Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[Callender Girl]

Lisa, your "gangly giraffe" (I love the description; it's perfect for pups at that age) is still one adorable youngster. And, her bedmate is pretty cute, too!

Jim, I laughed when I read about your disdain of instant Maxwell House. I have a coffee maker, but it's easier to make a single cup of instant coffee, its taste masked with flavored creamer. One friend lectures me on Every Single Visit about how instant isn't "real" coffee. Hey, I don't care what it is, as long as it has caffeine

It's most common to hear a solo or a duet, but today there was a full chorus of coyotes, coming from three directions, at 3:30. I don't think I have ever heard so many at once, and they were giving at least two types of calls -- howling and a chortling, like they were laughing. I was not.

I ran outside without hat, gloves, boots or even bothering to zip my hoodie and left my hysterically frantic dogs indoors, where they noisily lost their minds. Good Sunday morning!

Sister Carolyn left yesterday; we accomplished a lot on my to-do list. Thanks to her background as a landlord, she has some impressive DIY skills!

It's too early to decorate for Christmas, but we did. Not only is it more fun with her than by myself, it's also easier. She helped wrestle the 20-year-old fake tree into submission, and she's tall enough to attach garlands over the windows without a step stool.

Looks like two more days of decent weather before it really feels like winter. Brrrrr!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like you enjoyed your sisters visit Barb. Not much for Christmas decorations here. Small fake tree, a few lights, all done.

 

[ShrekDawg]

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

View attachment 4255946

Aww, look at Brew. He's so handsome.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Aww, look at Brew. He's so handsome.

Thanks lol

 

[Callender Girl]

Lisa, most years all I do is a table-top tree and MAYBE part of my collection of snowmen because I'm the only one here to see it. Too much hassle to drag it all out. (Funny isn't it? I hate dealing with snow, but I adore fake snowmen.)

However, Carolyn said she and her husband are coming up on Christmas Eve and staying overnight. So, I figured we might as well haul out all the holiday stuff. A friend and her 15-year-old daughter are coming for lunch and a visit today, so at least the Christmas decor will get more eyes on it this year.

Although it was a solo, I could have done without the 2:15 a.m. coyote singing. It woke up the big dog, who made sure to wake up Dinah and me for a little early morning exercise. Going back to sleep proved futile.

 

[jvls1942]

we have a small display of colored lights in the living room. Annie wanted to pack them away. I told her to leave them. I am usually the first one up in the morning and they make a nice night light. it's been years like this.
i am already sick of winter.
got Ollie moved to the leanto. Annie has the garage for her car again.
it rained hard last night. it is 27F this morning. the roads might be slick.
we have a brand new HyVee store. bought the store brand of coffee. it is pretty good.

 

[Callender Girl]

I am grateful that the horrendous winds of yesterday, last night and today did not harm critters, buildings or trees (only small branches down). The official wind advisory ended at 6 a.m., so it's only blowing at 23 mph now.

But, I went out this morning to find the largest and most expensive tarp, the one that covers the red coop run, not only had grommets ripped out, the wind had shredded the tarp on two sides. The flapping has the hens too scared to come outside.

I was already despondent -- because of that and because the door on one of the small (and flimsy) coops was frozen. I can still get into the coop through its back door, but that means I have to put their feed and water inside instead of in their covered run. I will attempt to open the door later, maybe when the winds have let up more.

I had to force the gate to the sheep pen so I could check on her water. Apparently, I knocked it out of kilter a bit and raced back to the garage to grab a mallet so I could realign the gate and latch.

Then, I spotted the large, wheeled, woven-wire, metal-framed gate that USED to go across the driveway to keep poultry from wandering into traffic. Wind apparently lifted it off its hinges and tossed it on the ground, where the bottom (hollow metal tubing) broke. I'm hoping a friend will stop by after work because I don't think I can get it upright on my own. And, I don't know how to at least temporarily repair the break.

The lid on one of the garbage cans I use to store feed had been blown off. Luckily, it was easy to find some 20 feet away, lodged near the back steps.

I came indoors and discovered the library curtains had fallen. The rod, which has held them in place for years, simply fell. No idea why.

Feeling a bit defeated this morning.