Winter Doldrums
- February 14, 2011
- Category: Daily Diary
- (19) Comments
I admit I have the winter blues. Day after day of below zero weather and little sunshine have wreaked havoc with my spirit; especially when I hear the rest of the country is in the middle of a warm up. I haven’t blogged recently either but life goes on no matter the season.
Mountain Man is busy creating hand made doors for the closets in the Ozarks house. He tells me door making is a lost art these days.
Although he is busy, I am idle. I contemplate the scene outside my bedroom window.
I think about one of my favorite movies,”Dr. Zhivago.” The ice palace in Varykino comes to mind. Oh, how I longed to have an Ice Palace after seeing the movie. And now I do. I wait for the landscape to inspire me. It’s beautiful but still no creative thoughts. Oh, well. Perhaps another day. And when the new day dawns, it is beautiful.
But more snow is in the forecast. Snow has become a problem this year. As Uncle Tractor mentioned just finding a place to put all the snow is difficult. I watch as Mountain Man works creating tunnels and mazes.
Day after day of snow and cold means the roofs are overburdened and in danger of collapsing. Mountain Man worries about his sawmill and decides to head up there to hand shovel it.
It’s heavy, wet snow. I’m worried he’ll be hurt but he’s more worried about his sawmill being damaged. I head off to visit my turkeys and find them gazing forlornly at the snow.
But they are fortunate birds. I read about 85,000 chickens being killed when a roof collapsed. I count my brood and try to imagine what it must be like to care for 85,000 chickens. I’m happy with my tiny flock.
Next, a visit to my friend’s barn. The parking lot, usually filled with cars, and the noise of children taking riding lessons, is empty. The cold makes riding difficult even with an indoor ring.
I think even the horses are tired of winter this year. Grazing on sweet grass is a distant memory.
Wild turkeys roam the pastures. Little do they know turkey hunting season will be opening soon.
They are so different from my pampered, well fed brood. They are survivors.
I watch my friend ride her beautiful, young mare.
“Horses are shedding like crazy.” she says. “They must know something we don’t.”
“I sure hope so.” I reply as I think about the weather forecast for the next night; minus 4.
But with each sunrise, with each day of frigid weather, there is a quiet beauty.
The earth is resting and I am learning patience.
Thanks everyone for visiting us. I appreciate the time you take to leave your thoughts and comments. And a very special request; if you have time, please say a prayer for my nephew who is deploying to Afghanistan on Thursday and each day when you have a moment, if you can, say a prayer as well for all those brave men and women in uniform who work so hard for our freedom. It is because of their service and sacrifices, I am able to live my life on Red Pine Mountain.
I enjoy your photos and writings so much. I wish that I would be able to have some animals one year..lol…besides my German shepherd.
Life is reall about being thankful for the things we do have and not being concerned about those we do not. I am grateful for your nephew as he heads out to be of service to our country. I will keep him in my good thoughts and prayers…
Thanks for the good morning… Enjoy your Valentines day with your sweetheart..
Date: February 14, 2011
I guess it’s easy for me to say what breathtaking views surround you… in Kentucky we get enough to make it momentarily pretty, though I did grow up in upstate New York, so I can identify with the length of the season and the depths!!!
Take good care:)
Date: February 14, 2011
I’ve got something sure to make you smile through your winter blues, Your story has garnered the first comment over at ‘ The Write About Love Project ‘ Thanks so much for your contribution. Stay warm!
Date: February 14, 2011
I would not live where you live. I don’t like the snow. At. All. I couldn’t do it for one winter.
Prayers for your nephew. Bless all those that serve our country to protect our freedom.
Have a terrific day.
Date: February 14, 2011
Oh boy and I thought we had snow! i sure know how you feel. You will have to show pictures of the door when it is done.
Date: February 14, 2011
Oh, yeah, I’ve been hearing about the heav y snows and it’s bad for roofs if you don’t keep it offf. I’ll be praying for that, that you can manage to keep it off so the roofs stay solid and in good condition.
Oh, your animals are so cute adn I never get tired of reading about their adventures…even in all of this snow
I love that Mountain Man can make all this stuff with his hands. That really is a skill 
We haven’t had snow in my town yet. However, tody is really, really windy. It’s like it came out of nowhere. So it’s hard to say what kind of weatehr we have com ing around the corner!!!
