I am in receipt of several remarks from Away to the effect that there are insufficient pictures of snow at Torch Lake Views. Where, lament the snowbirds, are the lovely piles of white stuff that gladden our hearts every December . . . while we are down here in Florida? Then they giggle.
Fine. Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I put on our snowpants and our coats and . . . oh, wait. All that was just me. Anyway, after extensive preparations, we bounded out into the day on our mission. There was surprisingly little snow in the immediate vicinity—certainly not enough to gladden the hearts of malicious snowbirds. We headed down to the Bay. The wind practically blew us back up the bluff. That explains the paucity of snow. Ours has all blown off to the eastern precincts, somewhere in the vicinity of Mancelona. They may keep it. Plenty more is coming.
There is some snow on the beach, and sand blown over the snow. I like the effect—sort of like one of those swirly cake batters. A rim of ice is building up along the shore. Waves batter at it, trying to claw their way past it to reach the sand. Every now and then one spurts a geyser of extremely cold water into the air in frustration.
I took my mittens off just long enough to take three or four pictures and had to thaw my fingers out for an hour when we got back to the den. Enjoy your slideshow. I’m going to go make cocoa. I’ll make you some too if you stop the infernal giggling.
I’m making some for Birgitte and Mrs. Uhdd and Scott and Carsten, too, and putting marshmallows on top, because all of them have way more snow than we do. Go figure.
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
December 7, 2010
Thanks, I’m having beer instead of cocoa. It isn’t hot, but it’s relaxing, and I deserve it after successfully negotiating the long drifted driveway for the second time today.
The wind is fierce, isn’t it? Must say, I can picture Miss Sadie in snowpants, and it makes for a pretty cute picture. Am guessing the Cowboy would be impatient with clothes. Is he?
Thrashing Bay! Name for a little town in a novel! Sarah and I had our big adventure for the day (amazing how a dog can tear around in deep snow, as easily as if she were running in mown grass), and I’m not going anywhere else tonight.
Your house looks cozy tucked up there….
Gerry
December 7, 2010
That sounds good. I believe I should hare off to the Eastport Market before it gets too dark and blowy.
Miss Sadie would probably like snowpants–and a nice down coat and a hat with earflaps, too. She does not like to be cold. Fortunately, she seems to have a little furnace inside her. The Cowboy has never expressed an opinion about clothing one way or another. Good. I have a feeling he’d be a high maintenance clothes horse if he ever got into fashion.
The house is cozy for the moment. I believe I must work on a mystery, The Cabin on Thrashing Bay . . .
kanniduba
December 7, 2010
I’m still trying to figure out when it happened?? It was *just* fall the other day, wasn’t it?
Gerry
December 7, 2010
Ha. I’m still trying to get used to beard stubble on Rob the Firefighter. Time is just one of those things I’ve never understood and no longer expect to. I believe it is still fall somewhere. Perhaps in Australia.
Nye
December 8, 2010
I think that’s what I need this winter, a snow pants. It looks real pretty in picture, but I could imagine the cold and it’s just the beginning.
Gerry
December 8, 2010
What snowpants lack in style they make up for in warmth. I have powder pants, too, from my skiing days, and long underwear, and quantities of SmartWool socks. Once I’m all bundled up, I can go anywhere with the dogs. As you can imagine, there are days when it takes us longer to get ready for our walk than to take it . . .
Giiid
December 8, 2010
Umnn, (how delicious) thanks! That´s exactly what I would like to see at my table right now, warm cocoa and sweets. And served this way via internet, I can even enjoy it without concerns about calories or similar disturbing facts.
I love your photos from the beach, it is a wonderful place, and you have captured the sentiment of a cold day very well. I haven´t seen any photo of your home before, what a wonderful house and place you have! And the inside filled with warm cocoa and marshmallows…you are indeed a lucky potato, meaning a very lucky person, – in case you don´t use this term. The wordbook is translating it into: a lucky devil.
Now I have something new to wonder about, I can´t see much likeness between a potato and a devil…
Gerry
December 8, 2010
Thank you. I’m quite fond of the Writing Studio and Bait Shop. It’s drafty and full of cranky mechanical systems, somewhat like its owner, but it suits us. I think I am a lucky potato. (When I was a little girl we used to say “You’re a lucky duck!” I don’t hear that any more. Probably not much likeness between ducks and devils either. Except for deviled eggs. Oh dear. Time for our walk.)
Molly
December 8, 2010
These photos were just what I needed and I didn’t even know it. There is nothing like the look of snow on sand on snow on sand……..
Gerry
December 8, 2010
I’m glad! I love sand on snow on sand – and it usually means that you can step onto what looks like sandy beach and sink gently into six or eight inches of fluffy snow. It’s a dreamy feeling.
uphilldowndale
December 8, 2010
Brrrr that looks cold Gerry. Now I’m worried that not all the summer homes have drained down the water for the winter, I’m remembering that oh so sad house you showed us? (that I think would stop anyone giggling).
Gerry
December 8, 2010
Ah yes – the Free House. There’s a whole new house on that plot of land now–dunno what happened to the mildewed one that was removed.
Not to worry. Most summer people have a regular opening and closing routine, winterizing the house themselves or hiring a service to do it. There’s a whole Up North industry devoted to taking care of seasonal homes. (Any Summer Person reading this who has omitted to arrange for winterizing should immediately visit the Chore Services link over in the right-hand column and retain a capable person NOW.)
Carsten
December 8, 2010
Thanks for counting me in Gerry.
We use the Marshmallows when we have a fire in the garden in the summertime. They are put on sticks and held close to the fire – not too close – until they become light brown and crispy on the outside. And sticky as (Something) inside. Uhm. And a cold beer.
Anyway, please let me try the cocoa with marshmallow. I’m still young enough to try something new.
I like yout winter pictures. They pay well for the cold fingers.
Gerry
December 8, 2010
You drink beer with toasted marshmallows???? Really?? I have to think about this.
OK, I thought about it. No.
I will put your marshmallow on the side. You can try it or not, your choice.
I’m glad you liked the winter pictures. I can almost move all my fingers again.
Carsten
December 9, 2010
Well – usually we share the hard work in our family.
The young ones take the marshmallows.
Sometimes we all have a chance of getting some, when they accidentially catch fire, and the stick operator tries to put out the fire by whipping the stick rapidly in whatever direction…..
Did I forget something about who has to take care of the cold beer?
Gerry
December 9, 2010
I begin to see the value of cold beer at a marshmallow roast.
Karma
December 8, 2010
My new camera is still waiting for his chance to be introduced to snow. I feel like I’ve been reading about much snow around the blogosphere, but we are yet to get it here in Massachusetts. It has certainly been cold enough for the past few days, and there are rumors about this Sunday.
Gerry
December 8, 2010
Well, you may certainly have some of mine. We have enough to spare, if not enough to complain about. It’s a challenge, isn’t it, finding something to photograph outdoors in the in-between times? Last year about this time I was getting stuck in my garage and taking pictures of Young Eddie. This year about this time we have had so little snow that today was Dale Reedy’s first visit to the Writing Studio and Bait Shop – and Young Eddie has a brand new baby brother!
Anna
December 9, 2010
These photos are wonderful! I really like the beach scenes…. lovely! Snow… ho-ho-ho… is coming to Kansas on Saturday. 🙂
Gerry
December 9, 2010
Thank you. Enjoy the snow-ho-ho. I’ll bet you do wheelies, don’t you!