It was a dark and gloomy November as usual. Once in a great while a sunny day will occur, but there are only a couple of them. It is well below freezing and the ground is frozen and unforgiving
when if you should trip and fall. We had snow a couple of weeks ago, but it melted. 30 years ago it never melted after the first of November, but it is okay with me that it no longer does that. I no longer need the northern hobby of constant snow removal. Really, I am fine with that. Today was mostly sunny, though, and I got outside for a few hours (other than the usual chores) and looked around the farm. Here is one of the back pastures.
By tomorrow night it should have about 8 inches of fresh snow covering the grass.
We went to fetch the critter cam from an active game trail, but when we looked at the pictures there were none. The batteries had died. This is what it looks like on a tree (yellow Birch).
It was a good thing we moved it as the beaver cut down this tree. I didn't know they liked birch, but maybe with ketchup it tastes better. The little
bastard rodent seems to have moved on as there is no current evidence on or around the frozen ponds.
Even our nearby little town is pretty quiet and gray. At least the gales of November have subsided, but they roll up the streets at dusk which is about 4:30pm (16:30) and all signs of life seem to dissolve.
There are always a few bright spots going into this time of year. In two weeks the days start getting longer and once we get through the holidays it starts to get noticeable, especially for me as I am outside at least twice a day feeding horses. Doing those chores in the morning and evening I tend to notice subtle differences in the length of day and changes in the season.
One of the brightest spots of any week is when
Professor Batty publishes a new installment in his ongoing serial fiction. It's a great story set in Iceland (so far) with a well-woven plot and lots of intrigue. I haven't been reading as much as I would like to this winter, but this story makes me want more. Look out Arnaldur Indriðason, Professor Batty is on your tail!
Laughed out loud at your edited description of the beaver. My husband would agree with your original adjective.
ReplyDeleteWe are expecting snow here tonight, too. I have enjoyed the milder weather. I'll be sad to see it go.
Our days here are becoming very short, we have about 4 light hours in a day at the moment. We have not had snow here in the North since our last blizzard in Nov and there is no snow predicted for this week until maybe next weekend, however everything is very icy. I am really enjoying the unusual light that comes with winter in Iceland...is it similar where you are Jon?
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the critter cam back up! I will have to check out Professor Batty.
ReplyDeleteUsually November is my least favourite month but it went by quickly this year. I think I have just grown to accept that I actually don't mind cold and dark, and getting out running helps too. And of course lots of time for reading!
ReplyDeleteBeing from up north, I miss the sight of freshly fallen, pretty white snow in the winter, especially around Christmas time. Then I remember that 90% of the time, the snow is not pretty and white, but hard, icy, heavy, lumpy, and dirty and needs to be cleared out of the driveway.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, I will not complain about having the air conditioner running today and I'll go for my Sunday morning walk in shorts and T-shirt to enjoy the Santa decorations on the palm trees.
chlost, all good things come to an end.
ReplyDeleteVicki, the light isn't quite as dramatic here, but the low angle of the sun does make it interesting.
Donna, just had to remember batteries.
irbii, running used to be a great option, but I still have animals that need tending to get me out.
PP, snow, just like rain, is best in moderation.
It really does sound a lot like Norway...
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