Snow Dog 2

Fresh snow covered the ground when we got up this morning, and by about an hour after daylight, it had piled up to a respectable 6", enough to make a snow dog happy.  While Don and I shoveled snow, Barley played chicken with the shovels, then settled down in the middle of the area we were working on to supervise.

That finished, we took a walk, and Barley's joy let loose, as he did wheelies in the snow.

Thin Ice

At the hollow yesterday, the falling creek left thin layers of ice in fanciful formations.

Deep Freeze

Monday afternoon, there were lines at the gas pumps and at the grocery store, as if we lived in the city.  Most everybody in town has been taking the weather predictions seriously ever since our big ice storm 2 years ago.  This time we skated.  A small layer of ice now covers the landscape with a light snow on top.  Most noticeable, however, is the cold.  Even Barley, the snow dog, is happy to get back inside after our brief excursions out of doors.  

Wild creatures have been stocking up, too.  Our regulars, 7 deer and 4 Tom turkeys, are coming around more often, looking for corn, and scores of birds hop and peck around the feeders. Yesterday afternoon 3 pair of mallards dropped into our pond for a little swim. They must have found something good to eat, because their heads kept bobbing under the water while their ruffly backsides tipped straight up in the air.  They were gone before dark, undoubtably on to larger waters that wouldn't freeze overnight.

At the pond this morning, mourning doves flew away as we approached, crying the high pitched trill that signals distress.  I felt like an apology was due for displacing them from their shelter in the willows, but by the time we had rounded the pond, they were already flying back.

The open spaces are mostly vacated on this cold night, and the roost trees, bedding areas, and dens have already filled up.  At dawn, it will start all over again.

My Day Job

A small chipmunk drank deeply from the birdbath this morning, then scurried down and ran across the yard with its usual lightning speed.  We haven't seen chipmunks much lately, cold as it's been, but today promises to be beautiful, and our furry friend most likely has a long list of outside jobs to catch up on.  The entrance to its den is just outside my studio window, and a couple of times, I've been able to see young chipmunks when they first emerged from the den.  They would come out part way, hesitantly, squinting toward the light, and look around, then duck back inside, only to emerge a few minutes later with the courage to come a little farther.  After repeating this process several times, 3 of them appeared together and stumbled over each other, and over the rocks outside my window.  People sometimes ask me where I get the inspiration for my cards.  Being able to see those small chipmunks was ample inspiration.  

First, I took some photos, 

then, did some sketches,

then I painted a little scene and did the lettering,

which became a greeting card.  

I've recently opened a Zazzle store, selling some of my art and photos on the internet, and this image is there on a friendship card, a Valentine card, and a mug.  If you'd like to check it out, the link is above.