Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Feeding like there's no tomorrow

That dreaded phrase, a “wintry mix,” is now part of the local forecast for Thanksgiving. It’s the “mix” part of that phrase that’s the really, ugly part. Mix usually means sleet and rain, sometimes ice. It’s never a pretty picture, that’s for sure.
The sky over the cabin has only a few clouds this morning, but the birds are already acting as though something is going to happen. Even my chickens are behaving as though they haven’t eaten in a week, judging by the way they rushed me when I was brought their food out this morning. The wild birds that come to my feeders are probably the regulars who appear every day, so they really don’t have much of an excuse either, given how quickly my feeders empty each day. But excuse or not, this morning the birds are feeding as though there will be no food tomorrow, and we all know that won’t be the case.

I enjoy winter quite a bit, but to me that assumes winter brings snow. November and early December are more likely to produce a “wintry mix,” and that I can do without.

At the cabin, I thought I was pretty well prepared for winter—until the door knob fell off yesterday morning. So that’s one more things that needs taken care of. Ah, the joys of cabin ownership. It’s always something.

Here in the U.S. tomorrow is Thanksgiving, or “Turkey Day” as it is euphemistically described. Everyone always eats too much on Thanksgiving. That’s a requirement of the holiday, and I won’t be an exception to the rule. The birds around my cabin, both the tame ones and the wild ones, will have plenty to fill their tummies, too.
Happy Thanksgiving!

9 comments:

Grizz………… said...

My, but that's a really pretty sun rise/set.

The worst thing about "wintry mix' to me is gathering firewood—you see these big snowflakes out there and run for the woodpile…and about midways you realize it's really just a deluge with a bit of snow mixed in to fool you, but that the rain running down your neck and under your sweater and slopping up on your shins is approximately 30˚ colder than dry ice—and now you're soaked, shivering, frozen to the bone, wet, soggy, muddy, and looking to take a fall if you're not careful. Plus your wood is wet.

Hey! Happy Thanksgiving!

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope that wintry mix stays down there in your mountains, since I have to travel through Vermont mountains tomorrow. After that, let it snow!

Carolyn H said...

Griz: I have a gas fireplace. I decided I didn't want to be hauling wood when I'm 80!

Carolyn H.

Carolyn H said...

Woodswalker: I hope you have a safe drive. For the moment, I only have clouds.

Carolyn H.

Cathy said...

Ugh, I was hoping just plain old rain, naturally after the Macy's parade.

but I'm getting a forecast sleet and rain. Which at my end, will be mostly sleet :( I'm so glad I'm not going anyplace tomorrow.

Happy Turkey Day!!!

Cicero Sings said...

Yes, the "mix" part of the season is usually a bit much to bear.

I'm rather partial to a wood stove -- especially when one can talk the brothervin law to come over with his electric splitter to breK up your rounds.

Carolyn H said...

Cathy: I've already had a wintry mix, though so far it's more like wintry drizzle/sprinkles/flurries. I think I had 15 seconds each of snow, freezing rain, sleet, and maybe rain. If it's no worse than that, it's hardly worth mentioning!

Carolyn H.

Carolyn H said...

Cicero: I like wood stoves, but after watching all the work my 84 year old father goes through for it, I decided I didn't want to work that hard if I'm lucky enough to make it to his age.

Carolyn H.

Jeannette StG said...

Hope your Thanksgiving was good and you didn't eat too much!
Sorry I haven't visited in a while -it was so (a good busy) busy in Nov. (if you want to know the details read my post "It doesn't stop")
Love the golden glow in your pic!