BRRR!!!

It's twenty degrees (and lower with the wind chill) but it is time to shovel and clear off the cars. Thank goodness the sun is shinning! So far, I have had no problems getting out and driving with my new four-wheel-drive Explorer. HAPPY-HAPPY-JOY- JOY!!!
We have been keeping the winter birds well fed and they have been gracing us with their splendor. I watch them outside my window tolerating the wind and snow.

As the wind drives the snow 

To blow upward from the field 

I see a new year glistening

 atop the mountain peaks

 Like a sparkling diamond 

When the wind subsides there

A clearing through the leafless trees 

The bright new year advances 

Now the possibilities are whirling endlessly 

Like a Dervish twirling just beyond my grasp 

MSW

FROM THESE COUNTRY ROADS

WE WISH YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY 

AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR HOME TO YOURS

                      

                      

                  FROM THESE COUNTRY ROADS

                       A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

I'M BACK FROM SICK LEAVE

The last couple of weeks, a nasty virus had me on cough medication, vitamin C, and Halls cough drops. With a hacking cough that kept me awake for too many nights, I continued to gargle with warm salt water and still managed to get laryngitis. But much to my husband’s disappointment, my voice has returned. I’ve also been drinking tea with lemon and honey and hydrating with lots of water. After feeling much better on Saturday, I aired out the house and wiped everything with Lysol.

I’ve only managed to do the least bit of Christmas decorating on the mantle and hung a wreath on the front door. I have no energy for more. The question is: Will I have time to finish my Christmas shopping?

I started a new crochet project while I was home. It’s a throw for my living room sofa. I like the neutral tones of it. I’ll post pics as it progresses. I also spent a lot of time watching and photographing the birds at the feeders. I’ve spotted a few new visitors this year and will post some pics.

As the holiday crush squeezes in, I’m off today trying to catch up on last minute preparations. With some luck, my car will start up with no problems, my day will run smoothly and I’ll be able to complete all that I have to do today. Well, that is the plan and I’m just putting it out there. 

THIS IS THE THROW I"M WORKING ON

BEAUTIFUL BLUE JAYS

THE TUFTED TITMOUSE

THE BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE

YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER

                               I'll keep you posted on more sightings

LET'S TALK TURKEY

Hurry, run for the hills!

In light of the up-coming Thanksgiving holiday, I thought I would re-post the blog I wrote in August. For the most part, the turkeys have been hiding away since the first shots of hunting season echoed through the hills. I'd like to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving Day. 

From a previous post: 

Before our domesticated turkeys were raised on farms, there was this ancestral species of wild turkeys that can still be found throughout the country. This week I was reminded of why I named our place,

THE WILD TURKEY RANCH.

Even before our house was on the property, we would spot the wild turkeys grazing and roaming here. After the land was cleared, they seem to visit often to take dust baths in the dry earth. Now, with the property being more active, they keep just beyond the taller grasses and they have been rather chatty lately. But they have come closer to the house this week, as they did when we first moved in, when we would find them snooping in the windows and gawking at my cat. I was able to get a few shots of them before they crossed the road to the farm. Later, I’ll be out searching the grounds for some beautiful turkey feathers.