For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Good morning everyone! It is a cloudy/sunny day here, and it is a bit on the chilly side. The temperature is 25F (-4C) with a rather strong north wind. The clouds and sun are taking turns right now. When the sun shines I cannot see much at all. Bad location to sit with my laptop I guess. I suppose my chair should be on the other side of the room instead. Oh well.
I would always enjoy days like this as I walked down to the river. The sun shining on the snow was so bright, but still so beautiful. And one day walking along I came to one area where the frost crystals were covering the snow everywhere. What a beautiful scene that was, and the only time I ever saw it like that.

Beautiful frost crystals on the snow.
Certainly it was a memorable day and I am glad to have gotten some wonderful pics of that frosted snow. We just do not normally get that kind of frost when there is snow on the ground. Then on another day a little further on from that spot was one of the many squirrels that lived along that path to the river. Scramble was my favorite and he became quite tame and would always come when I called him, even though sometimes he was quite some distance away.
But this was a different squirrel and I watched as he climbed a tall Red Pine tree. I took a picture looking up at that tree while the squirrel was about 80 feet up running around the branches, snipping off pine cones with his sharp teeth. He did not show up in the picture however.

This is where one of the squirrels lived.
He eventually made his way right to the very top of that tree, looked around, then came running down to the ground fast, like he was in a race, or perhaps being chased. But nothing else was around, though he may have spotted an eagle from up there.
Then as I kept walking I heard a familiar sound so I stopped and out from behind a tree came a Ruffed Grouse. He walked slowly across the path and disappeared among the trees on the other side. I did manage to get some pics of it though, so that was nice.

This is the Red Pine where the squirrel was having fun.
I admit, winter is not my favorite season of the year. Much too cold. And long. But there is beauty in every season, including winter. I hope you enjoy the pics today. Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2023 Steve McLeod.
Hi to all of you on this very cold Tuesday morning! Hehe! I get to say it first before my human does! Actually, it not so cold, in here anyway. Outside look freezing like so I glad to be inside snuggling with my human in his warm wool blanket. I tell him it time to bring out antique coverlet blanket. He say not yet, wait until December. I say to bring it out now. We have big discussion. My human bringing it out today and putting it on bed. Hehe! Here is today funny especially for American readers who having late Thanksgiving day time this week…
THINGS TO DO TO LIVEN UP THANKSGIVING DINNER
> When everyone goes around to say what they are thankful for, say, “I am thankful I did not get caught,” and refuse to say anything more.
> Bring a date that only talks about the tragic and abusive conditions known to exist at turkey farms.
> During mid-meal turn to mom and say, “See mom, I told you they would not notice that the turkey was past the expiration date. You were worried for nothing.”
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A surgeon was invited to Thanksgiving dinner at a friend’s house.
The host deftly carved the turkey and said, “I’d make a pretty good surgeon, don’t you think?”
The surgeon replied, “Anybody can take it apart. Let’s see you put it back together again.”
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Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings…one by one…as each relative goes home.
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That all for today, have nice day everyone!
Muffin.
©2023 Muffin McLeod.