Life with cats, and other things…
0559/18th April 2026 On many of our recent meanders around the countryside, we have been looking for birds. Although most of the very specific searches were frustrated, we have never had a disappointing drive which was true this past Saturday. This time we were not looking for snow geese. Our next chance of seeing them … Continue reading Right or wrong
17th April 2026. The large building on the right is an abandoned chicken battery. Pothole repair was going on in the village the other day, so we came home a different way, ending up on the route we take to and from the vet. It is now gaining its summer appearance, which is entirely different … Continue reading The way of things
7th April 2026 It is April and most sensible people are celebrating the departure of Winter, in particular the frozen precipitation that goes with it. But I am one of those lunatics who run outside to greet every first snowfall at year's end and find delight in Spring snow because it is special. I doubt … Continue reading Spring snow
1828/30th March 2026 Saturday afternoon there was a break in the overcast and the temperature climbed to 65F/18C. Although I'd turned the heater off, sunlight warmed my room almost uncomfortably, the first real sign that Summer is coming. I also noticed that the hedge is sprouting new leaves and hyacinths are in bud. But Easter … Continue reading Making do
0629/24th March 2026 Fine days being few and far between of late, we take advantage of those we are graced with. The weather forecast is generally not reliable, yet we took a leap of faith on Tuesday, getting on the road before it was light enough to judge whether promises of clear skies were false. … Continue reading Road trips
0732.21st March 2026 Spring arrives in Cambridge. Snow flurries are just fine by me. Meanwhile in the Southwest, a serious heat wave. Martinez Lake, AZ yesterday recorded a high of 110 F / 43 C. . In any event, the snow didn't amount to much and as you can see the enormous pile at the … Continue reading Spadgers
1848/17th March 2026 "A suncatcher or light catcher is a small reflective, refractive, and/or iridescent ornament." or: . 0725/18th March 2026 A hillside that catches the light of dusk and dawn. Those particular trees are a light magnet. . I like sun-catchers! We have had so many cats depart that we ran out of space … Continue reading Suncatcher
14th March 2026 March has turned into a murky month, however we would not think to complain considering the storms that rage elsewhere. The first two months of 2026 were not entirely sunlit either, but with snow constantly on the ground, the house was always bright, which gave the illusion of fine days. Until the … Continue reading Who shows up
4th March 2026 . "I feel like Sisyphus!" said Grant, going out to shovel the latest snowfall. Temperatures were just cold enough yesterday for precipitation to arrive in frozen form. Wet and heavy. Hungry pussycats had persuaded us to rise early, in time to view the dawn... . The forecast was wrong again? . 0614/3rd … Continue reading Sisyphus
2nd March 2026 Passing the slope where we recently caught sight of a fox, we noticed that the pigeons were not assembled on the power lines where they usually observe our approach. But we caught up with them just the other side of the hill and this perch was far enough from the road that … Continue reading No polar explorer