The skies cleared up today, and our solar panels actually produced enough power to hold the percentage charged on the batteries while we washed laundry. And the temperature outside didn’t drop like a rock. Both of these are pretty exciting, and that says a lot about our thrilling lifestyle here in the middle of nowhere.
We debated plowing the driveway again today, and shoveling paths and splitting firewood. All of these are noble occupations, and all will wait for another day.
I didn't want to use that deck anyway
A Northern Shrike was here today, chasing a chickadee around and around a large pine tree; it was a successful hunt. We always feel bad for the caught chickadee, but Shrikes have the right to make a living too, and the smart chickadees were paying attention when the predator arrived. It has been very raptorish around here lately, with visitations by a Northern Pygmy Owl, Northern Goshawk (several times, causing lots of excitement in the yard), a Great Horned Owl, and the Northern Shrike. Down by the river we have seen only one Bald Eagle; the river is virtually frozen over.
Alpenglow from the south
The sun sets way to the south on our western horizon. Sometimes it imparts a pale monentary glow on the mountains to the north, making them look soft and out of focus. It sure gets dark in a hurry this time of year, sun sets before 4 pm and we need to turn on our lights.
This handsome fellow came to join our family four months ago today. He was spacing out, watching chickadees playing in the brush in front of our deck. His favorite game is still “fetch” or as Dan calls it “toss.” Dan is pretty sure we didn’t teach Mishkin to retrieve a tossed toy, but instead Mishkin taught his humans to toss the toy for his entertainment. His newest variation on a theme is to push his toy mouse under the bedroom door from one side to another, running back and forth to chase the toy.
Spacing out as an art form
This evening our plan is to start watching “Lord of the Rings.” We will be enjoying this epic masterpiece over the next several days. We’ve been doing this for several years, ever since these movies were first released in the theater and on DVD. I’m knitting a pair of fingerless gloves while watching TV; mindless knitting works best.
Last night we watch an interesting documentary called “Encounters At The End of The World” by Werner Herzog. Antarctica has always held huge fascination for me, ever since I first read the book called “Mawson’s Will” about the explorer Mawson who managed to live through a deadly combination of abominable luck and miscalculation. Whenever I think that life is difficult, I just have to think about Mawson… or Emperor Penguins.
Hope everybody is enjoying family and friends here at the end of 2008!