On the second weekend in New England, the January Thaw really kicked in. Be still my heart. I could not believe how cold it has been, really since Thanksgiving into the New Year. We have been spoiled it seems. Many recent winters we have had a little cold them warmth then cold again, see I really like that, I think. This winter we had a vortex and it brought me back to my youth and really big snowstorms and cold weather. We still have January to get through then February and March will follow. bringing with it who knows what. We did not get the worst of the horrid stretch of weather, the poor folks in our countries mid section got hammered, so I can not complain just our backs and coastline took a beating so far, oh wait the heating bills have been crazy made even worse by a fixed income. It is why I am trying to sell some photography here and there just for extra cash to make life easier. My sweetheart will be making some things for me using his welding expertise for the upcoming craft fairs and yard sales and when we have some finished I will show you.
So what do we here in New England do when we get our January Thaw? We get outside! We spend time out in the warmth of a winter’s day, with sunshine on our faces. We so not ski but he used and we do not skate but we could, as the yard has so much ice all over where we cleared of snow. See we have had over 1 1/2 feet of snow then 4 inches or more of rain then freezing and thawing going on and finally he resorted to getting us some cheap cleats for the bottom of our boots. Mine are still in the package his are worn in.
I take JT through the snow as I can not afford another injury like a broken arm or hip or for her to get hurt as vets and doctors charge too much. Wait can I get Obama care for her? So steady as we go is our plan. Chopping ice each mid day only for it to re-freeze over night. You have to be tough to live above the Mason Dixon Line, where the north and south meet. Yes the south suffers terribly too, with drought and heat and wicked storms that blow homes away and ruin lives. What an amazing place this Earth of ours is, really we are all at its mercy aren’t we. We either roll with the punches or give up. So far what ever has been thrown in my direction I have been able to recover from, some sadly never will and I find that so unfair. Ok enough depressing weather stuff, want to see our world yesterday?
After chopping with the one arm I have left of any use, I grabbed the camera and that cute JT and went off into the woods behind our barn to see what was going on, hoping to run into a deer or two.
We found his tracks right away, just steps away from the rear of the barn.
Some pretty interesting trees like this pretty Paper Birch peeling out in the winter landscape.
This tree just a little older and stronger with the start of some curling bark. I adore trees but you already know that 🙂
This one has some company along its trunk
You can see JT was all about this decaying tree who knows what had stopped here before us.
Well beaten down deer trails could be found along with bear, coyote and fox prints as well all leading to the stream and away from it. Everyone needs fresh water.
It was pretty bright and sunny and we were really enjoying the walk in the woods today I will hit the beach as it will be almost 50 degrees!
Big and small deer living here on my property make me know I am doing something right.
JT is loving all the smells nature has left behind in the woods and I am so thankful she never goes off on her own, she is definitely a Momma’s Girl.
More tracks of forest dwellers.
Scat left by one such animal. A deer has been here.
It really was such a pretty walk in the woods with my girl even the trees looked joyful and no longer weighed down with snow and ice.
It was time to head back out to reality. Time for some more chopping before supper was put on to cook.
This is out in front of the barn, no wonder he is hunting for chains to fit his 1954 Dodge with dual wheels a lot of good all that beautiful welding of my plow being added to his truck did ,if it can’t move. We SHOVEL and CHOP!
Yes it is rather treacherous to say the least! I must be grateful there is ICE and NOT MORE SNOW well not yet. 🙂 Give it a minute we are in New England!
Have a great week and I hope everyone who was suffering in the awful cold is also getting a respite if even for a day or so and for those dealing with summer heat and drought I wish you cooling rains. Gentle not flooding as we will soon know that world all too well.
Have a great week!
Peace
Reblogged this on 20 Lines A Day.
What a wonderful walk, and I’m so glad you and JT got to enjoy a bit of the January thaw. Your woods reminds me of ours and the fun Noche is having exploring all the wild animal scents.
OMG I bet! Yes just went through and fixed a bunch of stuff in this post I am in a hurry to see the coast 🙂 Enjoy your walks with your charge so spoiled that dog shall be XO
Beautiful photos.
Thanks so much 🙂
Good to see your walk – lovely pics Eunice. Take care on the ice!
Thanks for taking the stroll with me 🙂
I will and you have a great week! I saw not 1 but 3 Snowy Owls and a beautiful Red Fox!
How lovely. I hardly ever see the owls here, but I do hear them… so melancholy.
🙂 Yes indeed 🙂
Glad you took us along for your walk Eunice. One of the things I have always liked about snow is seeing all of the animal tracks. We don’t get much here but when we do I head off into the woods to see who has been out and about. And yes, New Englanders have to be tough. 🙂 –Curt
🙂 I am glad to hear you love to track as well 🙂 I never thought I would see them so close to us but indeed they live here too except I am the only one paying taxes 🙂
LOL on the taxes.
🙂
I am glad you had a happy time walking through the snow with such beautiful scenery. Some places look dangerous though. I know you know the way well. Have a great week too.
Thanks for stopping by and yes ice is nasty but this place I know like the back of my hand after 20+ years. Enjoy!
I hope your thaw lasts, but it looks cold again at the end of the week.
Yes I am milking it for all it is worth! 🙂 Saw 3 snowy owls today and walked the beach but sadly I know till April these kind of days will be far and few between 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
WOW ! Wonderful photo’s once again Eunice/ I do like the first fall of snow where you can see where the birds have been and other footprints trying to guess what they were. And as for the trees they look so majestic even with snow on their branches but even nicer in the spring when the leaves begin to appear. I would love that walk with you. Pity we are so far away.
Your not kidding we would have a great time exploring 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by and coming along the walk with us 🙂
Ice, snow or thaw, it sure is beautiful where you live!
Thanks as it is in the outskirts of the city you romp in 🙂
🙂 …”LOL’ Romp… love that! Great word!
🙂 that’s me 🙂
I can sure identify… and the heating bills are wayyyy out of whack…. hope the worst real cold is over…. says she laughingly… !!! Diane
From your lips to God’s ears!
🙂
Here in San Diego, California, we have not needed a January thaw in about a hundred years now……..lol
🙂 I know you are right! Miss the state you call home I used to run from Boston to the west coast cities every 7 days 🙂
Great photographs (as always). Stay warm and have a wonderful weekend, Eunice! 🙂
Brrr you stay safe as well it is NUTS OUT HERE snow falling and roads icing 😦
Fingers crossed and prayers for an early spring! 🙂
Just temps in 20’s and 30’s would be awesome 🙂
You bet! It sounds very springy… And, those few lovely days we had with sunshine and twenties were! 🙂
🙂 You have it worse than me we have seen -20 and up to 40 big swings and fierce winds whip through but man the sunsets are so incredible 🙂
HUGS
Bette Stay safe and warm.
Thanks for reading my blog. beebee
You are welcome thanks for stopping by my silly place 🙂