Getting Re-acquainted With Winter

The first order of business,

upon returning home from the sunny, warmer West coast,

was to re-acclimatize my body to the cold.

A brisk 9 degrees F.  yesterday morning helped to make this transition a quick one!

And although it was a great break to wear less bulky clothing...

there is just something wonderful about watching the sun rise,

with lungs full of cold, fresh air.

The only part of me that was out of practice was my hands.

By the time morning chores were complete, my fingers were icicles.

Folks often say "I bet the animals were happy to see you!"

Honestly, I wonder if they even think about the fact that we are gone.

They always have such good care while we are gone,

that I am sure they hardly notice.

We lost a rooster while we were away.

It was not a surprise, however... I had an idea something was wrong with him before we left.

And although I hate to lose any animals, a rooster is the least tragic.

(We had too many.)

Everyone else is in great shape.

The kittens are growing...

But, even with all of the handling that they get,

they are still very "hissy"!

Stinkers!

I am still going to try my hardest to socialize them,

so that neutering them and handling them for vaccinations is easier in the future.

And so, with this cold, cold, cold,

the color drains from our world.

The spectacular hues of summer and fall are soon to become a distant memory.

The last of the leaves will soon dry to a crispy brown and drop to the ground,

leaving behind the skeletal trees on a barren, brown landscape.

Winter brings with it an austere beauty...

dormancy and slumber in a crystalized, frozen world.

Now... I must go thaw out my fingers!