SNOW

It's snowing! Granted we aren't getting much. An inch and a half.... but who knows? It's still coming down!

I think it looks like a Christmas card... the soft, white flakes... the deer in their Winter coats.

The animals don't mind the snow. For one thing, at 23 degrees, it's so much warmer than last week when we endured 9 below zero for a few days.

The Shelties don't want to come in!

They roll, and jump, and run and play. They love eating the snow (although they have a full bowl of water in the house) and usually their little noses are covered in white.

The bunnies love the snow, too. They have a heat lamp to keep them warm, but you don't find the near it today! They are out in their bunny yard, enjoying the weather.

Hobbes is NOT particularly fond of the snow. He still comes with Selkie, Piper and I to feed the horses, but instead of loitering around outside afterwards, he comes straight into the house with me.

The chickens had never seen snow before today! and they were appropriately suspicious. They gathered in the doorway, and clucked, and chattered. Eventually, one of the Barred Rocks was pushed out into the fluffy white stuff... and since she didn't seem to sustain any ill effects, it wasn't long before the rest of the flock followed suit.

As for me, I LOVE snow! especially at this time of year. It certainly adds to the Christmas spirit.  So, Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS season, enjoying every aspect of every experience!

Gramma Elk

Look who survived hunting season! and has a comment to make about it, too! *LOL*

We first noticed this cow elk last year. She was so grey around her face, and she hated jumping fences. The other elk would bound over the barriers, as if they were nothing... but this old girl, would run the length, up and down, always searching for a low spot, or a sagging wire. Finally, she would heave her body over. I always held my breath- praying she'd make it over without a hitch.

I think I always empathized with her. I'm sure sailing over fences used to be easy for her in her younger days. The grizzling on her face, and the grey on her ears told my Wildlife Biologist husband, that she was probably over 20 yrs. old! I knew all about the aches and pains which rendered life more difficult. I knew all about growing older, and less spry. I always looked for her whenever I saw elk, and soon, we'd dubbed her Gramma.

This year, in early November, we had 16 head of cows and calves come down to our pasture. We viewed through binoculars as they turned to head back up Deep Creek the following morning, and we saw Gramma stand in our backyard and watch them leave. Bruce was sure the herd would be back. It's very unusual for a cow elk to ever be alone. These are herd animals. But they've never been back, and Gramma has not left.

Bruce just laughs at me when I say that they brought Gramma here for safe keeping. That they knew she couldn't jump the fences and get away quickly during hunting season. BUT, he does admit, that it certainly looks as if that's what happened. Whatever, Gramma is safe, and in good shape, and as far as I'm concerned... she never needs to leave.

Getting a Christmas tree Montana style!

Living in NW Montana, we are surrounded by beautiful pine trees of all kinds... Grand Fir, Doug Fir, White Pine, etc. We even have a few Christmas tree farms that sell their trees to lots back East in late October! But for the locals, there are very few places to BUY a Christmas tree, and the majority of us end up tromping through the woods, cutting our own.

Last Thursday, it was our turn. Bruce and I, along with the Shelties, walked out into our backyard, hoping to find a special tree.

Earlier, when the weather was warmer, we'd marked a couple of trees we thought might work... but when "push came to shove" we examined them a bit closer, realizing why they wouldn't do. Trees that look absolutely perfect, are too often several trees growing too close together. Some are too big. Some have huge holes... Some just don't look green enough.

They tell me I'm too picky. It's because I'm originally from Chicago... and used to perfectly shaped, thick, full trees- probably sprayed a uniform green. 

The Shelties enjoyed themselves immensely, chasing down some wonderful smells, and licking up the skiff of snow on the logs.  They didn't have any problem with how long I was taking to find the right tree.

Finally, I gave the ok... This is THE tree!  When you consider that Bruce is 6 ft. tall, you can see I always pick trees that are too big...  Somehow, they just don't look all that big to me when they are in the woods.

Bruce fired up the chain saw, and down came the tree.  I, honestly, always feel a tug at my heart. I hate knowing we've just cut a living thing.

Bruce pointed out that this particular tree survived some fire damage when it was quite young. Frankly, that made me feel worse.  I'm hoping it's an honor in treedom, to become a family's Christmas tree. I'm certainly grateful to this tree for giving itself to us.

The tree ended up being about 12 ft. tall, and VERY heavy.

So, now it's waiting for us in the garage. We'll try to put it up before the kids come home, but I'm REALLY not looking forward to putting the lights on! I guess that's a bit of revenge, on the tree's part, huh?

On my way to work

This past week, the moon has been full, and it still hangs huge! and heavy as I leave for work. I've tried capturing it with my preschool point and shoot camera... It just doesn't do it justice. In the bottom right corner, you can barely see our barn. This is what it looks like as I leave the house every morning.

The mornings are cold... anywhere from 5 degrees to 13. The majority of homes here heat with some sort of wood. You can see the chimneys smoking, and know of the warmth and coziness inside.

Right now, there's a skiff of snow on the ground, frosting the trees and buildings. Clouds hang heavy in the valleys.

The road I drive is very rough, and narrow. I dodge wild turkeys, deer and elk, and constantly worry about sliding off the road, and down into the river. There would be nothing to stop the car, and no cell service to call for help. If I pass 3 cars in the 30 min. it takes to get to Trout Creek, I'm surprised!  But, I will opt for my drive to the preschool any day, over the stress of city driving.  The scenery rejuvenates me, and reminds me to be grateful for everything I have in my life.