#SoCS: He’s Still Hungry

“Whatever…” “Gibbs. I told you when you are fed. I cannot feed you any time you desire.” “Whatever…” “Seriously, dude?” “Aren’t you my servant and don’t you obey me at all times?” “That’s funny. Actually, it’s a joke that humans tell themselves. It’s only true in that we serve you meals, give you pets and skritches, and make sure you are healthy and loved. It’s not obeying, it’s taking care of a furry little being that doesn’t have opposable thumbsRead more

A Winter’s Psalm

Frigid winter is my torment; I shall not want.     I lie wrapped in a cocoon of a comforter’s warmth, a sleeping cat lays still beside me.     Frigid gnaws at my shivering soul. He lures me outside in evil deceit     for a frozen winter’s sake. I trudge through drifts of plow’s leavings,     and fear the ice underneath, for there is no one with me     to right a body when it falls.     Frigid cannot comfort me where I lie. Winter prepares arrivalRead more

#SoCS: Icing on the Cake

Mmmmm…cake. Chocolate cake, lemon cake, carrot cake, any cake. Icing is a great part of cake, but please don’t give me the sicky-sweet stuff. I prefer fluffy not-so-sweet icing that enhances the cake rather than overpowers it. But I digress. For now, I have to stay away from cake and lose the pounds that it and all of the holiday treats added to my waistline. Instead, I’ll focus on a different kind of icing…the type that makes life a littleRead more

#CBWC: Cold Walk, Hot Tea

This week’s entry for Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC) includes hot and cold things. Since I go for winter walks frequently during the week, I’ll start with cold. Join the fun of black and white photography by clicking on the link at the beginning of the post. Details and weekly themes can be found HERE.Read more

Black and White Bench

This week’s entry for Cee’s Black and White Photo Challenge (CBWC) is any kind of seating. The following photos are from a 2014 camping trip with girlfriends and hike on the Ice Age Trail in northern Wisconsin. If you’d like to see the color version of the first photo and an accompanying poem, click HERE. From the Ice Age Trail Alliance: “More than 12,000 years ago, an immense flow of glacial ice sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty across Wisconsin.Read more

Firm Ground

“I prefer to be alive, so I’m cautious about taking risks.” ~Werner Herzog~ Sunday, when going for a late afternoon walk along Little Lake Butte des Morts, I came across several people ice fishing on what was left of winter’s frozen water. Have I told you that I’m not a fan of being out on the ice, either on foot or in a car? I think I became a bit phobic in my 20’s when in the back seat ofRead more

SoCS: Lips and Gremlins

It’s been one of those weeks. Blipping tiring and frustrating. Mostly work related with a bit of messed-up weather. The Elevator Story I was out of town for a couple days this week, at a business meeting in Madison. One of my peers had been bemoaning the fact that “the gremlins” were after her all day Monday. Anything that could go wrong, went wrong. I sat next to her during the Tuesday portion of the meeting. At about 4:00 pm,Read more

Tanking it to Winter

I received an email on Monday from a co-worker. “Are you done with the weather yet?” My response… “I want to run over Father Winter with a tank. A huge tank.” She deadpanned… “There’s no need for violence.” Oh, yes there is, my dear. Yes, there is. The need for a tank began at the end of January, when a snowstorm turned into -50 F wind chills. Father Winter has been miserable ever since. Snow Ice More Snow More IceRead more

SoCS: Spoke Too Soon

It spoke too soon. Spring. The season didn’t shout loud enough on March 20th. (It was more like a whimper.) It’s been a retreating plod toward warmer weather and green grass. Last weekend, we had the worst April snowfall on record. Actually, it was a blizzard because the winds were howling as well. At times, the snow fell sideways. And blew sideways. As you noticed within my Wednesday post, I spent the entire weekend indoors and did not venture outRead more

February Weird

On February 22, 2017, when the normal average temperature in Northeast Wisconsin is about 29 degrees Farenheit (-1.67 C), the thermometer was reading about 62. Weird. During lunch time, I went for a walk on the trail and then sat on this bench for about 10 minutes, soaking up the sun and warmth, before heading back to the office. This was glorious, but also the last day of what was a weirdly wonderful stretch of spring-like weather. Thursday was cooler,Read more

Ice and Snow Ditty

Just a little ditty About winter ice and snow I went for a walk yesterday Dumb idea, don’t you know It seemed okay The path under my feet Until I reached the fence And few tracks to be seen At first the footing was sure And I walked with a modicum of ease Then the ice skating began With two wobbly, unsuspecting knees You see, the walking path was white White with new-fallen snow But underneath was black ice ARead more

Seasons: The Music of Impending Spring

Weekly Photo Challenge: Share an image evocative of the weather… Spring is singing a new song today, called “I’m coming soon!” Through early afternoon, the skies were blue and the stiff wind was warm. Since then, the clouds have taken over, rain is falling and winds are predicted to gust up to 45 m.p.h. Temperatures today and Saturday will be in the 40’s, which is warm for this neck of the woods in February. I was considered overdressed today with theRead more