Winter

 So winter is officially here.

We had a very mild and lingering fall.  Until it wasn't.

The day of my mother's memorial services it was very blizzardy and cold, but we got both my dad and mom interred in their final resting place.  There had been an ice storm and some snow, so everything was covered in almost an inch of ice and a bit of snow with a stiff wind.  

After that the weather moderated a bit, but last week we got another ice storm that turned into a wet snow event that shut down roadways and work.  I only made it to work on two days last week.  Roads and interstates were closed and the weather was miserable.

Pictured after that storm is a view going out our drive.  All the pine trees are very heavy with ice and wet snow and a huge mature deciduous tree that went down during the night.  It had three different trunks and they all went different directions. 

Daughter Leah took these photos.  She braved the cold to see what the aftermath was.  This is a cow that was out finding a bite to eat.  The rest of the herd was down along the trees staying out of the wind.

The next morning she went out to talk to the horses and see how they were doing.  The snow was knee deep on the flats and many drifts around sheltered spots that caught the blowing snow. 

The son in law gets to fight the drifts and cold and machinery to take care of the animals.

So now this week, we are on another winter weather event.  We are now in the deep freeze.  it was actual -19 degrees F yesterday with wind chills in the -40 or worse.  Today it is only -12, but the wind is still blowing.  The interstate has been closed for the most part of 2 days, and there is no travel advised.  

The heavy snow and ice from last week is still hanging on all the trees and buildings, so the trees continue to break from the strain of the weight and the wind.

This morning my shower drain was frozen, but I was able to get it going again with only a little work.  We are burning copious amount of firewood to help the electric heat keep up with this inefficient house, but my bedroom is as far away from the heat source as you can get.   Makes it hard to get out from under the covers in the morning!

As far as weaving goes, I'm trying to put in some time, but it seems I get to do all the ending details in regards to my parents' life.  I just received notice that I am "in" at a large vendor show in March.  I've got some weaving to do!  Not only to get inventory to sell, but also to make a dent in the stash of salvaged materials that have piled up ~ literally ~ in my weaving space.

My biggest joy these days....   Mr Jhett with Santa.  He was maybe kinda ok with standing next to him, but it was a big no with the sitting on his lap!  Love my little cowboy :)

All for now,
JULIE