Perched at Home

It's been cold.   Cold and windy....cold!   Don't think I'm just a California girl complaining about a little chill, the past two nights it got down to 19 degrees.   And by early tomorrow morning there is a chance of a dusting of snow.   If it does snow and I get some photos, I'll show you proof.   It's happened before and it could happen again.   


So I am just perched here at home, mostly.   I bought groceries and ran other errands.   I bought chicken feed, including scratch for some warmth, shavings for the coop, and a fresh bale of straw for the donkey's shelter.   I cleaned out the coop and put in new shavings.   I cleaned out the donkey shelter and put in the new straw for them....well, mostly for the chickens.   The chickens have spent the better part of the past two days hunkered in the straw, out of the cold wind.   I'm having to break the ice on water buckets in the morning.   And I have pulled out the Goretex gloves that Erik turned over to me a few years ago.   They feel good.   

The sugar water in the hummingbird feeder froze over!   Fortunately it gets hit by the morning sun so it melted from the bottom up and I saw the hummers using it late yesterday.   I threw an old horse blanket over the faucet in the front but one of the plastic do-hickeys on the nozzle attached to the hose has broken.   I turned it on to fill up the water bucket and it sprayed very cold water back onto my jeans and shirt.   I stuck my foot into the water bucket to break the ice and then remembered that I had worn holes into my Boggs.   Freezing cold water seeped into my boot.   

Friends, those of you who take care of outside animals all winter long, and who live in cold climates where it snows and gets wicked cold, you have my admiration.   I couldn't do it.   I have reached the point in life where I don't want to be that uncomfortable.   I would prefer to turn on the heat, put on my slippers, get a hot cuppa  something, and stay perched at home.   


Comments

Anonymous said…
The cold of winter can sure create problems. Go get some new boggs!
Willow said…
Yup ... we do it here. Lugging warm water out to the critters several times a day in freezing weather most of the Winter , kinda get use to it after a while ...make the best of the routine somehow . Glad you admire me though .lol :))))
Unknown said…
Brrrrr, got cold just reading your blog today. You will get a reward for taking care of the critters, I am sure.
HI Denise That sure is cold. I am hoping that we do not get it that cold in N.Ireland. Keep warm.
TexWisGirl said…
freezing rain and frequent power outages here in texas, too.
Tabor said…
Stunning photo as you always do create!! This will pass and that nasty cold is heading here and we have a weekend road trip...on icy roads!!
C-ingspots said…
I hear that Denise! We are having the same cold snap that you're experiencing. Our thermometer yesterday read 17 and this morning was 18...but we're getting snow too. Now, we usually don't get that cold, and we rarely get snow, but usually when we do, it's wet and yucky. This is real snow. Powder. Pretty snow! Drove 25-30 all the way to work this morning and did fine...others, not so well I'm afraid. Lots of cars in ditches and in accidents. Crazy Oregonians don't know how to drive in this stuff. Here in the Willamette Valley, we are usually very temperate, but this is crazy cold!! Stay cozy and warm my friend, and we're doing the same.
Daryl said…
today started out in the 60s .. its headed way down now and we're due some very frigid weather this weekend ... brrrrrrr
This N That said…
Same here but doesn't rebound to the 50's..I think winter is here..
Michelle said…
Sleet and snow here in KY. Not fun! Glad you are keeping warm, along with the animals.
I used to enjoy going out to feed the horses, but not so much anymore..I'm getting all persnickety in my old age...don't like to get sweet feed all over my hands and clothes, hay down my shirt,and in my hair mud on my shoes. I'm such a redneck diva....SNARK But yes, I agree with you..I don't like being uncomfortable at best, and frozen to the core at the worst. Walking in cold water that seeps into your shoes is not much fun either, and that was this morning.
simply bev said…
After being cold for a while we jumped up to 70+ degrees today and going way back down into freezing weather again this weekend. What a strange weather pattern we're having so far this year! Stay warm!
Comfypjs said…
This post just had me cracking up! I don't have any outside critters but I am not one for this 'wicked cold' either.
Lynne said…
Crazy weather indeed . . . really liked your perched bird with the bits of bright blue . . .
Ela said…
Such a beautiful little bird :)

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