A overnight dusting of snow and 15-mile-per-hour winds made a clean slate of the landscape in the North Country. Abbey and Sasha and I were the only creatures stirring at sunrise. Winter beauty is breathtaking in this country on a morning walk, but with temperatures holding at 7 below zero and the wind still scouring the fields, a half hour hike was our limit. Abbey was willing to go on, but Sasha tumbled into a ridge of snow and said, “That’s enough for me!” Back in the warmth of the Clubhouse, we are all considering a late morning nap.
Dispatches from a Northern Town 
I have long wanted a piece of land right outside my back… or even front door, where I dare the weather and see the “Calvin and Hobbes” strip where Calvin screams out, “I hate it when your boogers freeze!” Unfortunately, age and availability of such land is not helping that dream. I do my best to provide for nectar and berry afficionados, but although I have had fawns birthed in my yard, I will never have a raptor call my yard home.
Bob – there’s much to be said for having a place where the wild is right outside the door. But, like you, we are reaching that age when sitting by the kitchen window and drinking a second cup of coffee while watching birds at the feeder has more appeal than a walk with the dogs. Especially on those -37 degree mornings 🙂