Hunkered down, part II

We are experiencing more weird weather, with more to come. Today it's snowing and the temps are dropping to the single digits. Later this week the prediction is for warmer temps and rain. Ugh. But maybe then the ice will finally melt off the roads.

To safely walk the dog on said ice, I purchased some Yaktrax. How this came about is I noticed footprints in the snow that were obviously from a jogger and that included an odd tread pattern. A trip to Dick's Sporting Goods resulted in my leaving my own odd tread pattern. These things really work, too!

I have seen only two(!) starlings at the bird feeders so far this year (knock on wood), but they are in the area, so I'm sure their absence won't last. From on high, sandhill cranes have been migrating, uttering their odd gargling song. They fly very high, barely visible on a clear day, invisible when there is cloud cover.

A neighbor's cat has taken advantage of the unused-but-full-of-straw doghouse in my backyard. Better a kitty than an opossum or - gah! - a skunk. I love wildlife... but not too up close and personal.