Tag Archives: snow

This isn’t an April Fool’s joke.

Posted on March 31, 2017 by Tasha Raymond | Leave a comment

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So many people were holding out hope that the local news stations were pulling a fast one on the people of Maine. Here’s the thing: It’s only March. Yes, it’s the last day of March and tomorrow is April, but you can’t bag on a lack of snowstorms until after April 15th, especially when this month has been so cold compared to normal. (If I recall correctly, they said it’s the fifth coldest March on record.)

What’s that mean for this homestead? Not much. We’re only getting 2-4″. That’s a dusting, enough to annoy the chickens and make things pretty. I’ll indulge in once again not being able to see dog shit piles and broken fences. One small breather before the craziness of prepping season begins.

First Snow of November

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Tasha Raymond | Leave a comment

November 2nd saw our first snow storm of the New Year (following many Pagan calendars, that is). While some areas of the state saw up to 16 inches of snow, severe winds, and power outages, we received about 2 inches and wind gusts. Most of the snow is already melted off already.

Since we hadn’t originally planned on having the meat birds around this long, the tractors aren’t very winter-proof. We had to improvise, but everyone came out dry and happy. The only bird that had to crash in the basement with the two White Ladies was Jovi. He got a bit bloodied up from a pulled crest feather and needed a washing. I wasn’t about to let him back out into the tractor with freezing temperatures and a wet head. Not a good combination.

Edging on a heat wave…

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Tasha Raymond | Leave a comment

This weekend we’re supposed to see 40F. That’s going to feel downright hot compared to the weather lately.

It’s cold out. Don’t get me wrong. It’s cold. However, it is not the life threatening cold that others in the area seem be treating it as. Even with the windchill today it’s still warmer than some of the days that we’ve seen in the past couple weeks. It seems that, when it comes to winter, people have short memories. Maybe this is because they’re simply complaining based on what they know from walking to from the house to the car, from the car into work, and back again; they go home and turn the oil heat up, bring up Netflix, and then hop online on their phone to add the photo they took of their dashboard thermometer while they had their heat cranked so high that they ordered an ice coffee.

Give me a break.

I don’t complain about our lifestyle. I love it. If anything, it’s taught me how to be grateful about it being 20F outside, even with a severe windchill. Today was downright balmy when I went out to check the barn. It was nothing in comparison to a week or so ago when I had to add on two layers and couldn’t feel my fingers by the time I got back to the house. Less than ten minutes and I was having circulation issues. Today? Nope. The only issue I had was my mitten freezing to the lock from some water that spilled out I was bringing it out to the chickens. I was able to leave the interior door open and only fight with the screen door when bringing wood in. The living room only dropped one degree. I love it.

What’s been a little more difficult is the amount of ice and rain we’ve had between snowstorms. We awoke at 4am yesterday to a leaky roof in the bedroom. Thankfully we were able to have a local yocal that we know come and professionally clean it for the dirty cheap sum of $100. The roof that was leaking into our bedroom yesterday has stopped. No severe damage has occurred. Huzzahs are in order.

Meanwhile, Short Beak, our rooster, has a bit of severe frost bite on his comb. We’re keeping an eye on it and bagbalming it every chance we get. Poor goofball that he is. He’s been loving the undivided attention, though.

Snow, Turkeys, and the Great Blue Heron

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Tasha Raymond | 5 comments

I know I promised an updated picture of the “after” of the snow storm, but I think that might have to wait until later. Between locking myself out of the house yesterday and shoveling this morning, I need a few more cups of tea before I venture into the cold again. That being said, I have not been wasting any time this morning! While I’m not the greatest photographer, I have been taking plenty of shots of the wild life around here.

I’m proud to say that the turkeys are back! I know that this isn’t the best photo, but it was taken through the kitchen door window so as not to disturb them. It seems that the tom has increased his flock. This past spring there were only three hen, now there seems to be three more; a flock of seven! Here’s hoping that they stay around. This is the second day so far that they’ve come by.

When I looked out the bedroom window, after noticing the flock, I thought that there was another turkey playing in the stream. Them I noticed how long the legs were; definitely not a turkey.

Here again, the picture was taken from my window, so it’s a little fuzzy. Joe was a little worried at first as to why this youngin’ was wandering around out in the snow. The great blue at his parent’s house has never been seen during the winter. Well, after some searching, they are considered year-round birds, but some of them take off for Central America during the winter. Apparently this little guy likes the snow.

It did take him a while to get over to his fishing spot, though. The turkeys, specifically the tom, was staring him down for close to twenty minutes before he decided to scoot across the lawn instead of wading in the stream. Regardless of their differences, all eight birds are still out back enjoying the beauty of the morning. For this alone it is worth it to live and the dead-end of a road unadulterated by traffic and neighbors.

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Posted in Wildlife

Tagged heron, snow, turkey, Wildlife

“Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles.” ~Author Unknown

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Tasha Raymond | 2 comments

With only 11 days left until yule and 14 days left until Christmas, I’m starting to panic a little. I’ve been knitting, crocheting, and plotting up a storm since the beginning of November, but I’ve really kicked it into high gear. The actual hidden blessing in the current lack of sub calls is that I’ve been able to work on chores around the house and presents.

This year is an even more frugal holiday season than last. Granted, we give thanks to the wonderful tree that has graced out living room this year.

We’ve been calling him Shakespeare. I don’t really know why, but that seems to be the name that he’s been telling us to call him by. All the ornaments that are on him are handmade. There are very few right now, but that will change over the years, no doubt.

As you can tell, there’s only one present under him for now. (Lucky hubby, his is the first one under the tree!) That will change today.

All of these need to be wrapped at some point. With the incoming storm, it will probably be today. We’re all very excited as this is the first big storm so far this year. For posterity, here’s a couple beautiful before photos from around our house. I’ll post comparison ones after the storm, so probably some time tomorrow.