Living here for more than 20 years, this spell of winter weather has been the most difficult we have encountered. Today we are finishing the “work week” with a few hours of welcome, unseasonable warmth, but we are braced for single digit cold again soon. “Work week” is a term that does not apply to people who have animals. There are no days “off”. That is not a complaint. The animals, as Joe reminded us, to paraphrase Roger Caras, “are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole”.
The horses miss the grass, but they seem to enjoy the snow, beneath which they do find some bits of grass. Of course, they have plenty of hay, but it’s not quite as delicious. They are boys, though, and they romp and play fight between searches for treats.
There was one frightening moment, when Bart saw Eddy and assumed he was a coyote that should be stomped. Luckily, Eddy is very fleet of foot, and he is aware that horses can be dangerous, thanks to a very close call some months ago that gave me gray hair.
The birds are eating us out of house and home, and the flicker has become a regular visitor, like the cardinals and juncos. I never tire of trying to get pictures of the yellow shafted wings in flight.
All the outdoor cats are living in the barn tack room at night, and the shed cats leave every morning, even on very cold days, to maintain their sense of independence.
Harlan made it in on Tuesday to empty the dumpster, and warmed up in the tack room for a little while. Cora was delighted to see her favorite human!
There was a full Wolf Moon this week, and the coyotes have been howling like crazy every night.
In the studio, Harry has made a small bust as a self portrait of his younger days.
Conditions continue to be fairly deadly. I managed to get the Subaru stuck, due to my stupid arrogance, but so far, I have only fallen once, and survived. Yaktrax have not been retired yet. Sadly, I did have to buy a new pair of long underwear bottoms after my beloved Icebreaker pair developed a hole after ten years of service. The sidewalk to the barn is cleared and we received mail this week, after a week of no deliveries at all!
Paperwhites on the windowsill, from Jane, remind us that Spring is ahead. We just need to get through this patch of winter…
Be safe, be well, be grateful for every day, even the cold and snowy ones. Endure! Slava Ukraini! Peace…
Beautiful animals! I love looking at all your wonderful pictures and hearing about the antics of those fun loving creatures who clearly love life on your patch of heaven! Stay warm!
Your horses are so beautiful. As are the lovely paperwhites. I am fond of them. I hate to think of you falling on the ice. It is so treacherous. That is the one thing about winter I could do without. And the heating bill! Stay upright and warm!
Loved all the pictures of animals running around having fun and also those they live in a nice place just relaxing and don’t wanna be bothered.
Please be careful of black ice. I’m afraid there will be a lot of that tomorrow and the next day! So many wonderful photos of cats and horses, but my favorite picture was of Eddy looking in the barn. Stay warm.
Be careful Anne! Once again your photos are mesmerizing! I do have to ask you, how many cats are there and who belongs in the shed and who are outdoors? Also, didn’t see Weedy, I assume he is staying indoors!
Take care,
Joe
The pictures are amazing. I enjoy seeing them. Yes Animals do make of life fuller.
Best way to start my day! Reading your blog and seeing these breathtaking photos!
Wonderful pictures! Eddy looks so noble but candle to the regal Weedy.
Wonderful pictures! Eddy looks so noble but candle to the regal Weedy.