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Our rain storm today, swiftly blowing out to the west this evening
We are quite fortunate in Washington state, weather wise that is, compared to the Northeast part of the United States. I have been listening for days to the weather folks explaining the huge storms that have been hitting the eastern portion of the U.S. Tonight I read some of the blogs that are located in the snowy part of our country and shudder to think what they are going through.
On the blog Slow Cook I read how they lost power last night for a few hours and when morning breaks they have to get out to the barn to feed and care for their farm animals -- trudging through cold temps and very deep snow! At the time of my reading they could not get out of their drive as their truck was stuck there.
Tabor over at Room Without Walls writes about the flocks of birds fighting over the food available from her feeder. They are fighting for survival she feels. She has photos of all the birds at her feeders.
It has been a tough winter for not only many humans but also the wild critters. I give thanks to the folks out there that are having a tough time getting around but still can find time to care for the animals, both wild and domestic.
When I get tired from cleaning my driveway of snow I think about the farmers that have an entire farm to unwrap from the heavy blanket of white and ice. It's beauty is tempered by the work that follows, allowing quite a game of tug-of-war.
ReplyDeleteBlogspot brings home personal storm stories of folks when the weather pounds certain areas. I have learned from these people what a tough lot we are in this country. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteYes, and another covering of beautiful fluffy white this morning, more snow clearing before I can get out (and I susepect the NYTimes won't be delivered). The sun is making it sparkle but we're all feeling "enough already." But more is expected later in the week.
ReplyDeleteYour photo is really lovely.
June -- Hope the public service folks are keeping your roads clear. I read on the national weather this morning that a warming trend for most of the nation is eminent! thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
DeleteBeautiful picture, stay warm!
ReplyDeleteSublime Birdy -- thanks for the nice comment about my photo. We had a very gusty rain with this storm (photo above) that I personally enjoyed. Mother Nature can be such a drama queen sometimes -- barbara
DeleteThe weather is unusually bad over most of the world.
ReplyDeleteJoanne -- As I understand the weather around here it has been very much like other winters -- rainy and overcast. Overcast can get to you if one is not careful to keep some interests going. Snow and ice in large quantities can be so daunting though -- especially when one is not prepared. thanks -- barbara
DeleteYou are so kind to mention me in your blog. Yes, those who have animals deserve the lions share of the admiration under these conditions. Shoveling paths to feed chickens, to help with lambing and to find the cows is most admirable.
ReplyDeleteTabor --- Always love you bird photos on your blog. Maybe you would be interested in this PBS video that I watched the other night -- http://video.pbs.org/program/great-plains-americas-lingering-wild/ thanks -- barbara
DeleteWe are finally getting some normal winter weather for the Texas Gulf Coast: lows in the 50s & highs in the 70s. I will tell you, these old southern bones are not up to dealing with the past several weeks!
ReplyDeleteWe've managed to keep the bird feeders full and the bird baths full of fresh water (even had to break ice almost an inch thick in the birdbaths!)
Florence -- The 50s to 70s sound so very nice. That is amazing that you had to break ice in your birdbath. I know that you and your husband are avid birders so naturally you both would be aware of how soon this weather can turn into disaster for our bird population. thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
DeleteIt's been everything here in southern central Colorado. It was close to 70 the last two days but the wind was just howling so the warm doesn't mean that much. 60 with a 30 mph wind is cold! Two weeks ago it was -16 and that happened one other time. it's snowed enough several time there was shoveling (a bit anyway) to be done. It always melts but the bottom line that even though it's better than many places it's still winter.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow start the 1900 mile drive to La Paz, Baja. Miss a bit of whats left and will try come Nov to miss most of it someplace. It's all about being more active in much nicer weather than here and hopefully being healthier because of it thus maybe live a bit longer. Just a thought anyway. I've hated winter/cold ever since my kid days. Winter becomes a huge negative after several months. There's still a ways to go too. I hope it gets better for everyone the rest of the way out.
