Lest We Forget....

Even in March, Old Man Winter is still upon us. We had the equivalent of a little Northeaster yesterday. The wind whipped and howled and stung like January from all

directions. Snow came from the trees and sky like swirling devils of white and stinging nettles. We live in a  shallow bowl if you will, where the Cascade Mountains run north/south and the Siskiyou Mountains which run east/west, converge. Geologically speaking it's unusual and for weather forecasting, a challenge at the very least. There is predominate wind direction at times but yesterday there was no putting your back to the wind unless you wanted to keep turning. The horses had snow packed onto their sides, their manes and in their faces. This was not a happy herd and after breakfast beat feet to shelter in the run in and under the trees. 

Even the little Chickadees and the bigger Stellar Jays didn't come to rob grain from the horses mid-morning bucket brigade feed. Their messy munching allows for the birds to grab a few kernels here and there. In high summer the ground squirrels sneak over too for dropped grain and bits of hay chafe. Everything was tucked in snug sitting out the blow. Only the very hungry stirred yesterday.

I managed to get the 10 yard curtain warp beamed on and half way threaded. A few shots on the saddle blanket. Mostly I watched the storm bend the trees in multiple directions at each gust and marveled how Spring will step aside so quickly when the old man comes through.