Finding a pal

You just never know when a day is going to turn out perfectly.

We were a bit sad because this Christmas day was our first as a couple without family staying with us.

It was great opening our gifts under the tree at our own pace, but something, mainly someone was missing.

A blizzard was dumping horizontal snow outside, making sure we couldn't travel to visit anyone, and preventing anyone from driving to see us.

Then we opened up a gift that contained a solar-powered flamingo. It would change our lives.

Well, at least the guy I built later in the back yard from the several inches of wet snow that fell during the day.

Mr. Snowman was just a snowman until I introduced him to the bright, cheery flamingo.

Now he's grinning ear to ear about his new pal.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful gifts. And Mr. Snowman is expecially appreciative.

New season

As you all can see, we've moved from squirrels gathering nuts to weather conditions that are driving us nuts.

The drive to deliver the grandchildren to their momma was blizzardy Saturday afternoon, but safe thanks to the expert driving of the grandpa with his four-wheel drive truck.

This morning for work I had to install cleats on the bottom of the snowboots. (Yikes)

But we love it. It means skiing is ahead. Icicles have formed, not like in the Northeast, though, and there is about 4 inches of snow on the ground. Hurray for the new season.

Pretty squirrely day

I forgot to mention the most visible wildlife of all, our squirrels. This one is about a foot from the door, ready to run in if I open the door.

Thanks

A wildlife count for the day, after finally getting outside for a change. Seen today: 1 bald eagle, 30 trumpeter swans, about 20 mallards and mates, a muskrat, a chickadee and dozens of finches and sparrows, also a sparrowhawk.

Not a bad number for 45 minutes of walking along the river.

Why

Heaven knows there's no need for this.
Most people get enough of my words in the daily paper.
But occasionally I may have something to say other wise and elsewise. So I've joined this world for the fun of it.