Friday, January 13, 2012

FINALLY WINTER?



Winter finally arrived last night here along the riverbank.

Of course yesterday's high was an unseasonable 43˚F, with sporadic light rain throughout most of the day. But the rain changed to snow an hour before dusk as temperatures dropped. And when I got up this morning, the thermometer read a brisk 14˚F, and we've only gained three degrees since. Burrrrr! 

The snow didn't amount to much, maybe half an inch. But still enough to whiten the ground and give the squirrels an excuse to chase each other around when they finally roused themselves from their snug bed in the hollow sycamore, and followed the tree-top trail over to the cottage to check out what sort of breakfast I'd provided.

Now, the feeders are busier than they have been for months—possibly as far back as late-February or early-March of last year. Our lack of winter—or what might prove to be a late-starting winter, though I think we'd better give it a week or two before proclaiming it officially in session—has kept the usual feathered crowds thinned considerably. 

Today, however, the birds are coming in. Still not as many as I'd expect, nor do they seem as frantically hungry, practically mobbing the suet, sunflowers seeds, and cracked corn. Maybe it takes a day or two for word to get out. Or it could be today's wintry intimation is as suspect to the birds as it is to me, and they're also adopting a wait-and-see attitude. 

The snow continued all morning, and is going still, though it's mostly just the same flakes blowing around in white swirls. I don't think there a millimeter of additional accumulation. The weather service claims some of these gusts will reach 40 MPH—which should certainly make for a nasty windchill. I'm going to dig my parka out of the closet and go for a tramp along a nearby trail, just to enjoy this tardy bit of seasonally-appropriate weather. There's nothing like a cutting wind and some ice in the eyes to make you delightfully miserable.

Maybe a short winter walk will also cure the ennui which seems to have afflicted me recently. Since the first of the year I've been tired, lazy, and, for no good reason I can discern, bored by most of the usual pleasures—given instead to staring out the window at the river, or sitting by the fireside scribbling at poems and listening to darkly complicated stuff by Hovhaness, Orff, and Glass on the CD player. I haven't written because I didn't think I had anything worthwhile to say. This post doubtless proves that point.  

Yup, a breath of winter may be just what I need…
———————

18 comments:

AfromTO said...

go get slapped in the face by winter...what can we do to cheer you up?

Loren said...

Beautiful bird shot.

Grizz………… said...

AfromTO…

I did and it was, umm, fun or something close to that in a sled-dog sort of way. I didn't quite wallow on the ground, but I kinda thought about it. I'm not un-cheerful, BTW, just distracted by the long view…

Grizz………… said...

Loren…

Thank you. I was lucky—the light was soft and the titmouse stayed put long enough for me to get on focus.

Robin said...

You could post 'Glub, glub, glub.' and I'd joyfully read it.

But that's just me.

Glad you got outside.

Grizz………… said...

Robin…

Yeah, but you'd not enjoy the read…right? I know what you mean and know where the thought comes from, though, and I really do appreciate your words. Thank you. And really, I'm okay—just being my moody self.

Bernie said...

Oh you always have an interesting post my friend. Winter has arrived here as well and it is brutally cold and snowy. Have a great weekend.....:-)hugs

Rowan said...

It's more wintry here today as well, no snow but a hard frost, the first real one we've had. Birdfeeders will need topping up and in some cases cleaning out this morning. Nothing wrong with staring out the window, inspiration will return with either real snow or Spring - whichever one arrives first:)

Scott said...

"...delightfully miserable." Just perfect. That's why I follow your posts.

giggles said...

S.A.D.??? But it's winter. You're excused.... I expect you're doing what Mother Nature intends...hibernating of sorts.

Nice picture. One of my favorite winter birds...

In other news, I landed a little gig in a new quilt shop opening up in March. We had a great shop that closed it's doors last fall and a brave woman is going to try to fill the void...and then some. And I get to be a part of it! I wow'ed her with my quilts!! I showed her my personal favorite and she said "Oh! And you applique too!!!" I'll be working very few hours, but it'll get me out of the house and out of trouble... In the meantime, I am still looking for employment of a living wage....

Gail said...

HEY GRIZZ - Winter blues huh? Ya, I hear ya. I think the cure lies in wine and physical intimacy
Love Gail
peace.....

Grizz………… said...

Bernie…

Thank you. Cold here, too—but not all that bad. The hearthfire feels nice though. I do try and keep the posts interesting, but sometimes I think they're pretty banal.

Hey, I hear you're going on a trip! That ought to be fun.

Grizz………… said...

Rowan…

I've always been good for staring out windows and such. I can near make a day of it sitting on a rock watching a river flow or waves come along a beach. I am an expert idler.

Inspiration comes when it comes. I'm not uninspired, exactly—just currently more pensively thoughtful and inwardly reflective. I have those times…

Grizz………… said...

Scott…

Indeed—delightfully miserable. A state of being I'd expect any serious outdoorsman to know and understand perfectly, from personal experience. At least it sure fits in with a lot of my best days afield. And goes along with the notion that a man can only survive so much fun.

Grizz………… said...

Giggles…

Dear Lord, no—not S.A.D.! I love winter. And gray, dark, moody-weather days tend to energize me as a rule. I'm really, truly, honestly not depressed. Tired some, because I haven't been sleeping well. Under-exercised because I've been tried and lazy and too willing to allow inertia to have its way. But mostly just making a round trip to the well, so to speak. A familiar path.

That quilt shop gig sounds perfect for you. I hope the place can make a go of it.I'm not sure it will keep you completely out of trouble, though…considering who we're talking about and all. ;-)

Grizz………… said...

Gail…

Sounds like the one/two punch for the blues to me. Maybe I will get depressed, after all.

Grace said...

Wow, another great bird shot. I love the shades of grey and brown.

Grizz………… said...

Grace…

Thank you. They are really lovely birds in a quiet, stylish sort of way.