Thursday, January 19, 2012

White World

Wow, winter hit us with a vengeance!  I knew it was likely going to hit when the winter storm warning came up but what was strange was the warning extended from Wednesday until Friday…can’t say I’ve seen that with a warning…maybe an advisory but this is a warning!  I’ve been walking again which has been a real blessing.  I have had some trouble with a bone spur in my right heel that has bothered me since Ireland.  I suspect walking there with shoes that weren’t the best really aggravated the situation and I’ve been in agony off and on ever since.  Lately I have had the pain really ease off so I headed out and it’s been great…enter the new storm we have now.  I wanted to get my walk in before things got really bad so I donned my winter gear(like my webcam pic?…ugh.)  Before going too far I thought I’d take my standard picture of our little niche right outside our back door.  I call that snow that forms on the little table a “snow cake” and here it’s more like a pancake but wait until you see the next one of this table I have.  The steps up just had a light dusting of snow at this point.  Old Man Winter’s chair had only been sat in by Jack Frost so far.  The deck steps were beginning to be treacherous.  I have a stone that I like to stand on to take pictures beyond the fence…it was looking more like a white cap on the lake then a rock now.  I don’t think that we’ll be needing the air conditioner for a while…what do you think?  Once again a look at some of my favorite scenery.  I think that before it’s all over I’ll miss so much the song of Western Meadowlarks that usually resonate from this area.  Well, onward and upward!  I started to walk with the wind beginning to really pick up.  The temperatures were dropping fast and the drifting was starting but I thought I’d keep going since I’d come pretty far already.  For once the golf course I pass by is devoid of golfers that are always there.  You can tell you’re really about to get it when the view is limited by a white haze heading your way.  I was very pleasantly surprised to run across a small group of antelope who were feeding as though they knew all too well what was coming.  Their feeding frenzy was little abated by my approach.  I was astounded at how close they were letting me come to thembut all good things come to and end and this was no exception as they finally began to move on.  I was really beginning to feel the wind now and there was a long and wintery road ahead.  Plodding along at this point I paused to see the beauty of the new frosted covering on the evergreens and marveled at the sight.  Near the half way point of my route I see a lamp post and it made me think of the lamp post in “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe”.  It’s amazing how even in the beginning of this storm the sun still tries to break through with its heatless glare.  The lower to the ground pine bushes were getting a real dusting of snow at this point.  Now I was almost home and after kicking through snow drifts and having the wind rip me with temperatures below zero I was ready to be home…still, this is a beautiful scene…cold or not

 

These shots are after the first part of this big storm dropped around 10 inches on us and still it’s below zero with more snow on the way…this is right out our front door.  This is no longer a dusting of snow folks!  It’s snow and cold like this that shows me the wisdom of hybernation!  The deck is well covered and likely will get more so before this thing is all over.  I’m glad we have a new fangled material fence rather than a wood one or I expect it would be pretty weathered come spring.  The barbecue may have to be put on hold for a day or two.  Jack Frost is now leaving the chair to Old Man Winter don’t you think?  The winter pancake on the table is now a full blown winter wedding cake!  The prairie is no longer doubting what season it isand I have to say…the sun may be trying to shinebut I well remember the endless sapphire sky before this whole thing started too.

16 comments:

  1. Wow

    I feel cold now, but enjoyed your pictures, take care of your foot.

    God Bless - Nita

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    1. It's gotten much, much warmer today and that's supposed to continue...I won't complain one bit! My foot seems to be healing nicely so as soon as I can get out there again I intend to head out into the wild blue...or white yonder!

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  2. Great pics Joe! Enjoy the snow, and watch out for falling trees.

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    1. No falling trees here Gerry, this place has has far heavier snow and there's no ice in this stuff so it's very powdery.

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  3. Gorgeous pictures Joe. I do have to ask though, why not use Windows Live Writer to compose your blog posts? You can then put your pics exactly where you want, left of text, right, middle, put a frame around them, etc etc. Just a suggestion....TG

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    1. Actually I do use Live Writer...always have. The pictures turn out that way mostly because of their size I think...any smaller and they seem like stamps but any larger and they are difficult to manage and place.

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  4. We didn't get anywhere near what you did Joe and for that I'm grateful. Loved the pictures!

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    1. Sherry, we've often discussed who's "taking one for the team" with bad weather...this time it was my turn!

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  5. brrrrrrrrrrrrr. i like the white cake on ur table Joe.and ur foto..gosh u look like an artic guy.lol
    im not that fund of snow.Cos i have to drive to office and i had once an accident cos of the slippery roads.
    But i can enjoy the virgin snow. No one touched it.
    and those animals so close to the houses Is that normal?
    enjoy the cold Joe. Be carefull.
    MJ

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    1. Hey my friend, I like the table pancake and wedding cake too! I was dressed for the arctic but still the wind cut right through that hood though it is thinsulate...ugh! Yes, it's common to have that kind of wildlife right here...I love that about Montana!

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  6. Hi Joe.. I am not sure if I should be jealous.. or relieved.. we never did get much snow.. it went right over us.. I heard on the news that your so much colder than we are.. almost fell off the couch when I saw you were like 2 degrees.. and we were like 20.. most of the snow we have is almost gone again.. such strange weather.. Missoula got a lot as well.. as you did.. but here.. like I said.. blew right over us..
    been praying for you.. keep warm.. it will be spring soon.. so something to look forward to..
    soft WARM hugs..

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    1. No worries hope, we're in the forties again so I expect the freeze/thaw cycle will keep happening which may mean that the snow/ice could last for a long time...but at least it's lots warmer.

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  7. Jiminey CRICKETS! DANG! That's some SNOW! Sheesh! I love it when you take a picture out back of the table and chairs. I remember it from previous years as well. :-)))

    The antelope are so used to people. I know you've put pics in here of then in the yards. We also have antelope but they are always in the wooded areas. They were introduced here about 10 years ago and they've done exceedingly well.

    Everything OK? I'm sure it is.

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    1. Well enough dear Carole! There's much less snow now. I've been dragging my heels to get out and walk because it's pretty treacherous with melted spots that have ice water over ice. I did manage though and am about to get a new blog up. It's wonderful to hear from you.

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