The Big Chill

 A lot has happened since my post on February 11, most of it weather-related.  Last week when the weather-guessers predicted an upcoming week of sub-freezing weather, most of us Native Texans were a bit skeptical. When they said our temperatures for several days would be in the single digits, we scoffed.  That hasn’t happened in many years, and we’ve all been told about global warming.  Yeah, right!  What were our chances of a deep-freeze week?  

Silly us!  On February 2, the groundhog said there would be 6 more weeks of winter and it looks like he was right.  Morning temperatures on the 11th were 25º; we saw 24º when we woke on the 12th and 21º on the 13th.  That was the easy part.  On Valentine’s Day, we woke to 2-3 inches of dry, powdery snow, 19º and a stiff north wind.  That wouldn’t have been so bad, but when we went down to feed the cows, General was nowhere to be found.  We drove around the pasture, but didn’t see him, so we bundled up some more and began to search.

You would think a 2200 lb. Hereford bull would be easy to spot, especially in the snow, but not so.  I told the dogs to “Find General” and they were off, searching among the cedars and scrub brush.  It’s useful for them to recognize the “find” command. Most of the time it’s a game to play when the weather keeps us inside, and ordinarily the object to find is a treat.  They understand the concept, though, and know the difference between “cows” and General.  

After an hour-and-a-half of searching, Cody was working the cedar-covered hillside on the east side of the creek.  I heard branches cracking, and out he came, driving General before him. 

With a little urging, the bull crossed the creek and rejoined the cows at the hay bale.  The dogs all got treats when we got home, and Cody got two!

On Monday, the temperature was 4º when we woke, and on Tuesday, 5º.  I don’t suppose we’re going to reach the 0º mark, but this is certainly cold enough for me.

The cows have plenty of hay, and are getting range cubes twice a day.    

We’re encouraged to see snow on their backs, as this means they have a good layer of fat beneath the skin that helps them to keep warm.  

We were glad the cattle have access to the creek and two stock tanks for water.  Many people use water troughs, which quickly freeze.  We shouldn’t have been so optimistic.  There was open water on the upper tank on Monday, but by Tuesday it, too, was covered with 1.5 inches of ice.  Now, I know a 1000 pound cow can easily break through that much ice, but these are Texas cows, and have probably never encountered this much ice before.  I’m not sure they understand that water lies just below the ice.  Sooooo….John pulled out his trusty axe and chopped holes for them to drink.  Fortunately, by today the creek by the spring has thawed and they have ready access to drinking water.

Not only do we have cattle depending on us for food and water, the yard is full of birds looking for something to eat.  There aren’t many seeds left on the trees this time of year, and most of the weeds and grasses are covered in snow.  We scatter seed on the porches and patio rocks, as well as feel our five feeders at least once a day.  

The resident cardinals visit, as do flocks of chipping sparrows and pine siskin.  The sparrows prefer the mixed seeds, and congregate in harmonious flocks on the feeders and rocks.

The pine siskin, on the other hand, are vicious little guys.  They flock to the niger thistle feeder, and do not share well.  As long as they are on opposite sides of the feeder, there is peace.  However, when another pine siskin dares to approach the feeder, a mid-air brawl occurs.  They go at each other with wings, beaks and tiny talons to protect their feeding spot.  Hummingbirds have nothing on these winged warriors when it comes to refusing to share resources.

In spite of the cold weather, farm chores and staying inside most of the time, we are the fortunate ones.  We have been blessed with electric power most of the time, thanks to the good folks at United Cooperative Services.  While much of Central Texas has been forced to endure days with no power and frozen pipes, we have had only a couple of days of “rolling blackouts” that last for 35 minutes every four hours.  This has allowed us to keep our well pump running and our faucets dripping to prevent frozen pipes. 

The dogs have learned how to live with boredom while forced to stay inside, but are very happy when they get some snow time.  

They race through the frozen pastures, and search for mice and bunnies under tufts of grass.

Kota even rolled on her back and made a snow angel.

She was very proud!

While outside, the dogs stop frequently for bites of snow.

Oh no, wait.  That isn't snow Rue is eating.  She has found a frozen "cow pie" just below the surface.  What a treat!  In her opinion much better than a fudgsickle.

The winter weather isn’t quite over.  The thermometer showed 23 degrees when we crawled out of bed this morning, but we have been spared the snow and ice that is falling and forming over Austin and areas to the south and west.  Our area is predicted to have sunshine and just-above-freezing temperatures by tomorrow afternoon.  We hope the weather-guessers are as accurate about the coming week as they were about this one.  And, we hope our neighbors will see moderating weather as well.

This and That

Snow hasn’t been the only weather event to note this year.  Last night our temperature here at the farm dropped to 25 degrees, and so far our high as been 26, with a bit of wind.  The dogs have gone out briefly and we have fed our cows, but otherwise we've been inside.  There has been no construction activity on our barn, either.  That is a disappointment, but the cold weather, which is expected to last for several more days, has given me the chance to go through my photos and prepare a blog post.  

Right now, our bird feeders are very popular.  

Large flocks of pine siskin are visiting us.  Tiny little things, only 4.5-5 inches long, they are similar to a goldfinch in size, shape and behavior.  They are certainly not a showy bird, but pretty in their own way.  They are brown, with heavy streaking and a sharp-pointed bill.  They descended on us, covering the elm tree off the back patio in search of seeds.  

The snow and small amounts of rain we have received this month left puddles where they drink and bathe.  Since they are common over most of the US in winter, we look forward to seeing more of them.  

The pine siskin were followed by flocks of chipping sparrows.  About the same size and color as the pine siskin, they make me look twice to see which bird is visiting. 

 

Flocks of crows have also graced us with their presence, if you can call it that.  Hundreds of them stream overhead morning and evening from and to their roosting area somewhere over the top of our mountain to the east.  They are a noisy lot, but except for an occasional stop on our yard fence they don’t often linger.  

Robins have also been frequent visitors.  

I was told there are more of them than usual this year due to a drought in the southwestern states.  As a result of the dry weather, the cedar berries in their normal winter range have been scarce.  We have plenty, and I was fortunate to catch this handsome fellow as he foraged near our house.  His cedar berry disappeared in one quick gulp.  I know they're not popular in cedar berry season, as they paint cars, patios and outdoor furniture with bright purple bird poop.  It's a small price to pay, though, for the entertainment they provide.

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Can you see the berry in his beak above?

The females aren't as showy as their mates, but they are pretty in a quieter way.

But it hasn't just been about the birds.  The dogs have had fun at the farm.

Rue and Kota rolled in something smelly and were rewarded with a trip to the dog spa.  They returned looking beautiful and wearing ribbons and bandanas.

Cody and I have been busy with training sessions at Jack and Vivian Christensen’s place in Meridian.  When we’re in Volente preparing the house for our upcoming move, we spend time in Elgin with Michele McGuire and in Bertram at Sheryl McDonald’s Destiny Farm.

We have attended one trial this year, a timed arena event at Circle T Arena in Hamilton.  We didn’t set any records, but had a great time.  Here are a couple of photos from our first run.  It was cold and we were glad to be inside instead of at a field trial.  

There are several more trials coming up in the next couple of months, and I hope the weather is more conductive to being outside.  

John and I have received our first COVID vaccinations, and look forward to getting our second shots next week.  Though we may never return to "normal" as we knew it, we do feel more confident about getting out and about.  However, we don't have to venture far to enjoy the outdoors.  A few days ago I stepped outside at sunrise to this!

And then I realized the sunrise wasn't just in the east, but extended 180 degrees to the western horizon.

God is good!