Tag: Winter

Whatever the Problem

The piles of broken branches at the curb in front of people’s houses aren’t getting any smaller.  In fact, in many cases, they’re growing.  Recent high winds that brought branches already weakened by March’s ice storms and heavy snow the rest of the way down.  I’ve been hauling white pine and maple out to our… Continue reading Whatever the Problem

Snow Play

     Last week’s perfect packing snow provided raw material for many neighbors’ creativity, which I’m still discovering as the dog and I take our morning walks.  Today, for instance, revealed a snow bear in someone’s front yard.  Blimpy Burgers used to be adorned with snow bears during the winter; they were smallish and charming, like… Continue reading Snow Play

Getting Through

Sometimes in the morning, setting off on a Bakehouse run, my husband drops Rascal and me off at a location of my choosing.  That way, the dog and I can enjoy territory too far from home for it to be reasonable to walk both there and back.  Rascal is elated by these extended walks, doing… Continue reading Getting Through

Cold or Cozy

     Children who live near us have been entertaining us again, brother and sister playing out on the court.  They’re elementary school age and, during this time of post-season games, the boy has been outside throwing a football around.  Coming home from walking the dog one day this week, my husband heard the girl ask… Continue reading Cold or Cozy

Getting Ready

     There was a skin of ice on Thurston Pond this morning, as thin and wrinkly as plastic wrap.  This first ice of the year is transparent and reflects the trees and sky and clouds the way the pond did before it froze.  It will melt later in the day, as the temperature goes up,… Continue reading Getting Ready

Winter Surprises

There are aspects of winter that Michiganders can count on.  Snow.  Cold.  Ice.  Grey days.  Days so bright and beautiful they fill you with awe.  These are givens.   There are also surprises.      Early this winter, for example, as the dog and I set out on a morning walk, we noticed two Vs of birds… Continue reading Winter Surprises

Thaw-Freeze, Spring, and Sunshine

     It has been exceedingly slippery around here lately.  We seem to have the freeze-thaw cycle backwards.  We finally had the January thaw this month, but then we had freeze.  And snow.  So, the first layer on the sidewalks is ice–bumpy, hard to walk on, and slick.  Walking on it, because dog, requires concentration and… Continue reading Thaw-Freeze, Spring, and Sunshine

Recreational Use

At the condominium association near us, Traver Creek forms a pond.  By the pond is a sign that says, NO RECREATIONAL USE.  The dog and I frequently stroll through the area and, up till now, the sign has done its work:  people have stayed off the pond.  This winter, there must have been a scofflaw–it… Continue reading Recreational Use

Winter Gear

I have new boots.  They’re the warmest ever.  They’re waterproof.  They have tread that grips the snow.  And they are noisy.  As I step down on one, it sounds like a tire grabbing the snow when a car gets underway.  As I push off again, the boot swishes like corduroy bellbottoms.  So, as Rascal and… Continue reading Winter Gear