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.

FOTD, Anthurium

It is a yucky, cloudy, dreary, melty, and foggy day here in the Midwest. Yes, thankfully the 26 inches of snow is finally melting after three weeks. Enough already.

I understand that FOTD is taking a well-deserved break but I needed some color today, so I give you the Anthurium that is growing in my office.

These are supposed to be difficult and fickle plants to grow so we will see how long it takes me to kill them. I really wanted some color in my office and while Poinsettias are wonderful this time of year, I know how fickle those are and the one in my office is really sad. So onward with the adventure.

Hope you enjoyed this splash of red for today. I really liked the one with the green edges.

Remember to always try to be kind. You never know when you smile or kind gesture may just make someone’s day.

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.

It’s February, It’s Winter!

Winter in the midwest usually means snow…and if not snowing, its freaking cold. The front that came through today was scheduled to dump a good 5-7 inches of snow. Fortunately for me, the front stayed more to the north, so we only got 2ish inches, however it is still snowing but it is winding down.

And the temps are tolerable at 28-31 degrees. Last week it was 5 degrees with wind chills below zero – too cold, just too cold. But my baby Christmas trees look cute covered in snow. Both trees are the same age, however the smaller tree was decapitated by the dog chasing that dangerous mailman as he came down the sidewalk. I will be curious to see how it shapes itself as it grows.

And Saturday it is going to be in the low 40s – not typical February temperatures. It makes me concerned for March. I just want it to stay decent weather through next week as we are flying out to San Francisco. Spending a week with my daughter as we sample the fabulous food, sour dough bread…and chocolate. The weather there is not supposed to be great but I don’t need sunshine to eat.

I leave you with one last shot that I just took that I call “Snow by Streetlight”, lol. But it does depict the quiet peace we can so often miss in the beauty of any moment.

Be watchful for those moments, they may amaze you. And as always, remember the value of kindness and the beauty it creates.

Always be kind!

Grays of Winter

Now that I live in the mid-west, winter means no more sun for a few months. We do see it periodically but the gray of winter really settles in for the season. But even with the grayness, there is still beauty if you know how to look. Nature still holds the key to the beauty of creation – even in the gray of winter. Sunsets seem to be the most colorful…when you see it.

But when the snow starts to fall you see a purity that covers even the ugliest ground reminding you that even in the grayest season, beauty can still be found.

Aside for the beauty you see in the trees, small collections of snow are just as pretty, even on weeds.

So regardless of grayness or sun, winter can still be beautiful. You just have to look a different way. And sometimes in the still of night, the beauty is amazing, especially reflecting off of the snow.

So, look at the gray of winter as another way of seeing the beauty of creation taking in another side of gray. And remember whichever season you are in you can always find beauty and kindness. Share the kindness and watch the beauty grow.

There’s Something Calming About a Fireplace

Being originally from south Georgia, I tend to not be a fan of winter. But I moved this way because I was tired of the heat. We are never really satisfied with all aspects of weather. But during the winter, there is something peaceful about watching the fire in the fireplace, especially during Christmas.

If you are in your winter season, may you feel the warmth of life around you and remember to share that warmth in kindness.

Always be kind

FOTD, Memories

The midwest during the winter months can be bleak. Currently we have not see the sun in four days with more rain and clouds due this next week. 🥺 Guess that’s better than feet of snow.

So I am digging back into archives of 2021 to remember the beauty and warmth of the sunshine. I fully understand the need for the plant life to rest but I do miss them so.

Sunflowers and bumble bees…sleep well my friends.

While nature is sleeping, don’t let you kindness sleep. Share it often.

Always be kind.