Mother Nature has been a bit of a drama queen lately.
Perhaps my favorite meteorologist, Paul Gross, said it best in the first line of today’s forecast:
DETROIT – Last night’s cold front sure created some weather whiplash.
He’s right … it has been two weeks of wacky weather where the temps have been up, then down, then up again … just as erratic as the stock market sometimes.
In the span of a couple of days, we have experienced a 70-degree weather turnaround and just last night we dropped 30 degrees in a matter of hours, with howling winds that whooshed like those that whisked Dorothy and Toto to Kansas. We’ve endured snow squalls and freezing rain that coated the trees and non-grassy surfaces resulting in tons of accidents and power outages. And, when nothing has been falling from the sky, the wind was gusting at 30-40 miles per hour. Are you sure you got that forecast right Mr. Groundhog?
I’ve slipped way behind in my walking efforts, just managing one walk on each of the past two weekends and I hope to remedy those statistics tomorrow, although a quick glance at Accuweather online tells me snow will start up in 55 minutes – sigh.
I’m a weather worrier for sure, so I am happy I trekked to Council Point Park last Sunday and fed the furry fellows.
Grab and go and swoop and swipe.
There’s a lot of grabbing and going and swooping and swiping happening in the ‘hood these days. Hanging around the house has enabled me to witness such goings-on. I’ve not been to the Park since last Sunday, due to the wacky weather and Monday I ran errands as I wasn’t sure how long that ice storm would mess up the roads.
I still have my little porch pals, Grady and his friend, who continue to visit daily, and, if I’m not out there early enough to their liking … well, they decide to plant themselves on the porch to wait on me. One day I just know I’ll get a knock on the door wondering where I am. Yup, sometimes they make me feel like a slacker. I usually wait until I’m dressed, except for my coat and boots, before wiggling my hand out the front door to make a “dropping”. If I peer through the peephole before opening the door, (if the screen door isn’t frosted up), I’ll find this dynamic duo pacing on the porch steps. They are wearing the same pained expression that you have, as you keep looking out the door for your pizza delivery guy, imagining him lost in the ‘hood and all that glorious melty cheese dotted with pepperoni just congealing all over the box. Yup, it’s that same look.
I’ll be watching you.
Grady the Gray Squirrel has trained me well … I just put some peanuts on the porch, a couple on the brick ledge outside the front door and another few on the far ledge. Okay, I’m a quick study. I watched you while I was warming up the car in the driveway a weeks ago. I didn’t miss a beat, and neither did you, as you climbed up the wall lickedy-spilt, then danced along the edge with that prized peanut to nosh on it at the other end of the ledge. Now I make a SPD, a/k/a “a secret peanut drop” just for you, because the other squirrel is too fat to climb up there.
So, Grady’s got the world by the tail doesn’t he? He eats his fill on the porch, politely leaves a few peanuts for his pal, then he hones in on the rest of his cache at his leisure. What Grady doesn’t know is that there are others that covet those peanuts, and I might just have to clue him in on what I have observed while hanging around outside the house, rather than pounding the pavement on my walks.
A female cardinal and a blue jay were similarly trolling for peanuts. This morning, as I placed the peanuts on the opposite side of the ledge, the female cardinal hurriedly flew past my head and began a flurry of tweets in the big bush where she has her nest. I guess she was saying “hurry, I’m hungry!” Meanwhile, in my neighbor’s tree, a hungry blue jay, sitting on a tree branch that threatened to topple him in the raucous wind, similarly eyed those peanuts, calling out that well-known and recognizable screech, a noise that the wind carried from his beak to my ears. I moved faster, feeling a little intimidated by these two.
Grady dear – in deference to you, since you’re so darn cute, I put more peanuts out for them and YOU too, because life is tough and “if you snooze, you lose” so don’t forget that!
I know I was cold walking around outside, my hood pulled over my hat and huddled down in my jacket, mittened hands stuffed in my pockets. I was checking for missing shingles and looking for trouble, but not wanting to find any. Nothing was amiss, despite a noise that woke me up from that wind. I was mindful of those poor birds braving the elements with just their feathers to protect them, so yes, I dug a little deeper into my coat pocket to retrieve the Ziploc bag of peanuts and gifted everyone … a round of peanuts for all!
