As I sit here writing my next column I am watching the snow as it is sent swirling past the front window of the house. Watching a winter wonderland being created right before my very eyes has always held a special place in my heart. I usually get a warm and cozy feeling when I’m inside as the wind blows and the snow flies. The downside of all of this is that sooner or later I will have to shovel that pretty, white, fluffy stuff.
For years I would use my trusty old scoop to move show but as I have racked up a few miles on this old body I have finally moved on from my trusty old scoop. I’d had a snow blower for a few years that I used sparingly (it never did work properly) and when it started having some serious issues we had to invest in a new one.
We had an advanced warning that there would be snow. I’ve found that going into denial doesn’t keep it from happening and it will, eventually, have to be reckoned with. I did shovel the front walk and the walk leading to my front door so that our mail carrier won’t have quite as much of that pretty white stuff to trudge through.
Over the years I have leaned heavily on what I called “The Scoop” to clean my driveway and sidewalk. Now my snow blower does most of the work while I just follow along behind. It’s still work, although after using it a few times I wonder why I kept using “old scoop” for that long. In looking back, I can remember many nights when I’d come home from work and have a driveway full of snow waiting for me. I’d break out Scoop and work on removing the snow. Shoveling snow at night with a moon glistening brightly over the fallen snow gave me a feeling of peaceful self-satisfaction. I still get that feeling when driving in the country and looking out over the snow covered fields. It doesn’t matter if its day or night, I still get a feeling of tranquility from the snow as it covers the countryside.
I had made sure to have my bird feeders full prior to the onset of the latest snow. I don’t know what entices birds to visit my feeders but this winter, unlike past ones, there have been fewer visitors. I suspect it may have something to do with the neighbor cats that have often frequented my yard over the past year. I put up my homemade suet feeder and I have had three different species of woodpeckers frequenting it. They should be safe as long as they stay off of the ground. I really do enjoy watching the birds whenever they visit the feeder.
From what I’ve heard, the fishing on Fountain Lake has slowed down as we move further into winter. I know of a guy who has been catching some dandy pike with an occasional walleye thrown in. He told me that the fishing has slowed down quite a bit in the last couple of weeks. By the looks of the number of houses out on Fountain Lake folks are definitely giving it their best shot.
Until next time: Although the warming houses are closed the parks are open for skating and it looks like folks are taking advantage of that. Whether, sledding skating or ice fishing these are a few ways to get out of the house and enjoy a little wintery outdoors.
Please show your support for the troops that are serving our country. These servicemen and women are making that sacrifice so that we may enjoy the many freedoms that we have today.