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Friday, December 27, 2002 9:00 a.m.

17 degrees, overcast, calm, no new snow
I don’t know what the forecast is for today,
but I can tell by the weight of the air outside that something is going
to happen. I’m guessing a bank of warmer air is moving in; both my
old bones and my sinuses tell me so. I was just outside, and if this
was a summer day, it would be muggy. Since it’s only 17 degrees, I guess
I would say it is just plain cold and damp. Really cold days, those zero
and below, are felt in the nose hairs and in the short gasping breaths we take,
things easily fixed with a well-placed scarf. A day like this, well, it is more
of a bone-chilling cold that goes right to the core. Even if it warms up, I think
it will still feel colder outside than it really is. I believe I will stay in today
and make cookies to take tomorrow's journey to visit my family.
The Gomer Hill Almanac will reappear sometime next year (like Wednesday).
Enjoy your long weekend, Daisy

Thursday, December 26, 2002 7:30 a.m.

13 degrees, partly sunny, 4-6" new snow
It is a beautiful morning; the sun is coming up over some low clouds
and there are several jet trails like crystal spears in the sky. There isn’t a breath of
wind, so even though it is pretty cold out, it doesn’t seem so bad. We went out on
our cross country skis yesterday, and the woods were very quiet. The animal tracks we
saw were old,and there wasn’t even one chickadee to be seen in the trees. Mill Creek
was running pretty fast and there were no good snow bridges to cross, so our ramblings
were confined to the Gomer Hill side of the creek. I am headed out this morning
alone for a little adventure; there are already turkeys and deer on the move, and
I’ll bet the woods will be alive with creatures emerging from their safe places to eat
some seeds, bark, or each other. I think it is interesting to see what kinds of critters
use our ski tracks. Deer are the most common, and in the spring the porcupines drag
themselves along our furrows as well. Sometimes I ski into the woods and come back
out on the same trail, and am surprised that several deer have already used it,
without ever showing themselves to me.
The woods, meadows, and swamps are full of surprises this time of year, but they
are only wonder-full to those who seek them out. Don’t forget to explore a little today;
if you can’t get outdoors,look into a corner of your closet, or through a forgotten pile of papers.
See if you can surprise yourself in some way.
Take care, Daisy

Wednesday, December 25, 2002 10:00 a.m.

20 degrees, light snow, slight breeze, 1" new snow
The storm that has devastated the midwest and plains states will be
barreling through the southern half of New York State today, with just an
average amount of snowfall expected in our neck of the woods. this is good news
to those who are travelling today,or waiting for friends and family to arrive.
The snow that is falling right now is very fine, and will pack in to make a great
base for winter sports. Snow Ridge has had some excellent powder skiing this
past few days; they are closed today, and tomorrow will be a good day for
you powderhounds to get first tracks if you get there at the joy from
it that 9 a.m. Make today a special day, celebrate in ways that you see fit,
and wring all you can in ways that are meaningful to you.
Have a great day, Daisy

Tuesday, December 24, 2002 8:30 a.m.

15 degrees, partly sunny, breezy, new snow
I went out and measured the new snow: At its deepest, two feet;
At its shallowest, an inch. Just my observation, I would say that 8-10 inches fell,
and yes, we finally had to plow the yard. Driving home from work last night on the upper
road between Boonville and Turin was a real hair-raising adventure. Visibility was absolute
zero at several points, and I could only hope that there were few other vehicles on
the road. I stopped at a friend’s house in Turin to call Gomer and tell him I was on my
way up the hill, which hadn’t been plowed for a while. If I didn’t show up in fifteen
minutes, he would come down with the truck and give me a tow. I got a good start,
fishtailed around the first corner and put my foot into it on the steeps. Nearing
the crest, I started whooping and yelling words of encouragement to my little car,
and we crept toward the top at a snail’s pace, but at last were over the first break.
A few sections of road were nearly drifted over, but I made it home in good shape.
There is additional intense snow on the way for tonight and tomorrow;
I hope all friends and family arrive safely home for everybody’s holiday.
Don’t forget to listen to your critters talk at midnight,
and leave something good for the night visitors.
Peace on earth, Daisy


Monday, December 23, 2002 8:30 a.m.

22 degrees, windy, snowing, ?? new snow
If you are looking here for accurate snow totals, I will surely disappoint you on windy days like this.
This is the fourth day of wind on the hill, and the third day of snow. We have had snow falling
steadily since Saturday, but there is no good place to measure accumulation here. Three days of snow,
and we haven’t had to plow the yard once, thanks to the West Wind. There are big white drifts and
dunes in the same spaces where all the maple leaves collect in the fall, but for the most part the
meadows are still blown down to the icy layer left by Friday’s rain. Yesterday the woods had about
three inches of newsnow, but on the open ground the terrain is stark and slippery. The cats wail to go
out, then sit on the stepfor about five seconds before streaking back into the house. There is another
lake effect snow advisory for today, with winds up to 40 mph. I am sure our gusts are at least that
(anemometer is still broken; any anemometer repairmen out there?) and it is snowing very hard right now.
It is a good day to stay inside and wrap gifts, catch up on household chores,
and keep the home fires under control.
Stay safe, Daisy

Sunday, December 22, 2002 9:00 a.m.

