…winter isn’t coming, it’s already here! So, I knit and I read, so after I read the “Game of Thrones” I chuckled heartily when this little phrase started popping up all over after the series started to air. I always try to knit faster, but I’m easily distracted. Now winter has arrived with truly gale force winds heralding its frigid arrival.

This is the view of our mountains this afternoon after the clouds finally lifted. The first snow of the season; while beautiful to see, it creates an extremely cold wind that rushes down from the snow covered mountains and rushes across the valley. I heard today that it is called “a lazy wind” – it goes right through you, instead of around you. I liked that. Couldn’t wait to use it actually.

Even though the last few days have been rather stormy and cold, things still go on. Yesterday the new babies arrived. Sweet little things… Sue ordered 20 some, but our neighbors have tried and tried to get some chicks to replace their old layers who haven’t laid for almost a year, so sue shared hers with them and they were just beside themselves. So, that’s always good – keep your neighbors happy.

Some time in the night – with winds going over 45 mph and rain just pummeling the grounds, the huge old oak tree cracked in half. Missed everything of importance, well – it only fell on the little banties fence that was temporary anyway. Part of the tree remains standing still, but it is sad to think that it has suddenly beginning deteriorate. Glad we have so many lovely photos of it to remember.

Finally, the colder weather has started to turn our stubborn green trees to colors. So here is proof of that. Our tri-colored tree is quite beautiful. This photo looks a bit like a painting because it was taken during this afternoon’s rain. I had to lighten it up quite a bit, so it took on a rather painterly quality. Anyway, just thought I’d share it’s beauty with you.

That’s about all I’ve got for today’s winter episode. We’ll see what the next few days turn up and we’ll share it with you later. Until then, as always~
Thanks for reading!

---

Today’s Weather: Wind. Hail. Rain. Cold temps. Brrrr. High today was 49°. Currently, at 7:23 p.m., it is 45°.  overnight low is supposed to be 33°. We had around 2.5″ of rain over the last couple of days. Right now, the wind is coming from the south at 4 mph. Barometric pressure is at 30.02 inHg, humidity 79%. Sunrise today was at 6:54 and sunset was at 5:19.

Egg Report: Tuesday – 19 chicken, 1 duck. Wednesday – 17 chicken, zero duck. Thursday – 15 chicken and 1 duck. The chickens don’t like the cold and they don’t like the rain and they don’t like the wind and they don’t like the dark. So there.