Today at Iten's Acres: February 5, 2013

I had wanted a real winter compared to last year's "winter." Got it. So far. Lots of glorious snow. Some actual cold weather. Lots of layers have been a necessity for many of my walks. I'll bet I could walk on water if I had the nerve. The pond has to be frozen fairly thoroughly. The Outlaw Gang has been around but not as a gang, sadly. In fact, I've only seen Gus once. They've been keeping him tied up for some reason. Sigh. Bonnie is as active and loveable as ever. I am always greeted with her version of a handshake: two paws on my chest and a pair of brown eyes demanding a little affection. It's easy to respond in the affirmative. The new hound dog puppy always wants to come in the house. Sorry, little one. The Homesteader would not be pleased.
I moved the window/door bird feeder down so that it's easier for Mom to see. With her strength failing a little extra enjoyment is always a good thing. She and the Homesteader love to sit together and enjoy the drama. The chickadees are Mom's favorite. Homesteader has not expressed an opinion. They all look delicious to her. We did have two strange visitors to add to the scene. A hawk flashed in for a chickadee meal and missed. He hit the door and feeder so hard it knocked the feeder off the window and knocked the poor hawk senseless. Took him twenty minutes to recover and fly off. I reckon he'll do his grocery shopping elsewhere. But, then again, I have no idea how much short term memory a hawk has. The other visitor was a 'possum--in broad daylight. Seems to have a taste for the sunflower seeds that have fallen to the patio space beneath the feeder. Luckily for him (or her) Bonnie or Gus weren't around. After feeding, he wandered out to skate on the pond for awhile and then trekked back to the groundhog hole beneath the shed--his winter highway, I guess. If a 'possum sees his shadow a little later in February than the varmint groundhog does that cancel out the meadow rat's prediction? Hope so. (The best part of the movie "Groundhog Day" is when he drives the truck off the cliff--with the groundhog sitting next to him. Goodbye little critter. Weep. Weep. Yeah, right. Good riddance.) And has anyone ever seen a 'possum walk in a straight line? I thought it would take him two or three days to get where he was going.
The weather folks are predicting a warmer than normal February and March. I hope they're wrong. My plants and bulbs could use a nice long winter nap. Say, 'til about late April. The snowscape, the greens of the conifers, Lenten rose, rhododendron, and grape hyacinth are beautiful enough to enthrall me until late March at least. And there's always the pussy willow I love to brag about--uh, I mean, I just happen to mention every time I write. And another couple "bonus" are the few daffodils that popped up in December and the "magic lilies" that are always starting up this early. Winter, be good and hang around until you're supposed to leave. You owe us that from last time. Go ahead. Give me the cold shoulder.