Wednesday, February 15, 2023

We shouldn't let the weather get our goats!

It is now less than two weeks until the start of meteorological spring and a little more than a month until the Vernal Equinox. As the rain has ended and the snow bypassed us, temperatures have dropped below freezing, so some of us are grasping at figurative straws because our driveways are now skating rinks and walking the dogs has become a hazardous occupation. Unfortunately, the extended temperature outlook is for below normal seasonal temperatures from next Monday through month’s end. The words volatile and uncertainty occurred in the outlook. At least February is our shortest month.

our driveway today
our driveway today
Photo by J. Harrington

Today I started playing with my fly fishing rods and reels. It felt really good and will feel better as I organize for the upcoming season. Maybe we’ll have ice out by July this year? I should be able to fish the rivers before then.😉  If you need some encouragement that winter will finally end, you can look forward to the Great Waters Fly Fishing Exposition in St. Paul beginning Friday, March 17, continuing through that weekend. It ends the day before Spring Equinox, so it’s timely if we can avoid a blizzard that weekend.

I haven’t yet checked today to be sure the trash and recycling cans haven’t been frozen in place. I’ll take a look after posting this. Cross your fingers for me.


300 Goats


In icy fields.

Is water flowing in the tank?

Will they huddle together, warm bodies pressing?

(Is it the year of the goat or the sheep?

Scholars debating Chinese zodiac,

follower or leader.)

O lead them to a warm corner,

little ones toward bulkier bodies.

Lead them to the brush, which cuts the icy wind.

Another frigid night swooping down — 

Aren’t you worried about them? I ask my friend,

who lives by herself on the ranch of goats,

far from here near the town of Ozona.

She shrugs, “Not really,

they know what to do. They’re goats.”


******************************************** c Thanks for visiting. Come again when you can.
Please be kind to each other while you can.

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