Snowblowing

For those of you who live in states with little snow, the snowblower is an invention that has changed lives. See all that open space?  In the old days, we shoveled by hand. People sprained backs, twisted knees, and lost toes to the cold. Now we start the machine and off we go.  Yes, it's still bitterly cold, but at least now we can clear out in less than an hour.  We have enough work that we could use a small tractor, but we'd need more storage ... and more money. Maybe I should have named this post "Ode to a Snowblower." 

Ups and Downs of Minnesota Weather

Let's start with the down.  On Sunday, January 5, 2014, I took this photo.

The photo below is the view from my window during the polar vortex.  Yes, that is ice (and a pirate of the feminine persuasion).

Here's the up.  On Sunday the 12th I took this photo. I didn't use photoshop on any of these photos. Sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction.

In the interest of full disclosure, the below zero photo is on the north side of the house, which may give it a little cooler reading.  The above zero reading is on the south side of the house, which warms up in the sun. But you get the idea.  It was really cold.  And then we were embarrassed to be seen in our parkas.  This is the craziness of living in Minnesota. 

Hidden Maples

A Minnesota blizzard strands murder suspects in a bed and breakfast. Deputy Sheriff Emmett and Magnolia (a friend and maybe something more) work to solve the mystery as tensions rise. When the power goes out, who will be the next victim?  This mystery novella is available on amazon.com as an e-book for 99 cents.  I had a lot of fun writing this book because I love mysteries.  This story is not gross or especially violent and might even be rated G if not for a murder.  For some people, that's not a big selling point, but for a squeamish me (I can't watch the body scenes on the television show Bones), it's the kind of thing I enjoy. I hope you enjoy it, too.  

P. S.  Sorry for the interruption of the normal gardening topics...I will resume when the weather cooperates.  Perhaps June?  That's a joke (I hope). 

Merry Christmas

For years I've been trying to convince my husband that chickens would be a lovely addition to our country lifestyle.  They'd be for eggs and as pets (I get too attached for the other-reason-which-I-cannot-name). When our neighbors asked us to babysit (okay, feed) their chickens, I thought this would be a great opportunity to try it for a week.  After the first day, my husband says, "No."  I've got a few more days for those chickens to grow on him.  Wish me luck.  And I wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.  

Winter Has Arrived

Crystal blue sky.  Long shadows.  Vast expanse of white.  That's what you see in this photo.  Frigid temperatures.  Bitter wind. That's what I felt when I took this photo.  Winter has definitely arrived.

A Little Silliness

There's not much happening in the garden now. The leaves have fallen and we're waiting for snow.  So I thought I'd post a little silliness.  A co-worker asked us to take photos of ourselves as superheroes.  Here's what I came up with...

 

Invisible Woman Susan Storm married Reed Richards. They decided to retire.  Here are some action shots of her (very brief) retirement:  raking,

cooking,

and mending

(her costume, just in case).

The Sounds of Fall

 

In this short video, you'll hear the hum of a tractor working in the field, the wind blowing, a woodpecker pecking on our house (yikes!), and a nuthatch scolding me for being too close to the bird feeder. Since I grew up in a city, these sounds are delightful to me compared to the roar of a motorcycle or the wail of sirens.  Even after living here several years, I'm still adjusting to the sounds of gunshots.  Thankfully, there are none in this video.  In the country, it seems like its always hunting season.