The light in my trees and states of matter

What to do on day 7 of the cold from hell? Fuzzy brained, clogged sinuses, snot-festooned, raw throated, rattly chested, lymph enlarged, taste impaired, bone tired - this cold tests what I'm made of and how much more I can take before I run whining to the doctor for antibiotics I don't want to need.

What to do, indeed.

Well today, the sunlight sparkled in rime frost and I said what the heck. Boots on bare feet, coat over jammies, camera in hand, doggy at the door. It was good, except for the snot part, but I managed to enjoy it for the brilliant crisp morning it was, and laugh a bit at silly Mr. Tucker.

He likes teeny tiny toys. This one is a santa bouncy ball. He likes to pounce on it and bury it in the snow, then dig around like a pig after truffles until he finds it. Chew, chew, toss, pounce. Repeat. The snowballs in his foot pads are huge. Handfuls. It takes several towels to dry the snow melt off him, but a boy needs his play time.

I've lost count of the snowfall, 6 or so good ones, 8 or 9 inches, maybe?


Cold, though. I have a clock that beams the time and temperature on my ceiling, because I need to know these things. At 4 am it was 13 degrees F. At 9 am it was 19. I suppose it's 21 or 22 by now. Which can feel remarkably tolerable after a colder snap, if there is no wind. Especially if there is sun.

Enchanting rime frost, like fairy dust. I never catch the magic on film. Still, I try.

Then there's this. Christmas Eve errands with the family, gentle snow falling. Daughter says mom, look up. The moon roof was mesmerizing with water droplets from melted snow. Of course I had my camera.




Cool, huh? Random and yet not quite.

This is the patio one snowfall ago. Wish we had put away the chairs and covered the umbrella. But we're lazy like that. The hammock and volleyball net are up still too. Oh well.

This is the ice on my front step, from the roof melt. Can you see the shattered icicles? Daughter was tossing a volleyball up to break them before anyone got impaled. Got most of them before the ball got stuck. Not to worry. It'll come down in the thaw and it really adds to the decor, yes?



Major design flaw with this house. I amuse myself this winter looking at portico designs and fantasizing about a small, tasteful addition to provide shade and shelter for Tucker as he guards the home. And protect visitors from impalings or soaking rains. Maybe someday.

This poor red tail has been hunting my back yard for a few weeks now. I quit filling the feeders after I watched him make a kill under them. Didn't want to set traps for the little birdies. Besides, my neighbors keep theirs filled so the little ones won't go hungry. Wish someone would make a raptor feeder. I'd gladly hang some meat out for them. Tough life for these grand birds, forced to hunt in backyards for food.

Lastly, despite the cold, the 4 boxes of kleenex, the sleepless, congested nights, it's been an otherwise lovely holiday with my little family. We've read books around the fire, played games, eaten, drank and been merry.

I leave you with my Christmas Craft, the wine cork wreath. Easy to make if you have a drill and lots of corks laying around, check and double check. I made some tree ornaments out of champagne corks, but gave them away. Cute, though, with bells and bows.

Wishing you good books, warm fires, warm hearts, happy dogs or cats or kids, good times and sunshine, eventually. Hope you find something magical or wonderful or funny in the world around you. I believe all you have to do is look sometimes, and maybe do the unexpected once in a while.