Getting Back to Normal

I'm always happy to get past the holiday season. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the period from Halloween through the start of a new year. I enjoy the first cool days after a long hot summer; I enjoy the colors of fall; I enjoy the songs and decorations and smells of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But I'm a creature who likes routines, so I always enjoy getting back to normal. Of course, during our current time, normal is not what it once was. But we can hope that things will get better. Miss Donna and I are looking forward to getting our second shot in a couple of weeks or so. That is another start to return to normal for us. I hope our provider has sufficient doses available; some areas are reporting shortages. 

The snow stayed on the ground a bit longer than I expected. It was still here Wednesday afternoon when I set off on my first walk in several days. The day was warming to the low 60s or so and the sun was shining, but some snow was able to hang around, especially in the shady areas on the north sides of buildings and trees and bushes. 

It was good to get back outside. I enjoy a good snow, but I like for it to disappear quickly so that things can get back to normal. I enjoyed some interesting animal sightings on that walk. I had only gone about a quarter of a mile north to the top of the hill on our street. Suddenly, I detected the unmistakable aroma of skunk. I began looking around to see if I could spot the little bugger snooping around. Suddenly, I picked up some movement between two houses. 

At first, I thought it was a fox. But when I moved the pictures to my computer and enlarged them, I was a bit puzzled. Perhaps the little critter was a ring tail cat. I took the pictures with my phone, and the zoom on my phone cameras just isn't very powerful. So, the pictures below are somewhat blurred. I rather believe it was a fox, though, as ring tail cats are more nocturnal, and my walk occurred about 2:00 PM.

The little fellow was really working this area with nose to the ground. I suspect he smelled the skunk as well.

The tail extending in a downward slope in this picture began to make me wonder if it might be a ring tail cat. I need a better phone camera and better old man eyes, I guess.

I also came across two groups of the obnoxious turkeys that terrorize the residents of my neighborhood. Their pictures are below.

Small group of turkeys near a resident's house.

This group of terrorist turkeys was near the entrance to our complex. There is a turkey behind the tree on right with his tail feathers up. Hard to see these in the shadows. In the background is the construction site of the new medical facility nearing completion.

Have you noticed how it is staying light later in the evening? Yep, the days are getting longer. Spring will be here before long, I suppose.

We have a front moving into the area tonight. Starting tomorrow (Tuesday) we will have a chance of precipitation every day until next Tuesday or so. I really don't expect much, but will be grateful for any moisture that falls. Our area farmers and ranchers can use all the help they can get.

I was able to get outside one day after a walk and do a bit of easy work. I cleaned off the front patio. Because of the short wall around our patio, everything that blows up there (mostly leaves) seems to stay and pile up. I raked some leaves in both the front and back yards as well. I always enjoy doing things in the yard; it makes me wish I still had a real yard to take care of . . . . sometimes.

Stay safe out there.