Thursday 26 February 2015

The depths of winter...

blankets of snow
It's been so very cold. The temps range from -25 C. at night to -5 C. in the sunny days. The sun is warmer in its equinox.

 The snow piles up, wrapping a blanket around sleeping spring bulbs. Evergreens have icing sugar dollops on their branches.

In the dark nights, which are getting shorter, I still have lights on a timer. They are so pretty.

Updates:

  • Hubby's back is bad. Not as bad as it's been, but we're mothering him. I have several blog buddies who are in caregiving roles. We have to take care of the caregivers!
  • I'm still taking physio for my Achilles tendonitis, but flexibility is increasing. I'm still able to manage my chores. After I snowshoe, I have to stretch like stink.
  • The deer with the broken ankle is still managing in the deep freeze. No coyote tracks around, what with the roadkill down the highway.
  • No sign of my Saw-whet owl. I've ordered a nesting box, which I'll get next week. I'll keep you posted.
  • 38 cm (15") of snow cover
    My metre stick behind the bird bath.
  • Queen Sady cat's chronic rhinitis, which Hilary aptly named, is about the same. Lord Buster Brown is fed up being indoors. He's trying to play with Queen Sady, and it's not going well. We are sequestering the two of them at various times of the day. They are more trouble than the other three combined.
  • The cats watch the squirrels from indoors. They going nuts ('scuse the pun), wanting to get out. I open the door, they sniff the air, shake a paw knowing the cold, and withdraw. We spend much time grooming them, playing games, and keeping them amused. I videotaped Annabelle and Daisy (below).
  • The chickadees have changed their tunes. A harbinger of spring. March will bring us some goodness, and promises, I'm sure.
Red squirrel stares back!
Three cats in the window

Lady Annabelle watches squirrels
WHAT?


Feline Playtime from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
Princess Daisy is under the footstool. Lady Annabelle of Ashton wants to play. The footstool has a hole in the top where we drop toys in. It's Daisy's favourite spot, we call it turtling. She's done it forever. We drop toys down the top.

They were more easily amused in the old days

In 2013 simple games worked


grooming her big bro
turtling in 2013
Feb. 2013 snow playtime

9 comments:

eileeninmd said...

I am with your kitties, I wish winter was over.. Cute photos and videos! Have a happy day!

Nancy J said...

Watching them play, fun with the simplest of toys, Snow, heaps of it, will there be zillions of gallons of slush when it all finally melts? Keep warm.

Hilary said...

I'm sorry your hubby is feeling poorly. I hope it can ease some soon.

I'm noticing the change in the Chickadee's songs too... since about mid-January. More like their squeaky gate song now. :)

Powell River Books said...

Now your Daisy is reminding me of Stick Tail, especially that picture in the sidebar. He had a stare just like that and the fur was just about the same length. I would go across the hall to see my friend's cats, but she got feral ones from the pound and they will not come out of anyone else is around. Thanks for taking care of my need for a cat fix. - Margy

Red said...

Hang in there. It may be tough but life does get better when we work at it. So work on the health. As you say stretching helps. When you're 75 you just have to stretch more. I can tell you that from experience.

William Kendall said...

Boy is it fun watching Daisy and Annabelle

Out To Pasture said...

Your tree and backyard are post card pretty! Sorry about your hubby's bad back and your still healing ankle. Excellent wildlife update. I haven't been outside enough lately to notice the change in chickadee song though I do hear the crows courting.
Cheers, Florence

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
That is a fine dose of cuteness to start the day!!! YAM xx

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I hope you and your hubby both heal quickly. You got beautiful pictures!