The new year and snow.

We had a great respite from winter when we had a spring thaw a couple of weeks ago.  Just about all the snow disappeared and it had me thinking about stuff to do in the garden come spring.  Alas, it didn't last and now everything is white once again.  I woke up to more snow overnight so I'm now waiting for daylight to go outside and shovel steps, deck, pathway and driveway.  Also have to get some of the snow off roof and shed roof.  The only good part is that I'm getting lots of exercise.

Lots of little Juncos around these days.  I was a bit concerned as I hadn't seen any woodpeckers or squirrels in the garden for some time.  Usually they are here all the time summer and winter.   Lately I've been seeing some at the feeders which gives me great relief.

The cats, of course, are grumbling about the snow.  They don't go out very often and spend a good part of the day sleeping.  The youngest one will occasionally race through the house jump up in the air and land on one of the older ones.  Trying to release some of his energy I expect.

A couple of snow shots.

The End of 2017.

My father passed away in mid December.  He was 97 years old so lived a long life.  He was only in the hospital for a couple of days before he died and didn't suffer any pain.  I went into the city to stay with my  mother for a while.  She's doing really, really well.

Christmas was very quiet.  I didn't have my usual Xmas Eve party but did decorate to some extent.  New Years Eve saw me in bed before eight pm, read for a while then went off to sleep.  I was awakened around midnight by the sound of fire works going off down on the beach.  Years ago they would fire rifles off to bring in the new year but now it's fire works.

This past few days we've been having an unusual spring thaw.  Yesterday the temperature when up to eleven degrees.  It's put me into an excited spring mood but I have to stop and tell myself that winter has hardly begun here yet.  It's nice to see most of the snow gone though. 

Here are some recent pictures.

My Angel collection.

A box I painted as a gift for a friend.

A new addition to the Xmas stuff.  I saw him and just couldn't resist that face.

The Tree.

The Cat.

The Crows.