BACK, BUT NOT IN ACTION

LANDSCAPE BETWEEN BAYFIEL AND DULUTH THURSDAY

18 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND IN THE BACKYARD

Friday, 11:30 AM.  -2 degrees at the ferry dock,  about the same  on the back porch.  Wind SW, mostly calm with light to moderate gusts.  The sky is mostly clear, the humidity 81%, the barometer 30.91" and falling slowly, predicting snow and ice pellets by Monday and Tuesday, with much warmer temperatures thereafter, into to the forties.  A January thaw would be welcome indeed.

   We got back from Duluth yesterday about noon  after a one-night stay in the hospital for shoulder surgery.  Seems OK, time will tell.  Roads were not good going but were fine returning; couldn't do any of this without Joan, who is herself recovering from carpel tunnel surgery on both hands.
   I will try to leave out most of the personal stuff from future posts, but have got to give a "shout out" to Stephen,  my 24 hour roommate in a very small hospital room, for his company and concern; it rendered a less than pleasant experience more than tolerable, which is what all of us should always try to do for everyone else.
   I am afraid Almanac posts will be mostly dulls-ville for a couple of weeks, mainly about weather and so on, and perhaps some bird information, in my posts.  Read it if you wish, take a break if you want.
   We have about 18" of snow on the ground in the back yard, probably more in the woods, about normal for this time of year, but bound to be a lot deeper at some point.  The squirrels are very active, but one of the bird feeders is empty and needs to be refilled... tomorrow.