Look What Blew In!

The day started out overcast and a little breezy but the weather guessers were talking about snow and wind today so I spent some time putting plastic on the window over my bed. That's the only window in the house that doesn't seal. When it's windy, I can see the fringe of the valance wave back and forth. Not good. A few teasing snowflakes were blowing around after lunch and then--whammo!--big flakes and big wind. Like, really big wind. So big that one gust blew out my window plastic. I hurried to retape it to the window frame and so far it's holding. This picture is the snow before the big wind. I'm showing you that because you can see the flakes. When the wind was raging (they called it a snow squall) everything was just white. Glad I wasn't out driving in it.

The second Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus flower opened over the last couple days and the next one is on its way. There are a few more buds that look promising.

 

I forgot to show you yesterday this Downy Woodpecker landed on the birdbath which it rarely does. It had a couple sips of water and then hopped up on top of the rock to explore before flying away.

The furnace tuneup guy was here today. (Not to be confused with the furnace fixit guy here last week.) While he was futzing around changing filters and stuff in the basement I drew these flowers, although I think the red and pink ones look like blueberries. Only pink and red. Evidently I was drawing last time he was here because he remarked on it. Guess I'm a creature of habit.

This has got to be one of my most pitiful paintings ever. These poor things are supposed to be Foxglove. No self-respecting Foxglove would own up to this debacle. I like some of the petals and I don't mind the floofy leaves but, really, it's a waste of paper and paint.

One of the squirrels is a daredevil. This squirrel is only holding on with three feet. The other one is holding a chunk of suet cake. It also tries to climb up the Slinkys on the poles and has managed to pull down all but the one that's attached to a part of the Oriole feeder. The rest of them slide down even though I've tried to cinch them tight with wire ties. I went out a couple times and slid them back in place but noticed this morning that they're all back down, at least a little. You can see the top of one behind the squirrel. I give up.

I finished one of the Christmas knitting projects this evening while watching TV. I have to focus on the other one, so no TV and no audiobook. I'm over halfway done with it so it won't be too much longer and I can go back to my "regular" knitting. I've still got that avocado green alpaca hat to finish.

Two more Christmas gifts arrived today. I think I'm almost done. One more thing is coming and then I will be done. I think.

--Barbara