One Fly -- That is quite a ride to La Paz, Baja. from central CO. I have visited the Baja peninsula only once for a half day. It was an interesting experience! I found the coast line absolutely gorgeous. Nice when one is retired and one can elect to ride out the weather wherever they choose. I was raised in snowy Michigan so I never knew weather otherwise when I was young. I find overcast days with rain everyday difficult since I was not raised around this type of weather -- that is what the Pacific NW offers as "winter."
DeleteDo have a safe trip and I'm sure you will come back to CO all tan and healthy. Thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
What a mystical photo, showing a side of this earth that we don't often see in daily life. Yes, daily life is being affected by extreme & unusual weather...Interruptions to electricity are so hard, we are soooo dependent on electricity. Here, we hope that the ice storms & power failures are over. The last snow was light & white & beautiful. Below zero temps & windy, but very sunny with longer days!
ReplyDeleteRita -- Your part of the country has gotten lots of national coverage of your winter storms. I like snow but too much is too much. And electrical outages -- no thank you. In 2009 in KY. I spent five days in 18 degrees weather inside my home unable to get out to go anywhere due to my icy location. I spent the time reading under my covers, hat and jacket on and every blanket I owed on top of me.
DeleteLooks like a bit of snow for your area by tomorrow but should melt in the afternoon. Crazy weather -- will soon be spring -- thanks -- barbara
I like both your new banner and this storm-related one.
ReplyDeleteBirdman -- thanks so much -- both cover the feeling of the Pacific NW weather -- barbara
DeleteIt's true. Storm after storm here. Unable to keep the birder feeders full I've no begin spreading corn on the ground for more than a dozen usually very shy deer who've begun eating sunflower seed. They must be getting desperate with the snow move the three feet deep in the nearby woods....
ReplyDeleteTroutbirder -- Do deer eat hay/straw? I imagine if they do and if you spread it you'd end up with a large herd! I guess not a very good remedy for the deer at your place. I know that in heavy snow years in MI they have high die-offs of deer. It is really a tough year for the ever decreasing wild population in these storm areas -- lets just hope Mother Earth knows what she is doing. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteWishing your weather would slide south -- California would be thrilled!
ReplyDeleteVicki -- Yes, I understand CA is in an awful dilemma with their water. As I understood Washington's situation with water -- it was drier than usual until the recent rains. Nothing like CA though. Water is the gift of life -- are we good caretakers of this more than valuable resource? -- barbara
DeleteI love how in the midst of snow storms people think about the animals. Yes, the NE makes this part of the country seem quite mellow.
ReplyDeleteRubye -- Yes, especially today as the sun is coming out bright and shiny and the temps are rising to 50 degrees as the NE coast is having severe storm warnings. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteI almost feel guilty for enjoying a perfect day today in Hilo, Hawaii, even swimming in the ocean. We have family visiting us, and they keep wondering if it would work if they "missed" their plane tomorrow and had to stay longer. We have had a lot more visitors to the Islands than usual, which I attribute to the awful weather elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteHattie -- Perfect weather in Hawaii brings many guests -- escaping winter storms -- or someplace else where an escape from hot weather brings relief such as a cool mountain cabin for a visit. This winter has been peculiar for many reasons. thanks -- barbara
DeleteEnough is enough. It's been more than a decade since this much snow and bitter cold here in Bluff Country. Two night ago we lost power for 20 hours and I missed dearly the Franklin stove we had in our old house....
ReplyDeletetroutbirder -- Oh how miserable to lose power for such a long period of time. I've been there - done that in the past. Always have lots of warm blankets handy. Perhaps a small wood stove would be handy in the house you live in now. Stay snug -- spring is just around the corner -- at least that is what the rumor is.-- thanks barbara
DeleteI have seen that parts of the USA has had a hard winter. I'm glad that someone looks after those who are not always able to do it by themselves.
ReplyDeleteRunE -- Yes. parts of the U.S. have experienced a tough winter. I used to live in the state of Michigan and they have been hit extremely hard. I talk with friends there and they tell me about all the snow storms that have left piles of deep snow and the cold temps that drive up their heat bills. It is usual to help out each other in Michigan under such weather circumstances. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteWow, this is ART.
ReplyDeleteGunn -- Thank you for your nice comment. I visited your site and thought it was wonderful. -- barbara
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