I left bread for the birds last week during the Polar Vortex. I always have a package of tortillas on hand in case I run out of bread – they have a very long shelf life. Well I didn’t run out of bread but the tortillas were past the expiration date, but still okay, so I tore them up for the birds because I pitied them during the Polar Vortex. Every morning I could hear sparrows huddled together on the back window ledges, their faint tweets in the still early morn– well, my heart just melted. One small problem though. Those tortilla tidbits froze to the snow as soon as I scattered them and they were so pale laying on the snow and snow-laden bushes, no birds discovered them. I don’t blame them – obviously they would like rustic bread, preferably a darker type, like pumpernickel, that they can see in the snow. I have to find a new kind of bread myself because Meijer grocery store no longer carries my favorite “Dave’s Killer Bread” and all other rustic-type breads just pale in comparison to it.
So the birds ignored the tortilla tidbits and I grumbled every time I saw it, as I figured I’d have to scoop it up come Spring, but alas, when the snow melted, the squirrels ate it. Thanks guys!
I’ll leave you with this quote: “All life has just one home, the earth, and we as the dominant species must take care of it.” – Dr. D.D. Sheldrick
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
During all the recent cold, snowy weather my walks having gotten very short. I’m looking forward to warmer days.
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Me too Sheryl – I miss my daily regimen, and I might have to reduce my steps to avoid shin splints as I’ve not put in many miles lately. Last Sunday was so icy at the Park, I just got three miles done, most of them walking back and forth to the Park. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for better weather and more walking.
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Linda,
Loved the post even though there wasn’t any news from Parker and Co. Hoping they have other pizza delivery people( peanut delivery people) doing the rounds. I loved how you described the expressions on Grady and pal’s faces if you are late with your delivery of their peanuts. I wonder how they plan to repay you or do they take it as their due anyway ?
The birds, well I am a little angry with them for stealing Grady’s nuts but I guess Grady doesn’t mind. I wish the squirrels could burrow and hibernate too. We have some cold weather again and we are hoping it will last. Every year prayers like these go up and we pray for delivery from the extreme heat and the waterless conditions we soon will have. The temperatures are changing for sure in the world. My own hometown which is down in the tropics has had extremely cold weather during December and January in the mornings, which was never the norm. We needed to get sweaters out and of course, many didn’t have any.
I agree that those humans ( in fact all humans) must make time to look after the earth and all its creatures, including themselves.
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I’m glad you enjoyed this post Susie – I hope to have a post about Parker and pals tomorrow, whether it snows or not … as long as it’s not slippery walking in the neighbohoods, I will make my way down there toting peanuts with me. I hope I didn’t jinx the squirrels by getting a lot of bags of peanuts back in January. I didn’t anticipate all the bad weather and I didn’t want to run out and disappoint them. They are funny the way they are there waiting and they look at me, almost like a look of disdain for not being there timely. They’ve got some serious competition with those birds … the cardinals do that to the Park squirrels too. Dip down and grab a peanut right from under their nose. The world is full of wacky weather – this year has been erratic all around the world – the heat, the flooding .. remember the article you sent me about the flooding in your home town? This weather has been a little too strange for me … you don’t know what to expect anymore. I hope to get out both days and get some nice up-close shots like last Sunday – that was Parker at the top of the post sniffing nuts on the ice. https://lindaschaubblog.net/2019/02/03/mid-day-meandering-with-the-munchkins/
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Parker has gone all skinny – truly.
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Let’s ask him his secret Susie! It was amazing how much of his bulk he lost in a few weeks’ time. It is very cold this morning … 13F (-10C) and a -5F (-20C) real feel … I see no snow has accumulated and the sun actually makes an appearance today. I shall visit with Parker and pals and lavish treats on them to make up for my absence this week … still too cold for them to dig in the ground for their stored peanuts. My heart hurts for them and the birds in this bitter cold weather.
