It appears that more winter-like weather has arrived here on the peninsula. So far, since just before Thanksgiving, we have had mixed signals from our well seasoned delivery systems. Which front will prevail. Will the cold fronts from Canada overpower the fronts coming up the coast from the south. Will the blizzards from the storm battered west and Midwest reach us? When will it all turn to rain?

We certainly have seen a hodgepodge of conditions. Mild temperatures one day, sea smoke the next. Stand by for an update. At this writing it looks like a fairly consistent week ahead, that is, temperatures during the day in the 30s, nighttime in the teens. “Normal.” I can live with that. It’s winter. It’s Maine. We could do worse.

Our pond out back has been open and shut several times in the last couple of months. We even caught some of the local ducks paddling around not too long ago. Not so for the last week or so. Now, the ice is in, hard. Now it is more likely to show deer tracks or interesting dog like imprints trailed across the fine layer of snow that covers the ice. When the pond is frozen it becomes a short cut from the back fields to the rhododendrons and other plants that serve to feed local wildlife. Also, the frozen water is a convenient platform from which to access edibles not easily reached from shore. We are so accommodating!

Our cat-o'-nine tails are rather beaten up at this stage of the game. Although their numbers are multiplying, their perseverance seems to be somewhat diminished. Their demise has been aided by a recent visit from our son-in-law Andrei’s dissection of several plants to be fascinated by how much fluff is resident inside the plant “tail.” Andrei is committed to investigating everything. If it can be taken apart, he will find the way. Fortunate for us, he is equally adept at reassembly. The plants, however, did not fare so well.

All in all, we are meeting the challenges of the season. We have a pretty good supply of dry firewood and a moderate dose of patience, which does, however, seem to diminish with age. It’s still a pretty special place, in all the seasons.