Cold Arctic Air

Cold cold arctic air has made it's way over the landscape. It's too chilled for my warm heart to step out in. I fear every bit of me would freeze. Even the birdies tend to be cuddling into themselves to stay warm admist it all. The snow is getting harder. The rivers long been frozen over. And the wonderful little world around us has all but become still in the unbelieveable temperatures. The first few days of cold are always the most shocking. To go from warm to freezing in a matter of a month is a lot for one to grasp. I love the cold, but jack frosts' nip can be quite harsh if you let it.

Wol

My darling named the owl Wol. He came back again this morning- deeply to Chipper's dismay. Nevertheless the owl has had lucky finds of many voles and took rest within the rafters of our steam house. He's quite an adorable fluffy little thing. Confident and unafraid of humans. I suppose the tiny Eskimo hunter children haven't noticed him yet. If not, like Chipper, he would quickly learn who to trust and who not to. It's a pleasure to see him again though. I wonder if he will become a regular visitor. I still dearly hope he will.

Lost In Books and Trees

I find solitude next to the frozen creek in my snowey backyard. There's a small grove of alders that hover within eachother's branches. They create a sort of tent from the outside. So I crawl within them, a vintage book in hand, and sit down nestled in their twigs. It's quiet now that the river isn't flowing. Every once in a while a small bird will tweet, a rabbit skitter, or a squirrel named Chipper will chatter. Other than that though, I am left in silence to delve into my storybook. There's something about reading in nature. The open air helps transport you to the read image. It's nipping chill sends your imagination on a trip. Sometimes I find myself so lost within the pages of a book and the branches of the alder that I can barely find my way out. I stay wondering for hours in one small spot. It's a nice lost though, a happy little adventure. And I go back there only with the intent to get lost again.

Little Owl Company

Chipper was running hysterically around the house we put up for him in the backyard. He has his winter's food stashed away there. And when I noticed why he was frantic I sat in astonishment. There, upon a loose post of our smoke house, sat an owl. A tiny little owl with bright yellow eyes and brown and white feathers. I've had my fair share of pet birds and knew by the way he was sitting that he had just fulfilled himself on the voles that scurry around our house. He was tired, most certainly. His feathers were fluffed up, his head relaxed into his shoulders, and one leg tucked up into his tummy. He was calm and didn't quite mind the gazing eyes of my darling and I through an open window. They say the presence of an owl means important new knowledge is headed your way. I wonder what wonderful learning awaits me? Nevertheless I like this little owl's company. I hope he stays around for a while. For he's quite a treat- perhaps not for Chipper (who is scared the owl shall take his food for his own)- but for myself.

The Romance of Trapping

My darling is a trapper and although I've stated it many a times today will be one of the first days I say it with the meaning that at this exact moment he is trapping. I, myself, am not a trapper- just a mere lover of trapping. Which may sound odd. Why would someone be a lover of trapping and not trap? Well, you see, I'm not much fond of the killing part. It's the tracking part I enjoy. It's the curiousity that forces your mind to overcome mother nature's abilities. It's the anticipation of what you caught and where and how. It's learning how to outsmart one of the earth's blessfully smart creatures. Whether a lynx, a marten, a beaver, or an otter, somehow I can't help but find the ways that my darling traps utterly fascinating. And although I adore fur, I avoid the death part of the ordeal. It's not the reason I go. I go to stalk prey, to learn about nature through the simple little clues she leaves behind. It's not so much the idea of trapping an animal that makes trapping so enjoyable- but rather the romance of knowledge that comes forth when keeping so much of your attention on one single being.