Holding back the storm

I love my view of the Wind River Mountain Range.  It's been interesting to watch the high peaks holding back the storm clouds from advancing into the valley.  I think the mountains have been getting quite a bit of snow lately...and that will be a big help for our farmers this spring.

A touch of green

It's been unseasonably warm and quite a treat to be outside in some sunshine again.  Yea!  I noticed that a big juniper bush which I was afraid I might lose, is getting it's "green" back.  It appears it will survive.  Most all the others have not, so I'm thankful this on has made it.  It might be because it is on the southeast side of the house, instead of the north. 

So many people have lost junipers and pine trees, and probably, many like me, have had professional tree care people come in and help save what we have left from the drought conditions.  It will be interesting to see how everything looks once spring growth begins to break through.

It's a Monday

No pictures today...

For some reason, my phone/camera will not show up on the screen to download pictures.  I guess it's finally time to take the computer in to the shop and have it looked at/updated.

Anyway, I was watching the clouds as they move in from the west, but the mountains are holding them back, hoping for more moisture to fall over the peaks and valleys.  We are getting close to having enough water in the mountains, but we still need more over the next few months.

One of the neighbors down the road must have purchased new motorcycles, as they have been buzzing around all morning and early afternoon.  There might be some other scenario; regardless, the weather has invited them out. It is pretty darned warm for mid-Feb.

As long as the wind is blowing 50 mph, it's invitingly delightful to wander outside. 

Wood pile

Today was cold, and I see that more snow is predicted before this front moves through. Brrr.  Seems like I've been hauling in and burning quite a bit of wood. 

It's finally February... and like January, I'm afraid it's going to be more of the same in terms of weather.  I was trying to think about what has stood out to me about February in the past, some thread I could pick up on.  I used to get out in the cold a whole lot more when I went downhill skiing on the weekends, but that was years ago.  I don't so much relish getting out in the cold any more; I can see why people flock to more southern climates when the opportunity is there. The only thread I can pick up on is "it's winter in the Rocky Mt. states, and it's going to be cold"!

Temps above freezing

Ah, it's so good to have the sun shinning and temps reaching above freezing!  Dare I hope that the really cold (below zero) dips in temperature are nearly over for this winter???  I know, I know, we still have February to get through.  But still.  It kind of appears like the worst is over. 

Love having the snow beginning to melt away on the south side of the house.  The north side - not so much.

Got fog?

Cold temps and heavy fog clothed my trees and bushes in hoarfrost.  As the skies cleared and the sun began to warm the air, the hoarfrost started falling from branches, and it's been fun to watch it as I sit here at the computer.

Hoarfrost formed on the icicles dangling from a juniper.

A few sunny days

I have enjoyed these past sunny days, as they have helped melt my snow-packed/icy driveway and have made getting out of the yard a lot easier.  It's been unusually warm, actually, for a few days, and it is about to come to an end with a new cold front and snow storm moving in today. 

Yesterday, I attended (with a couple other gals) the "Art in the Afternoon" event in Lander; I really think it's the finest art/craft show of the season.  After shopping and visiting with folks we ran into for a couple of hours, we had lunch and drove back to Riverton.  We arrived in plenty of time to also attend the "Festival of Carols" at the college.  Beautiful music.  If I could have chosen the music, however, I would have preferred hearing the choral performers sing at least a few familiar carols.  Truthfully, that's why I attended; I wanted to hear beautiful renditions (in a live performance) of familiar and well loved Christmas carols.  I hate to say it, but I was disappointed. 

Nevertheless, it was a fine day, and I even got home in time to see the last half of the Bronco game.  Hmmm.  I thought that another win for the Broncos was in the cards....not so much! I don't know what was going on with the receivers, but they couldn't catch passes! All those fumbles kept us scoreless for the last half of the game. I guess we'll see what happens next week!

Pine on the Prairie

I planted this tree a few years ago and have been babying it ever since.  It is finally taller than I am, and it seems to be doing fine, despite the fact that it would probably like to be in an area that gets a lot more moisture.

I love the way the snow and wind creates white sculptures on the branches.  It's a wintry image that makes me smile.

Late winter drive through the canyon

I made a quick trip to Thermopolis for wool supplies.  It was a day of sunshine and melting snow!

I was thankful for clear roads.  At the opening of Wind River Canyon, snow was melting and dripping over the entrances to the tunnels. On the other side of the river, the train tunnel was visible.

Water in the river was moving right along and looked absolutely frigid.  I saw one fisherman along side the road, wetting his line.

A long line of railroad cars stood motionless.

The ancient rocks, exposed by erosion, sat silently, letting the busy occupants of noisy cars and trucks rush by.

Some rock structures stood like sentinels, guarding the canyon passage way.

It is a treat to see the canyon in late winter...

Bladed snow, bunny, and blanket

The sun is shining and the weather forecast says we'll get above freezing today.  Yahoo.  Some of this snow can start soaking into the ground.

My neighbor bladed the big drift, so I should be able to get my car out of the garage today.

The bunny is quite pleased to feel the warmth of some sun.  We are both happy about that!

