January 9, 2018 – FROZEN

         We’ve had the usual frozen shed door, frozen car doors, [feels like] frozen fingers and toes and my nose is SOOOOO cold.  This nationwide Artic blast is longer than we usually get.  On our back patio, there are a half dozen round chunks of ice the size and depth of dog food bowls that my husband turns out every morning and refills with warm water for the birds and critters. The ice chunks are not melting which is a testament to the duration of this deep freezing weather.

Our birdbath is frozen as well, which prompts me to look for one of those little birdbath heaters so that next year our birds will be able to get a better supply of fresh water.  Our wild birds have been feeding heavy for days now.  My husband often re-fills the feeders two or three times a day since they are so hungry.  Possibly some of our neighbors have cut back on feeding them - I don’t know.  We feed them year round because we enjoy them. 

Just yesterday, when I was pouring a cup of coffee, a red-bellied woodpecker was at the feeder about two feet from the window over the kitchen sink.  What a sight - simply gorgeous!  You can’t get that delight in the city.

         We don’t need to even check the thermometer to know it has dipped below the freezing point as the ground crunches under our feet as it sounds like we are walking on a carpet of potato chips.  It is always fascinating to see the moisture in the soil of our lawn freeze and rise up in tunnels making it uneven to walk on.  

         Due to the cold blast, we are making sure that we start all of our automobiles to keep the batteries good and keep them in good running condition; a minor inconvenience, but necessary.

         I’ve taken to wearing extra layers of clothing in the house to keep out the chill and we have pulled out our auxiliary electric heater to cut the drafts when the mid-afternoon sun goes down.  I’ve also taken the liberty to re-coin a common Southern phrase asking “Is it cold enough for you?”  and have receive many colorful replies.

         All of this is just part of winter living in the country. Without the cold winter, we wouldn’t have the fresh green spring or the sultry summer or the delicious colors of fall.  This cold blast is just a little blip on our radar as we encounter these small inconveniences in order to enjoy the joys of country living.

         Early this morning, my husband declared,

         “I couldn’t get the back door open,"  he continued,

         “Santa’s nose was frozen to the window and I had to pry it off in order to open the door.”

         “Did we lose Santa’s nose?”  I asked concerned that the cute little Santa face hanging between the inner door and the glass storm door was ruined.

 They were not expensive, but they are cute and they make me smile.  I know it is unusual to have a traditional green wreath with a big red bow hung beside the doors and then a childish Santa face hung on the polo green doors – but that is the little kid in me.

         “He’s still got his nose . . . .” was the answer.

         Today is the day after Epiphany, which we Catholics celebrate the Magi – the three kings - ending the Christmas season.   This is the day I traditionally take down all my Christmas ornaments and pack them away until next year.

I think the FROZEN Santa nose was a gentle reminder of that.