Some writings to pass the time...

SEASONS WAIT FOR NO ONE:

I didn’t see it coming, was I ready, where was I?
Seasons wait for no one, winter came upon the sky
Arctic seasoned tree bark, like salt upon the sea
Creatures evade wind drifts; where do they all flee?

You cannot struggle-stop it, it builds tension in the soul
Waiting is your comrade, practice takes its toll
Eyes tightly closed my visions, take me to a summer rest
Meadows buzzing loudly, Winter is my test.

Enjoy it! Am I ready? Blindly took me by surprise
Beauty all around me softens nuisance through my eyes
Clutch us tightly Winter! For at some point you will go
You’ll shed your cloak of polar air, pick up your fleece of snow

Leaves will bud; where are they now? Ticking deep inside
Perfect timing, perfect poise will open them up wide
Sleepy creatures will immerge, near mountains and near sea
Seasons wait for no one, sensational to see.

Our Snowy December!

Click here for video of our snowy December!

Color me tired of snow and ice...

I’m dreaming of a “wet” Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the rain clogs storm drains
You change your car lanes
Without the worry about snow.

I’m dreaming of a “wet” Christmas
With every Christmas Card I write..
Where the cars aren’t slipping
Or people tripping
As they…go out in the white.

May your days be merry and foggy…
And may all your Christmas’s be soggy.

Over the river and through the woods...;

Today's transportation & exercise around the neighborhood....

Surviving the storms

Thankfully the "big storm" wasn't nearly as bad as predicted.  Our wind gusts got up to 50 mph last night and the snow was drifting, but it only knocked out power for about an hour or so.  We slept through the worst of it and woke up today to drifted snow everywhere- really quite beautiful.  We are also grateful that we don't have freezing-rain as predicted and as Seattle and surrounding areas are getting.  And...it's finally warming up a little bit.  We're closer to 30 degrees than we've been all week (28!-we'll take it)!  The normal temp of 40 will feel down-right warm when this weather finally ends!  Anyway, it's beautiful... here are some pictures...

A common sight outside the windows this week...

Drifted snow on the window sill...
The small wall of snow when we opened the door for Summit.  Snow meets kitchen...

Twas getting near Christmas....

That's Vil cruising our yard on appropriate transportation...
Fed-ex stuck in the yard after sliding down Ellen's driveway.  1 alder down...

Twas getting near Christmas, when all through streets
People were sliding- they needed some cleats!
Cars were abandoned by the freeways and such
Getting to work- was getting too much.

The Northwest was ready, the sanders were out
But who knew how to drive? Non-natives, no doubt.
Still imports, they struggled- ice cannot be beat
You really can't stop, with the wheels or the feet.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear?
But a weatherman saying more weather is near!
He called out each day- the snow was in store....
On Saturday
On Sunday
On Monday....
AND MORE!

On the top of the snow he said hurricane gusts
Stocking up freezers and fridges, were musts!
He said to be ready for the power to surge
But this year, we didn't "generator splurge" (I think I might purge).

And I heard him exclaim as I turned down for the night...
"Best wishes to all...there's no end in sight!"

He's BAAACK....

More fun bear stories to share.  During the week of Thanksgiving, we put our garbage out as usual on Friday for pickup.  Neither of us recalled the holiday schedule as being a day later than normal, so we just assumed they had come.  Generally, we put the cans out the morning of pick up and then, bring them back to the house that night or the next day (as nearly everyone does).  Saturday morning we woke up to drizzle and I happened to glance out the window.  The garbage can was down and bags were ripped apart strewing garbage all over our yard and the neighbors yard.  I promptly went down to pick up and came upon these tracks in the mud.  The rather large prints led me to believe that this bear too- had a happy Thanksgiving!
Then...2 nights ago Summit requested a very early morning potty trip (2am).  Vil graciously got up and took him out to do his business.  Within a few minutes he was barking furiously and Vil ran outside to call him in.  Summit was only 1/2 way across the yard- standing his ground and not wanting to go any further.  In hot pursuit of deer or elk, he's been known to take off and be gone a while- this was different... as he didn't give chase.  He ran back to the house and was happy to see the door close behind him.  The next day, I was trying to find the empty garbage can.  It was a Saturday and of course- the day after garbage day (why don't we learn?).  The windstorm had decided to move it around the yard, and old man Winter had laughingly put 5-6" of snow on top of it.  Finally I located the can in a ditch- and when I did.... once again discovered huge bear prints all around the can.  The can was completely empty- so no score for that bear this time.  I couldn't help feel a bit sorry for the big guy though- it's getting pretty late in the year and he needs his long winter nap- he's probably  very hungry and looking for something before he goes to bed.  Here's to a good night's sleep until next Spring, Mr. Bear!