Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Looking For That Christmas Tree.
Greetings all! It’s the last Friday before the last weekend before Christmas. I actually went shopping this morning. I was reminded why I don’t like doing such things. It’s just WAY too busy at the stores! I just don’t enjoy that. But I did it anyway. Now I should be able to stay away from stores until next year. Hopefully. Sigh. There is enough food for everyone, Muffin, birds, squirrel and me. Amazing. It is supposed to snow tonight. And tomorrow. Sigh. Most people would think that is great. Right before Christmas. Perfect. Not me however. Oh well. I think cabin fever is starting to affect me already. Sigh. Today the sun was shining for a bit. It was 12F. 0F with the windchill. And I was outside. Bare hands. Trying to get some pics of various birds. My fingers turned a dark red. No feeling. Until I came back inside. Then the pain hit. Sometimes I think I’m stupid. Only sometimes? Sigh. Did get some nice pics though. And I can move my fingers now.
It was a milder day as Dad and I went after another Christmas tree. But the snow was deep that year. We had receiver 40 inches of snow that November. We should use snowshoes, I suggested to Dad. He just looked at me like I was crazy. I thought it was a good idea. So did Mom. So off we went. Parked the car at a spot that looked good. We put on our snowshoes. You go first, said Dad. Naturally. I get the hard part. The snow was soft. I was used to snowshoes. Dad was not. As we began our trek into the forest I heard a scream of sorts. I turned around to see Dad laying face down in the snow. Helping him get up was no easy chore. How did you manage to fall?, I asked. Stepped on the snowshoe, he said. You’re not supposed to do that, I reminded him. BONEHEAD! Considering he was covered with snow I don’t know why he could be enjoying himself. For my new readers, whenever Dad said BONEHEAD I figured it must mean he was enjoying himself. Why else would he say that? I think it actually means something like, your head is empty. But I like my definition. Dad was never mad when he said that. Just something he said. Anyway, off we went again. Dad said to slow down. Fine. Dad stayed behind me a ways for safety. Why? At one point there was a large spruce tree with low branches so I had to push one out of the way. Since Dad was so far behind I knew it was safe to let go of the branch. AAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! I turned. Dad was laying in the snow again. On his side this time. He claimed the branch knocked him over. Probably stepped on his snowshoe again. You lost your hat, I remarked. I picked it up and gave it to him. AAAAA!!! It’s full of snow, he said, why didn’t you dump the snow out of it? I thought you would do that. Had to help him up again. He wanted to rest awhile. I’ll scout around a bit, I said. Fine. It was quiet. No wind. Cloudy. Not even any birds. At the base of a pine up pops a little brown head. He looked around a bit. Then jumped out of his little tunnel and up the tree he went. Looking for some lunch no doubt. Found a real nice tree close to that spot. Hmm, Dad has the saw. Back I went. Dad let me have the saw. He didn’t want to go any further. Got the tree and returned to where Dad was waiting. Still so amazingly quiet. Except now it was snowing. Heavily. Amazing how quickly it started. I handed Dad the saw. You carry it, said Dad. I already have the tree. Oh well. Dad was having trouble with those snowshoes. He decided to take them off and walk instead. Not a good idea. After a little ways trudging through the deep snow he tripped on something. Down he went. How did you manage to land on your back? Never mind, he said. He had snow all over his face. And down his neck. When did you take your glasses off?, I asked. Oh no! He lost them in the snow. I’ll help look, I offered. Stay back! Odd. He actually found them fairly quickly. And by now there was almost 2 inches of new snow. We did walk a long way. Finally back at the car poor Dad was huffing and could barely walk. The snowshoes would have been easier, I said. Forget it, he said. Then it was off to our favorite COFFEE shop. It stopped snowing by the time we arrived there. Nothing like a good cup of hot COFFEE after a refreshing walk like that, I said. Dad just looked at me. But he did enjoy his COFFEE.
I won’t be posting again until Christmas day. Well, hey, I need to do something that day. Besides playing with Muffin. Until then, Merry Christmas everyone!
Steve and Muffin. (The featured image at the top is not mine)
Christmas Tree Fun! Sort Of.
Good evening readers! Yes, I know. It’s Wednesday. Why am I writing today? Just felt like it. Don’t expect this all the time. Before I forget, there are some new pics in my gallery for your enjoyment. Or not. I will be adding some more over the next few days.
All set for Christmas? Muffin and I are getting there. A fun filled day. Opening presents. Playing games. Eating. We have a great time. Really. And her present to me actually arrived yesterday. Didn’t think it would make it before Christmas. Yes, I know what it is. I had to order it. But she picked it out. With help. But I did ask her for input. Is this the one you want? She meowed. I asked a second time to make sure. She meowed again. Purrfectly timed. And in her little kitten like meow. It’s very soft. That’s her talking meow. Okay. People think I’m crazy. I probably am. But I do get what I want. And so does she. Special food. New toy. Which she usually doesn’t play with. She prefers the paper. Or anything else. Like the decorations. Sigh. And a new blanket. Which she will like.
Dad and I were off to get a tree again. There was a small lake in the way. There was nice looking trees on the other side. Naturally. Let’s just cross the lake here, said Dad, it’s not too far. Fine, I said. You go first, said Dad. Naturally. Don’t worry, he said, it’s solidly frozen by now. Right. Then why am I going first? And why is Dad staying 30 feet behind me? Sigh. About two thirds of the way across I heard a small cracking sound. That’s okay. A few feet later I heard a very loud and long cracking sound! Forget the lake, I froze! There was no snow on the ice at this point. I looked down at my feet. That looks like water, I said as I turned around to Dad. There was slush in my footprints all the way back to where Dad was. I say ‘was’. Dad was already heading backward. Naturally. He stopped to see what was going to happen. Thanks. I hit the ice with my heel. The ice broke. Water came up on the ice. This is not where I should be. But I was. I really didn’t want to move. But I figured staying put was not a good option either. So I quickly and carefully walked backward. There was lots of cracking. I prayed I wouldn’t fall through. That would not be fun. By the time I got back to where Dad was, he was already back on shore. Which is where I wanted to be. And made it. You certainly backtracked fast, I said. I wanted to make sure I was safe so I could help you, he said. Naturally. Back on shore we both noticed a very nice tree not far from us. Naturally. A pileated woodpecker landed on a tree close by and started laughing. They really do sound like they are laughing. Ha, ha, I said in return. They are a beautiful bird. A flock of chickadees were around us as we cut the tree. And on the way back we saw a black-backed three-toed woodpecker. One of the less common woodpeckers we have and it’s always a treat to see one.
It is mild today and has actually been raining most of the day. Very odd weather for us. The featured image at the top was taken yesterday, Dec. 18, that is not normal for this time of year, looks more like fall. Not much activity at the feeders today either. The gray jays were here. Still didn’t get a pic though I tried. I go out without my camera and they stay around. I go out with my camera and they are gone. Sigh. One of these days.
Enjoy the remainder of your week and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
Steve`s Country 