Winter Go Away!

Does anyone know where Spring has gone? 

Friday night, this was about all the snow that was left, except for a few piles on 

the north side of the shop and a few other, scattered around the yard.  Those are the piles left from my shoveling the gate out last week. 

Sunday morning. (notice the four squirrels) 

We didn't get a lot of snow, but what we got was bone-cutting cold. 

It never got above four degrees all day. 

All the birds were kept in, and yes, I caught the 

ducks (horrid, as I expected) and carried them into the 

old henhouse. 

They do not like me. 

Right now it is 16 degrees above, and the feels like is 

3.  IF we get above 20 by noon, I'll let everyone out for a while. 

The thing that worries me, is that I found the ducks actually shivering on 

Sunday morning, which is why they got put into the henhouse.  It is supposed to 

go to nine tonight, and then gradually warm the rest of the week, with highs on the 

weekend in the 40's.  For all of you duck keepers... I have never actually caught 

my ducks shivering... and I have kept them for a long time. 

We do have a bright, sunny day. 

Singleton and his girls are NOT happy about their new roomates. 

This is the oldest hen house, our original.... was adapted for hens. 

Starlings used to get into it ... the walls are still marked... and 

the birds generally go out in front, instead of into the old henyard, which is through 

the popholes you see. 

All of the hen houses need cleaning, but I am NOT doing it in the cold. 

I don't know how well you can tell, but light refracted through the 

communications tower in the wild area across from me the last two days, and 

made a rainbow in the snow in my side yard. 

My girl Lil tries to stay with me as I do chores, but more and more, she 

must lay down or sit down and rest, and just wait for me.  

Our time grows ever shorter. 

Little Cookie (granddaughter Paiton said he looks like 

Cookies and Cream ice cream) is growing strong, 

and Mama Flicka is taking good care of him. 

He and Lilly are very curious about each other. 

It's comforting to me to look out and see the lights on in the 

little barn at night.  The sheep do sleep inside, but are mostly 

outside during the day, despite the cold. 

I notice Cookie nestles close to his Aunt Fluffy and Mama 

on the coldest days. 

Those lights will be turned off this weekend. 

As my friend Vickie said, 

"That's a happy, healthy lamb!" 

Many of you who have read this blog for the last ten years 

know that I am a huge circus fan. 

I rarely get to go any more, and I post this knowing that some people are 

going to be angry that I admit to this love for an old tradition.  I had the pleasure of 

knowing some long time circus workers, and several performers in the "old days"... and belonged to Circus Fans of America for years. 

Saturday, despite the cold, I took Paiton and Jax to Garden Brothers Circus. 

There are no longer any elephants on the show, or big cats. 

They did have a pony sweep, very small ponies for very small kids, and 

one camel.  I looked, all animals were in great shape.  The only animals 

in the performance were four trick horses ridden by the Cossack riders, 

and one dog, in a clown skit.  The horses were led around at intermission 

for the larger kids to ride.  

The performers were young, in great shape, and put on a great show. 

If you have a chance to see them... they often do Shrine Circus shows...

then take advantage of it. 

We were in the front row. 

We ate a lot and had a great time. 

Paiton has continued all winter with her riding lessons, 

and I get to take her on Friday afternoon.  I'll try to get 

some good pictures to show where she is now, after nearly a year 

of lessons.  I'm so proud of her, she rode on some really cold weekends, 

and had to go out in the field and catch Appy, her regular mount.  

They did cancel lessons this weekend, in the sub-zero weather, thank 

heavens. 

We are headed for fifties, and they can't come soon enough!

Jester might even be able to come out of hibernation!