It seems like all we have had for a couple of weeks is gray gloom and rain. One day of sunshine slipped in and the temperatures have stayed just warm enough for it to not be frozen rain or snow, but cold enough to make the daily walk an uncomfortable affair. If it is really raining, not just gray mist, we forgo the exercise, but miss getting out. The walks have necessitated extra layers in the form of long underwear and wool knee socks, but they have even been welcome in the house. Age plays tricks on the internal thermometer and higher power bills discourage turning up the thermostat.
Yesterday morning with the threat of an ice storm, we woke to rain again. Deciding to go on into town for lunch and errands, we passed into freezing rain and ice covered trees on the 12 mile drive. The roads were still fine and VDOT was out to make sure they stayed that way. When we prepared to take our walk in town, because the forecast appeared that the precipitation should stop around lunchtime, it was still coming down hard. When we arrived back home, the ice had moved with us and the mountains across the valley were coated trees.

It did finally end and as we had to meet someone in town near dark to deliver an item, we took a later walk on the Rails to Trails paved path we often use prior to the meet up. The path was wet, not icy, but the trees were dripping and dropping little ice pellets on us.


It was like walking in a wonderland, but cold and damp. Today there is some sun off and on. Taking advantage of the drier day, a layer of hay was spread in the chicken run to make it less treacherous to navigate. The round bale needs to be rolled uphill a bit so I can roll more off and deepen the layer before we are possibly getting our first significant snow next week. It may take the tractor to accomplish that task. And though it is colder than preferred for working outdoors, the coop needs to be cleaned to give them a clean dry layer if they are confined for a day or two. If the sun stays out, that task will be tackled as well.
The sun came and went and came again. We got our walk done, slightly warmer than yesterday, but windy. And the coop got cleaned, but the wood shavings are a tad thin, so another bale will be purchased and another layer added to the coop. The spoiled, shavings full of molted feathers was dumped in a raised bed that needs more soil. A layer of soil will be added over the shavings, the fertilizer will be hot now, but should mellow out by planting time.
It is definitely turning toward real winter and we continue to take it one day at a time.