Someone Flipped the Switch!

 November, after the record-breaking high temperature earlier, we saw some very cold & gray days.  The month was one of transition.  Finn & I sat out almost every morning enjoying the warmth of our south exposure & sunshine.  Even the gray days have their own beauty & the radiant heater helped!

Our view 11-25-25

I was taking my germaniums in most nights & setting them back out in the mornings.  The ones in the photo have gone through a second year.  I have six others I started last spring.  Getting them through the winter months here, is always a challenge.

Thanksgiving Day - the Marsh~

Thanksgiving was a totally beautiful day!  We walked the property & enjoyed the sunshine.  By Saturday, it was a different world.  Iowa still amazes me as to how fast & dramatically the weather can change.

Snow arrives, 11-29-25

Butch had made another very long drive, up for almost 24 hours, to make it home the morning before Thanksgiving. Sunday night, I smelled gas & our furnace decided to go out.  Butch took it apart & discovered it was beyond repair.  He made a call that evening & met with Steve on Monday.  I told him he was not leaving until we'd made a plan for heat!  Steve said it would take until Wed. for the new furnace to arrive & for the install. (After Butch met with Steve, he pulled out in his nice warm truck!)

12-3 A shiny new furnace~

As promised, Steve & his crew arrived bright & early Wednesday morning.  I was happy to leave them at the task & go to mat making where it was nice & warm!  Kind friends offered us a place to stay, but I'd closed off the guest room, kept the drapes drawn, fireplace going & moved one of our two oil heaters into whatever room Finn & I occupied.  Steve was impressed with how warm the house had stayed.

12-4-25 

Time was of the essence, as the coldest temperatures of the season to date, were a day away.  Late in the afternoon, it was a relief to hear the fan of the new furnace kick on!  By the fourth, the bottom dropped out & we experienced our first negative temperatures of the season.  

12-6 Snow still on the ground~

It's been so bitterly cold, the approximately 3" of snow we received is still on the ground.  More had been forecast for today, but so far, we've remained cloudy & cold.

Finnigan~

Finn & I have been decorating!  December fourth marked the second anniversary of his Adoption Day!  We've decided to designate it as his birthday, too.  Our Vet believed him to be about four when I brought him home, which makes him now six.  He's made so many friends & adores my friend, Doris.  (He is still scared of men.)

He has two female dog friends now: Poppy, Ginny's Pomeranian & Sadie, Carol's West Highland Terrier.  He even knows the Travelin' Man ring tone I've set for Butch's calls & barks when he hears it!  He's one heck of a little guy with a huge heart.  I couldn't have found a better companion.

In Like a Lion!

 

January 1, 2022

The 20-30 mph blasts of wind-driven snow were brutal.  The first day of the new year & we woke to a temperature of three degrees!  The wind making the feels like temperatures in the negative double digits for the first time this winter season.  We'd purchased a new, even More squirrel proof birdfeeder at Menards.  I hope the birds find it!  Butch made our hot latte's & we enjoyed watching the storm blow.

In the Cabin~

In the cabin, the temperature was staying a moderate forty degrees. It seemed much warmer after being out in the wind!  My germaniums looked fine & appreciate the south exposure.  

The roads were covered with a layer of ice, under the light new snow.  Most of town was hunkered down for the storm.  I started a pot of Chili & pan of cornbread for dinner.  Butch was packing (more on that later).  I spent the afternoon baking several dozens of his favorite oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies for the road.

January 2, 2022

Sunday dawned a totally different day - brilliant sunshine!  After Butch was on his way, I took a short walk.  The temperature was frigid, but I'd been shoveling enough to be warm.  

Winter woods~

I love the look of the woods with fresh snow!  Not many wildlife prints yet, but the bunnies will be bounding around soon, I'm sure.  Such a glorious day, I appreciated shoveling both for the exercise & for the excuse to be out.

Nika~

When I came in, Nika was showing her total unhappiness at Butch's departure.  Pouting & laying with a direct view of the front door...  Both of us will have to adjust to being on our own...

First Snow ~

 Yesterday started out cloudy.  But by mid-afternoon the rain came; a nice, slow, soaking rain.  Temperatures dropped, the wind picked up & last night - the snow started.

The Cabin~

Butch had to drive the wrestlers to Sioux City, two hours north. Since they left early, he didn't have time to clear the walks. I walked out front to find ice from the rain beneath the snow, just about impossible to shovel.

Sun dropping behind the hill~

Later this afternoon, things started to drip a little.  I managed to get my foot into my boot, put on gloves & decided to do what I could do.  With only maybe 2-3", it had gotten wet enough to be heavy.  I did our walkway (Butch had taken down the ramp last weekend!).  

100% weight bearing, doesn't mean my knee is working yet.  But the repair is healed & I can load the leg.  It's tight, painful & I constantly try to stretch it out.  My 90+ degree angle had not changed since last week.  I now have PT twice a week & try to meet Doris at the Y twice a week too.  I'm going to keep on keeping on - until I can get full rotation on my stationary bike & walk without a limp!  

Edge of the woods~

I started down the sidewalk & worked my way over to & past the Cabin.  Butch has the materials now to do the ceiling.  Possibly a project for the first of the year.  I have the little tree up & we go out at least a couple evenings a week.

Cabin cheer~

It was cold enough my hands were getting numb.  I'll be getting out my insulated gloves next time.  It feels so good to get any kind of outdoor exercise.

Cabin porch~

Crunching through the snow, this is the first year I've had clear views of the woods, with snow.  Last season there were still piles of cut honeysuckle.  We didn't have any snow until January.

Sunset~

With the sun so far to the south, I love watching as it moves lower over the ridge.  Of course the temperature drops with it - so I gimped my way rapidly back to the warmth of the house!