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Dear Miss “Dave’s killer Bread”…………………….I enjoyed your wintry icy cold story today……………………..and I’m happy you are taking such good care of the squirrels on your porch step………………………………………………………..so what kind of bread is: Dave’s Killer Bread??………………………………..I walked inside Meijer store this morning……………………..
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Hi Ann Marie – I started to write a post on Wednesday after the ice storm and then did not as I was hunkered down inside so did not deal with it as other folks did. Heads up for you this Monday morning … snow on the way … of course, because you make your way to the soup kitchen every Monday morning. At least you don’t go Tuesday when we have an ice storm on Monday into Tuesday. I like walking at Meijer – the clerks there are all so friendly … that’s a potential problem as I stop to visit with them and it holds up production of getting my steps in. But, if you need groceries, walking there is like “one-stop shopping”. “Dave’s Killer Bread” was my indulgence – nice rustic-style bread and good for you, but they only ever carried about a dozen of the various type of bread at any given time, likely because it contains no preservatives and was pricey. I bought it on sale or when I got the Meijer coupons in the mail for $$$ off. I may try Kroger once the weather is nicer – I’ve not been to the new Kroger which is in the old KMart store in Southgate … whenever I drive by, the parking lot is crowded. This morning is cold, cold, cold – I long for Spring!
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I enjoyed your Dr Shelddrick quote. A timely reminder to us all.
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Thank you Alison. I saw that quote on the hashtag “Wildlife Wednesday” on Twitter this past week and snagged it knowing I could share it on my blog … it is very timely all around the world.
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To me this weather seems like we are riding on a super ball (you know those little rubber balls that are super bouncy). Even the warmer days have not really been nice enough to get out and enjoy and it looks like this stuff is going to continue for a while. I am so glad you have your pals at home to care for so you don’t miss those at the park so much. Only 38 days ’til spring. 🙂
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I agree Ruth – not an enjoyable Winter at all and we were spoiled in December and the beginning of January … cold but no precip. This does wear on you after a while … 13 and a real feel of -5 this morning and you are likewise the same, if not colder. It’s back to dripping faucets, cupboard doors open and small loads of hot-water wash laundry to keep the pipes warm. And now to step outside – brrrr. Thanks for reminding me how many more days ’til Spring. I have forgotten to check this week. The porch pals are providing some enjoyment for when I don’t get down to the Park and I plan to go today and see and feed them … don’t know about taking pictures since it is so cold. I had planned to go to the River, but re-thinking that too as the wind is 15 mph and with this cold, might be a wee bit too cold for the birds to be out and about. There are eagles on the ice floes at John Dingell Park (a/k/a Ecorse Park). P.S. – I remember those super balls from when I lived in Canada … we lived in a new sub and no one had paved driveways – all gravel … I had to bounce it against the house or on the porch … I got many warnings from my father – if that ball goes through the picture window, the repair bill comes out of your allowance – I got about a quarter in those days – I learned to contain that super ball. 🙂
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Dress warm Linda and thanks for the super ball story. 🙂
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Thanks Ruth – we’ll get through this cold snap … glad you enjoyed that super ball story. Others may be reading these comments and saying “what is a super ball?” And then there was Silly Putty, Etch a Sketch – the list is endless .., but now I am dating myself.
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I remember all of those fondly as well – but I could not name 3 video games. LOL!
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Neither could I Ruth …. I have never played a video game in my life.
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At another house I had a squirrel that banged on the sliding door when I was late with the sunflower seeds. Not at all shy!
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Oh that’s really funny Kate. They make themselves familiar fast and are nervy once they realize they have a friendly face providing treats.
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You’re so kind as to keep feeding the critters! I love Dave’s Killer Bread – I feel sad for you that you can’t get it anymore and I keep my fingers crossed that you’ll be able to get out walking in the parks again soon! Stay warm!!
