Another blizzard is blanketing the garden.
By morning the bird feeder will be none existent buried with snow.
I will need to wake early to brush it off not just for the birds
but for the squirrels who awake at dawn searching for breakfast.
Shovels are near by to create a path but will I be ready
to clear a path? Depends on the night. I’m sure they will understand
if I sleep in this night. If not lunch will be ready by noon.
The wind blows bitter coating the land with snow, a dry snow, making the inches easier to shovel. Days on end the shoveling persists clearing walks and ways making travelling passable.
Nights are spent with road crews working in the cold to make this town safe for travellers, be it those who need to reach their destinations in and out of town, commuters to the city. Bless them.
The morrow will see another clean up as the snow gods are relentless this night. Bed will be a reprieve while I rest to wake for another day of shoveling. Banks are already four feet high and my arms don’t have the throw as they once had.
It has been a bitter winter...
after nights snowfall
bright wanning crescent moon plays
hide and peek with clouds
Another snow storm coats the landscape in winter white. Yews bow with its weight after their berries were plucked clean by European Starlings. Mourning Doves visit the feeder during the storm once they woke from nesting in the cedar hedge. They have become the earliest of visitors taking flight when I fill the feeders. They know my footsteps.
The family of squirrels return mid morning to feast. The usual suspects of four blacks and two greys scramble for the piles of sunflower seeds I spread out, wishfully thinking there is no squabbling. That doesn’t mean they eat in peace for they do argue among themselves. I spread an extra Christmas treat of peanuts that were devoured in an hour.
When the squirrels are full and move onto another garden the songbirds fly in. Junco’s, Chickadees, and Cardinals alight soaring in, choosing a seed then fly into the tree’s to eat. They are silent and I miss their songs.
As night appears the bunnies hop in searching for leftover seed. Carrots are left below the bird feeder and am happy they have disappeared by morning. Their paw prints continue through the garden and onto the veranda where I am sure they shelter under during the winter. The front drive is scattered with paw prints every morning. O they know where a good meal may be found.
Tomorrow there will be a clean up before Christmas Day’s feast with family. Parka, scarves, two snow pants and sweaters, and heaven forbid socks in the snow boots will be donned. Merry Merry to all. There will be a white Christmas after all.
ripples over Ponds
surface, meteors shock waves
during pass over
It was end of the day as I stood on the patio searching for fire-flies.
I heard a soft boom, if a boom may be considered soft, and looked up.
Soaring over was a brilliant light of orange travelling horizontally above the tree line.
I smiled not having seen one in years.
Note to self:
always keep my eyes
looking upward during twilight.
The day began with tea in hand and wandering into the coolness of the garden at 5 am. Light was soft with a pleasant quietness. How I adore these mornings when all is still. I plan transplants and what is working for my eye. Japanese Ferns do not thrive in brilliant sun so it needs to be moved. The Double Mock Orange requires a bit more shade so add that to my list.
It is the perfect time for a gardener, a painter with plants, and yes a dreamer.
All of which I am.
Wednesday morn past I woke to squawking birds at the feeder. This wasn’t normal at 5 am so after dressing I ran to open the patio door thinking it was one of the bloody neighbourhood cats. I stood staring uttering “O Hell no!” and ran out flaying arms and shouting. Well, quietly shooshing as it was early and didn’t want to disturb my neighbours.
Sitting on the feeder platform was the largest raccoon I have ever seen. It stood and glared at me and I glared right back. Slowly it turned and latched onto the tree beside the feeder. I don’t know which one of us was more stunned.
Slowly it crawled its way up to a crook in the tree where it spent hours in the sun on one of the hottest days so far. I did feel for it. Really, just look at that cute face staring down for hours. Doncha feel an awwwww.
It disappeared before noon and though I searched I didn’t find its hidey hole.
Until...while night rose one more look out I found it backing down to the feeder. I was ready for it. The Ultra Super Soaker was locked and loaded. My aim is rather good and after delivering a soaking of water it disappeared into the darkness not to be seen again, at least for now.
Note that the feeder and patio is swept clean every evening and fingers crossed this night visitor will return to the park along the river.
This week I walked my garden taking stock of plants showing life, or not. My eyes looked down and was surprised to see clumps of Crocus in full bloom. Royal purple, buttercup yellow and white greeted me. Though I am unsure where the white ones came from as it is the last “colour” I want to see after months of snow.
My ears perked up to the thrum surrounding my feet. Honeybees! They had woke from winter slumber and were sipping nectar of the Crocus. My heart jumped at this omen. Truly a good omen. I walked around the garden and everywhere there were blooms not just from Crocus but Scillia as well. The tiny blue flowers that are harbingers of Spring were filled with Honeybees. O happy days!
If one looks closely you will find Honeybees sipping from the royal purples. The perfect beginning to Spring in my garden.
robin of red breast
greets new day with joyous song,
slowly spring arrives
Burrowed in worn quilts
as another blizzard
covers the land
in its own natural form
of protection and warmth
3:30 a.m. the watcher stares
out into the neighbourhood.
It is silent, and dark until
a figure appears plodding
along the street.
Another like the watcher
who can’t sleep this night,
walks alone in its own world.
One night the watcher
will join the figure offering a cuppa...
