Sub-Zero Weather Blows

So, yesterday never did break zero. I snapped this weather forecast just before wrapping the blog this morning. It was two degrees colder when I went to feed Claire and Honey.

But animals are far more resilient than the naked ape.

Mittens (Mike) just curled himself up and devoured his meals.

Then retreated to the bunker. I didn’t see Smokey, but that is because she had the good sense to stay put in her barn.

Claire and Honey proved just how tough they were by hanging in the sun reflecting off Geppetto’s Studio – which Lisa intends to convert into a much larger and nicer appointed barn for the mules this spring. That’s a heated bucket of water by the doorway.

Even the crows braved the weather so they could pilfer some of the mules peanuts.

Blue stayed inside unless she had no choice.

I spent the morning doing my weekly veggie/fruit prep and went out a few times to feed the mules. With this weather I’ve added two extra servings of chopped carrots, apples, and pears, at around 11 and 4. That adds to the 2:30 am and 7 pm regular sittings. I wait until I see them by the barn, so I know they will eat it before it freezes up. They also have open access to hay and timothy pellets, and water from the heated troughs. And they will still forage whatever grass they can find on the wintery fields.

The heavy duty black watch tartans seem to be doing their jobs. But as I sit here now typing, my hands are sore from venturing out for just a short period an hour or so ago. I have no interest communing with nature until we at least see positive numbers.

Lisa made me put on real wool winter socks.

The good news is that since Lisa has temporarily run out of indoor projects, I got to binge watch a really cool Netflix series – Boy Swallows Universe: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-13/boy-swallows-universe-netflix-trent-dalton-brisbane-seq/103309034

It is set in the Brisbane area of Australia in the 80s. It is based upon a novel by Trent Dalton – which I love seeing (hope that TCS follows suit springs eternal) – and some of it is set in the Sunshine Coast area, where Luke, Georgie and the girls call home:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/luke.mccaffrey.author/3279977916066100887?igsh=d2ExM3k5MTZ5OHRo

Australian mommy model – Georgina Moss McCaffrey – likes to film and post.

BTW, did I mention you should really give Luke’s novel a look, it is so awesome that the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Junot Diaz, gave him a cover blurb:

And he just finished the sequel. Fucking awesome. I’m incredibly jealous and proud. Stay tuned.

The good news is that the Australian branch of the McCaffrey tree will never freeze their asses off.

Well, I have another day ahead of me of frigid temperatures. Tomorrow promises to be colder.

Maybe I’ll read a book.

You fine, five readers stay warm and safe indoors during this nationwide artic dip.

I’m going to check on those kitties – already fed them – and race through the rounds.

But whatever we choose to do, let us make today a great one.

And did I mention to stay warm?!