Have a great day
Happy Valentine’s Day too 
Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 
Date: February 14, 2011
I hate to hear that you have the doledrums.
I think you should come down here and visit the herd.
We are not far from your place. You need to see something DIFFERENT. To change the “wallpaper” as we say here.
We have had our share of sadness the past 6 weeks..
First the barn burned down Dec 18th.
Then the other barn collapsed last Sunday morning……….
I will spare you the details.
Come visit, come smile:
http://www.tailgait.blogspot.com
Date: February 14, 2011
I saw my first robins on Saturday. I do think winter’s back is broken and we are now moving to a gradual thaw. We expect temperatures into the 40′s by the end of the week. Old man winter isn’t over with us yet, bu he looks like he is backing away.
Date: February 14, 2011
One of the reasons I love Nebraska living is the destinct four seasons. Just when one is starting to wear on the psyche the next season comes. Spring and fall are my personal favorites. These seasons are at least a couple months long and I enjoy them to the fullest. Last week was bitter cold with temperatures zero and below for several days. This week the temperatures are in the middle 40s with a promise we might see 60 before the weekend. All the snow will be gone in a couple more days if this weather keeps up. I expect we will get one more winter blast before spring is truly here.
Date: February 14, 2011
I so understand your winter blues. With the white white world and long lasting frigid temps winter got very old very quickly!! Sure makes you enjoy the break from cold and snow all the more.
I hope the worst of winter is behind us and for you too SOON.
Date: February 14, 2011
This evening the wind started whipping up a frenzy–not sure why. But I like to think it is Spring fighting to plant a foothold here in the Pacific Northwest and ol’ man winter fighting back. However, we already know Spring is going to win this tug-o-war!
Your pictures are beautiful, but I know that I, too, would get depressed with that much snow for that long a time!
That Mountain Man of yours is one very special person. Unfortunately, I think God broke the mold after making him!
Date: February 15, 2011
Wonderful photos! So much beauty and yet how we long for spring…
Date: February 15, 2011
Stay warm my friend
I can’t imagine having all of that snow. I pray that the thaw comes soon for you there. Hugs!
Also, I send my prayers for your nephew. May God keep him in His care always.
Date: February 15, 2011
Well my patience is gone. WHEW! Look at that snow. I would be like your man up there shoveling. COME ON SPRING!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Date: February 15, 2011
I long for a 1 day snow here on the Gulf Coast of Texas but all it has done is just be unusually cold. Your photographs are so beautiful and I look forward to your new posts. I pray your nephew will be safe and also all the other men and women who serve our country. I also am grateful to them for their service to keep us safe here at home.
Stay warm iin your beautiful white wonderland.
Date: February 15, 2011
My posting today was lovely flowers and trees in bloom as I drive my son to catch his commute train t work in th mornings. It rained on Valentine’s and the day before so I wanted to get photos before the blossoms disappeared;
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/02/todays-flowers-lovely-blossoms-in-my.html#links
Also, my Valentine poem was written with thoughts of you in mind -
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/02/mellow-yellow-monday-108-valentine.html#links
Date: February 15, 2011
It’s no wonder you’re feeling a bit blue – you’ve certainly had your fill of snow and sub zero temps this winter, and it must be hard to hear the rest of the country is having a warm up when it’s what you long for. No matter how beautiful the setting and how much I look forward to snow, this time of year I start feeling enough is enough and long to be out in my garden. I think your friend is right about the horses knowing something if they’re shedding – warmer weather is coming. I’ve noticed just this past week my 2 cats are shedding like crazy too, and it’s not that warm here yet. Animals always know way before we do.
Date: February 16, 2011
Sorry you’re feeling a bit blue. But your place is very beautiful, unlike Oregon in winter which is just soggy and muddy. Maybe a full-spectrum light would make you feel a bit better.
Date: February 16, 2011
This winter has been unusually harsh. Cold, astronomical amounts of snowfall, dark, gray and dreary. Even the sunshine state of Florida has had more than its normal share of frosty nights and dismal days. I think more than the cold, it is the dark days that have gotten a lot of us down. Hopefully the sun and springtime is just around the corner.
Date: February 21, 2011