Brilliant Cold!

 The day after my last bike ride, the temperature dropped 30 degrees.  Mid-month we were still in somewhat of a cycle - consisting of a cold day followed by a warmer one.  At least that was the case until January decided to plunge us into bitter cold.  Thursday, we dropped during the day from a high of 15 down to 7.  Include blasting winds & by yesterday morning we were at zero with wind chills to -25.

The woods~

This morning, we had an inch of snowdust.  Just enough to almost turn the ground white.  At 9 a.m. when I went out, the sun was breaking through the clouds & the temperature was still zero.  Thankfully there was just a light breeze.

Armillary~

I blew the back deck & back walkway for Finn.  He waits for his coat!  Then, I went out front & blew the porch & sidewalk there - all the way to the Cabin.

What zero looks like~

It was simply beautiful out.  I'll do whatever necessary to get my outdoor time & blowing is easier than shoveling!  It was quiet except for the tweets of the birds that were coming & going from the feeder.

Cardinal on the ground to the left of the post~

In the photo above, the little square black box to the right is the sonic Cat Repeller.  I lost two birds to cats over the summer months.  The neighbor who owns one of the many that run free, bought it rather than contain his cat.  It does seem to help, at least I haven't found any more feathers.  (I saw a post yesterday from a local group working to control the feral cat population in town, by trapping & neutering.) 

Ceramic ball by the Cabin~

I'd never noticed before how prominent the star at the top of the ball is with snow.  The air was so fresh!  Brisk is the kindest word I can use to describe the cold.  By the time I was done - I was sure even with his heated pad - Finn would be ready to come in.  He wasn't the only one!

Echinacea~

I was surprised at how many seeds are still on the Echinacea.  Last year they were stripped by the end of winter, even with the bird feeder kept full.

When I came in~

Butch has been south, making a delivery in Kansas City.  With too much time in his schedule, he's taking a 34-hour reset in New Florence, MO.  He wasn't bragging but mentioned temperatures in the 40's this week.  It seems today the cold has finally caught up to him.  He woke to 4 degrees & about the same amount of snow we had. He'll leave tomorrow for Louisville.  

Butch's view~

We have single digits today, teens tomorrow.  The long-range forecast is for temperatures warming slowly into the 20's with a day or two breaking 30 degrees, into the first week of February. 

Finn is already bored with being inside.  Yesterday I found him in the craft room, sharing the sunshine coming in the south window with my plants.  We're working on a couple new commands to keep him occupied & have play time twice a day.  He's worse than having a toddler!  :-)