Day 33 of Week 5 February 2024

Fake Cat & Real Carnations

 Well now, it is another dreary winter day here at this lower Vermont elevation of 282 feet. There is plenty to do to keep busy, cleaning, laundry, cooking, looking out the window, napping, crafts, art. Running in my brain background is grasping the fact it is February already. New Year's Day feels like just a few weeks ago. It was a few weeks ago.

Latching onto something that takes time can create a feeling the hours move slower.  When I am deep into a painting, for example, even meal times can go by unnoticed.

Have a big stretched out fabulous Weekend!

Have a big bowl of cereal for lunch

Draw a cat 

Read about local authors

Consider joining a library book club

Learn how to read music

Write a poem about your weather

Research growing watercress

Watch a video of how rope is made

Design a pair of sandals

Bake a squash with maple syrup

Mum, Weather, Drained & One Thing

Middlebury Garden Center

Selecting mums this year was a challenge. In the various stages of blooming, I wanted plants that will bloom into October at a time when I want to see a lot of flowers open. 
The large golden mums bloomed early. If I don't look close, then those mums have nice color.
The golden rust mums have been the most spectacular. The deeper red is a close second on length of bloom and vibrant color.
Next year will be easier to chose using my notes from this year.

Weather. The ambient temperatures are cooler at this lower elevation at 194 feet (59 m) in Vermont close to Lake Champlain. In comparison, Stowe, Vermont is 889 feet (271 m). The highest peak in Vermont is Mount Mansfield at 4395 feet (1339 m) with the lower Stowe nearby.  

In my backyard, I see a lot of green just barely turning colors. Up in Stowe, the foliage map indicates it is peak foliage. I expect with this week's lower temperatures, that peak foliage in the mountains and hollows will excelerate. In other words, this week is good for a leaf peeping excursion.

Drained. Not everything that happens in life needs to by ananlyzed. Feeling drained of energy, for example, doesn't need to reason unless it is chronic. I have no idea why I feel so drained of energy, especially when I love to see the foliage. 

The other morning after getting a take out coffee, I wanted to keep driving up to the mountains. I had on long pants and a jacket. Problem, I was wearing sandals! By the time I got back indoors, I didn't feel like getting ready to go back out. I told myself it is a peak holiday weekend where there are lots of folks out and about. For a few minutes, I thought about why I was so lazy. Two days later, I might go for a short looksee at the foliage. Or I might stare at the fabric foliage I stuck into the window lace curtain.

One Thing. If I don't go out to get a best autumn photo, and hopefully a landscape to paint, then I won't be ready to start the as I go progress painting series this year. My plans depend on my doing that one thing.

Still in my pajamas at noon time, I think laundry can wait. The floors were washed yesterday. The dishes are almost finished. There's a flannel shirt waiting for me to get out and about...sometime this week.

How are your energy levels? Do they fluctuate in the fall?

Folklore & Forecasts

 

Wooly Bear Caterpillar 2014

According to folklore, the longer the brown band on the Wooly Bear caterpillar, the milder the winter. In 2014, the band was long, visible as he scurried stretched out across the driveway. 

North American Winter 2014~2015

Maybe the Wooly Bear isn't such a good weather predicter.

Old Farmer's Almanac

The Old Farmer's Almanac and the National Weather Service,  have better weather forecasts.

National Weather Service, Winter Outlook 2023 ~ 2024

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

This fall consider being on the look out for signs of what the 2023 ~ 2024 winter will be here in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, fluff up those sweaters and dust out those boots.

Autumn is only  9 days away.

Out my window here in Vermont today, it looks like summer with rain from a dull overcast sky. Out and about, I will wear shoes and a rain jacket instead of sandals and a sweater. Thankfully, today is a very light on errands.

There are some days, like last Saturday, when I was out all day hunting down things. Overall, doing errands can be very tedious when there are many stops or long distances between them.

In winter, that changes. I bundle up both clothing and errands wise to reduce my time out in the cold. I have begun stocking up on just in case food, planning meals for leftovers and freezing, flashlight batteries, reading list, and projects. A positive about winter is that being outdoors can't be ruined by too much snow like summer is ruined with too much rain. 

Earth needs the snow, not to excess, but enough to replenish water supplies, and give plants that need a cold spell for growth, like apples do.

Instead of being grumpy about cold and snow, enjoy watching Nature on the go this winter.

🌟

Today, I got Wordle in 2!

😂😁💖

 I do feel humble and sparkly.

The Outdoors, Reading & Soup

Where the bird seed goes on the deck, birds are gathering again. 

One afternoon there was a small crowd of feathery critters. 

I thought the mourning dove was going to jump in the flowers.  

As I type, there is a flock of birds racing across the back yard in the rain.

Are their signs of autumn where you are?

Another rainy day here in Vermont. The h button is sticking on my PC keyboard. Laundry is caugt up except for a quilt and some blankets. Wednesday feels like Saturday. Beads of water dot the clothesline like crystals waiting like me for sunshine. I have a new to me book to read by Susan Wittig Albert. I suspect I might have soup today to go with the weather outdoors.

Lentil Walnut Soup

On the stove as I type

Farewell July 2023

 July 2023 has been a month of oh no not again rainy weather. A lovely four weeks in many ways, the soggy humid days bring adjust to it skill to the forefront. 

Can we mind it when we are blessed with being here to participate, witness Nature, flora and fauna readily moving to the rhythm of life? Sure we can! Humans are the best at being grumpy more than any other species, even cats. The excessive rainfalls that result in flooding gives us cause to reach peak grumpy.

August, I am praying is summery, more outdoors weather than inside playing cards or watching reels. I plan to revel in those 31 days like it is 1964 (except it won't be at the New Jersey sh0re)!

Weather, Napping & Sacrifice

June Rain Clouds

June has been a month of cloudy days and rain. Aquifer happiness.  

Cloud formations have been mainly overcast. There have been dramatic skies with clouds so low, you could almost touch them. In the higher Vermont elevations, clouds can hug you. 

Summer offers most and almost, is it or isn't it contrasts that I don't feel from the other three seasons. The stronger desire to be outdoors in summer elevates the interest in the weather. For the four months, I have a background vibe focused on whether or not it is nice outside. Those nice days are so important, I will give up a god nap to be outdoors.

Sacrifice with a smile. 

Tomorrow is the 1st day of Summer 2023. 
Embrace the wonder no matter what the weather is that day. 
It will change.

Life Can Get Better

 16 March 2023

Only One Month Ago

Today

Don't Let the Weather Fool You

It is not Spring, no matter what it feels like.

The recent warm temperatures in the Northeast are causing me daydream chaos. Thoughts dash about searching for something stable to hold onto. I find myself welcoming (the once dreaded) overcast clouds when they block out the sun. 

Shake ups can be like sifting for treasure, revealing new ideas, and why didn't I relics...if we think of it with a positive attitude. Then.

Is Winter setting us for a cold blasting blizzard in the weeks ahead? 

I'm not being drawn into that paranoia. 

I have boots. I have gloves. 

I have a down puffer coat!

Enjoying what good Earth's system brings is a blessing to embrace...even when it is still winter.

❄️