The coldest part of the day is just after sunrise, which is a little before I (or Michael, once the doctor okays his lifting more than 20 lbs) go out to feed and water the birds. The reality of Life in the Big Woods is cold weather. Knowing this, I made myself what I call my “fake beard.”

I custom-spun alpaca with silk for the beard. Circular design that is conical. The unstretchiness means it blocks wind. Non-wool material doesn’t irritate my skin. Michael made me the hat from Jacob wool he spun. Super stretchy to hug my head!

Michael traditionally grows his “deer hunting” beard, which I have coveted for years dealing with scarves that come unwound. No more!

The last time we saw less than 30 below, we had small children and lived in The Cities. Blowing bubbles outside and watching them roll around on the ground, then break like glass, was fun. Now we have a dog and live in Big Woods territory, which gives us other wonders of very cold weather.

The ground above the culvert cracked apart about a half an inch. It’s called a “frost quake.”

We didn’t have any wind, just startling blue sky. Pouring out the unfrozen part of the bird buckets makes sharp cracking sounds.

Michael is walking and can fit his swollen foot in a snow boot, with the lining removed. I am making him a large woolen sock to fit over his other sock, to give him a bit more insulation. It’s handy to know how to turn a heel, so I can make any shape sock I need!

Walking Zeke lets us see the drama of the wild, even if it’s the wild right next to the road.

A pheasant walked here; then an eagle feasted.

I’m so happy we can both take Zeke for walkies now! This is too great not to share. And it is too lovely to have cold keep us inside.