Yesterday, it was kind of typical. Woke to around 34 deg. F and the temperature reached a rather comfortable 64. Some at the local Walmart had on shorts, but still long sleeved shirts.

Today, something completely different. I was awakened very early to the sound of howling wind hooting down the chimney in our bedroom. It is not a working fireplace, and the top is covered by a heavy steel plate. Nonetheless, the sound was dramatic. It was also very cold. I had turned off the heater, since we were comfy without it. So, I turned it back on, and peered out our front door window. Oddly, the glass seemed frosted. Looking out another window, I saw why. There was snow on the ground, tiny ice droplets were flying around, and the bare tree branches where whipped up in frenetic motion. I made a pot of coffee, poured a cup for my wife and me, and snuck back under the covers to wait for daylight.

The day dawned in mixes of dark and light grays, blues, and white. I got dressed, layered well, put on my Iceland jacket, grabbed my camera, and headed out to hopefully capture the feel of a bitterly cold and windy day on the ranch.

Trees plastered with snow on the north side of their trunks.

The steers looked a little unhappy.

This frisky filly did not stay still.

The birds kept moving about, too.

Sugar-frosted maxi-wheats (or rather, alfalfa).

The “Crust Buster” sits idle, awaiting spring.

Still hanging on….

The cabin in the cold.

Last November, we planted bulbs amidst the crape myrtle trees we planted earlier, along the north side of the house, and in a bed along our front porch. Some of the bulbs got fooled into sprouting early, with thin, green shoots already 6 inches long. Hopefully, the cold will put a hold on their development, and they will still blossom in true spring.