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I just Googled around and Kroger does carry it, the one I liked the best (21 grains) so I at least know where to go. I didn’t worry about it too much for now as it’s been crummy weather and I got some other brands (no comparison). I was happy that I did get a four-mile walk in this morning – could’ve worn my walking shoes but I thought some ice might still be around. It’s getting ugly tomorrow afternoon with ice now … Monday was bad enough.
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Yay, glad you can still get the bread. I agree, there isn’t a comparable brand. Yay – I’m so happy you got a walk in! We’re to get 3-5 inches of snow today…it’s already started! 😦
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Me too Shelley – both the bread and the walk. Got another walk in today – four miles, but I took a lot of pictures. More snow for you and that’s a lot! We are getting 1-2 but a wintry mix – freezing rain and the same thing on Monday into Tuesday. I’m so done with Winter and it’s not half as bad as yours!
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We feed the birds and this winter they have eaten twice what they usually do. Maybe it’s because they told all their friends and we are just feeding more! Enjoy your weekend!
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Ha ha – you are probably right, they pass the word along: “the eatin’s good at Diane’s house!” Pretty soon you’ll be putting out cabbage soup for them. Now, I know you are laughing at that line. 🙂
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Yes I am!!!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
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Awww… I love that you make a SPD just for Grady! I don’t think we are having as crazy a winter as you are in Michigan! I do want to go back to Florida, but even PA is not too bad. Yet. We are forecasted to have snow storms and ice next week. Is it April yet?
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Funny, I just wrote you a comment that said we were in for an ugly weather week. We were slated for some snow Sunday afternoon, and now I saw the National Weather Service says it likely turns into sleet/freezing rain not just snow … and that will occur Monday night as well. 38 more days til Spring – on the calendar; no tellin’ what will be on the ground or flying around in the air!
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And, this morning I decided I’d get a picture of him since I’d be outside – I don’t like to take the camera out when it was so cold, or rainy and the storm door fogs or frosts up … I was all ready and he never showed up – waited until I left for the Park. He is very sweet.
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Dave’s Killer Bread is killer good! And right out of Portland. Sometimes I stop by the outlet store near my house. Ezekiel bread is excellent too, as is Alvarado Bakery from California. I’m glad to hear that your squirrels are fine. I’m sure you’ll catch up on your walking soon! 😊
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It sure is Sabine and I just located a Kroger that sells it … my favorite, the 21 grain. I’ll remember those other names you gave me -maybe Meijer carries those brands. I like rustic bread as it is more satisfying to me and his bread is very nutritious. I did read the bag and Googled to find the story behind the origin of the bread – very interesting. I did get a walk in this morning – 4 miles only, didn’t want to overdo it and spent a lot of time visiting and taking pictures. It was very barren down there today except for the squirrels. Are you getting more snow tomorrow? I heard Seattle may get another 2-3 inches of snow tomorrow – fingers crossed it is not you as well.
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We’re supposed to get a little more tomorrow. Not sure how the next week shapes up. I’ll go with the flow since there’s no other choice. 😉 Kroger carries the Killer Bread here too! Enjoy your walk tomorrow Linda!
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I just heard on the 6:00 a.m. national news that Portland is in the bullseye for today too … you’ll get the whole snow experience in one weekend! Lucky for your snow removal folks that most people are off the roads since it is a weekend – they would appreciate it more if it was next weekend, the long President’s Day holiday. Your kind neighbor on the tractor has his work cut out for him. Good to hear about my favorite bread – one of my little luxuries Sabine. A walk for me this morning before OUR snow and wintry precip begins later this afternoon.
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Linda, the weather here now calls for rain. That’s fine as long as it doesn’t freeze. The problem with Portland becoming paralyzed when it snows is that we have little snow removal equipment. It doesn’t snow a whole lot. Then there are the arguments of salting the roads vs. the less effective de-icing liquid. A few years ago we were stuck on our hill for about 10 days. Only the major roads are cleared, if they are at all!
