February - The First Half

If I've learned anything about myself, it is that I must make plans to get out of this frozen hellscape during January and February. Schedule it way ahead of time so that I don't get blocked out by changing schedules and random pandemic outbreaks. Yikes, it's been a rough winter.

The first week I painted a wall or two, did a LOT of Yoga With Adriene, and took precious few walks cause it was sooo cold. On a rare day of non freezing air I headed over to the Barberville Falls to hike the ridge trail. The streams in the woods were completely frozen, as if Frozone had come by and zapped them.


The falls had a tiny bit of water flowing under this ice mass.

Then an ice storm came through and left a 2-3 inch thick layer of consolidated sleet and frozen rain, with a dusting of snow on top. I've been chipping away at the driveway but at least I can drive over it to break it up.

I invited Dale to join me in a trip to MassMOCA so I could see In The Light of A Shadow in action. We drove over the Petersburg Pass and had to stop and see the ice coating everything. It was beautiful.

The art was nice, but I can't help but think with a straight edge, some tape, and paint....

We enjoyed the architecture of the old mill buildings as much as the art. I also enjoyed this tunnel of sound.

2/10/22

Hiking has picked up - A six miler on Alander Mountain on Thursday followed by dinner at the Chief Martindale Diner, then a quick stop at home for a shower, so I could see the play Bright Star at the Cohoes Music Hall. That was a long people-y day. It was the first day the mask mandate was lifted, so that was refreshing. Lots of folks are still masking up, and I certainly respect that, but I just wanted to breathe free.

            
                         Pausing in the ice covered trees.



    Cohoes Music Hall

Not much cooking on my part, as I had dinner at The Inn on Crooked Lake with friends Friday.

2/12/22
Saturday seemed to be the day to fulfill my bike riding challenge for February. 50 degrees and sunny, but only til noon when temps would drop below freezing again. I did the quick 10 mile loop into town, but added on a spur around the lake for a respectable 14 miles in 1.5 hrs. Now the rest of the year seems doable since Jan and Feb are the real problems. It was a hard ride since I've lost my biking legs, and the meltwater and road spray left me needing a shower and a load of laundry.
Pretty though! Ice fishing ans kiting were in full swing.

Duck reflections



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