Yesterday we only had a little bit of snow and each little snowflake was easy to see and photograph. Now it is like not being able to see the trees for the forest. Can’t see the snowflakes for the snow.
Snow Makes the Cold More Bearable … for a little while
But I love it. I enjoy the crunchy sound of snow beneath my feet and take great pleasure in being the first to walk smooth snowy paths. But it’s cold, and I can’t keep my toes warm long enough to stay outside more than a little while.
Snowy Morning Scenes
Here’s some scenes from my feeding of critters round this morning. The dogs love the snow. Chickens are indifferent. Cats are reluctant. And the horses were just downright pissed that I took so many photo stops on the way to feeding them.
Trees for the Forest
It’s easy to lose track of the little things that bring pleasure and joy when there’s a long list of things that need to get done and time is feeling rushed. Slowing down to take note of simple pleasures is kind of like noticing the trees in the forest, or individual snowflakes in the snowstorms. Or like stopping to smell the roses.
I’m full of metaphors this morning, I know. But I think you ‘get my drift’.
We have to go out and cut firewood in a little while, and bring hay to the horses. It’s not as fun when fingers and toes are frozen, but at least the sun is coming out now. The high today, not counting wind chill is only supposed to be 19*F.
I hope you’re enjoying your winter weather this weekend too. Stay warm!
Predator and Prey, or the hunter and the hunted is a common theme throughout my fiction writing. No Qualms, one of my short stories (free at most retailers) is about about a predator/prey relationship. Symbiosis, my first finished novel, not published yet, deals with predator/prey relationships and the balance of energy among life on earth, sometimes symbolic and often outright. Many of my flash fiction stories (I have twitterfiction and 100-word flash stories) are also dealing with this same dynamic. This is a strong theme that runs through most of my fiction and is strongly influenced by life in the wild Ozarks where we live. My first published novel, First Hunt, also has a predator and prey theme to it. I guess it's just part of my nature.
Nature Farming
Wild Ozark is 160 acres of beautiful wild Ozark mountains. I call what I do "nature farming" because the land produces, all by itself, the shagbark hickory trees, ferns, moss, ground-fall botanicals, and the perfect habitats for growing and stewarding American ginseng. I'm co-creating with Nature - all of the things I use to make the Fairy Gardens and Forest Folk, the bark we harvest for Burnt Kettle's shagbark hickory syrup, are produced by nature without my input. This land is my muse for inspiration when it comes to my writing, drawing, and photography. It's truly a Nature Farm.
About the voice behind this blog, Madison Woods
I'm a creative old soul living way off the beaten path with my husband in the wild Ozark Mountains. Besides homesteading, growing plants & making crafty things and newsletters, I write books and stories. My rural fantasy fiction, written under the pen name, Ima Erthwitch, usually takes place in a much altered Ozarks.
Definitely feeling the cold here, too, Madison, but as we’re pampered city folks at this time of year, it’s not so bad. Bill, the mad man, has ridden his bike ten miles each of the last two days, with wind chill below zero. Not for me. 🙂 Lovely photos. The one of the cat is hilarious. The expression says it all!
janet
I don’t know how he can feel his fingers and toes enough to stay on the bike! If I could figure out how to keep those two extremities warm, I’d be outside a lot more in weather like this. LOL, the cat was so funny and I was glad to have the camera on hand for that one.
I know. He said his toes were cold. I think he needs a wicking liner sock with a warmer sock over it. He has good gloves and wears a balaclava (at least he has one, so I hope he wore it.) Fingers and toes are always the problem as ears are much easier to cover and keep warm.
No snow here to make the cold more bearable, though. 🙁
Awww, I can’t hit “Like” on that one. Maybe you’ll get some snow soon 🙂 I’m heading back outside now to make sure the creek isn’t frozen solid for the horses. Meant to check that when I fed this morning and forgot. My toes are just now defrosted, lol.
I’m going to email you about the coffee sometime this weekend. Stay warm!
Okay-thanks! Just in from checking water. That was actually enjoyable and didn’t feel so cold. No wind makes a huge difference. Talk more with you later 😉