Tuesday, January 28, 2014

C is for Cold

It's cold. It's really cold. It's really, really cold.

In spite of the cold, the sun is shining and it looks decep- tively pleasant outside. Although I knew there was really nothing unusual to photgraph out there today, I bundled up and ventured out into the frigid air, squinting into the sunlight as I went.

It wasn't until I was looking through my photos later that I noticed a row of sparrows lined up over the barn window. They decided to take a rest on the windy side of the barn today. Maybe it's because they can see the bird feeder from there. Or maybe there was more shelter from the wind along the side of the barn than I knew.


I walked into the orchard and found some frozen fruit still hanging from the trees.

On the way out I was looking away from the wind, but had to face it on the way back home. I pulled my hood farther onto my head and zipped my jacket up as far as it would go. The frozen zipper rested against my lip and I wished I'd worn a scarf. Walking backward was considered, but only briefly. The snow, blown about by a steady wind, was of varying depths and would surely have thrown me off balance had I dared to travel in reverse.

I did not venture far, just far enough to catch a glimpse of Lake Ontario from the top of the hill. It looked cold and icy and tempted me to get into my vehicle for drive down to the lake and a closer look. Instead I wandered back home and into the house where my cheeks felt aflame and my fingers burned bringing back childhood memories of frozen toes and fingers. We always stayed outside a little longer than we should have.

It'll be cold, cold again tomorrow morning. There is no hope for a day off school and I doubt the kids will even get the two hour delay that was granted this morning. At least they don't have to walk and the school bus is warmed up by the time they get on it.

And maybe next week I'll have something to post on besides the winter weather.

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21 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures. Love the row of sparrows. But goodness, Martha, you little nose looks so cold!!!!!
    Get a cheap flight to LA....sun is shinning, it could thaw you out.

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    1. My nose was rather warm upon returning to the house. That's what happens when they're thawing out. :)
      One day, one day I am going to buy one of those flights.

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  2. How fun....to find those images, right in your own backyard!
    I am tired of posting snowy pictures as well Martha...
    I am going to put a stop to that....right now!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I think I will probably just keep posting them in spite of myself. Kind of wondering what the lake will look like tomorrow...

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  3. Brrrrrr.....that truly looks Cold.
    Great shot of the sparrows too.
    Hope the winter blast will be over for you soon.

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    1. It'll be over before we know it and summer will be upon us instead. :0)

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  4. HA! Before I clicked on yours, I said C is for COLD. Because it IS!
    ROG, ABCW

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    1. Do you think it will ever warm up?
      I remember days like this when I was a kid. We'd think we were going out to play and instead we'd have to go right back inside again.

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  5. You really have been blasted! Stay safe!

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    1. We're used to snow and we're used to cold, just not this cold. It's nice to be inside.

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  6. I have only experienced that sort of cold when we lived in Ottawa for a couple of years. Never again! I'm back in Vancouver where it's balmy all year round. Stay inside!!!

    Leslie
    abcw team

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    1. I'm glad there are balmy places to go but I think I might actually miss winter if I were to move away.

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  7. That looks awfully cold. But you managed to take some wonderful shots, and that is something! :) --I wouldn't stay out for too long though!

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    1. Thanks. :0)
      I only stayed out long enough to begin the freezing process.

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    2. The freezing process happened almost instantaneously yesterday. Did you hear about the stray cat that was brought into Lollypop frmby someone? While it was being examined by a vet there the tips of it's ears were so frostbitten that they broke off. Poor kitty. :(

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    3. No, I didn't hear that one.
      My question is why do we think children should go to school when it's that cold out? Can they really not make up the work in a few days time?

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  8. I love the snow but possibly not your temperatures. Keep posting the pics. We are having an unusually warm winter, the downside of which is days and days of rain:-(
    Joy - ABC Team

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    1. Today was more like snowman building weather, except I didn't.

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  9. Hi Martha — I can relate to the cold, but I only go out when I absolutely must. We had a big melt, then all the water froze, and there are several layers of snow over it, so it is not easy walking out there. You're right, backwards is not a good idea.
    K

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    1. Ice is the worst. Makes everything treacherous.
      Keep your eyes forward and watch where you're going.

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