Tag Archives: winter

This Week in Narnia

Yes, it’s snowing again

Spring is a tough season at this elevation. Yay for the snow because it means we’ll have water this summer but oy vey, it’s beginning to wear. Narnia is greyscale and I miss colors.

I opened my curtains to a serious snowstorm, a new crop of icicles and a house finch enjoying the shelter afforded by this bird feeder.

House finch sitting in the shelter of a bird feeder during a snowstorm
At least the bird is happy

 

***I do not recommend this feeder. The camera will not pair and there is zero support/communication from the company***

My Easter cactus, however, is going to town! After a sad showing of three or four flowers a couple of months ago it has done this. See the smaller cactus closer to the window? That’s the Christmas cactus and she’s a cutting from a plant that dates back to circa 1888. I have had her for a few years and this is the first time she’s bloomed! One pink flower open and 3 on the way.

Christmas and Easter cacti in bloom

Winter Narnia is quiet

Springtime Narnia is full of birdsong and I saw my first robin. The blackbirds are noisy and with the help of Cornell’s bird ID app I am learning to identify who is in the neighborhood with the “sound ID” option.

I have American and Lesser Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Blackbirds and House Finches. Unlike the bird feeder, I highly recommend this; I use the free version. It was also helpful when I went overseas last summer.

Ten days ago I calculated that my snow-blowing days were done for the season. This time of year what falls often melts off the roads and driveway fairly quickly and I can just drive over it. Plus, the berms are so tall I really don’t have anywhere to put it so it was good timing.

But, I must press my Ryobi into service once again. It’s my daughter Rebecca’s birthday and I need to pick up her cake. She gets so excited about her birthday and this year her gift is a photo shoot in the sparkly dress she is wearing to the spring formal.

If I have learned anything the last ten years it’s that experiences, not stuff to dust, make the best gifts.

But first, I have to get out of the garage.

 

 

Cabin Fever

Pippin’s cabin fever is conspicuous of late.  More wild-eyed thunderpaws from room to room, more spectacular leaps onto his cat tree, more bouncing into Gandalf. His miaows have become plaintive and he braids a path around my feet as I walk about the house; he is my make-up assistant in the morning and computer helper at night. Clearly,… Continue Reading

Winter Solstice 2013

“Well. Here we are!” This has become my traditional toast and since Gandalf and Pippin can’t hold a wine glass I hear an imaginary *clink* as we salute this night. Christmas lights are bright, my fireplace is toasty and this year Loreena McKennitt has joined my Winter Solstice music companions Jennifer Cutting and the Windham… Continue Reading

Gone skiing

I am pleasantly surprised. I thought for sure I would be typing with just a couple of fingers because I could barely raise my arms to the keyboard, and that was if I made it out of bed at all to hobble to the couch. However, I am only slightly stiff and feel pret-ty darn good! The… Continue Reading

Morning moon

I stepped out into the dark with Gandalf this morning, took a breath and my nose slammed shut. I expected cold but not like this and nasal malfunction is a pretty reliable indicator that it’s somewhere close to zero. Gandalf thought this was *perfect* weather and he bounced off to roll in the snow. Watching… Continue Reading

Gandalf the Grey (Ghost)

I am privileged to share my home with Pippintook, the cat and Gandalf the Grey, the Norwegian Elkhound. Gandalf is my boon companion; he is dignified yet playful, smart without being cocky, and gorgeous. He loves the snow (that must be the Norwegian part) and watching him roll and snuffle and luxuriate in it always makes… Continue Reading

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