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Look! What snow feels like before it falls

If you have ever been pregnant.

It feels like that. The air is heavy and still and morbid with anticipation.

Before I dive into this weekends writing though – I thought I would show you …

Yesterday!

hereford hog eating in field
chicken and her eye

A little snow was in the forecast. But everyone went to bed early. So I took that as a sign and closed the doors on both the barns.

pig under covers in barn and straw

If I lay that blanket on top of the straw in time Wai finds the edge and burrows right under the lot.

I often go to tuck him in and he is already covered. Clever little grumpy pig.

solitary tree in snow

And now. This morning!! The snow has fallen. Though that heavy feeling remains. Portent. So still. Waiting.

I am going to have to remove that heavy limb off to screen left. It is cracking in at the base close to the trunk and I prefer to choose to remove it rather than have it wound this tree when it falls. But first I need to talk to the tree and tell her that I am going to do some pruning – I don’t want her to get a fright. She is an old tree, one of the originals to this homestead and I do love her.

There is a lot of snow forecast in the next 10 days. 7 + 9 inches + 1 or two here and there. Though the forecasted numbers rise and fall at the whim of the forecaste; her information is, by it’s very nature: mercurial – but it means that I have chosen not to travel next week. Him Indoors would struggle on but that would not be fair.

I cannot risk a few days away.

Yesterday I got my water colours and charcoals out from their long holiday in my bottom drawer and now I am seriously distracted! Which is good right? NO! It is bad. I am writing three lovely little short stories for you for tomorrows Letter. Some might call it a news letter but I am NOT one for the news!! 😂 However, I do not need to be distracted.

I was working on my daughters eye (above) last night then out of the blue she calls. (she is inAustralia). Huh. Of course the rest of the face is rubbish but I joyously cut the good bits out with my trusty scissors! Success really is that simple!

Have a lovely day though.

See you tomorrow evening in the evening edition of The Kitchens Garden.

Celi

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38 responses to “Look! What snow feels like before it falls”

  1. Dear animals – they want to be warm before the cold arrrives.
    I’m sure you are very much entitled to a bit of distraction and relaxation while it freezes outside 😉

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  2. Clever little Wai. He knows he has it good. We usually get the weather you have had, so I trust your reports more than local forecasts. The tree In question looks like it will be relieved to have that heavy load removed! Have a good day!

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    • Isn’t it fun how we can see our weather coming across the country.

      I do love this tree. But it lost its balance a few years ago. Settling it back will help I think. I want it to last years and years!!

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      • It was always so difficult for me to prune, or heaven forbid, cut a tree. For years my John and I went round and round about tree cutting and pruning. But finally I realized it is often exactly what the trees need. Since that realization it has been much easier for me to cut and prune. Of course I, too, converse at length with the trees as I go about giving them a sprucing up. 🙂

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  5. In my opinion that is about the perfect amount of snow. Just enough to be beautiful for a time. Here it would melt off and then we could wait for the next bit. I know that probably won’t be the way it happens for you on the wide open plains. There will be more yes, as we have 3 storms over the next week, although we in the lowlands do not get cold enough for snow until late next week. Our mountains are getting feet of snow which means no driving east for many who want or need to. Stay warm Miss C, and I commend you for sticking nearby, not just for Him Inside but also for the farmy in general and for safety. Try to catch a moment when the internet is functioning and do a video call. Video chat has been a godsend with both my girls in Colorado.

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    • Yes! I love the video with the kids and they are very casual about them! Passing the phone around. Sometimes they put the phone down “watch this’ and forget I am on there – just keep playing.

      Not too cold here yet though – nice actually – just sitting around freezing.

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  8. The thing I like most about heavy snowfall is the way you know it has snowed when you wake up, before even looking out of the window. The whole world feels hushed and quieter. I remember that during winters growing up on the moors – my childhood home. A time for hibernation, and that’s what we did. Plenty of games, naps and reading by the fire. Sorry to hear you’re having to postpone your travel, but I hope you enjoy some slower days.

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  10. I love this: ‘But first I need to talk to the tree and tell her that I am going to do some pruning – I don’t want her to get a fright.’
    I’ve seen pōhutukawa limbs stretching out and falling in my local park, and the wounds are ragged and torn. It’s far kinder to remove the limb cleanly and talk to the tree. That’s my philosophy too.
    What kind of tree is it? I am intrigued. It is so graceful.

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  11. That still, leaden sky and thick blanket of snow was just what I needed to see. It’s 6.30am here and already 30°C/86°F and it was a wonderful blast of imaginary coolth. I’m glad you are letting that elderly tree know that you are relieving her of some of her burden.

    Reply

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