Not Even Winter Yet

The winter solstice, the first day of winter, is December 21. That’s a week away. Yesterday we got another four inches of snow, bringing our total close to two feet for the month. And the temps are down into negative numbers. Very much like February, not early December.

So, as I sat on my sofa, enjoying my living room Christmas tree, I snapped shots of the birds at the feeders in the falling snow and thought I would share them with you.

I made sure the feeders were filled before this latest snow came, knowing how spoiled they have become for easy food options. The upper feeder holds suet filled with seeds for energy and needed for warmth.

Since this feeder got low, I had to shovel a path this morning to refill it.

This morning, with the sun shining, it was a beautiful day despite the -1 degree temperature. The mourning doves fluff their feathers for warmth in the sun as they wait their turn to feed.

The red-breasted woodpecker is a favorite and one of the larger birds that visit the suet feeders. The mourning doves prefer the platform feeder.

Tomorrow, the temps will rise to normal December levels, and hopefully, this snow and cold will not be the norm for this year.

As we approach the Christmas season, remember the value of kindness and share it often.

Winter Has Arrived

Hello friends. It has been a while since I posted, but I wanted to share my winter wonderland photos. Many of us living in the Upper Midwest are being hammered by snow. Current totals are over 8 inches with another 3-4 expected. In preparation for the coming storm, I overloaded the bird feeder, which they fully appreciated. Most of these pictures came from this morning, when we only had about 5 inches. I hope you enjoy.

The outdoor tree was planted about 10 years ago. It’s finally big enough to decorate; its lights are hidden under the snow.

There is a large platform feeder, and on the pole is the suet they need for colder weather.

The larger red-breasted woodpecker came by, too, but he refused to let me take his picture.

The cardinals are always beautiful when it’s snowing. Their bright red stands out nicely. Most bird pics were taken from inside, so you get a glimpse of my Christmas decor.

Daisy is not so sure she cares for the snow.

Always remember to share kindness wherever you go. It can easily spread to others.

CFFC: Things That Are Cold

Since March is one of those months that can’t make up its mind about being warm or cold, I feel this is a perfect time to share a few cold pics. A couple of them are from winter but even today that white stuff is around.

After a warm December, January dropped 2 feet of the white stuff.

I really like the tree in the picture above. Nature has a way of making cold look beautiful.

Even the birds were cold and saying “Whose bright idea is this?”

My dog Daisy is not a fan of cold. She will burrow down or get completely under the covers. I gave up making the bed.

If we look through a creative lens of almost all things God creates, we can see the beauty in it. One of the things we don’t realize the beauty of it is kindness. Kindness has a beauty that can touch our heart for a lifetime.

I Know Its Still March but…

Old Man Winter is refusing to turn loose his grip. While I am thankful for only the inch we got, as Cedar Rapids got 5 inches…I am still done. Thank you very much for coming but leave…

The sunset the other day was so much prettier but we knew he wasn’t fully done.

As we take a deep breath for being teased that spring would be early…we know soon the sweet lady of spring will be here. And until then we patiently wait and remember to be kind. Kindness can warm our hearts until spring is FINALLY here to stay.

Digging Out

I know that many of us live in snow zone areas but what we got here in a 24-hour period missed the record by 1 inch. We got 15.5 inches. That in itself was crazy but it fell on the 8 inches snow from Tuesday which was still on the ground. A bit much for this southern girl.

So, I thought I would share some of the beauty we had because it was beautiful…thank you, Lord, for a warm home. Our current temp here at 8pm is 1 degree Fahrenheit. One, not two or twenty but 1. Tomorrow’s high will be -12F with a wind chill of -32F. Canada we love you but you can have your weather back, not interested. Although I don’t think it’s their fault either. Somebody ticked off Santa as it’s a polar vortex. So bundle up friends, we don’t see above single digits for 10 days and many of those are on the wrong end of the thermometer.

Let’s see some pics and forget the cold…if that is possible.

Then we had to start clearing the sidewalk…

Just for reference, that is a 4-foot-high fence

The strong winds created 3-5 foot drifts.

Street facing south. Thank goodness for snowplows

My neighbors trees were really pretty.

As storm Gerrie moved on past us, I hope you were not hit badly by it. I think the New England States may have a rough time. Be safe and stay warm friends. Try to be kind when you can.

The Middle of Round 2

The body time clock still goes off at normal time even though you can go nowhere, a good day to sleep in but no the systems are on a timer.

