Dawn shot. Not enough light and snow driving sideways. It stings your face that snow. 19F which is minus7.2C. Note the MINUS as we head out the door. I don’t like the minus. 
This morning, I have discovered that if you have a sneezing fit out in the barn in that kind of cold you get a really sore throat. TonTon and I feed out the hay to the sheep and cows. I have discovered this morning how very annoying it is when a big fat cow knocks the cord out of her outside heated water trough. I have to take both pairs of gloves off so I can get a grip, and climb up onto the frozen trough in icy gumboots with a mixture of snow and cow breathing down my neck, holding the cord, then reach back into the barn to plug it back in. After repeated and very satisfying bashing of the ice with a cement brick (first blunt instrument I could see) and then a couple of buckets of hot water lugged over from the house, poor old Daisy watching closely, she was able to get a drink. Good girl, Daisy.
Then I see that I have forgotten to even plug in the sheep’s water, Mama sighs with her mouth full. More bashing of ice and lugging of warm water but on a smaller scale. Then TonTon and I, carrying a bucket each, our eyes squinting against the snow flakes that look pretty from Inside the house, walk across the field fighting the icy snow laden wind to the Chook House. Hmm. We discover that the gale force winds last night broke their storm door. It is swinging and crashing on us as we struggle in. But maybe we will deal with that one later. I have a collection of old doors in the rat-house. We feed and water the chickens and collect the eggs before they freeze solid. On the way out, I smack the door a few times with a lump of firewood so that it at least closes over the interior screen door, kick a couple of cement bricks free from the frozen ground and lean them on the door to keep it closed. Good enough. I have been out here over an hour. I am very cold now.
I have discovered that the pain in your toes and fingers goes away after a while outside, but when you come back inside your face does not work very well, so it sounds like you have had a stroke. Which is kind of funny but not really. 
I also discovered that with a little more light the camera can see the snowflakes too. Much more fun from the verandah on our way back inside. Though for the moment snowflakes have lost their charm. They are not as soft as they look. Flake is a misnomer. But now for a hot cup of coffee. Really Hot.
Good morning.
c
The Kitchen's Garden 
81 responses to “All Dawns are Not Born Equal.”
Beautiful photos. I remember a funny ad I used to see in Communication Arts magazine for a very good black and white photographer. He was from North Dakota. And the headline was something about how you really learned to see the world in black and white when you grew up there. I don’t know what State you’re in, but I’m sure you’re tuned into black and white and all shades in between come a harsh winter. (Personally, I love b/w images.) I hope the novacaine face is back in working order. Coffee’s good for that. Have a good one.
Illinois, mid state. not as cold as it can get but cold is a relative term. And it is true what that photographer said. What i will do one day is take shots and show you the colour ones and then the black and white ones. it will be an interesting exercise. Light becomes everything.. c
Brrr… but at least the photos are beautiful.
Thank you Greg.. I am starting to warm up again.. back out there soon though.. c
I love waking up on extremely cold mornings, especially with snow. Makes me want to fire up the grill and get the day going! 😉
You crazy fella!! c
Bet those snowflakes felt like little razor blades. Loved the bit about feeling your face when you come back in! Now I shall stop moaning about the fact that it´s a bit chilly with a little cold drizzle here.
Morning tanya, when it is really cold i think that you dress for it more..that cold drizzle goes right through you sometimes! c
Looks great – thanks for going out in it and taking the pix 😉
Just doin’ my job!.. The photos were fun .. c
These photos look like they could have been taken during the Great Depression. I think it’s a combination of the B&W and the old Dodge. Glad you got to warm up again. Hang in there!
That Dodge does add to the mood! c
Wow, after reading that, I feel cold all the way over here in sunny Antalya! Brr… you sure deserved that coffee.
Hi Siobhan, and welcome. yes i am willing to bet you are somewhat warmer out there in Turkey! Am I right i think i read you were over there. c
Oh my gosh that looks so cold. Celi, take care of that throat and keep yourself warmed. xx
Thank you Ms Misk but no need to worry, we are skating in and out as fast as we can for the rest of the day! c
I love the old Dodge photo too! So great in front of your barn. Laughing that you and I wrote in such a similar vein this morning! Now your comment to me this really has meaning. I too hate it when it is that cold, though thankfully it does not happen too often here. ~ L
PS: Slowly sipping, green tea with honey and lemon does wonders for a scratchy throat, but I suspect that maybe you are already doing that.
Wandering about in our respective environments seeing to our flocks, i envy you your geese though, they sound like fun! c
It seems old man winter is finally starting to awaken around here. Though it will get warmer through the rest of the week. I’ll take this over what it could be!
Yes i bet you are getting the blast today too, keep your kids warm. not a day for snow balls! c
Laughing that you ‘fixed’ the door by bashing it with a bit of wood! (sounds very ‘Kiwi’) :-).
It snowed here in Palmerston North a few months ago… it NEVER snows here… it was charming… for about 60 seconds… snow is COLD… who knew??
there is always a handy piece of junk to help me FIX things, I certainly was not walking back through that weather to get an hammer!! I have taught John about Kiwi Ingenuity! c
It’s Bonnie and Clyde! Amazing pics. I’m coming to steal that Dodge truck.
Ha HA!! Dare ya! c
The Truck and Barn photo is worth the pain…
Oh! And happy, fed and watered critters, too…of course.
Going down to 9F tomorrow night, but thankfully, no wind-driven ice for us.
It is a nasty day here. Hopefully it will blow out soon. c
After the relatively mild weather, today was a painful reality check. I nearly froze my nougats this morning. My hands, too! I think the real winter is finally here.
Nougats! that is fantastic, may i use that? Yes, we are getting reminded not to get too comfortable.. c
For some reason, circumstances which are not the most comfortable can yield some rather striking photos in life. I especially like your picture of the Dodge truck in the snow. 🙂
It is true Hetterbell, these conditions do bring out new shots.. c