At 7:37AM the first bright gleam of sunlight appeared between the trees, over the stone wall, on the north side of the little roundtop by the barn. The stone wall on the east edge of my property runs north-south, and for months the sun has been appearing over the stone wall on the south side of the roundtop. By midsummer the sun will be rising so far to the north along the wall that I will only catch that first moment of light through the forest if I am already outside at dawn. Fortunately, I very often am outside at dawn.
It's well below zero F again this morning, and after just one rainy day last week my world is now entirely encased in frozen snow and ice. In particular, all my chore paths are now ice. Regardless: the first morning when I see that sudden bright gleam on the north edge of the roundtop is always a thrill.
Well, it's time to dust off the ice cleats. Here's hoping we all stay on our feet today.
~~~~~
It's good that we have markers to show the progress towards warmer weather. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteI am really going to try!
DeleteBy all means stay on your feet! Ice is no fun. We've finally gotten a reprieve from the icy cold, although the wind continues to remind us it's still winter.
ReplyDeleteWind makes such a difference! I can work through a lot colder temperature if there is no wind.
DeleteYaktrax rule! I watch for those signs of movement, too, where the sun appears, shadows in different places each morning.
ReplyDeleteLiz, could you do me a favor? Please check the yaktrax website and tell me which version you use. They've got about 10 designs now, all different. I'd very much appreciate a specific recommendation. Thanks!
DeleteI have some which I've never used,because I don't do ice,sorry. I got them to pacify my doctor! Maybe another reader can help. In fact I'll boost your signal on my blog and pass in anything useful that happens.
DeleteAs I just commented on Boud''s blog: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ice-cleats/ is a good overview.
DeleteI just came in to alert Quinn. Thanks, she's now alerted!
DeleteThanks everybody!
DeleteSounds pretty. And yay for sun (we've noticed it's not so dark at 5pm).
ReplyDeleteYes, my evening chores don't have to start at 3:30 now!
DeleteEek! I was just going to say "get out your ice cleats!" - then I read "it's time to dust off the ice cleats". Stay securely upright, and avoid windmilling arms (your shoulder will thank you).
ReplyDeleteIt's so reassuring to see the natural world on schedule. We too watch where the sun rises.
Chris from Boise
I couldn't windmill my arms even if I wanted to! :)
DeleteQuinn, check my blog for Sunday and see a helpful comment about ice cleats from a reader, as well as a comment somewhere in the last couple of days from Chris.
ReplyDeleteI love watching the gradual change in the sun's path too, Quinn. So dependable, regardless of the weirdness of weather and humankind!
ReplyDelete