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Well, that is really serious and you don’t want to risk going down the hill in treacherous weather. When we had the cold spell, we had no salt trucks as it was too cold for salt or brine to be effective. I heard there was more snow coming tomorrow. They should have plows from other states assist you like the energy providers do after bad storms. Our ice storm last Wednesday morning had threatened to take down more lines than actually happened (we were expecting 1/2 inch of ice, only got 1/4 inch) and they had 300 linemen from neighboring states coming in to assist. Our linemen went in a convoy to Puerto Rico for a long-term assignment after the hurricane Fingers crossed you don’t get freezing/icing conditions. I had that happen one year and my whole driveway was a sheet of ice and it was 2014, the year of the last Polar Vortex. I could not pull out of the garage for fear of taking out the two mirrors (very little space on either side of the car) and the plow came along and plowed the end of the driveway and we had freezing rain, so even when the ice began to melt, I could not drive the car over the big lump of icy snow at the end of the driveway – the car did not go out of the driveway for two solid months, though I ran it daily.
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Linda, we’re off the hook! It started to rain last night and hasn’t stopped once yet! 😉
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That’s amazing and I’ll bet all that snow is already washing down the sewer grates and sinking into the gardens and lawns!
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It’s all gone, but might snow again tonight! 😉
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Oh for goodness sake – that’s what bugs me about our weather too. It was clear as a bell on the roads and sidewalks and walking path. Now this.
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Dear “Peanut Lady”……………………..I enjoyed your story today…………………I’ll tell you more later
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Glad to hear it Ann Marie … I aimed to feed the furry pals and to walk while the weather is favorable for getting to the Park … the cold is not an issue, just that pesky ice and snow, more which is on the way unfortunately.
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What a lovely post and such a lovely quote to end it with. ❤
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Thanks Zena – glad you enjoyed it. I saw that quote last week and saved it, knowing I’d use it for a nature-type post fairly shortly.
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I’m behind with my reading, so not sure what day you wrote this, but that wind storm was wicked! Didn’t sleep until 4am with the howling upstairs, finally went down to the couch for a few hours. Loved the Dorothy and Toto analogy and the pizza analogy and the secret peanut drop – you are endlessly creative! And I am envious of the cardinals and blue jays. Another bad week ahead forecast freezing rain and snow storms…..sigh…..
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Glad you liked it Joan. That wind was horrible here too and I went outside thinking the worst, as I heard something outside sounded like it was banging on the house. Was it a branch? Was it a wire? I was afraid to look, but nothing seemed amiss and no shingles gone either. I have said in the past in a windstorm that I felt like a tumbleweed, albeit a big tumbleweed at 5′ 9″ tall. It is really windy at the Park as it is so open, especially on the second loop. Yes, Grady and I have this little Secret Peanut Drop – he does not know the cardinal and jay also know about it. This morning I was warming up the car to go out on a little trek and the female cardinal came and grabbed a peanut from the porch. I wish I’d had my camera … Grady saw me and hid in a tree. He is very timid, and I try never to make movements with my arms that will scare him as he hightails it to the backyard. I had to go back to sticking my hand out the front door as he kept running away (except for the peanuts on the opposite ledge). We have ugly weather too – there goes both our walking regimens. Big sigh here too. The ice/sleet/snow arrived and already laid down a coating and tons of accidents out there and we’re getting the same tomorrow night. Thank goodness I don’t have to go out to work. Spring can’t come fast enough.
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Um……I never thought to look at the shingles! I did manage a short walk today, but that will probably be it for a few days, as it snowed tonight again. I’m grateful every day that I don’t have to drive in it.
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I am grateful too, believe me. I am sorry I have to go out and run the car – wish I could access the garage from the house. I just got into the habit of checking the shingles as my parents had some shingles fly off years and years ago. They didn’t know when it happened. They had a tall chest in their room, and my parents were both short and did not know the missing shingles had exposed the roof membrane and the wood rotted beneath it and water had dripped on the top of the furniture. It was a high boy and that chest is actually taller than me – I’d say it is well over 6 feet tall. My mom was dusting with one of those long-handled woolen dusters and it came back soaking wet. They had to have a roof repair in mid-Winter. This is a small house so I can see the shingles from across the street/down the street and from the backyard.
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