Fred's Disarray

I heard him last night, a lone baying hound and didn't think much of it even though he sounded near by. This morning he saw me headed next door for some siding time from where he was parked at the turnout along the scenic highway. I had help siding today and have the muddy paw prints fifteen feet off the ground to prove it. My what big feet you have and you are bouncing up and down the muddy hillside tapestry of newly planted flowers in the sunny utility valley. Oh pee on the sedum why don't you. Twice is even better.



I tried to sneak back to the resident gardeners house without him because the Spots were put out to enjoy the warm sunny day when I left. I could not fool him and chaos ensued when Fred and I arrived.

I called the humane society at 3:30 in the afternoon and they said they would come get him today and would I please time him up. At 5:45 I gave up and went to town for a bit of dog food thinking Fred may be with me for the weekend and he eats way too much cat food, or should I say inhales cat food.



I had managed to get the Spots in once Fred was tied up. Now how was I going to get them out for their nightly constitutional before bedtime?

At 7:45 there was a knock on the door and low and behold the animal control guy was here to pick up Fred. I was shocked. He said they work 24/7. Who knew?

I think I am located in a prime dumping ground for unwanted pets. It is bound to get worse as the economy crumbles. At least now I have some dog food on hand.

Still, What Is Wrong With You People?!!!!!!

Drip Drip

It takes a while for six to seven inches of snow to melt even when it gets into the fifties. Eventually. A surprise crocus was found blooming through the snow today when the Spots and I went for an evening stroll.



Another load of wood chips was fetched this afternoon after all the snow had melted in the vegetable garden.



This morning more siding was attached to the cozy cabin. During the snow storm I had cut and painted the window trim and yesterday despite being surrounded by snow, a warm sun was shining and the window trim was put on. Now I can put on siding until I can't reach any higher and need the scaffolding. How high can I go?



The snowdrops have been lasting for a really long time. By this afternoon they were completely uncovered again and should perk back up in the sun tomorrow.



Another yellow crocus was spotted on the evening stroll.



The more numerous purple and lavender crocus I remember from last year have sent up some foliage, but no signs of flower buds yet in the places I have spotted them.



The warm is getting warmer in between frigid blasts.

Got Sky?

Eight Degrees

With a little assistance,



As it reached eight degrees this morning an envelope filled with mana was opened.



Yes it reached eight today after an earlier low.

Mahalo Nalani, Steve, Ron, Livit, Dixie, Doug, Miranda, Bud and the rest of the gang. Must be the cold that caused those sniffles.

The View From My Window

Outside Clyde, North Carolina March 2nd 6:30 pm

Well, imagine my surprise when Clyde, North Carolina turned up in "A flurry of photos came in from around the South, which hasn't seen this much snow in a long time" at The View From Your Window.

Haven't seen this much snow in a long time in Clyde NC, what? Are you kidding me?

I have plenty snow and plenty view. I even have a label, "The View." He dissed my Maui view, never posting it. He'll just have to come here to see a real View From My Window from Outside Clyde North Carolina.

Difficult Conditions

Snow continued to fall sideways at a moderate clip on top of the existing six inches for most of the morning. The sun managed to shine brightly through thinning clouds and growing sections of blue sky. An eye straining glare bounced off the white layer of snow making it near impossible to see the LCD display of a camera.



A lot of practice enabled me to frame pretty good pictures without really seeing what I was aiming at and to choose the right settings for the light conditions.



A difficult beauty washed over the mountaintop as I wandered outside.



I looked. There were no tracks of any kind, not even a mouse. The creatures had all taken cover and remained hidden.

The view from my future front porch may change a bit with time and the addition of some evergreens. There could be extra lumps in the snow.



I wait. It melts.



By midweek there should be warm sunny days when window trim can be attached to the cozy cabin and siding can resume or painting of the porch roof's framing can be done.



I wait up high in a difficult beauty.

Later That Day

Nowhere ventured in constant snow



A pan shot from the deck



Going from south to north



Four and a half inches at 5pm



After a brief lull
Snow falls thickly

How deep will it be in the morning?

It Started

In mist still wet
Still



Movement only a deepening chill



Mist thickened
Clear rice on tissue paper called
Hissing momentum



The instant of white
Quickly defines black