Melting – February 20, 2021 – Galloping Through

At last! For the first time since February 5, the temperature rose above freezing, and it seems the bitter weather is finished.

I promised bird pictures today. There have been fewer birds yesterday and today. I hope it is just because conditions are less extreme, and not because the cold has killed off some of them. Nature can be a bitch, but animals live differently in the world than we do. I have not seen much misery. Licorice and Marmalade seemed quite unperturbed by the cold, and they never once used the lovely bed I provided under heat lamps.

The horses enjoyed their snow day. Soon, alas, they will be locked into paddocks as the fields will need time to recover. By then, I hope to be riding them!

In the house, the lemon tree is blooming like mad. The longer daylight hours have it convinced that Spring is here. I’m not sure it will produce lemons, though, without insects to pollinate the flowers. As you can see in the background, there is one lemon fruit ripening still from last year, even as the tree looks to the future with blossoms.

Weedy was basking in the sun outside the studio when I went to visit the sculptor. He joined me for a chance to see Harry.

As for cats, Tom Morris luxuriated in the sunshine. Licorice and Marmalade were on the lookout for dinner. And Cora spent last night in the loft. I offered to help her down, but she spurned me, so I left her up there. This afternoon she finally accepted my help, and after a quick meal, she went to sleep gratefully in the tack room.

Finally, my brother, John Barry, lives in Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. He sent me this glorious sunrise picture from his house. There is beauty everywhere on this astonishing planet.