Who Made Those Tracks?!

In winter I often wonder what animal has passed by on fresh snow...

Who made these tracks?!

Even more disturbing are tracks that end next to a vehicle...

Did the animal crawl in?! Is he or she still inside?!

Feeling Hopeful!

I've been feeling hopeful!

Seeing the sun more, especially in the morning,  is part of the reason, I'm sure!

Regardless of whether the groundhog saw or didn't see its shadow last Monday - depending on where you live - the squirrels in my neighborhood have been very active this week...

And apparently an emu broke out of its enclosure and ran loose through Almonte a few days ago... Spring fever, perhaps?!

Those invigorating signs - and more sunshine - are enough to boost my mood!

Upgrades AREN'T Necessarily Improvements!

I really HATE it when I check my phone in the morning - and I see that the operating system on my phone has been updated!

(Oh no! What else did they change?!)

This annoying feature on the blog page appeared a few months ago. ... (A hyper link that I never use...) But if I accidentally touch it while writing, the font letters become small  and I have to erase the tiny words and re-type everything!

More recently this check mark appeared everywhere... What does it mean? Am I safe to touch it?! Does it mean OK? Or I'm done?

For me, a real improvement would be a CHOICE: Do I want this change? If not, how can I get rid of it?  Maybe I'm happy with things the way they were.

Good Neighbours

The month of January brought lots of snow...

So much, in fact, that Terry injured his wrist shovelling...

Now his shovelling days may be done for this winter ...

So we're particularly thankful for our son, who drops by and helps. Also for all our kind neighbours!

Snow Moon 2026

I read last week that the "Snow Moon" was coming... and that it would be extra bright.

I looked up the definition of  "Snow Moon" - and discovered that it was the name given to February's full moon. 

My daughter saw it in Toronto - commented on it, and sent me the picture below.

I saw bits of the moon between pine branches in our back yard early yesterday morning.

But it was our neighbour Mary who captured the first two amazing photos - the first, while driving on Fallowfield Road, south of our neighborhood at 5 pm last Sunday; and  the second, the following morning, shining over our house!

Thank you do much, Mary!!

New Month!

February has arrived!

Here is my phenology calendar for January... a summary of weather and activities in January 2026. 

Lots of indoor time - though I did walk most days (indoors), aiming for 10,000 steps.

My calendar has a new look... (And it will probably continue to change!) A little sketch of the view outside my window on top: a snowy berm, leafless branches on a tree.

Didn't see many animals - mainly squirrels (and dogs out on their winter walks).

But - good news! - we have gained an hour more daylight since December's darkest days!

The sun now sets a few minutes after 5 PM. The picture was taken on west-bound highway 417 - after the glare of looking into the sun disappeared.

Snow "Mountain"

I don't walk around the neighborhood much these days - for fear of slipping and falling on ice or snow.

But I'm very curious about a new "mountain" I see in the distance - on college property not far away.

It's a "mountain" of snow, created by bulldozers piling up all the snow that has been cleared from college parking lots. It hasn't yet reached the size of the plastic dome covering the soccer field.

But last week's massive snowfall must have added significantly to its size.... And it may grow even larger. Winter isn't over yet!

Not sure when I'll get a close-up view... But, for those who might like to climb it - DON'T! It isn't safe!

It may look solid - but with weight and movement - and sunlight melting snow - it could cave in!