Good morning on this beautiful sunshiny day! As I sit here and look out my window at the clear, vivid blue sky, the sun shining on the trees, it makes me think that spring is in full swing. Then I step outside into reality. The ground is still white with 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45cm) of snow, it is cold with a temperature of 23F (-5C) and there is a strong north wind blowing. It definitely feels like winter, not spring. And the long range forecast for the next 10 days does not look promising either. It looks very winter like actually.

Sir George was here for breakfast earlier, but Lady Pearl was absent. I think she probably went back south. Sir Charles showed up yesterday afternoon, so that was nice to see. Not many ring-billed gulls in town yet which is quite amazing. This would make it the latest year yet for them returning to our area. There was a few juncos out here this morning. Undoubtedly some that had come back before when the weather was nice and they are now looking for some easy food.

That sounds good, I like to help out. They are quite tough little birds and can survive with little food for a while, though not too long. They can also become quite friendly. It is nice having the sun shining though, even if it is cold. Sunshine makes everything feel so much better. I like rainy days as well, but there is just something about a sunny day that is so invigorating, it gives a person energy and a desire to get things done.

But rainy days are also good in different ways. They can provide a refreshing break and a good opportunity to be indoors and get some indoor projects accomplished. I did that during our snowy, cold days here this week. For one thing I put new carpet on Muffin’s scratching pole. She reminded me by scratching my area rug, something she never does. Her scratching pole was looking bad. Now it is fixed and I will show that project in a different post. While lying in bed with Muffin beside me, she suddenly gets up and looks out the window.

That usually gets my attention. Then I heard an owl hooting outside. It was a Barred owl, one of our large owls. It was so clear the owl must have been close. So I looked out the window too. Muffin was actually looking at the neighbors cat, not the owl. I could not see the owl, but it was kind of dark out there. Although a big owl, they normally just go after small prey, like mice. This owl has been around for at least 3 years now, though I have yet to see it.

Oh well. Time for more coffee, would you like another cup too? Have a wonderful day and God bless!

Steve and Muffin. (Praying for the people of Ukraine)

©2022 Steve McLeod.