The donkeys worked me over this morning, whinnying, braying, and batting their big brown eyes at me. They seem especially eager for company, and for some alfalfa cubes. It’s the weather; they can’t go out and soak in the sun and graze.

I resisted them for a bit, then finally caved. Lulu’s eyes get me every time.

The new thing is rolling storms; they come and go, switch from rain to snow and ice, and last four days. We lost power a little bit last night but got it back quickly. This morning, there was a cake of ice everywhere. I feel for the real farmers, out in this muck all day and much of the night.

I bought a retracting black cane to help steady me in ice and snow until I get my shoe brace in a few weeks. I might need it beyond that, but I don’t know. My body tilts when I walk, and the cane helps me steady myself.

I was very reluctant to get even this thin carbon retractable cane; I thought I’d look like an older man.

But then, I felt I was an older man, and it was time to own up to it.  The cane will help keep me from falling.

One of the exciting things about age is that I am never old inside of my head, only from the outside. I think that’s a good thing.

We are staying close to the farmhouse; our only excursion was to go out for breakfast, now a weekend tradition, and spend the rest of the time blogging (I go out several times looking for pictures.) I’ll listen to folk music on the Cafe Lena Stream tonight and start a new mystery.

More mystery writers’ recommendations are pouring in; thank you. I’m writing them all down.

I like taking pictures in the storms, sharp contrasts evocative images. There is beauty in it. We’re supposed to get a big storm on Sunday, I’m thinking about how to capture it. Maybe from inside the Pole Barn.

 

 

Maria got out the snow brush and cleaned the windshield. The ice has frozen a bit, but with the engine running, it melted quickly. We both are good at this, but she doesn’t care for me running around outside on the ice.

 

 

I keep wanting to take a photo of our fallen birch limb because it looks like some giant lizard if you see the trunk as an open mouth. Can you see the monster here?

 

Chickens have a good life out there in their dry roost.

Maria sent me out with some leftover Sherpa dumplings we got in a Korean restless (we didn’t like them).

I delivered to the roost, where the chickens hung out all day due to the snow and ice, which chickens do not like. I opened the side door, and they ate every bit. There was no tip. They really are imperious.

 

Three points – the tree, the statue, and the pot for flowers. I love the line and shape. I call it the Three Points In Snow Photo.

The sheep never cease to surprise me; they always find a way to graze, even in falling snow —Liam at the gate.

 

Snow Dog In A Storm. Those eyes remind me of a baby seal. She’d love to live out in the snow.

 

 

One more time. At the end of this cold, rainy, and snowy day, the donkeys tried again to lure me into another alfalfa cube. This time I said no for a change; my feet were cold and wet. They have perfected the art of looking piteous; I have not perfected the art of saying any to them. At least I don’t do it naked.