Life with cats, and other things…
0700/26th December 2025 Boxing Day arrived frigid cold, presenting yet another variation of dawn. How I shall miss these morning treats, when the days draw out! . But it will be a while before the Sun starts rising too early. The longest day dawns about 0415 here. I tend to wake when it gets light … Continue reading Morning views
12th December 2025 "Perhaps we'll see a snowbow", said Grant. . Behold: A snowbow. He does this all the time, summon things. If he says we haven't seen turkeys lately, we promptly come upon a flock. "Nibbs hasn't been by for a while". Two minutes later, Nibbs came past the window. And so on. Doesn't … Continue reading Summoner
0718/9th December 2025 1F/-17C that morning. You always know there's been a seriously cold snap when you begin to think of temperatures in the range of 25F/-4C as quite mild. . Although I am a fan of Winter, I am not fond of being cold. . Yet the appearance of an ice forest makes me … Continue reading Beyond our ken
0810/5th December 2025 In the days of the Roman Empire, Winter was the season of peace, if only because fighting was impractical when your troops were likely to freeze to death and because you needed the lads to go home and plant the next crop. Winter was for sharpening blades and tending farms, or if … Continue reading Little reward
Hudson River near Fort Edward When the Sun comes out after a snowstorm, the world is very beautiful, though I appreciate that not everyone shares my enthusiasm. Those same people will think me mad for saying that while I don't like driving in it, I do enjoy being out in a snowstorm. For a short … Continue reading Energy
10th December 2025 Starting out, the possibility of reaching Clifton Park looked promising. The snow had even tapered off and the surgery centre were not expecting problems, so allowing even more extra time than usual, we set off, using the more heavily travelled route, expecting that it was more likely to be kept clear. . … Continue reading Possum
29th November 2025 It is entirely possible that our current snow cover will melt away, but once a substantial amount has fallen, the fields don't regain the look they have at the end of Fall, grasses having been flattened. Anyway, temperatures for the next ten days are only briefly forecast to be above freezing. More … Continue reading Cars
0645/1st December 2025 Unless we need to rise early for an appointment, we have no alarm calls or set times for getting out of bed. When not encouraged by breaking dawn, it is generally hungry cats that persuade us to throw off the covers. Sometimes Grant gets the nudge, often it's me. When I hear … Continue reading Weather reports
0726/5th November 2025 If it's not snow or orange trees... . 0728 ...there's bound to be another boring sunrise on offer. . 0737 Perhaps I should save some of these for when nights shorten, bringing dawn too early. . And I could save pictures of snow for the height of summer in the hope of … Continue reading Thieves
12th November 2025 Tuesday's light first snow did not immediately melt away. That night brought a further dusting to refresh it. . Winter woods near Cambridge. . During a brief outing we found more tamaracks which looked pretty decked in snow. . Their view is often obscured by other vegetation. But their colour seems almost … Continue reading Nice!