Wednesday, October 23, 2013

THE SPECTER OF WINTER HAUNTS MAINE







Fall is on the back side in the western mountains of Maine.   Tonight, for the first time, temps are supposed to drop below freezing.   Our day time temps are in the low fifties (not bad for this time of year.)   There is a feeling that specter of winter is hiding around the corner, but she is unable to disguise her chilly breath.   


 Most of the bright reds and oranges are gone and now the vista is earth tones of yellow, copper and brown.   The copper beaches in my back yard are in their height of color and many of the leaves will survive until mid winter.  



I expect within the next week we will see snow capping the larger mountains. 

Like the squirrels and chipmunks I am scurrying around trying to finish projects that should have been done during the summer.  

fat face stuffing his cheeks with sunflower seeds


 I have changed the oil and adjusted the belts in the snow blower, put away the lawn mowers, winterized the motorcycle; but still have to change the lights in the crawl space under the house, re-insulate my water pipes and check out the well house.     

Today I called the oil company to fill my tank with kerosene.  I have a Monitor as the primary source of heat (besides the wood stove.)   

Our girl - 19 years old - Monitor in background.


This is a major output, along with property taxes, that I face each year at this time.   I use approximately one hundred and twenty-five gallons of fuel and three cord of wood each year. 

My bird feeders are now supporting mainly chickadees.   Most of the other birds have left for parts unknown.  The chickadees fly in and take one sunflower seed, fly away and eat it and then fly back in for one more seed.   They burn so much energy just to feed during the winter that they depend almost totally on the feeders.  



I spend so much money on sunflower seeds I feel I should be able to claim the birds on my income tax return. 

I actually look forward to the first big snowfall.   The leaves will be gone on the trees and black spruce will be a stark contrast to the skeletal white world.   Grey snowy days – the wood stove pumping – a bottle of wine – books to read – my wife for company: it doesn't get any better.  

the Ol’Buzzard


4 comments:

  1. Autumn is my favorite season. I miss Maine more each time I visit your blog.

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  2. The leaves are just starting to change here in IU Land. But I think we might have a hard freeze frost....


    Good post!

    www.oneangryzebra.tumblr.com


    Sarge in blog exile
    email msgtron@aol.com

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  3. Fall didn't last long. We had about one day of color and then the wind blew the leaves off.

    Tuesday we woke up to find about 3 inches of snow covering everything. It's still on the ground, but hope springs eternal and we are hoping it'll melt before we get snow that stays until next April or May. There's still things that need to be done before Winter, but with temps in the 60s and 70s the end of Sept. and beginning of Oct. got complacent!!

    But if the snow doesn't melt, we can burn the brushpiles with no worries!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. We got out first snow this week here on the NC/TN state line. But 60-degree temps are in the forecast for next week. Nevertheless, I've put away my sandals until April.

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