I got out early between the two lines of the snow to get some updated pics in case you are not sure what snow looks like…

I am always amazed at how snow sits on top of fence posts. It doesn’t take much to amaze me. Since I knew the heavy stuff would be here within the hour, I needed to refill the feeder so the birds would have something to get to since we spoil them now in providing their food.

They said thank you as the snow started up again.

The reflections of the Christmas tree are in the window. It comes down today.

The Downy Woodpecker is really enjoying the seedpack.

All in all, this snow is dryer and lighter than what we got on Tuesday, so it should not be difficult to remove. I already cleared the sidewalk once just to keep the weight down.

Hope you all have a good day, a calm weekend, and a continued good year. And as always, remember the value of kindness, especially when things around you are NOT calm.

Preparing for Round 2

As Daisy and I are warmed by the fire

We wait for round 2, not our desire

Round one still leaves us 3″ on the ground

Round two promises to keep us homebound

The joys of winter in the Midwest, or not. Being from the south, I could just pass on this weather thank you very much. But no, the second major storm for the New Year is upon us. I will have to say the wet snow still clings to the buildings and trees making them quite beautiful, well, at least the trees. Not much interest in a column except for the way the wind-blown snow clung to it.

The limbs of those trees are my favorite for catching snow. These are trees that I see from my window at work. And close up you can see their interesting shape.

Once I got home, my Christmas lights that are frozen into the ground are solar-powered and still shining through this bleak dreary weather making me smile.

If you really try, you can always find something that makes you smile. Smiling is an easy way to show kindness as it reflects the beauty of your heart. So smile often to help others smile. It is contagious, like yawning.

Well, We Can’t Complain

Today winter finally showed it’s face. For the last three years it has been relatively mild here in the Midwest – it was in the 50s at Christmas. But today…its here.

Looking at my bird feeders, it looks to be about 5 inches…so far and supposed to snow all day. It is a wet heavy snow with temps at 33 but when that artic air comes in later today, the temps will plummet to single digits. The snow will become dry and powdery and a hazard to those who have to be out in it because we are expecting 20 sustained winds – 40 gusts.

But for now, lets enjoy the beauty of it.

Birds always gotta eat. The cardinal guarding the small feeder.

Love my mourning doves. So for now Daisy and I sit and watch…and think about the huge task at hand. Gotta get the rest of Christmas down…there is a lot! But what fun it was.

Have a great week, stay warm if needed or enjoy you summer conditions while we relax by the fire. And as always, remember to be kind, its a lot easier than you think and twice as rewarding to you.

Everyone and everything can use kindness.

Whew

What a crazy October and November…I will start with Sunday and go backward for several posts. I hope all are well and enjoying the coming holiday season.

Sunday…first snowfall…

It was my favorite kind. Wet, and clinging to the trees turning everything into a white wonderland…and clear roads. It’s Wednesday night and it is still on the ground as temps have been below freezing all week. But tomorrow it warms up into the 40s so it will soon be gone. Then I can get my outside Christmas lights up.

It’s so pretty how it covers everything in gentle, quiet purity. There is something about the early morning quietness of the first snowfall…what peace should be like.

I pray for areas across the world that are not experiencing peace at this time. If we could all learn how to get along, not be greedy, or power hungry. May we all learn to find peace and share its kindness…like the peace of gentle snow.

Always Be Kind!

Only 1-2…Really??!?

God bless our weathermen. They really try but no one can 100% predict what Mother Nature will do. At bedtime is was 1-2 inches but the roads are warm so it won’t last long, right? And 8 hours later…we had 7 inches…and it’s still snowing. Look at the size of those flakes.

It is rather graceful how this very wet snow clings to the trees. It gives them a covering of graceful lace on the bare branches of winter, although it’s weight plays havoc on the evergreens.

But the beauty it creates on the hardwoods is almost magical as it enhances all the twisted and curvy limbs.

Mother Nature, can be beautiful in most every way, but dangerously violent at times. I pray that the spring and summer storms treat you kindly this year. May the only thing we see is its beauty…or maybe it’s humor.

I am not sure the birds find the snow humorous…but a birds gotta eat and with everything covered in snow, the feeder is the easiest meal.

Since I actually have little to do this weekend, I was going to get some good shots of the sky for Hammad Rais prompt for weekend sky. Go check out his superman in the sky this week. Alas, mine is all gray, so maybe next weekend.

Remember as always, that kindness has a power that can melt a cold heart. Kindness covers like a soft blanket of snow and not matter how small an act of kindness you share, it creates ripples of love that fanout like the roots of a tree.

Always Be Kind