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The bitter cold is dangerous for animals, including wild ones. One morning, a small goldfinch hopped into the garage, seemingly seeking refuge from the frigid temperatures (it’s been in the negative double digits with wind chill).
The surprise squash sprout is still growing, becoming straighter and greener. I place it in the window when the sun comes through (and try to remember to move it to a warmer spot when the sun sets, since it’s frigid here at night). 🥶
I sat by the window and watched the sprout, marvelling at the tiny hairs on its stalk; (arguably anthropomorphising) its happiness was almost palpable. While I can’t photosynthesize, the sunshine felt good to me, too.
I’ve been wondering when the seed (shell) would fall off…seems this one has a serious case of helmet head. I’ve been trying different methods to encourage the sprout to shed that casing, like moistening it gently with a wet cotton swab, but will intervene surgically (if needed) as a last resort.
Did you know that this premature sprouting phenomenon is called vivipary? Check out these strawberries!
Previously known as the Cratchit scarf redo, it’s really just not “good enough”…so will become something even better! And, yep, that’s the taped-up Brittany needle on the right. 🐶
You know it’s cold when it’s 4 degrees out – and feels like 3. After a beautiful full moon (a Super Blood Wolf Moon) last night, we’re also being treated to a vibrant sunrise.
There’s an interesting formation of ice crystals on a window…see it from slightly different angles and phases of sunrise:
I just don’t tire of the beauty of ice crystals. It may be bitterly cold out, but Nature always has a show ready!
Temperatures have been fluctuating lately, causing a cycle of freeze-thaw-freeze. When the mud hardens, we find evidence, like this, of animals stalking around the farm.
Any guesses as to what left its tracks?
Our dogs enjoy baked butternut squash in their stuffed KONG toys, so I prepped one for roasting recently. As usual, I cut it open and removed the seeds, planning to save them for planting later (it was an organic squash). It was only when I spread the seeds to dry that I realized one had germinated inside the squash.