Life With The Crew

A Winter's Day

A Winter's day, perhaps the last real one, as the temps sound like they'll be a little more mild in the coming month of March.  And judging by the large flocks of robins we've been seeing, Spring is definitely on the way.  On this gray snowy day, we spotted a Brown Creeper busily looking for lunch on a Tulip Poplar and two Bald Eagles swirling around each other in the overcast sky.  With snowflakes lazily drifting down, we slipped our way over the ice through the field and wood.

With the upheaval in the world today, people's lives being threatened and destroyed by greed and power, I do not take these moments for granted.  These moments of peace and calmness with my daughter.  We admire the world around us, ask questions, notice details, and soak up the quiet.  And hope that some of it sticks with us as we go about our days.

February Beginnings

February started with the slight tease of Spring, and after frigid single digits, I felt guilty still feeling cold at "just freezing".  But then the rain changed to ice and the season meter was pushed firmly back to "Winter".  

I'm okay with that.  There are still audiobooks to listen to ("King of the Wind" by Marguerite Henry), books to read (The  Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson), and knitting projects.  My sidekick has been knitting a pink blanket for her kitten.  She first tried knitting when she was 8, which is an age that I had heard kids could pick it up.  She learned the knitting motion and was able to make several small squares, but only this winter (age 9), did it really click.  She has been knitting for an hour a day and asked to learn how to purl also.  I love seeing her sitting by the fire, listening to an audio, and knitting away on this blanket for her beloved Tiny Tim.  (And he had better appreciate all the hours and love she is putting into it!)

We have been hearing Great Horned owls calling in the early evening, as early as 6pm.  In Winters past, I have heard them in the middle of the night while my daughter was sleeping, so it was nice to be able to share it with her now.  This is the time period when they are choosing mates, so I've often heard one voice calling and then another answer from farther away.  I'm so glad that even in the suburbs, wildlife has figured out how to thrive around us.

On the knitting front, this wonderfully soft wool shawl with a lace pattern along the bottom is listed in my shop.  I just LOVE the color and would like it to find a home so I am not tempted to wear it!