Thursday, 11:20 am: What a week – snow and cold. Today is okay, it’s above zero Fahrenheit, so there’s not much to complain about. Yesterday was different, the low temperature was -18.4° [F.] at 7:30 am. Needless to say I wasn’t out bright and early clearing snow. I waited until it got closer to zero before I bundled up and ventured out into the cold.

Common Redpoll [Carduelis flammea]

On Wednesday we were in Limestone visiting pour friends Gabi and Jim. They have a recovering Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea [see photo above] who flew into their kitchen window and injured its wing. The bird has adapted well to living inside. Hopefully the wing will mend and it can eventually return to the wild. The bird is a character and seems to be in charge of anything near the window. I’m not certain, but it looks as though the bird has adopted them.

Ruth behind Gabi's orchid

My brother telephoned me yesterday from somewhere on the road between Schenectady and Buffalo, New York. I don’t envy the miles he drives in snow storms and everything else Mother Nature can throw at him. He seems to have infinite amounts of dedication to his work. He runs circles around me many times over. It must be all that youthful enthusiasm that keeps him going. Keep it up Frank! Now if I can just get out of my sweat suit and into some real clothes for the rest of the day – nah!

Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:

Temperature: 13.4° [F.]

Barometer: 30.368 & falling slowly

Humidity: 70%

Wind: Calm

Visibility: Generally clear

Skies: A few scattered clouds

Precipitation: > 1 inch snow

Since midnight:

Low temperature: 7.6° [F.]

High wind: 6 mph 9:27 am