Still Cold

Here we are on the final day of February, heading into the traditionally weather-crazy month of March when all sorts of strange weather patterns are fairly common. This month has been a strange mix of hot and cold -- well, maybe not hot, so let's say warm and cold. Last night and today were prime examples. I had a low of minus three degrees last night, and I don't think we've been out of the single numbers above zero most of the day, and the wind has been blowing, sending the temperature below zero. I didn't bother to check. The sun was beautiful and it was very pleasant to look outside, but I knew better than to actually go outside as long as I didn't absolutely have to. I even skipped measuring the new snow amount this morning. I really didn't intend to, but I was preoccupied trying to untangle some electrical hookups, and by the time I finished it was too far past the reporting time, so I made a quick decision to do a "multi-day" report tomorrow. Hopefully, if the forecast is correct, there will be a warming trend sometime after midnight tonight. I certainly hope so. The thermometer is reading 2.9F at the moment. I don't think there's any wind now, but still . . .

Once cold February is out of here, dare we hope for some more "normal" weather? Being March, probably not. However, we'll take whatever we get. Spring is not far off!

I've been working on some of my family history lately. My great grandfather, John Bolton, took his wife and two young daughters to LeRoy, Minnesota in the mid-1800s, with the intention of settling there. They had been there only two or three years when the Civil War broke out, and the family returned to Danville where John enlisted, in 1862. I'm in the process of trying to find out where they lived before they went to Minnesota, and also when they bought property on Cabot Plain. It will all come together eventually, but for now, I'm still trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. It is going to take a trip to the town offices to seek out old deeds, I'm sure. I do have some records that I've gathered over the years, but they are scattered in various files - both traditional files and digital files - and I'm slowly getting those sorted and labeled in order to be able to locate information when I need it.

I also ordered more wild bird seed today. I was hoping to make it through this year with what I have, but with at least three or four more weeks left before I have to take in the feeders, I know there won't be enough. I don't want to stop feeding them in the middle of a cold spell. I'm sure they would survive, but still . . . the chickadees and nuthatches have provided hours of enjoyment for me. They are interesting little creatures. I've had some siskins, too. I was watching for robins - they've been seen in West Danville - but I think they are too smart to hang out up here where there's slightly more snow and no bare ground.

The feeders will have to come down soon, though - hungry bears will be awakening soon and come looking for an easy snack. I imagine the one that took down my window feeder last year will remember and try it again. 

Stay warm and safe.