels like the holiday's are coming quickly. People putting up lights and decorating outside trees.  Garland on fences. Hubby and i talk of getting our tree ( a fresh one) and setting it up early. why not?! I love the christmas holiday. and plan to make the most of this one.  You should too.

DEC 1ST, ALL DAY LONG.

The forecast calls for temps to drop from 60 through the 40's.  At 12;30p.m. (noonday) it is now 50 degrees. A little too cool to keep windows and doors open. 

We have had a few more cloud bursts of rain between 11 and 12;30.  I will be interested to see how much rain has fallen since 9a.m. this morning, when i put the rain gauge out.

In between phone calls I have been on flood patrol this morning.  Making sure water is not running down foundation only to reemerge in the basement.  

There is always something to keep track of here in the country.

Ode......... by Robert Southey

Ode Written On The First Of December

Tho' now no more the musing ear Delights to listen to the breeze That lingers o'er the green wood shade, I love thee Winter! well. Sweet are the harmonies of Spring, Sweet is the summer's evening gale, Pleasant the autumnal winds that shake The many-colour'd grove. And pleasant to the sober'd soul The silence of the wintry scene, When Nature shrouds her in her trance Not undelightful now to roam The wild heath sparkling on the sight; Not undelightful now to pace The forest's ample rounds; And see the spangled branches shine, And mark the moss of many a hue That varies the old tree's brown bark, Or o'er the grey stone spreads. The cluster'd berries claim the eye O'er the bright hollies gay green leaves, The ivy round the leafless oak Clasps its full foliage close. So VIRTUE diffident of strength Clings to RELIGION'S firmer aid, And by RELIGION'S aid upheld Endures calamity. Nor void of beauties now the spring, Whose waters hid from summer sun Have sooth'd the thirsty pilgrim's ear With more than melody. The green moss shines with icey glare, The long grass bends its spear-like form, And lovely is the silvery scene When faint the sunbeams smile. Reflection too may love the hour When Nature, hid in Winter's grave, No more expands the bursting bud Or bids the flowret bloom. For Nature soon in Spring's best charms Shall rise reviv'd from Winter's grave. Again expand the bursting bud, And bid the flowret bloom. Robert Southey

The First Day of December 2010

Tuesday morning was gray.  Tuesday noon time was gray also.  As the temps moved up the thermometer  we had rain off and on. It wasn't a bad day. No days are bad in the country.

The really heavy rain finally moved in overnight.   At 9a.m. Wednesday morning, The first day of December, the last month of the 2010 year, it is 60 degrees!  The rain, as forecast,  is torrential.  I made a fresh pot of coffee (winter spice) and have been walking dogs in between the downpours. They don't like to be wet either. If the temps had remained in the 20's and 30's the 2 to 3 inches of rain could easily have translated into 10+ inches of snow. Snowing in the western part of the state. Remind me never to move to Pittsburgh.

I have been taking advantage of the warm humid day to walk out onto the back porch and watch the rivers of rain water make their way down the driveway, through the dog yards and down the walking paths.  The dry creek is running high, but draining the rain water as it always does.

No birds at the feeders at this time. guess they are waiting for the rain to let up too.  High winds for this afternoon into this evening.  i hate the idea that big old trees might be affected, but not much to be done about that. Wind chimes are singing. Dark day, but not an unpleasant day, turn on a light.  Good day to putter around in the house... well every day is a good day to putter.

Welcome December!