When I reawoke this morning I remembered that call and wondered what the message had been. Looking out the window into the backyard I knew. Friend owl had been announcing the coming of winter overnight.
Each season has its own rhythms. For me winter is the time of repose. I set aside the energies of the outdoor life and enjoy nature from a warmer view. My reading chair, a warm blanket, and a stack of books waiting their turn.
Of course their are some outdoor duties. The sidewalk has to be shoveled, the driveway plowed and Miss Lily taken for her walk.
Thoughts of gardening, birding, fishing, photography, hiking and camping will lay dormant till cabin fever sets in, usually about January 1st!
I trudge back into the house to look for my reading glasses. There is something to be said for being retired. The driveway can wait.
Seriously Lily. You don't want to go outside until I shovel the sidewalk?
Once again, Mrs. T. to the rescue....:)
Dear Troutbrider, so good to have you come to my blog and leave a comment. I'm wondering how you found me. I lived in Minnesota--Stillwater--for 38 years and moved here to Missouri only in 2009. Minnesota will always be the home of my heart. I felt so nostalgic looking at your snow scenes. Here we get little snow and I miss it too.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you and Mrs. T and Miss Lily have a lovely northern Thanksgiving. The three cats with whom I live--Maggie, Ellie, and Matthew--and I plan on giving thanks for all the joys of our lives. Peace.
Doesn't your dog love the snow? Mine go crazy playing in it. We got 10 inches and I was not prepared.
ReplyDeletelily is so cute. :) pretty snowfall.
ReplyDeleteSo, is that the snow-to-stay snowfall, or will it fade away and melt? I always dread the first BIG snow. I don;t usually have to drive anywhere, but I worry about my family members that do..... it seems that most people forget winter driving skills over the summer and have to learn all over again by trial and error.... mostly error!
ReplyDeleteI hope Lily has fun in the snow.
I love your description of the owl bringing you such a lovely winter scene. Lily is such a treasure. Mrs. T, too :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a very nicely done post in my estimation. It makes me think of how we find meaning in writing, and by writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd the fishin' boat made me think; 'Take heed, coaches and fishermen, do a lot of reading and you, too, can be a writer.' I say that because I think we absorb a good deal of our language skill by reading. I don't seem to remember the grammar I was taught but what I write down sounds right to me, is all. Somewhat.
I was delighted to hear of the Barred Owl, too (not to be confused with Barn Owl.) A year or two ago I got hooked on those bird cams they've set up at different nesting sites, and a Barred Owl pair was one of them. Fascinating birds. If you Google 'bird cams' you'll see the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which has many sites set up around the country. I don't doubt many of your readers know of them. Do you have any idea where yours nested? Thanks for that post.
Yes, every day is a snow day when you are retired. Happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteBack in the day, winter was rest and social time for rural dwellers. Life has changed. Many people who dislike winter, do so because they have to keep the same schedule and travel in the dark and in bad weather. Modern life.
ReplyDeleteI envy you hearing the hooting of the owl. When I visit my daughter and son-in-law in NY state I hear it most nights but never where I live now. Can't say I miss the snow though ! (PS: your pictures are lovely and fess up ... is Mrs T about to do YOUR work?)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have an Owl! Your snow is way prettier than ours...Lily and Mrs T are looking good:)
ReplyDeleteHi Troutbirder, I love this: "I set aside the energies of the outdoor life and enjoy nature from a warmer view. My reading chair, a warm blanket, and a stack of books waiting their turn." Now THAT is the way to look at winter!
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