Things are heating up out there!

Speaking strictly for the wildlife, that is.  For the first time ever, I have three male Cardinals at the feeders!  And one female.  I watched as the guys staked out their territories - one at the flat feeder on the deck railing; one on the ground, under the sunflower feeder; one on a tree branch.  The little minx darted from one to the other until there was much fluffing of feathers and mock battles.  It was fascinating.  It's also interesting that the male juncos will tolerate any other bird on the feeder at the same time, except another junco.

At least the ice is buried.

Can you tell that I spent an inordinate amount of time stalling this morning?  We did not awaken to three feet of snow.  Or two.  Or one (although we're working on one).  But there is plenty and more is coming, and the wind and single-digit temps make it challenging.  I had to do a quick path for the Short One - who made it exactly three inches out of the door before he did his business and hurried back in - at 5A, but delayed having to deal with the rest of it.

It's not that I mind shoveling - I really don't.  It's mindless, repetitive, cardio work and I can let my mind wander as I go.  It's the shoveling gear that gets to me.  All those layers.  I get quite claustrophobic in the winter.  It is such a long, frustrating process that I am loathe to repeat it more than I have to.  While I can't give you a head-to-toe, here's the head gear. 

I look like a ninja...

Below that is:  long underwear, wool socks, jeans, Carhartt coveralls, boots, flannel shirt, fleece vest, wool scarf, down parka, Dork hat, thermal mittens.  And you can bet your Aunt Mabel that five minutes into the work, you are in desperate need of your hankie, which is buried under four layers.

I am such a fashionista!

I was very pleased to realize that a scarf I had knit when I faced down my short row phobia, turned out to be absolutely perfect for winter work - it's like a bandanna scarf and you can handily pull it up over your nose and it stays there.

The scarf is actually brown.

I have done all my pathways once, with two shoveling on both front and back deck.  I shoveled the walk to the carport and cleared it, shoveled a launch pad for my plow guy (or, if he doesn't show up, I can at least back out and get a running start down the driveway), cleared the mailbox (they may deliver the post in rain, sleet or snow, but the mail has to make it into the box to go out...) and then came in and made a cuppa.  I tried not to let the fact that the back deck was again covered in 3 inches of snow depress me thoroughly.  At least I don't have to drive in it.

I think I will now tackle the remaining three shelves in the pantry/cat room so that I can check that item off my list.  Which shows you how low I will go to avoid re-layering.