OK, so I got distracted by Civil War veterans and forgot to press “Publish.” Here you go. Keep in mind that “today” is Sunday and “yesterday” is Saturday and . . . well. You get the idea.
Arts and the environment:
I rely on my daily poem from Writer’s Almanac the way I rely on coffee and the day’s Record-Eagle. When I read this morning’s offering by Hayden Carruth I thought of Tootlepedal at once and started to send him an email about the poem. Then I thought, well, why not just do a post? and here we are. I recommend you read the poem. You won’t be sorry. Then go see what the chaffinches are up to in the Borderlands. It will do you a world of good.
Your weather report:
The whiteout continues. Walks with Miss Sadie and the Cowboy tend to be brisk, without a lot of lollygagging around taking photos. This was the view yesterday from one of our favorite spots. Looks like a person could just walk straight into eternity, doesn’t it? Not a very attractive eternity, though.
Clearly this is a favorite spot for better reasons. It showed to good advantage in April, 2012. I’m sure I took other photos there too, but I can’t find them and I’m tired of rummaging around looking for things. Gloves, leashes, glasses, keys . . .
And from the Duo:
Miss Sadie is having no truck with playing outdoors this morning. She is napping on the couch. The Cowboy, though, has a warm fur coat and is always ready to go.
Torch Lake Views 
Erin
February 3, 2014
Gerry, it is BEAUTIFUL out there today. You are not going to believe what I had in the front yard this morning… Two (not 1, but 2) ROBINS. I even got a picture of one of them. I am dumbfounded and shocked. It’s a good sign, but realy? There is 3 feet of snow out there and the lake is frozen over. Have you seen them around the Bait Shop?
Erin
February 3, 2014
Ooops. Just realized I spelled “really” incorrectly. Typing too fast. Also, we have been out on the ice the past couple of days and if you can follow our tracks out to the top of the ice mounds furthest away, the view is spectacular and the ice ledge is AMAZINGLY beautiful. Picture worthy!!! 🙂
Gerry
February 3, 2014
I have definitely not seen any robins, but then I would have missed the sunshine today if you hadn’t drawn my attention to it. (A person can get entirely too far into the 19th century.) Would love to see your robins.
Bruce
February 3, 2014
Clear enough this morning to see buildings in Northport. My bay watch continues. With binoculars, I can’t see any open water on the bay. The 9&10 News weatherman, Tom O’Hare says the bay isn’t frozen over. I think he needs to send the station drone over the bay for a closer look.
Erin
February 3, 2014
I agree Bruce. I wouldn’t walk across it though.
Gerry
February 3, 2014
Bruce, I followed Erin’s tracks out on the ice and thought I’d like to see the drone’s pictures. I’ve been as far out as I’m going–but it was worth it.
Martha
February 3, 2014
That blinding blankness is my least favorite sky. Awful. Like no one bothered to roll the movie.
Cowboy looks adorable.
Gerry
February 3, 2014
Or like the projector malfunctioned and burned a hole in the film! Remember when that could happen? In another 50 years none of our metaphors will make any sense at all.
But the Cowboy will always appear to be adorable. It’s a gift.
shoreacres
February 3, 2014
No matter what, the Cowboy always makes me smile. I’m sure there have been a few times when you were tempted not to smile, but still – what a darling.
I trucked over to read Hayden Carruth’s poem and found a second treat. Today is James Dickey’s birthday. I got to meet him once, in Iowa City. It’s a shame I wasn’t more interested in poetry at the time, or I would have been more impressed. It was in the 60s, so he was well along in developing his work and his reputation.
That’s quite a pair of photos from your looking spot. For some reason, the phrase “whiteout” comes to mind. No storm here, of course, but that’s a whole lot of white!
Gerry
February 3, 2014
Miss Sadie is rolling her eyes. She is very fond of the Cowboy, except when she’s not.
I’ve always meant to read Dickey’s Deliverance but I never have. Haven’t seen the movie, either. It’s probably just as well. There are plenty of things in real life to make me feel unsafe if I give them mindroom.
I love Writer’s Almanac, though. I always read the whole thing, and if I have time I follow the links, too.
Martha
February 3, 2014
You got to meet James Dickey?!
tootlepedal
February 3, 2014
I enjoyed the poem. As you say there is recognisable behaviour there.
Gerry
February 3, 2014
I’m glad you liked the poem. Since I’ve been reading your blog I’ve discovered a great deal about birds that I’d never noticed outside my own window.
Cheri
February 3, 2014
Today I read the Writer’s Almanac poem by Ron Padgett. When I got to work there was a big book of his poetry waiting to be shelved. I had never heard of him before. What a coincidence!
Gerry
February 4, 2014
That’s one of the things I like about Writer’s Almanac – I get acquainted with the work of poets I’ve never heard of. Of course, sometimes I get to read a poem I already know, and that’s nice too, like meeting an old friend.
Dawn
February 4, 2014
Cowboy!!! You’re looking dapper!
Gerry
February 5, 2014
Awww – he is!
WOL
February 4, 2014
I love the snow/ice wattles hanging from the Cowboy’s muzzle. He is a dapper and well-upholstered young fellow. If you will recall the little yellow birds that used to hang out with Snoopy in the old Peanuts cartoons — their dialog used to be speech balloond full of nothing but exclamation points. I knew the first time I saw them, that the little yellow birds must be sparrows. That’s exactly how I would characterize their constant chipping.
Gerry
February 5, 2014
The Cowboy was hurt that you thought him well-upholstered but you made up for it by calling him young. If I were to shave off that shaggy coat (which I will definitely have to do one day soon, but not while it’s this cold) you would see a much slimmer Cowboy.
I can’t tell sparrows from wrens from – well, I’m just hopeless except for really obvious birds. Cardinals, for example. I’m good at those. But I know what you mean about the twittering. That’s one of the things I like about birds. They’re chatty.
WOL
February 6, 2014
Sorry, meant “well upholstered” in the sense of “well dressed for the weather” I have a long haired cat who, shaven, is surprisingly skinny (and rather silly looking if the truth be told).
Gerry
February 6, 2014
Miss Sadie seems to think the Cowboy is “well-upholstered” in the sense of “chubby” and is rolling her eyes at the notion of all of that roly-poly spaniel being fur. The Cowboy is looking smug.
Karma
February 5, 2014
Lol love the Cowboy’s snowballs under his chin. My duo brings many of them into the house between their toes. More to come… a fresh 8 to 12″ forecast for my area today.
Gerry
February 5, 2014
You are getting more snow than we are getting. You are getting so much that I don’t even have the heart to tease you about it. Keep warm.
Barb Faas
February 5, 2014
For dogs with shaggy feet – trim the hair under the foot, between the pads and then trim around the outside of the foot – much less mess when coming inside and discourages ice balls between the pads.
Gerry
February 5, 2014
I would be embarrassed to have you see the condition of the Cowboy’s coat just now. You are, of course, absolutely right.