Remember that snow we had just prior to Christmas? Schools closed, buses cancelled and many programs not running. Waiting for the big storm that came. We had a good deal of snow in some areas of Ontario, more I understand in the Bruce Peninsula but also south of us. We got rain first that froze, coating all it touched. Trees, cars, driveways and in one community on Lake Erie, the waves rose high in the wind and houses were coated. Like this.

Then came the snow, blizzardy, white-outs and it was most tempting to stay indoors, which we did at our home. I was glad I had my shopping done and those last few days to finish gifts that needed a little attention yet.

On sideroads and highways, cars slid off the road, due to poor visibility, icy roads, and blowing snow, and it will be a tough job for tow trucks on icy snow-covered roads. I was glad we didn’t have need to travel. We were staying put.

By Christmas Day, the storm had settled somewhat and we could move about in town and in some areas the roads were ploughed. Our northern neighbours sadly were still snowed in, one couple wondering how they would get moved back to our city that week. Since our family lives in the same city, we were able to celebrate our delayed Christmas together. Indeed it was clearer, but there were still clouded skies.

Then snow began to melt and over the next couple of days the heaps of snow diminished. Ice melted except during colder temperatures at night, and the wind was less frosty and strong.

My husband and I put up our new bird feeder system — a Christmas gift— the first chance we got, and now we had a place to hang the birdfeeder (SquirrelBuster) I chose for my husband. The elaborate pole system came from WildBirdsUnlimited.

The site also shares information on responsible feeding of birds.

Thus far we have mostly chickadees. It will be interesting to see what type of bird frequents the feeders. And there’s a big fat squirrel who tried once to climb the pole by the garden, but he slid down.

Birds peck at what they want, apparently, and push off the shells they don’t want, which the squirrel has been feasting on when the birds aren’t up on the feeder.