SUN DAY

Sunday was indeed sun day. After the recent vicious bite of winter storms, the gloomy clouds parted and a blazing blue sky made the Sunday snow-scape sparkle.

I ventured outside to snap a few photos - but the sun was so blinding that I couldn't see a damn thing in the lens. It was all blind guesswork (kinda like the story of my life).

Nothing is more boring than snow photos and weather reports. I promise that my next post will be incredibly intriguing and breathlessly interesting - - which is what you always expect from me.

Breathlessly??

Today (Tuesday, perhaps?) is cloudy and foggy. Slightly warmer temperatures are making the icicles drip and the snowdrifts sag.

So what have I been doing?
An alarmingly lot of nothing. I have many genuinely important things to do, but my motivation has stalled.
Entertaining three housebound cats isn't easy.

So far the water pipes didn't freeze - - like last year - -and so far I haven't fallen on the ice and injured my spine - -  like last year. I still have an enormous amount of pain in my spine..... but it's unbecoming to bitch.

I made a turkey last Sunday -
clarification: I cooked one in the oven.
It is delicious. I plan to make soup with the leftovers- - if I ever get the courage to drive to town to buy fresh vegetables.

Since this post is getting annoyingly boring, I'll commence with the photos.

Commence??
That word hasn't been in vogue since  Uncle Tom's Cabin was on the New York Times bestseller list.

Ah, Jon, even when you're boring - you're fascinating.

Hey, that's my beer talking. 

glimpses of my backyard

AFTER THE SNOW

After several days of intense winter storms, it has stopped snowing. 

Long past midnight, under a crystal clear sky, the snow is ignited in ice-covered brilliance by a dazzling full moon. The temperature is zero. Everything is perfectly still. An enormous silence prevails.

The snow began on Wednesday.
On Thursday there was a brief respite.
Friday was a fury of persistent snow, ice, and Arctic temperatures.

I ventured out three times on Wednesday to walk in the woods. When I went outside yesterday (Saturday) I sunk (sank?) into snow up to my thighs and walking was nearly impossible. Nevertheless, I managed a brief laborious trudge and came home with my toes completely numb and my fingers nearly frostbitten (I have no gloves).

Invigorating, to say the least.
Damn near killed me. 

 On Wednesday afternoon, despite having the flu, my cousin Nancy went outside to build a quick snowman in her yard. She couldn't resist.

 

Snow was fairly light on Wednesday, and an agreeable enhancement to my outdoor adventure. Armed with only a camera and a smidgen of fortitude, I trekked through my property.

Pine cones near my bedroom window
(photo taken on Friday morning)

These are the exact same pine cone branches on Saturday, ladened with snow and ice.

Despite the frigid cold, and snow up to my ass, I bravely ventured outside on Saturday to photograph my plight. It was a small sacrifice to make for the enjoyment of my devoted blogger fans - - all three of you (....or is it two?).

Even when I'm frozen senseless and mercilessly miserable, I can still be bitterly sarcastic. It's one of my charms.

My hat and walking stick

 Blizzard conditions on Friday afternoon

Looking north-east, towards the cow meadow (I knew that would impress you)

One of my favorite trees. It's about 150 feet tall (nope, I never climbed up to measure it)

Branches broken from the ice

Nearly impossible to see, but that indistinguishable  white smear on the horizon is the roof of my house.