I had a great Christmas Day, and hope you did as well. The early travel from the City to the Country was a delight on uncontested roads, with middling sunshine and temperatures that soared to near sixty. There was not a lot to open under the tree- no tree- and taken in toto it was just fine.


All the kids checked in; the new Dad sent along some pictures of the pride of the family, who was obvious to the proceedings, the JG stood watch in the Command Center, keeping us safe in the night.

I walked the property in the bright sunshine, taking stock of the dog end of the year at the Farm. The pastures are in good order, the outbuildings remain standing and there is no evidence of intrusion by new critters. Some leaves, now brown and desiccated, remain stubbornly attached to the trees. I need a day with the leaf blower to clear the grass for the growing season that will be starting sooner than I like to think of.

Curious about the weather, isn’t it? It was warmer outside by the time I got the furnace going to bring the inside temperature up to match it. I remember winters that seemed to hover around this level, with soaking chill rain and snow only every other season or so. I don’t know if this periodic seasonal warmth alternating with Polar Vortex blasts is the new normal. One thing you can say about climate change is that it certainly does.


(The satellite lifeline that makes civilized life possible at the farm).

Later, I went next door and partied with the Russians and ate some Bambi, an animal I knew, prior to Mattski converting it to roasts and sausages. The Russian Princess now speaks with an authentic Virginia twang and the Jack the New Dog has integrated into the family nicely. He now has a Big Dog collar and is ready for the New Year. I imagine he will be eighty pounds or more before he is done.

I slept like the dead when I finally got home, and after making the coffee in the morning, ventured out to sample the beginning of the day.

There was a thin film of ice on the porch when I wandered out to check the temperature. Careful, I reminded myself, “don’t fall until you get to yoga this afternoon!”


(Looks like a trip up the ladder is in order to clean the gutters. Maybe in March).


Copyright 2014 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com
Twitter: @jayare303