Covid and Snow Storms

 Covid finally hit our little families. And hit them hard.  My poor G daughter R was pretty much out of it for 2 days straight.  Four days of being knocked on asses. G son M showed no symptoms whatsoever despite being in close contact with them. Undoubtedly he was asymptomatic. He has had one vax but R has had none .... What a terrible feeling of helplessness not being to help with too much other than bringing groceries and fresh baked muffins. Of course we were exposed to this virus over Christmas. I managed to make it through with only a 4 day headache and being extremely tired. I called to book a test only to be informed since I was doubly vaxxed and only had mild symptoms to assume it "was" and isolate for 5 days.   Of course all this put a stop to any other family celebrations. 

Sleepovers are few and far between these days but we managed to arrange one with D and F. Finally after 2 weeks we were able to have Christmas with them. here was lots to make up for ----- crafts, baking, games, and cuddles.

 We were in the middle of a polar vortex so no outside this time. It was all fun and games until the next afternoon when we were informed our SIL had tested positive.  A few days later my daughter was hit by it. It has been 5 days and the kids seem fine. Delivered groceries, cat food, baked beans, and a couple of books.

Monday the kids were supposed to go back to school after being off from school from December 20th. We got walloped by 47.5 cm of snow. 

It has been a long long time since we got hit by that much snow all at once. Everything was shut down ---- shops, buses, and schools. Iain and I were out 3 or 4 times topping feeders and clearing snow. It took so long for clearing up the school buses were cancelled the next day too. It is still pretty ugly out there and now tonight were are supposed to get more snow, big temp plummet, and freezing rain. 

So as expected today is pretty chilly. -21C with a wind chill of -30C. I received yarn yesterday to start a new project so I will be caking that up. Maybe finish off a few letters.

Happy Cheese Lover's Day!!

Winter Solstice / First Day of Winter

Here I sit at 5 am slugging back some warm milk hoping the tryptophan kicks in.

I know there are two schools of thought on this

But I choose to believe in the sleep inducing properties of it.

 

Any who I thought it would give me a chance to show you some pics from our day yesterday.

You know its going to be bad when the radar is pink

 

 

As with after any storm it begins with a cleanup.

 

 

I keep the feral feeding station under our side steps.

The dish is always empty and there are little footy prints everywhere.

 

 

Our neighbour's neglected eavestrough lend itself to awesome icicles.

 

 

We actually saw someone coming out of the shed last night on our way to bed.

Trudging thru the snow probably heading to the food station for a midnight snack.

 

 

Poor Easter Island Man

 

 

The sunflower seeds have been stripped but their stalks leave interesting architecture to the back garden

 

 

 

 

Buck and Rudy! Our front door welcoming committee

 

 

 

 

There is a lonely mourning dove in the tree.

Despite having lots of feeders, suet, and open water our bird visitors are pretty slim.

HB coordinates our local Audubon Christmas bird count and has done so for the past 7 years (as well as contributing for over 20)

He has seen a rapid decline in species and amounts seen.

 

I think my warm milk is working so back upstairs to grab a few winks til coffee time.

 

 

Addy thinks I should be back in bed. I think I disturbed her sleep.

Digging Out

Here in Carleton Place (about 35km west of Ottawa) IT started just after supper time.

IT snowed

And snowed 

And snowed

And snowed

Then this morning we woke up knowing we had to dig, snowblow, brush, and scrape.

After 3 hours we were finally dug out.

We were supposed to have the Lawson's in for lunch today but unfortunately it took way too long to get dug out.

So no visit.  :-(

 

Not one little bird was around ALL day.

Then around 4:00 a few came floating in.

The feeders were freshly filled and fresh water was in the water bath.

 

 

There were lots of kitty prints around so the feral station was topped up too.

Unfortunately if the starlings get a glance of the food bowl they sweep in and can devour ALL the food in a matter of minutes.

I hope I have hidden the bowl well enough for the kittys to get a few nibbles.

 

Hope you are all safe and sound tonight.