Deer Everywhere


Friday I spent most of the day doing laundry and getting my house back in some semblance of order. Then it was out to dinner with my teaching friends and their spouses. I had a squash and burrata pizza with a cranberry ginger margarita. I stopped at Target on my way home to buy some Alaska Knits cuddly socks because I simply love them.

Today was more house organizing, laundry,  and I took down the outdoor Christmas lights. While I was out there I noticed the temperature wasn't too bad, so before I had a chance to think too much I put the bike on the car and headed to a bike trail. I did the northern section of the Albany Hudson Electric trail since that is the only section I haven't ridden. It is not that scenic and quite hilly, so I got a good workout. During last winters challenge I determined that 50 degrees was my acceptable limit for biking, but I lowered it to 46 so I could get all my rides in. Today it was just barely 40 degrees and I really bundled up. It was actually fine for most of the ride what with all the hill work to warm me, but for the last few miles I noticed my feet were very cold, nearly frozen. I ended up riding 17 miles in one hour and 45 minutes. I'm going to keep my limit at 40 degrees unless I find some warmer footwear. I have one more ride to do in January, but the forecast does not look hopeful.

Just a little stream along the trail.

This little deer was just a few feet from me on the trail and not concerned at all.

Who knew Elsie The Cow originated right in the next town over where I taught for 30 years?

Back at home, the house organizing continues as I ready the upstairs for renovation. I'll be getting rid of a lot of clothes I never wear, and linens I'm tired of seeing take up space. I pause at the windows often, wishing for nicer weather. As they do every January, the robins descended on the crabapple trees to get any remaining fruit. They were joined by a flock of starlings so it was pretty busy in the yard for awhile.



Some snow on the ground would be nice, but our climate is changing.



This gang shows up in my yard almost daily. There was a 4th member, but not cooperative for my camera.

Comments

  1. MargaretJanuary 9, 2023 at 7:35 PM

    That's a lot of deer! We get an occasional one here--not many these days with the enroachment of suburbia. My goodness, you're ambitious to bike ride in 40 degrees. I would love to do more winter rides but I don't have the gear and I probably couldn't convince John. He's a fair weather biker and they're his bikes. :) Can't wait to hear and see more about your project!

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