Almost…

…up to the freeze mark.

But not quite. Single digits in the morning, and windy, so outdoor activity somewhat restricted. Tomorrow, we melt.

Dog Sitting

Buddy and Pip here for a weekend getaway .

Earlier, after a night of snow, and not long after sunrise, a bright, clear and cold morning. Enough snow to justify firing up the big blower.

Maybe tomorrow things will get a chance to melt.

Bad Weather…

…and, apparently, more to come.

The gutter drain pipes under the sidewalk are frozen, so sun melt coming down the downspout leaks out and freezes.

Way back when Abby made me start this blog, she said that if I had nothing to write about I could just take a photo of the barometer. Here it is.

The red needle is yesterday (high pressure), while the black needle is this afternoon, and with every tap, the black needle is moving counterclockwise. Things are about to get worse.

Chipping Out

A good bit of sun helped, but temps still well below freezing.

This is the latest in bird treats—iced suet

Speaking of chipping out reminds me of the old tale of how the Chippewa First People got their name: living in the north as they did, they were frequently faced with ice storms and had to constantly Chippewa. (NB, I can also tell you exactly how Crawling Stone Lake up in northern Wisconsin got its name.) (But don’t get me started or I will be likely to pose you the riddle about the Big Indian and the Little Indian.)

In other news, I pretty much finished building the website for the Arboretum At Starin Park. Still a few areas to fill out, and proofreading still needed, but close to workable. You can see it here: The Arboretum At Starin Park.

Well Glazed

Thunder sleet, mixed with freezing rain made for a tough, icy crust over everything.

Twice I had to chip and hammer to get the top of the bird feeder open (the birds were ravenous). Getting the walks and drive down to concrete was heavy work of the chop and shove variety. It took two gallons of warmish water to soften things up enough to permit a first scrape of the truck’s windshield. But, sadly, it is once again heavily encrusted, and I may be locked out of the vehicle until March.

An East Wind…

…blows no good. Here in Whitewater an east wind is blowing, with predictions of sleet and freezing rain, and that is causing a bit of panic—City government is closed tomorrow (messing up a meeting I had scheduled), schools are closed, and the grocery store in Fort was very busy with what our checker called panic buying. Could the meteorologic hype machine be using the east wind to fan some flames? Stay tuned, as they say.

In other news we saw two more bald eagles today, on the way to Fort. They were worrying a deer carcass lying in a farm field not far off the road.

MSO

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra concert at its new (renovated) home in Bradley Symphony Hall.

Here for the pre-program

And the presenter of the pre-program, discussing the highlights of the pieces to be played

Photos not allowed during the concert. On the program, Delius, Elgar, and Beethoven. The Sixth Symphony was delightful.

Snow Squall…

…last night.

After the brief but intense, squall

Photo by Sue

Last night our phones exploded three times with screeching warnings about a blinding snow squall. Being securely ensconced in a stone house, we ignored he warnings and watched an episode. Nonetheless, it was a fearsome event, with heavy snow and insane winds, but for brief duration.

This morning we had to shovel, in low double digit temps. Later we went for cold walk across part of the deserted campus and saw a big bald eagle circling overhead.

Freezing Blast

Wind warning. Icy sidewalks.

While Sue was helping out on projects in Cedarburg I worked on the Arboretum website (between walks and exercise). While a sedentary activity, it is still interesting—lots of figuring things out and devising hacks and workarounds.

The ISA regatta was scheduled for today on Mendota, and apparently lots of boats showed up, but not me. And, anyway, the races were cancelled, due to excess atmospheric velocity.

Sidewalk Treachery

Limited walking today, as creepers the only safe bet.

Much wildlife on and under the bird feeder. One of the many squirrels is becoming ecologically naïve; it seems to have lost all fear of large hominids. If I liked squirrels better I could probably train it to eat out of my hand. And, last night, under the floodlights, a brace of rabbits were observed gnawing on spillage. So far, the only sign of deer is poop.

Much of the day devoted to working on the Arboretum website purchased yesterday by the City of Whitewater. Although I am familiar with Squarespace, the host, the learning curve is still steep, and almost as slippery as the sidewalks. If the brain is a muscle, I’m getting a workout, in spite of the weather.

Rain Before Snow

A dark, grey day, but warm.

I watched an injured sparrow spend nearly an hour on the feeder this morning, mostly sitting still, occasionally taking a few steps and eating a few seeds, and every so often standing at the edge of the platform, looking over, and clearly debating the advisability of stepping off. Eventually, after other birds began to crowd the feeder, it did step over the edge, and with very erratic and troubled flight made it to a tree out back.
Every creature has agency, and I am hoping this little being will make it through the night and be back a the feeder tomorrow morning.

Big Diggers…

…supposedly dredging the two little lakes in town. Unfortunately, these machines were not in place yesterday when we stopped by to have the twins give us their opinion of the operation. (Did I mention that they are experts on every kind of heavy equipment?) (Did I also mention that this operation depends on very cold temps and very deep frost to keep the big diggers from sinking into the muck, and is therefore doomed to become one of Whitewater’s more memorable fiascos?)

On another note, last night’s dinner of crispy chicken schnitzel on a bed of greens was something less than a fiasco.

Forty-six…

…and counting.

And now on to America, the 1851 schooner that won the first America’s Cup. This kit has also been languishing in the basement, almost since 1851, and, since we are only part way through February, why not?

Sunday Afternoon…

…with James, Ben, Becca, Maddie, and Ellie
Arts and crafts, fun and games, books and baking.
(Photos by Sue.)

Back To Hard Ice and Crusty Snow

Cold again, but that’s okay, at least for a little while longer. Afternoon walk along the creek was invigorating, but the morning’s adventures were even better. Coffee and a scone at a very unusual shop in Milton, in the lower level of a Carnegie financed library, built in 1907, on the campus of the now defunct Milton College. We had the space in the lower photo all to ourselves for nearly and hour while we sipped and read.

After coffee, we visited the excellent library in Fort, where, alas, I found noting of great interest on the new arrival shelves. But, no problem; I’ve got plenty else stacked up.

Is February Necessary?

Is February necessary,
With its often awful weather?
Can’t we skip direct to March?
No! Wait! April would be better!
—JBN

Bring In The Garbage Toters

That and grocery shopping pretty much topped the day while Sue was helping out in Merton. Also worked on a Gantt chart for the Arboretum, which took learning some new software.

The conclusion of the “Detectorists” series was as good as the rest of it, but now leaves us depressed that the series is concluded.

Fun In The City…

…a Habesian adventure with Bob and Cathy.

Two mile walk from Sheffield to and through Lincoln Park and then Lakefront Restaurant/Theatre On The Lake for tomato bisque and a glass of wine. Then Lyft to Macy’s (Marshall Field’s) where the Walnut room was set aside for the four of us, (with one exception, we were the only customers there) and where the salad was delicious. Subway back to the hacienda, and then a not-too-bad drive home.

Everyone masked, and photo ID and proof of vaccination required for entry anywhere.

Fun times.

Bluebirds Times Eight

Bill and I finished construction of all 8 boxes. In some ways a fund raiser, in some way, for the birds.

Designing The Arboretum…

…preliminary steps.

Today Sherry, Nick, and I walked the park with landscape architect Danielle, and her assistant, discussing what might be. Danielle will give us a proposal, and if it seems reasonable, which I think it will, then she will be our designer. My constant refrain: “Let’s imagine what this place will be like in ten years.”