Friday, March 08, 201
The current Central Oregon winter breaks records for this calendar period over past years. We’ve experienced the most snow and coldest temperatures. One of this freezing winter’s many faces is sheer beauty. The photo above, which shows the west as viewed from my house on a hill, matches much, nearby and equally beautiful, that surrounds the house.
Deer have been coming through on the snow-blown paths I’ve created to walk through this property’s snow (average 24-30 inches deep). Yesterday, I improved wildlife’s opportunities to trespass, by snow-blowing a trail 150 feet long, from the barn to roadside. I needed it to pull a sled (its cargo, a large trash container) from the barn to a spot where the garbage company picks up refuse. Deer will use it to enter at the road and easily cross much of my property. I’ll see the tracks of animals that moved through overnight.
While snow requires work, it also has lovely-to-see long views and closer shapes that have tone and color. Its also dangerous, and to maintain our safety, snow requires alertness. Yesterday, a danger previously unrecognized by me became noticeable.
While pointing a camera, I heard a dull crash and looked around wondering what caused it. Suddenly, a big icicle broke loose, hit the ground noisily. I saw that icicles were leaking, some breaking off. The temperature, having reached the 40s, was too warm. I’ve not known previous winters to create huge icicles. Now, I moved away with new concerns about my dogs.
They exit and enter the house through a sliding door. Just outside it hangs a bank of large and sharp icicles. What if one or more broke off, to hit or stab an animal?
Multiple conditions of beauty and danger require work! No longer will I sit back and wait for freezing and potentially dangerous elements to disappear. Today, it’s supposed to snow more and freeze, but I’ll be outside swinging a long pole to break icicles!
Dear Friends, Winter, like toothache pain, forces us to “get into it”! Diana
Diana's Morning Blog 