Simple + Southern Sunday No. 531

“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In last week’s post I had taken a stroll in the “winter garden” as I figured there was more there than first meets the eye. I was pleasantly surprised at my findings, but early Friday morning this past week brought the winter garden to a new level. Many of our stateside readers now have snow, and a number of you see it quite often, as snow is part of your everyday living this time of year. But getting snow here is rare, so it’s a treat for the kids. (It also turns adults into kids). It is the first significant snow for EK and WL.
    

The red, white (a lot of white), and blue looking good in a light breeze!

It’s as if they are discussing what to do about this frozen water situation. We had a cold week and the bird bath was icy for several days. I do take warm water and thaw things out on occasion. Fortunately that’s not needed too often! 
 

The next day brought an even more challenging situation at the bird bath. The Bluebirds are thinking maybe they didn’t fly far enough south for the winter! The little bird bath is not big or fancy but is special to the garden. It belonged to Pam’s mother and was in her yard for many years.
 

The day prior to the snow was cold but water puddled on a rock and touched by the sun was thawing enough for a drink. Again, I wonder what a bird thinks when it sees itself in the mirror? It’s like, whoa, someone arrived here before I did!

Pam told me this post was “for the birds”. I guess as it turns out she is correct, but that’s OK. Birds are often our entertainment in January. And, we feed them a hearty meal most days, mid-December through mid-February!
 

When the feeding grounds became covered with ice and snow, a fresh spread was actually easier for the birds to locate on top of the white stuff as opposed to digging around in the grass.

House finches and other small birds flock to the yard daily once they discover the buffet. We have several feeders but right now I have chosen to spread wild bird mix directly on the ground by the sidewalk. That does require that I put out feed manually almost every day. If I put too much, raccoons, opossums, and others will feast at night. We have noted that a few species are reluctant to feed on the ground where many other birds gather!

The bigger birds, like cardinals and doves, gather with the wrens and finches, putting their differences aside when things are tough for everyone. Not always, but often, people do the same. When the provisions become scarce, the competition picks up and greed sometimes rears its head! That’s nature, human and otherwise.  

These snowbirds paid us a visit, walking over a quarter mile in the snow. We knew, like the other birds, that they were cold and hungry so we put out food and drink. They were invited inside however, receiving preferential treatment!

I know you are tired of snow, so here is a bit of dry ground. A couple of days prior to the snow, Seth and I were roughing in a new trail into an area of the woods that is steep and hard to get to. I ran across this resilient little evergreen shrub peeping out of the layers of leaves. It’s a small native plant that is considered a shrub although it doesn’t grow very tall. Called spotted wintergreen, it will have creamy white, fragrant flowers in late spring.
 

Clear skies in the early part of last week allowed us to enjoy several afternoons under the waxing gibbous moon. This will turn into a full Wolf Moon tomorrow night! A lot of folklore and tradition surrounds the naming of full moons. At this time of the year wolves were believed more likely to be heard howling. Traditionally it was thought this was because they were hungry. Folks that are supposed to know say this is not true. Why howl at the moon?…to locate pack members, define territory, and coordinate hunting. I am personally more apt to howl when I am hungry!

Freezing rain is not a good thing. It can wreak havoc on everything, including trees and utility lines. Some of you received freezing rain last week, but the ice coating here occurred at a slightly higher elevation than our place. You can see the ice covered trees on the mountain. Did you get freezing rain where you live?

Snow covered mountains are beautiful but only something we dream about here, or enjoy through media. While we cannot claim snow-capped peaks here in Alabama, we have our own unique representation…snow-capped bird’s nests!

Afternoon sun and temps above freezing brought a welcome thaw as far as snow cover here at the lower elevations. The main roads cleared up and travel was fine by yesterday afternoon. We know many of you are experiencing difficult winter conditions that are ongoing after a couple of storms have made their way across the country.

Many across this land are seeing and feeling the devastation, loss, and grief that natural disasters can swiftly and indiscriminately bring upon an area, city, or community. Winter storms and cold add misery and great challenges to many in the east who were flooded by Helene. Others across the nation deal with winter’s fury while raging wildfires continue to ravage California. God is our refuge…a reminder to myself to pray for those who are at this moment struggling to deal with so much!  

Not our backyard before the thaw yesterday…but a place we would love to visit again. Since snow has been in the news this week for some of us, I thought a “snowy throwback” would be in order. From 2 years ago, Triple Creek Ranch near Darby Montana!

Have a safe and blessed week!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”
‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Linking with:
 Pieced Pastimes,  Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
 Life and Linda