Chronicles Continued

In wind, storm, heat, the calves are chained inside these huts.  The farmer says they are there to be weaned from the mother…..I don’t believe that is what is happening….

Someone gave me a state map during the holidays.  It now is on the refrigerator with yellow highlights for where I am, where I’m going and where I’ve been.  Most helpful.

and everyone thinks it is a heat wave.  Following on the heels of sub-zero temps, it was a breezy warm day.  Will be short-lived.  In 25 hours it is going from 55 to -1.  Mexico next winter for six months is lookin’ mighty appealing.

When you are at the stash counting the units, wondering if you will make it until May.  At a party last night heard two great tales of what does happen when there is no more stash and you try to replenish and you are not the only one.  Came home and telephoned my favorite woodman to deliver at his convenience, but next week.

When little, was often told not to blow on the white fluffy heads of the dandelion as that was the mechanism for propagation.  No one mentioned the pine cone.  Collected a basket full to use as fire starters.  Excellent choice for that purpose.  Only don’t drop it between the basket and the hearth.  There are so many fine seeds attached to wings that tumble out, once could imagine a possible forest in each cone.

Did not know that chipmunks live in the ground.  Don’t know where i thought they lived, suspect it was trees, but in the ground it is.  I have a chipmunk who has entrances by two of the house porches.  One entrance is away from the porch, in the grass, and the other is under the porch.  He/she is busy when there is no snow on the ground.  When I have food that I think might be of interest I add it to the standing bird feeder, [as opposed to the hanging feeder] and oft-times ‘Dale’ is up there to check it out.  The other day after adding cut apple to the stand, I looked out to see him squarely in front of the window, eating a piece.  I’m sure I saw him waving his other paw while eating, letting me know more of this would be welcome. I see him often in places where it appears as if he wants to be seen

Grew up and then continued in adult life with a bowl of nuts-in-the-shell at holiday time.  The bowl always had a couple of metal hand-held nut shell crackers and accompanying picks to remove the nut meat.  Was delighted to see my new favorite grocery store selling a selection this season.  Bought them, brought them home  and put them in large basket.  Left basket out for the taking.  Well, the taking was by the mice.  Went away for a few days and returned home to find nuts strewn about the room; as if they were on their way to another destination, but the getting-there was still a work in progress.  Gathered the nuts up, and now they all reside in a glass jar with lid and the metal accoutrements are laying beside the enclosed canister.  The nice also sampled the apple that was an integral part of the mantel arrangement.

Each and every year brings unexpected joys and sorrow.  May your year to come bring you joy and experiences beyond your wildest expectations.  Do what you have put off, go to places you’ve wanted to visit and talk to someone with whom you have lost contact.  Make it a new year about others like never before.

Someone suggested that perhaps the country is high and dry…. democracy stranded.