Ramble with Storm: Snuffling in snow

Mulling things on my morning ramble with Storm, our family’s mixed Lab.

Do dogs smell better in snow?

Or is there just some joy or fun in snuffling their noes into the white stuff?

All I know is the meathead certainly enjoys this stuff. It appeals to his inner Lab.

In fact, he seems to wonder where he can turn to next to bury his nose.

Good thing he finds joy in it. I kind of understand. If it is going to be this cold, might as well have snow.

The west winds whisked the racket of dozens, maybe hundreds, of Canada geese on the lake to the west over us as we passed the ball field before crossing the side rail separating the town from the wildness of the town pond.

So far, they have been able to keep a sizable hole swam open. I will check how big it is when we go to church later on.

That was actually more wildlife than I expected in this wintry landscape. You have to work to find beauty in this.

Yesterday afternoon, I found beauty in taking our two youngest kids sledding at the Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Afterward, we stopped at The Edge Coffee House in Crete for some hot chocolate and so I could see the reception for Mike Lewandowski’s exhibit of his photography

I like the mix of subjects in his art, maybe the religious themes even more than his nature or wildlife photography.

Two mourning doves whistled out of shoreline trees when the meathead and I went to examine where an ice fisherman had fished on the south end of the south old clay pit.

Again, more wildlife than I expected.

Back on the edge of town, four doves sat on the wires above the grit area (now buried in snow) by the grain elevators.

Back home, my thermometer behind the garage read 7 degrees.

Perfect day to head out after the Bears game for our family’s long tradition, dating back to when we lived on the North Side before we moved to the hinterlands, of cutting our own Christmas tree at Cupola House Tree Farm in Bourbonnais.

Sounds like a perfect end to a wintry weekend.