Approaching Winter Solstice

The squash and gourds that served as Thanksgiving table decorations are now scattered under the pear tree. Better the whitetails should munch on them than attack our low-hanging bird feeders. Several nights ago we forgot to bring in the sunflower seed feeder that hangs out front and, come morning, it was again empty with lots of seeds still covering the ground. One observation of a deer at the feeder this Winter, plus an abundance of deer tracks under the knocked-down feeder lat May, leaves us comfortable believing one or more deer are the perpetrators until and unless we get convincing evidence to the contrary. Meanwhile, back at the pear tree, frozen bits and pieces of the Halloween pumpkins were still lying on the ground. We'll see if we can check from time to time to keep track of what, if anything, lasts throughout the Winter.

Winter whitetail headed toward food?

Photo by J. Harrington

The tractor, once we cleared the snow off it, started right up and climbed our snow-covered hill with very little slippage. Driving the tractor seemed like it would be easier than lugging, on foot, a bag full of small squashes, plus, it was fun. Never before have we driven a tractor through a snowy field, in sunshine! The fact that the temperature is above freezing and the sun is shining added to the pleasure we took being out and about. Plus, at least locally, there was no freezing fog/mist this morning. Yesterday, some young fellow put his pickup on its side in a ditch a little North of the house. He said he was ok and that help was on the way, so we wished him well and continued, slowly, with our errands.

We've been noticing that our "failed" loaf of bread from a week or so ago is still sitting in the tray feeder, largely untouched. A couple of smaller woodpeckers hammered away at it once or twice. A gray squirrel snatched one separate slice this morning and ran away with it. Might be time to cut it into smaller pieces and see if they disappear.

Winter sky with moon and bare branches

Photo by J. Harrington

Winter Solstice is now just one week away. In our neighborhood, it will occur on December 21, 2018 at 4:23 pm CST. We're considering having our own little celebration, with a scaled-down bonfire, unless, of course, we get hit with some sort of blizzard. We're overdue. Some light snow flurries would be preferable, just enough so we don't have a brown Christmas, but we'll do our best to enjoy whatever Mother Nature shares with us. It's slowly sinking in that that's one key to a happier life, especially as the climate becomes less stable. We also might want to seriously consider adding a pinch of paganism, druidry, zen, and/or pantheism to whatever else we believe in, especially over the next twelve or so years.

Winter Branches

Margaret Widdemer

When winter-time grows weary, I lift my eyes on high
And see the black trees standing, stripped clear against the sky;

They stand there very silent, with the cold flushed sky behind,
The little twigs flare beautiful and restful and kind;

Clear-cut and certain they rise, with summer past,
For all that trees can ever learn they know now, at last;

Slim and black and wonderful, with all unrest gone by,
The stripped tree-boughs comfort me, drawn clear against the sky.

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