Last night was bitterly cold. The temperature dropped to 12 degrees Fahrenheit and I stayed up until way after dawn to make sure the water pipes didn't freeze (they froze and burst the first winter that I lived here, so I've been nervous about it ever since).
Tonight - thankfully - it isn't nearly as frigid, but it's still cold enough to chill my bones in this damp and drafty house. I have a pot of homemade potato soup on the stove and plan to eat some shortly.
Until then, I'll share some photos that were taken very recently.
Yesterday morning I stepped outside at dawn and took these photos.
The moon way up above the trees.
Forest in the back yard
Scruffy on the back porch about three days ago. After being sick for awhile, she has finally gained weight and her fur looks much better. She's a sweetheart.
I very seldom take photos of myself. I took this last Friday (the 8th) after I got home from my excursion to town. My El Cheapo camera only has a ten-second timer. I have to set the timer, then run like hell and try to assume a pleasing position before the camera snaps. It ain't easy.
I wiped the frost off my bedroom window yesterday morning and took this pic of the nearby mountain illuminated by the rising sun.
I was on the floor in the sunshine the other day, studying some music scores, when Scratch (Kitzee) came to join me. She soon fell asleep.
Fabulous, fabulous pictures Jon! You may have an "El Cheapo" camera but you sure do know how to capture the mood of your beautiful sylvan aerie in the Tennessee mountains. And what a treat, a photo of you! I'm sure all your farm lady fans will be pleased with that glimpse into your life. By the way, you fit right into your landscape of Mountain Man. And what a beautifully composed picture of your kitten Scratch. Your natural artistic talent continues to impress and amaze me. I wish I had one tenth of your talent. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteRon
Thanks, Ron. My El Cheapo camera is a Kodak Easy Share that I got at least a dozen years ago, but I like it. It's always difficult to take good photos of the cats because they never stay still. Scruffy happened to be looking at me while I was holding the camera - so I took that quick pic and it turned out surprisingly good.
DeleteAs for my "fans", they seem to be dwindling more every day. The people who truly appreciate me (or tolerate me) can be counted on the fingers of one hand.... You are definitely among them.
Oh, so nice to see a picture of you! And Scratch and Scruffy (glad she's feeling better). Beautiful sunrise shots--as colorful as sunsets.
ReplyDeletePipes freezing is horrible. Do you let the water run slowly all night, too? So glad the pipes were okay and you survived the frigid night. Potato soup would help, for sure. Yummm! ;)
I should probably post more photos of myself, but at this point in my life - I'm not much to look at.
DeleteI crawled under the house and covered some of the pipes, then I made sure everything was secure so that no cold air can seep under the house (NOT an easy task). And I do leave the water running (slowly) in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Oh, you're still looking good, cowboy! LOL!
DeleteThat had to be cold crawling under the house--at least the spiders and snakes should be off hibernating someplace. ;)
Your pictures are always lovely, Jon. It looks as if there's still a few colored leaves trying to hang on behind you. I'm shocked that it got that cold though .... we're warmer here which is really weird. I'm pleased that Scruffy has gained weight and feeling better. That's a huge relief for you ... and Scratch is so sweet all curled up in the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteI've just finished a pot of potato and leek soup for later on when the shivers hit since I'm going to be outdoors this evening. I hope your soup hits the spot as well.
Have you heard anything from Dylan ? I hope he's okay.
It seems like a lot of the southern states were hit with very cold weather this past week. Most of them got snow, but we only got a very light dusting here in TN. I live in northern TN, only a few miles from Kentucky.
DeleteHomemade soup is always perfect to enjoy on a frigid night. I'm going to make more of it today.
So far as I know Dylan is doing okay - but I haven't heard from him in awhile. I hope he'll start blogging again.
Have you heard anything from Dana?
DeleteThe last time I spoke with Dana was in October when I phoned to see how things were going after they had lost Beau. Right after the hurricane they had to put him down due to sickness ... and Dana wasn't doing so well. I haven't heard from her since.
DeleteI LOVE your selfie, Jon! 2nd place is a tie 'tween Scruffy and Scratch. (The musical score is a great accompaniment!)
ReplyDeleteFlattery will get you everywhere, Myra. I usually look my best in a heavy fog, at a distance of about fifty yards.
DeleteThe cats always look adorable....no filtered lens needed.
Enjoyed photos, Jon. Good to see you looking poised and unruffled after a ten-second dash. Indeed, a silent night --something I haven't experienced since developers flew here on their leathery wings. Good thing my hearing is shot. I don't think the carol, Silent Night, has a verse about burst water pipes so wrapping them is probably an ancient tradition. All my best wishes to you this holiday season --and all seasons.
ReplyDeleteGeo, there have been numerous times when I set the camera timer and only got a blurry photo of my ass - because I wasn't able to run fast enough.
DeleteIt's a shame that your silent nights have been ruined by leathery-winged developers. In Texas I was forced to wear earplugs every night. My life has become complicated here in the wilderness, but at least I'm earplug-free.
My very best holiday wishes to you and Norma.
love seeing the kitty cats. glad scruffy is feeling better. your sunrise pictures are awesome. like myra i loved the selfie of you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the photos. I sometimes feel that my endless pictures of cats and trees are boring, so I figured I'd throw in a selfie this time.
DeleteThat last picture is absolutely priceless!!!!!! Awarding winning even. And you....you remind me of some country singing star, but can't think of you it is. I really enjoyed this post. The nature pictures may be your best yet .
ReplyDeleteI didn't assume the "faux cowboy" look until I moved to Texas - and numerous people there said I looked like country singer Alan Jackson. I'm delighted that you enjoyed the photos - the cats are always my favorite photographic subjects. And I agree that Scratch looks sweet in the last pic.
DeleteYou always amaze me the way you have something good simmering on the stove. Love your beautiful blue background.
ReplyDeleteNow that the weather has turned cold I do a lot more cooking than usual (especially soups). I like the blue background, too. The snowflakes put me in a festive mood.
DeleteKitzee = a lil Christmas cake baked from Scratch
ReplyDeleteyour photos could be used
in your Zazzle creations, too
I thought about using some of my photos on Zazzle (perhaps on a calendar or greeting card?).
DeleteMy Kitties send Christmas greetings and warm purrs...
oh yes, that would be lovely
DeleteI've made magnets and postcards
for my personal use in past
our 8 kitties send their love
Posh, Tiparu, Frankie,
Whiteface, Grady & Hellfire
plus 2 kittens
Eight felines - wow! I only have three and they are enough to handle (but they're adorable). I like the name Hellfire.
Deletebless your heart
Deletefor loving your
3 very adorable kitties
we can't have
8 in our house
but we do the best
we can for them
Hellfire likes to
give ya a friendly swat
Twelve degrees? Yipes. That's way too cold for my blood. We're supposed to see the new year in with our Tennessee friends again this year, but I sure hope you guys turn up the heat a bit before we get there.
ReplyDeleteNice-looking pic, cowboy. That's the first one-person porch swing I ever saw. Neat!
The good news is that it was only 12 degrees for one night. Tonight it's 25 degrees(!). I'll do a Sun Dance so things will warm up before you get here.
ReplyDelete