On-again, off-again Winter.
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It resulted in a day of sky-watching.
The temperature turned so mild that when Grant went out, he left the door open for the “walkers” to come and go.
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Nibbs came by and invited himself in.
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After polishing off some leftovers, he beat up one of the new catnip mice, then growled at the now-closed door.
“Grrr…lemme out!”
He does not like being kept in!
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He was still loitering though, when Grant went back out to run an errand.
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It seemed he’d hoped to be let in again.
“Where are you going?”
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Watching from a window, I could read his body language, so I went to stand at the door and the boy came rushing down the walkway.
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“Oh, wait. You’re not going to lock me in again are you?”
He had a short think about it.
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Next thing, he’s sitting beside me.
“Write about me on that blog-thingy!”
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The weather was still undecided.
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A flock of geese headed for a blue bit.
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Which was soon obscured.
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By lunchtime, the sky was 100% covered and the snow was almost totally gone.
The night before, rain had pelted against the house, driven by the strongest winds I have heard in my 5 years here.
Briefly, I considered going out to rescue the windchimes but I thought better of it.
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In the morning one of the paddles had been blown off, but it was easy to repair.
Many find the sound of wind chimes annoying but no-one is close enough to hear ours.
Lots of noises annoy me too, even certain wind chimes, but I have always loved the tinkle of temple bells.
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During the two days of snow, our little friend stayed bunkered in her burrow but yesterday she was out scooting around busily.
We thought she looked a little thinner.
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But she has a good supply of food.
It seemed to me, as she sat there, that she was resting on her back right knee. (Is it a knee?)
She scoots along dragging both feet behind, but she moves as quickly as an able-bodied groundhog.
Amazing creature.
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Without a coating of snow, things can seem a bit drab at this time of year, yet there is more colour than we necessarily notice.
January and February were once the months I liked least, but that was because in my Long Island days we could count on snow, then commuting to the airport was nerve-wracking.
You could call in “snowbound” and not get paid, but you were also letting your colleagues down.
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It was when visiting in Maine that I fell in love with Winter.
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A blizzard, I found, evoked a sensation I’d seldom experienced before.
For the duration of the storm you were powerless, Nature totally in charge, as you hunkered indoors listening to the howling wind, the creaking of trees, ice thrashing at your window.
One spoke quietly, if at all.
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The stillness and total silence that follow a blizzard is something so special.
That sensation?
I think it’s called AWE.
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We had a few snow flakes this morning – now bright sunshine. Weather changes abruptly in Seattle!!
Thank you, Carolyn, for the much better vision of your world. Not much snow but plenty of creatures, from handsome Nibs, to flying geese and other munching visitors. Wonderful sky!
I still hate cold and winter, we are to expect the bad weather next week, with the snow and below zero temperature!
I feel sorry for my friends in the garden, they get plenty of foods and warm water, but the nights must be horrid for them.
Joanna
Awe indeed, especially in awe of those magnificent skies!
I really enjoy your stories about Mr. Nibbs. Such a cute little boy!
Thank you for sharing his sweet pictures, as well.
Catherine
His Nibbs is definitely a free soul. But how cute that he comes to lie in the chair next to you (although, I’m not so sure if the other cats think it’s so cute). The blue-blue skies of South Africa (especially in Summer) are beautiful to me. But I must admit, the skies in Winter there in your part of the world are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen!
Good to see Scooter again. His Nibbs must have decided a warm house was better than cold ground.
Best wishes, Pete.