Many roads in Alabama are named for things which are, or are no more, such as… Carter’s Gin or Ditto Landing.  Some are named for the (in)famous in Alabama’s history as for example, Bob Wallace.

But today on my adventure to the Tennessee border, to visit the apple orchard I saw this, and really had no clue!

I have it on good authority that there is a “Lick Skillet Rd.” somewhere in these parts too, although I have yet to stumble upon it.

We watched as huge snowflakes drifted down and turned the otherwise ordinary view white.  When the snow slowed its torrent the birds came out of hiding looking for something to eat.

Slipping out to feed them I found this boy all puffed up to ward off the cold.  He’s  looking festive don’t you think?

I have to go out to open the Hen House.  In the short trip to get there I grumble because my fingers are freezing and I have forgotten, once again, to put on my gloves.  Well, I tell myself, at least I remembered my camera this time.   I begin to smile, even though the cold has crept into my boots and bites my toes.   Seems we had another visit from the freezing fog this morning and it has left everything bejeweled!

Dead grass, fence posts, and the mud which is frozen in tiny spikes coming up from the ground, all are now covered in diamonds.

I look up into the Dogwood tree.  The limbs sparkle so lovely in this early morning light.  Then I notice the buds are already swelling. . .   it is a visual forshadowing of spring.

It snowed again yesterday frosting the bark on the trees, so I went walking looking for beauty and found it.  Then the rain came washing it  all away.

This afternoon I look out my window to see that one more cold and cloudy day enters into evening, and thus brings us closer to spring.

After the snow slowed I went out in the early morning for a walk.  All was quiet and I seemed to fade away in the silence.  As I walked down the road, hating to leave my foot treads in the soft white that covered it, I heard a noise to my right.  I looked… and finally I saw him.

Can you?

I went out looking for snow pictures and found a Cardinal.  Although they are common here I find  the newness has not worn off for me.

Today I spotted five!

Want to hear him sing?  Then go HERE

Chickens inspect the water font and peck in disbelief…

“Is this a joke?”  the Little Red Hen asked as she pecked an icicle running off the side of the bowl.

“If only it were!” replied Buffy.

“Bok, bok, bok-burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” was all their owner heard as she poured boiling water over the ice and plugged in the font’s heater.

In the morning while eating breakfast I looked out my window to see that a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker was having breakfast too.   Seems such an insensitive name for such a lovely bird.  Don’t you think?

While I have no understanding of the “yellow bellied” part of the name, I do know a bit about the “sapsucker” part.  Seems this bird drills small holes into the chosen food source, and then returns later to retreive the sap and any insects collected therein.  If you look closely you will see some of the little holes he has made in my Maple’s trunk.

Want to know more?  Then go … HERE

Yesterday, in late afternoon, I stepped out onto my porch and caught the sun sulking as he sank down through the trees.  He seemed suspended for a moment up in the branches as he glared at me.  The temperature had dropped, yet, I did not shiver on this shortest day of the year. . .

Solstice.

Using the last of his rays to warm me he seemed to hide his face.

I stood and watched the old Sol fade.

I woke up this morning and peered bleary eyed out the window. Its raining. I glance down and on the windowsill I see…

Kitty barf.

GREAT! I think.

Heading for the kitchen I grab a wet paper towel and return to the scene of the crime…

But wait, the “kitty barf” has moved?  It is a little frog!

Quickly I take it to the kitchen for rehydration and it jumps onto the faucet.  And there you see her.

Isn’t she cute?

Aww come on now.  You just have to admit, she’s cuter than kitty barf any day!