January thaw

We managed to detach the tractor's rear blade from the frozen field and attach it to the three-point hitch. Then we went and scraped the drive to remove the frozen chunks before they refreeze. This warm spell won't last forever, so we're told, and past years we've almost broken a wrist running the snowblower at speed into a chunk of Minnesota sn'ice (snow/ice combination). And, we only did some minor damage to the house trim while cleaning up the drive. Not bad for a first time ever using a rear blade on a tractor. Come Spring those pocket gopher mounds will be in a world (whirled?) of hurt!

this year's tree, from the side of the driveway

Photo by J. Harrington

Tomorrow is, among Christians, the Feast of the Epiphany, a time when, in the past, the Wise Men stopped following the star and, in the present, our family has traditionally taken down the Christmas tree and other decorations. In prior years, that's been a major undertaking, for which we have been grateful the Better Half and Daughter Person have taken the lead. (Allowing us near large quantities of fragile ornaments is unwise.) This year the effort will not involve as much work since the vast majority of the decorations and tree ornaments are at the new home said Daughter Person shares with her spouse and a couple of dogs. It seems quite clear that the ornaments below would crush this year's little home grown tree.

the stash of ornaments from years gone bye

Photo by J. Harrington

Great Plains in Winter

by Ted Kooser

Blue snow in the moonlight,
Set back from the road, a house
with a single lamplit window.
The whole world holds its breath.

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