Well, Well, Well

Things are not so good here this morning. 

We were at minus 5 degrees this morning when I got up.... we are at 2 above now. 

Yesterday never went above ten degrees. 

My well is frozen. 

Troy next door reminded me that Keith had always kept a 

light burning in the well house during the winter, and I had 

totally forgotten that.  So, yesterday, I tried to lift the 

hatch... it's frozen down.  I ran to Orschelns and bought a 

light and fixture, in case the old one is not in there, and this afternoon, 

I am going to call a friend for help to see if we can get the hatch off and the 

light hung. 

We are headed for the upper 20's today, the thirties and forties tomorrow, 

and the fifties on Friday!! 

I am praying for a thaw of the well, please join me.  :-) 

For the time being, Troy and Kathy are graciously letting me get buckets at 

their outdoor faucet, thank you!!

If it doesn't thaw, I'll be calling in the big guns. 

These guys have not been outside since Saturday, and they are going stir crazy. 

Even with the door to the feed room open, they are under each other's feet. 

I am giving them extra treats to keep them busy. 

IF we get to fifteen or above (my rule is usually 20) they are going out 

this afternoon. 

As you see, something or two somethings are sleeping in the straw of the closet of the old henhouse.  Now that I look at it, that almost looks like blood on the left.  

No body bits, though. 

I caught the culprit sleeping in the larger nest. 

Look who it is!  The grey and white feral cat that eats by my gate!

I found him in the nest yesterday afternoon when I went out to turn the 

overhead light out and check the water and dry feed. 

I went back in the house quietly, so I wouldn't scare him. 

And look what he did!  He actually came and ate the canned cat food I put in the bowl for him, and let me stand there and take pictures. 

You see he is in good flesh, the Caldwells across the road leave food out for him, too. 

I have not seen the grey tabby, or Harley and Spooky, for several days. 

The story of my life, for a few days, at least. 

And I am just going to be honest and tell you I am SO TIRED of wearing double everything. 

And now I have to drive to my son's to shower. 

For being 11, the cold has just awakened this girl. 

She is out on the porch right now, laying in the sun. 

Of course, she DOES like her creature comforts (and she can see the gate from there). 

By the tracks in the snow, a possum has been going in and out of the 

little red henhouse to eat.  I am still leaving some dry cat food in there. 

His/her pawprints go up the ramp and in and out. 

Cat tracks.  

Too cold for the raccoons, but that will change tonight. 

I caught a junco flying out this hole in the window of the old henhouse the day before yesterday.  I guess I'm glad I did not put plastic over it. 

You can see how deep the seed is under the bird feeding station. 

I am doing things differently next year. 

I'm embarassed to say how much I have been feeding.  To be fair, 

a lot falls off the feeding platform. 

There is a better look.  No one has found that new feeder yet!

Woodpeckers are going at the two cage suet feeders on top. 

However.... with the current well situation, I am able only to fill the heated water 

on the deck, and frankly, it needs to be emptied and cleaned.  Right now, it is the only place 

for the birds to get a drink.  

I am going to change the way I feed next year, and not feed on the deck at all. 

I will keep the heated water on the deck, though, because I love the birds. 

(I love how bluebirds drink so many at a time). 

I'm going to talk to a nephew who is an electrician and see if there is a 

way to safely run one of these to the bird area, and keep it filled so I don't have to go 

in and out constantly. 

Lest you think Lilly is the only one cavorting in the snow... Jester has been in and out, too. 

I am always with him, because of this. 

A tiny bit closer.  I don't take the big cameras out in the cold much. 

This hawk was sitting at my feeder last week, and I can't find the pictures, I 

may have inadvertantly erased them. 

Gratuitous cuteness for the end of the post. 

These are INDOOR kitties, by the way.