Last night I decided I should cast on the Gradient Baby Blanket.  I looked the pattern over very closely.  No needle size was included.  What?  I texted Nancy S, and she directed me to one of her past posts where she had recorded the needle size she used on her blanket.  Thank you, Nancy!! I wasn't sure I had a long enough cable for my circular needles, so the search was on.  I was actually surprised that I found a long cable; I don't think I had ever used it.  As a result, I was able to cast on and get in the rhythm of the garter stitch for several rows.  It is soft...and I'm looking forward to changing colors.

What a morning...

We woke up to another morning of grey skies and drifted snow from the overnight storm.  I got a good 3 inches, but in most places it drifted into sculpted barriers.   It's inconvenient, but that's about it. 

I got busy this morning and built a hot fire in the wood stove to warm up the house.  Then, I shoveled snow so I could get out of my doors.  A sizable drift blocked getting the truck out of the garage, so I worked on that drift until I was pretty sure I could get through. 

Side note: I saw the prairie dog again, and he's a busy little fellow.  In answer to kathy b's question, I don't really now if they are destructive or not.  Usually, when I see them, they are a way from civilization where they have their own little prairie dog towns.  I am wondering how in the world he got out here... probably hitched a ride, hiding in something being hauled out here.

I still haven't picked up the knitting needles, and I agree with those of you who have commented that it's sometime good to take a break.  I ordered some baby-soft yarn to make a baby blanket for an expectant mother who is also one of my piano students.  The package arrived!!  The colors I could choose from were limited, but I think these will work just fine.  The yarn is so soft, and I'm looking forward to starting this project.

Stuck in the middle...

Stuck in the middle of cold and snowy days

     icy roads, grey skies on the winter buffet.

Stuck in the middle of a musical show

   but the final performance is the Sunday matinee.

Stuck in the middle of a felted wall hanging

   wool on the table is a colorful display.

Stuck in the middle of a knitted lacy scarf

   it's been neglected but is never far away.

Stuck in the middle...well that's how it feels

   but I am making progress -- my story today.

Spring temps in February...

When I see TV reports of the snow that's falling in Boston, I feel so sorry for those folks in Massachusetts.  They are getting buried in it...more than 68" have already fallen, and now they don't know where to put the additional snow.  The mountains of plowed snow have grown beyond belief. 

Here in the West, the mountains are still getting snow, but down in the valleys, the snow from the last storm is nearly gone; only a few drifts on the north side of buildings are still melting.  And the muddy sections of dirt road are drying up.

Yesterday, as I drove past a car wash, I noticed quite a few vehicles waiting in line.  I chuckled.  "You might be a redneck if..." type joke came to mind.  You might be a Wyomingite if the color of your car is unrecognizable in February. 

We're getting temps around 50 degrees... in February.  Most unusual.  The weather is so unpredictable week to week. We need moisture...but we sure don't want it all at once in a debilitating snowstorm.  We'll take the spring-like temps for now!!

Bunny watch

Not much is happening outside today that is photo-worthy.  Well, except for the occasional activity of my bunny.  The sun has been out this morning; bunny found a sunny spot, ears back, eyes closed, and puffed up into a ball.  When I drove out to get the mail, he was alerted and moved a little closer to the entrance of his hovel.  When I returned, I decided to have a little chat with him, tell him I enjoyed having him here, and asked for a couple photos.

It's a quiet day here at the house.  I have plenty of little tasks and projects to keep me busy.  Which one to tackle next???  "Bunny, do you have any input?"

"Is the photo shoot over already?"  Blink, blink.  

Thursday's Thoughts...

Double-checked the calendar.  First week of February.  Looks like winter; feels like winter.  But the red and pink hearts for Valentine's Day are quite cheery, despite the frosty, foggy weather.

Drove the Dodge Ram to town.  More fog.

Met a friend for morning coffee and catching up.  Even saw retired friends doing the same.  Nice to say "hi."

Met with the orchestra director; now I know what parts I'll be playing on the keyboard with the orchestra for "The King and I."  It's all doable.  Yea.  Rehearsal is Saturday afternoon.  I should have time to go all the way through the score at least once before Saturday.

Isn't it about knit time???

Being patient...being experimental...

I'm plugging along on this shawl.  Admittedly, I can't knit this project and watch engaging TV at the same time.  So, I'm finding I only get 4 rows or so completed in a day, and on size 4 needles, that doesn't look like much. 

The thing I like the least about the pattern is that to read the chart for the wrong side row, I have to do the opposite of what's on the chart.  (For instance, knit all the stitches marked purl, and purl all the stitches marked knit.)  It's easy to make a mistake if I'm not focused. 

So, I have to have other projects at hand that can be worked on while I'm watching TV; that translates into these "other projects" getting finished, while the shawl waits for me...

Just for jokes, I tried wet felting a "painting" based on the painting class project.  Although I was careful, the hot soap and water spread out some of the branches much more than I wanted.  Lesson learned.  I needle-felted in the details after the background was dry.  It's OK, but I'm not thrilled with it.

 It's a sunny day...yahoo...but with a snow storm coming in tonight...boo-hoo.  Oh well, it's early February...and we're still in winter mode.