BRRRRR!

Okay, I know, if you live up north like I did for a bit, 20 degrees is NOT cold. Sylvia doesn't even think it's cold, thanks to that dog-fur coat she wears. And no, I wouldn't think it was cold had I pulled out the long underwear and maybe some heavier gloves. My nose and cheeks would have appreciated a scarf or balaclava, too. As it was, I was definitely ready to come inside after 30 minutes! I spent part of our walk thinking about the weather pattern that has much of the country in a deep freeze, and part of it wondering if the person whose stuff I saw stashed in the doorway to the old Morton's Steak House yesterday afternoon found decent shelter last night.

Happy New Year!

We've been in 2014 for a few days now, of course, but with the holiday sandwiched between hectic work days, it's just now beginning to feel like it.

As you might imagine, Sylvia loves cold weather. Me? I don't mind, as long as I can dress warmly and know I can go someplace warm if I like. Fortunately it has been cold enough the past few days that I was prepared this morning; warm wool jacket, wool socks, hat, gloves. Sylvia had a grand time sniffing all the usual places. I think scents must linger longer in cold weather, because she always spends more time interrogating the signposts on cold mornings. Most days, it's a perfunctory "who's been here" sniff before she adds her own two cents to the conversation. On mornings like this, it's as if she's taking the time to ask how long ago the others were there, and, oh, by the way, have they had anything interesting to eat lately?

I don't know if the ducks on the creek actually like the cold, or if they just swim around more in order to stay warm. We saw at least half a dozen cruising the shallows near the road, until one sounded the alarm and the narrow creek erupted in flapping wings. I felt bad about disturbing them, and at the same time was thrilled at the sight and sound.