Winterwonderland?I'm still a little confused about the woolly worms and the persimmons as a prediction of a harsh winter. (See "Something Told the Wild Geese") However, the guys at the hardware store and the numerous fogs in August and the neighbor's huge woodpile certainly must have some credibility when it comes to predicting a bad winter!
The ice storm of 2009 will go down in history as the worst Northwest Arkansas has ever endured. Every single home in Newton County was without power after the storm hit on January 27. The next morning all of the Ozarks woke see ice up to 2 inches on everything! We knew it was bad, but it took several days to assess how devastating the storm really was. We were without power 12 days and were so blessed to have gas heat, cook stove, gas hot water heater and a wonderful generator! We suffered only minor inconveniences compared to many.
Yesterday, sixteen days after the icy blast hit, Carroll Electric announced all customers were back on line--two days ahead of projections. Thanks go to a lot of power guys from nearby states who moved in and worked diligently to replace broken poles (2500 total), string wires, and restore power through very rough terrain. Thanks guys!
This week the bluebird pairs are everywhere! By the way, one little bluebird actually spent his nights roosting in the porch rafters. We watched him from the bedroom window several cold, icy mornings as he hopped onto the downspout to check out the early morning scene before flying out. Heaven knows where he found his breakfast! When the ice melted, he moved on to spend his nights somewhere else--hopefully with a little female friend. We feed numbers of birds at the feeders, but so far, our little bluebirds reject anything we offer--raisins, berries from the freezer, suet cakes. We are ordering what is supposed to be a favorite of theirs--mill worms! We'll see!
We stepped out on the porch this morning just as the sun was rising over the mountain. Bluebirds were already up and singing. Their song is not the cheery chirping of some birds, but a calming, reassuring song of hope. Reminding all of us that "His eye is on the sparrow". It is nice to get back to normal for a few days!
Oh, no! The weatherman says "chance of snow"! We love snow!
The ice storm of 2009 will go down in history as the worst Northwest Arkansas has ever endured. Every single home in Newton County was without power after the storm hit on January 27. The next morning all of the Ozarks woke see ice up to 2 inches on everything! We knew it was bad, but it took several days to assess how devastating the storm really was. We were without power 12 days and were so blessed to have gas heat, cook stove, gas hot water heater and a wonderful generator! We suffered only minor inconveniences compared to many.
Yesterday, sixteen days after the icy blast hit, Carroll Electric announced all customers were back on line--two days ahead of projections. Thanks go to a lot of power guys from nearby states who moved in and worked diligently to replace broken poles (2500 total), string wires, and restore power through very rough terrain. Thanks guys!
This week the bluebird pairs are everywhere! By the way, one little bluebird actually spent his nights roosting in the porch rafters. We watched him from the bedroom window several cold, icy mornings as he hopped onto the downspout to check out the early morning scene before flying out. Heaven knows where he found his breakfast! When the ice melted, he moved on to spend his nights somewhere else--hopefully with a little female friend. We feed numbers of birds at the feeders, but so far, our little bluebirds reject anything we offer--raisins, berries from the freezer, suet cakes. We are ordering what is supposed to be a favorite of theirs--mill worms! We'll see!
We stepped out on the porch this morning just as the sun was rising over the mountain. Bluebirds were already up and singing. Their song is not the cheery chirping of some birds, but a calming, reassuring song of hope. Reminding all of us that "His eye is on the sparrow". It is nice to get back to normal for a few days!
Oh, no! The weatherman says "chance of snow"! We love snow!
He sends his command to the earth...
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
He sends his word and melts them: He stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
Psalm 147:15-18
