What in the world?
Another one of these warm up, rain, deep freeze, rinse, repeat winters.
Thanks a lot, climate change.
I'm still holding out hope that I'll get a chance to use my new(used) cross-country skis that I bought two winters ago. We'll see.
Six inches of snow just before Christmas, how apropos! The ground wasn't quite frozen yet thanks to the abnormally warm weather we were having; just a few days before this storm it was almost 60*. But now winter is here and everything is so clean and brisk and beautiful...
My first winter being able to watch the boys from on high, too.
So far this winter Flea is doing fantastic. The medication I have him on is really helping to keep his insulin resistance in check. He hasn't been in boots since April, and I'm hoping he won't have to revert back to them this winter.
Meanwhile, I'm taking a free mini-course in permaculture online since I can't actually garden right now. I'm learning quite a bit, to be honest! The gardener has a great solution for terraced gardens that I wish I'd found before I started my perennial beds, but I may be able to incorporate the design into my forest garden...if I ever get that going. Her method involves natural materials, and the terraces blend into the landscape nicely.
We have a flock of Bluebirds hanging around, which is cool but at the same time kind of weird to see them in the winter.
They do add a bit of color to the landscape, competing with the Blue Jays.
The Bluebirds have been taking advantage of my giant planter full of natural foods, which is awesome. They seem to like the winterberries best, but some of the smaller songbirds have been snacking on the seed heads. I'll have to grow something in there next summer that can overwinter and provide food. Maybe some dwarf sunflowers? I'd better start seed shopping now...oh wait. I never stop. 😉
One more piece of Stoneridge Farm has faded into the history books.
A once handy tack & feed room, chicken coop, rabbit house, fort, and cat hangout...now reduced to a pile of rotted wood and moss covered shingles.
No, it didn't fall in - the insurance company said it had to go, as it was a safety hazard. In the spring we'll have someone haul the pile of debris away and I'm sure Mom will make that spot beautiful.
