Duck flight, Flying Hat Ranch, Texas, 2011
The temperatures rose to 35 degrees and the sun came out, melting the snow about the place. Corrals turned to mud. Meadow Lark, White-crowned Sparrow, and Chickadee scattered away from their emergency ration station in the barn alleyway and I turned Star out so that he could run about the pastures and go to the county road to visit his friends at the Nowack place. I saw deer track along the grove lane and vowed to throw corn near the salt block tomorrow.
Star galloped through snow and mud to the pond and as we both made our way towards the barn, ducks flew upward from their browsing, but circled back to the pond, dousing their beaks, grasping algae and minnow. A west wind blew across the snow and I wore sunglasses to reduce the glare of the sun. After I fed Star, I walked up the hill to the house, strongly striding because cold air filled my lungs and I was content with Winter.
Star galloping, Flying Hat Ranch, Texas, 2011
Sage to Meadow ~ Jack Matthews 
Winter does put a bounce into the step, but this was almost like a touch of Spring in the air: mud, frisky horse in the pasture, and flying ducks.
I have to admit, it sure sounds inviting! Evidently you are in a place that can change quickly, whereas I am not. Best of all, I’m really happy you’re enjoying it. So good to be alive!
Thank you, Bill. We are looking at another snow middle of the week and that’s okay. Good to be alive! Yes, things do change quite fast. Maybe this next snow will not be preceded by ice.
What you describe is what we see here usually in late March when winter begins to lose its grip. It is indeed a comfortable and invigorating feeling! Glad you weather the storm so well!
I know when your late March thaw comes, you are ready for warmer days. Your winter photos are just great.
Living it there with you through your words. A good day! What a difference 20 degrees makes!
It was a good afternoon after four days of being cooped up.
It’s been double-digits below zero here recently; something unheard of for New Mexico. It’s like I woke up in icy hell, back in Minnesota or something! I love Star. Such a beautiful equine.
I read you are having a bad time. Gas shut down in Taos. Do try and stay warm.
Nice to see that the melting ice and crisp air are putting a bounce into pre-spring days. This winter’s been one for the books for most of the country.
The humid air of Louisiana seems a solar system away right now.
It’s a treat reading about the experience of others when it comes to winter weather, especially those not used to it. We don’t have it too bad in Southeast Michigan most winters. Our recent pattern was to get several inches of snow only to have it warm up a day or two later and melt most of it. This year has been different–below normal temps have kept the snow piling up, although we’ve only had one or two nights when the temps dipped below zero. Persistent clouds help keep our temps up at night, but make for a pretty gloomy winter. That said I did get the snowshoes out today and trekked down to the marsh behind our neighbor’s place. It felt good to get out in the fresh air. The snow in most places was nearly up to my dog Jackson’s belly, so I’m guessing about 15 inches on the ground, a pretty good amount for us.
Stay warm, and I hope you get to turn your thermostat up soon. We keep our place at 66 all winter, (though we warm the evenings up with a fire in the wood burner), so I’m right there with you!
Marie: Thank you for commenting. Your experience in Michigan needs to be applied down here in Texas. I like your 66 degrees and burning firewood. We’re doing the same here at the house. I’ve never been on snowshoes. I can see where Winter can get gloomy, although I love Winter and the challenge. I know it’s a hoot to read about our working with frigid temps. And, it’s a hoot to figure out what to do about a frozen lock at the front gate. I had to get the bolt cutters out and cut the chain and lock. Then I could drive five miles to find out the Exxon station was out of milk. Got beer instead. I could do with fewer hoots. Thanks, Marie, for writing such an interesting comment. You stay warm, too.
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