Happy First of Many Hogs – wait, wait . . .

Thank you, Christy. I was astonished to arrive at home from my little foray at the Torch Lake Cafe to find comments waiting. It seems I should get out more.

Thank you, Wendi, and to you and Terry as well. I’ve been in California for awhile – will call you in a minute. You’ve been in my thoughts.

Hello, Martha – Do you know I’ve been reading Wisconsinland on my RSS feed? Still can’t do commenting and such from home, but I am there, lurking! It’s very nice to be missed.

That is a very nice thing to say. Thank you. I hope your cold and wet sinks gently into the aquifer and comes back to you in appropriate amounts in the coming year. (One must always be so careful what one wishes with regard to Mama Nature. She has a wicked sense of humor.)

Coincidentally I had the last of Sonny’s Swedish sausages for my breakfast this morning. They were, of course, excellent. Chris and Sonny have retired from the meat market altogether, so there will be no more sausages available via conventional means. However, I’m hoping to find a way around that, short of slaughtering a hog and figuring out how to turn it into edible things. (I can’t remember if you were Around Here when I wrote about an old fashioned hog slaughter – a post that sent my vegetarian sister and niece fleeing from Torch Lake Views in tears – but I am definitely not up for that again.)

It is snowy indeed, and bitter cold, too, but I have a warm coat, two warm dogs, blessed power – and enough propane in the tank to keep the home fires burning until the refill arrives. That will make a good foundation for 2014 I think.

It was April. Boy oh boy it’s not April out there now. But we are sneaking up on the New Year, moment by moment, and we are past the winter solstice. Every day will get a little brighter. OK, we must not think TOO far ahead.

Happy New Year to you as well, you rowdy soul. Really, really nice to run into you.

Thank you. Feels just like home.

Thank you Karma – Miss Sadie returns the greetings, and a very nice tailwag. The Cowboy has fallen asleep in the blue chair and is snoring. Spaniels.

A very Happy New Year to you as well.

Hello Diantha – That is very nice to hear. I hope you have a lovely New Year’s Eve and a fine New Year.

I make no promises, as Mama Nature has a way of laughing at all my plans. But here we are in a brand new year, and hope is a shiny coin.

Thank you, Carsten – be assured the gates of Michigan are never closed. We have an entire industry devoted to keeping ’em wide open. Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I are always glad when visitors find their way to the Writing Studio and Bait Shop, and we’re glad to be here together again our ownselves.

And I you. One day at a time, sez I.

Well, there might have been a little more excitement around here had a dark-haired forest ranger showed up after midnight, but we still await the first foot.

It seems you have had a bit of rain. I expect the hot chocolate was a very good idea.

Thank you Birgitte – it is nice to see you. Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I went out and about on New Year’s Day and have not yet had our first in-person visitor of the New Year. We are still holding out for a dark-haired forest ranger. (I wonder if a silver-haired visitor who used to be dark-haired would count? The pool of likely visitors of that description is much larger.)

Rumor has it that much of the southern part of the state remains icy. I’ve experienced lengthy winter power outages, and they are No Fun At All. I’m very glad that you were able to provide hostel services! Happy New Year to you, too.

I’m pretty sure it was the Cowboy. Eye-watering.
I had a lovely surprise from you when I got home, too. Also made my eyes water, but in a good way. Thank you.

Thank you, Joss – I hope I’m here to stay, too, but if I go anywhere I’ll let you know what I’m up to.

We have had a good amount of snow, fortunately mainly of the fluffy variety, which allows itself to be swept off the steps and piled attractively by the sides of the driveway. More or less. Ever since Aaron Coleman explained the importance of a good layer of snow (“It’s like a quilt over the land, protecting it” he said) I’ve been glad to see it. Still glad to see it go, too, but that will be awhile! Meanwhile, excellent book-reading time.

Hi Ken – Shep is always on our honorable mention list. I think the Cowboy is jealous of Jake, though.

Thanks, Scott. I hope all is well with you and yours.