My husband's traditional anniversary gift
Today we awoke to more fog and gray...a bit disheartening. Then, as we headed in for church, the clouds began to break and before long there was actual, real sunshine! I was wishing for my sunglasses. Between church and choir rehearsal we drove out to Columbia Point, and found the family of geese you see pictured above, along with widgeon and lots of coot. We wandered a bit along the river, then headed back to church so I could attend choir rehearsal.
When we got home, I did a few chores, then went outside in forty-plus degree weather to finish getting the tumbleweeds out of the garden. The weather was so lovely, I ended up cleaning up a good deal of my vegetable garden that I hadn't yet gotten to. And I checked to see which trees the deer like the best. So far, they're focusing on the dogwood. They've checked the apricot, hazelnuts, gingko, linden and magnolia trees, and left them alone. They have nibbled a bit on the walnut trees, and have lightly pruned the tips of the raspberries and the roses. So far, their far and away favorite, are the leaves of the strawberries and the leaves of the zebrina hollyhocks. I never get to see the deer - just the hoofprints, and the nests in the grass out back. They have been here since last weekend for sure - there were fresh prints, and a couple of broken branches. (They don't really seem to bother watching where they're going.)
Being outside is always balm for my soul. There were juncos and white-crowned sparrows flying back and forth, doing quite a lot of chattering. The frost was beginning to come out of the ground already - at least I was able to plant a pitchfork into it with no difficulty. And the garden beds are looking like it's getting near time to till. It's almost February - traditionally for me, the time of year when winter turns the corner, and will soon be gone. A month of hope. May it be a month of hope for you, as well.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment