Bad news first. Alan built us a nifty heating device, which although it doesn't really warm the house, does allow me to get the chill off a couple of times a day and to dry the place out a little.
The 55-gallon barrel, upon which its function is based, sprang a leak this morning. Not a bad leak so I am going to try to get one more warm up out of it before we drain it so the hoses don't freeze or the pump burn out...he is in NJ so he won't be able to repair it. Frustrating.
Now the good part. It is blissfully sunny and still for a cold December day. Every animal that is outdoors is standing with their sides turned to it, just soaking it in. Cats. Cows. Every single heifer, all just loving the sunshine, among the frosty everything.
Basking.
Reveling in their quiet, comfortable way.
I basked a bit myself while watching a Northern Mockingbird sneak around the yard, thinking I couldn't see his secret self. What a wonderful bird...funny how flamboyant he is in summer time when he is guarding his territory and now so silent and hidden. He would slap his long tail from side to side and peer down at me from various perches, here in the spruce, there in the lilacs. He was sure that I couldn't see him.
Silly critter. I am the same me that he landed right next to all summer, and practically posed for the camera begging to be photographed. What's up with that?
All the other birds are out as well and have been since daybreak when I went out to see to that little stove. At one point geese were flying one way, a clutch of brown-headed cowbirds another, robins everywhere, juncos, titmice, chickadees and a handful of gold finches all hurrying around grabbing breakfast. A few crows were shuttling back and forth and the red-tailed hawk sat fluffed on his feet in the cottonwoods down by the river.
My heart is warm even if my hearth is not. Have a good one everybody.
PS, one of my favorite cows, Carlene, a Duregal Astre Starbuck daughter, had a heifer calf by Leadfield Columbus yesterday. Can't wait until her milk is ready to go in the tank and I can start milking her again.
Update: the boss says it is just frost melting off the barrel. Since it isn't dripping at the moment he may be right. Sure hope so!
I'll continue to send warm thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteI love your morning reflections.
ReplyDeleteNice to think of all the critters making use of solar power to keep/get warm.
ReplyDeleteHope the boss is right on the frost vs leak. And I hope your regular furnace gets repaired and returned soonest.
So glad to hear the boss's take!
ReplyDeleteStay cozy and enjoy the basking.
Love the image of the animals tracking the warming rays like sunflowers :)
OH ME TOO! I HOPE SO I DO I DO!!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
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Jan, thanks! We are having a spell of relatively mild weather and are very grateful
ReplyDeleteDani, thank you so much!
Joated, I love to watch them soaking up the sun that way.
And we were both wrong on the water thing. It was condensation from some somewhat less than dry wood we were burning. At least the barrel is okay. I can't wait on the furnace though. IN this weather I would have to fill it maybe two or three times per day. The little thing needs constant attention
Cathy, sunflowers! Exactly! They do love the sun and find a place out of the wind to soak it up whenever they can
Linda, thanks!