Latest Book Club Selection

So the title of my blog includes the word "book" and I haven't posted about any in a very long time. My apologies!

My book club just met on Friday night to enjoy dinner and discussion of Garth Stein's The Art of Racing in the Rain. I first heard of this book from my sister, Bonnie who raved about it as we drove to the funeral of my aunt so was pleasantly surprised to discover it was our February read.

It's unusual in that it's not in first person, it's in first dog. Yes, the dog is telling the story and quite well. I'm not a dog person but I could still appreciate that there is intelligence there and maybe to the point Stein describes for Enzo, the dog, as he relates Denny's life story as he knows it. I don't want to give away the story, so watch the trailer above and look for the book to read it for yourself. It's a fast read and was well liked by all at the book club Friday night. I'm sure you'll like it, too.

Feeding Birds in a Blizzard

It's too windy and snowy to go out to fill the feeders so I am dumping birdseed out the window on to the deck. At first I went to the garage and got a cupful but then realized I should just bring in the whole can.


I am seeing sparrows of a wide variety, juncos, male and female cardinals, an occasional blue jay, titmouse, and one lone towhee. The chickadees and woodpeckers are sticking to the feeders.

Icicles!

We watched this icicle grow yesterday and figured that when we awoke on Monday it would have connected to the rain barrel. Sure enough it has. We have icicles all over, but this is the prize.

Dedication to the Birds

The day before the blizzard hit I meant to go get sunflower seed, but didn't. I emptied my cans into the feeders and filled up the suet cage in preparation for the big storm. All during the snow fall the birds were feeding and soon all the seed was gone. I threw out peanuts for them and even sunflower seeds that I eat shelled of course. Today we went out for gas, groceries and bird seed.

Here are my footprints going out to the first feeder - the tube hanging from the tree. The snow was up to my thigh and it was a workout to walk.

Here are my footprints coming back from the suet cage and the house feeder.

No sooner had I got in and taken off my wet pants and snow filled boots, the birds appeared. I put a seed bell in the suet cage. Here's a downy woodpecker going after it.
The harry woodpecker was also right on the seed bell as were the wren and the red-bellied woodpecker which I didn't get photos of. Word gets around fast that the bird seed is back.

The Day After the Blizzard

By the early morning light the view from the loft. The snow looks like it was cut like butter.

Icicles hang from the roof around the house.

Just a pathway cut to the shop.

Bluebird house adorned.

It will be awhile before the garden gate will open.

This reflector marks the edge of the driveway.


First pass with snow blower missed the driveway.

Remnants of the pine tree that fell across the driveway can be seen on the left side.

Icy but passable or so we think but haven't tried.

The glen .

Lower stretch of driveway.

Dogwood Road - one lane wide and snow covered.

Looking the opposite way on Dogwood.

Each branch caught almost a foot of snow. The snow drops with a plop or gets blown into the wind.

Blizzard of 2010

It's still snowing. I'll take more photos later today or tomorrow.