28 degrees and climbing, partly sunny, breezy, ?? new snow
It is absolutely impossible to tell how much snow fell yesterday.
It snowed all day, but the wind was so fierce that I think all the snow ended up down in the village.
My yard is still treacherously icy, and the meadows are shiny white in the morning sunshine, blown clear
down to the boilerplate. If we want to do any cross-country skiing today, we will have to find the sheltered spaces of the woods, where some snow may have accumulated on the ice. There are plenty of logging roads
on Tug Hill that are fun to ski on, but what I really like to do is just ramble and go where the skis take me. Sometimes we follow animal tracks through the woods, and read the story they leave. Coyote tracks may merge with varying hare prints, only to terminate in a gash of red, with a single set of tracks leaving the scene.
Ah, here’s a happy little red squirrel’s mark, bounding across the fresh snow; there’s a wing-print,
and clear untracked snow beyond. A hole where a partridge exploded from the snow after the storm
was over. Lynx tracks, leading to a heap of scat that is still steaming in the chill air, and the feeling
that we are being watched... Cougar tracks, quick! Turn around and go back...
We are fearless, but not stupid.
Enjoy your day, Daisy

Saturday, December 21, 2002 8:45 a.m.

27 degrees, very breezy, snowing steadily
There is snow in the air but very little on the ground.
If I wanted to, I could ice skate in the yard. The wind last night was fierce,
and it was hard to fall asleep. Several small ash and maple branches litter the ground
this morning, and there is not a bird in sight. It is wind like this that led to our decision
to give our bird feeders away to those who live in calmer parts of the North Country.
We still hang some suet balls, but even a very sturdy feeder loses its seeds on a day like this.
I hate to lure songbirds to this spot; on a calm day it is absolutely beautiful, but at least half
of the winter is too harsh, with little cover from the elements. The suet balls attract
blue jays, woodpeckers, nuthatches, and blackbirds, all hardy enough to weather the storms.

Today is the Winter Solstice!
This is one of my favorite days of the celestial year,
The return of light to the landscape. In days gone by, the crone of the household would
light a candle and let it burn all night, so the sun would be lured back from the far land
of darkness. This led to the practice of lighting candles around the Yule season, and
eventually to today’s modern electric lights on trees both indoors and out. Leaving a candle
to burn all night seems risky to me, especially in a house that has pets or children;
an electric candle seems a better choice... but what if the power goes off?
Will the sun find its way back ? Stay tuned... Daisy

Friday, December 20, 2002 7:45 a.m.
40 degrees, light rain, breezy
This is one of those days when I can honestly say
"We own all this land, far as the eye can see..." because I can only see as far as our
hedgerows. The air is dense with moisture, both falling from the sky and rising from the earth.
It is a much nicer day outside than it appears from inside; put on your windproof waterproof
gear and your galoshes and take a little walk, lifting your face to the rain. You won’t get
a facial like that in any fancy spa.I hope everyone noticed last night’s full moon;
I wasn’t sure if it would be visible, given the prediction of rain, but there it was!
Hung perfectly in the early night sky, surrounded by luminous cloud banks. Clement C. Moore
said it best: "The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave a luster of mid-day to
objects below." We used to go cross country skiing by the light of the moon, but that was
before the hoards of snowmobilers invaded the hill. Our human bodies wouldn’t stand a chance
against a sled going 100 miles per hour, and even if we kept to the meadows... well, let’s
just say that there is no such thing as private property on Tug Hill in the winter. I know that
most snowmobilers are thoughtful and responsible riders, but until there is 100 % cooperation
with the rules of private property and closed roads, our meadows will not be safe in the winter
for us, our children, or our pets. I urge you not to ride off-piste unless you want the locals
to be piste-off. (Climbing down off my soapbox now...)
Have a great day, Daisy

Thursday, December 19, 2002 8:45 a.m.
28 degrees, partly cloudy, calm, no new precipitation
It is sunny in the east, with dark grey clouds looming in the west.
When I unfocus my eyes to get the big picture, I can see the cloud bank moving
very slowly eastward; for now, the sun is shining so brightly that I have had to close the
curtain at the window behind my computer. There are lines of hoofprints in and out of
the old pumpkin patch where deer have been scooping out the frozen orange pulp, a strange
flavor of popsicle. There are dog tracks in my yard, too big to be coyote. Perhaps one of
the semi-feral dogs that run loose on the Hill is looking for a handout. I wonder where
the strays come from; are they lost? Were they abandoned? Did they run away to join the
circus and miss the tryouts? My own dog was a stray at one time, and I am sure the circus
was his intended destination! Take some time to frolic with your pet today; if you don’t have
a pet, romp about with an imaginary pet. Howl at the full moon, leap and wiggle, chase
essence of mouse and bury your nose in the snow... Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!
Have a great day, Daisy

~ Wednesday, December 18, 2002 8:30 a.m. ~
14 degrees, no new snow, no wind
What an absolute jewel of a morning !
There is not a cloud in the sky and I can see all the way to the Adirondacks.
I can even make out the ski trails on McCauley Mountain. There are a dozen blackbirds
in the maple tree singing their winter carols, and a sentinel crow stopped to scold me
as I passed on my morning walk with the dog. Today will be an excellent day to follow
the crows on skis (what? crows on skis? Oh my!) and see where they lead us. I understand
that tomorrow may be a little less user-friendly, what with rain and wind and all,
so get out today while the gettin’ is good !
Spread your joy around today, Daisy

~ Tuesday, December 17, 2002 6:30 a.m. ~
1 degree, trace of new snow, no wind
Today’s entry is early, as I have to leave for work at 7:00. It is pitch black
out as the winter solstice draws near. The stars are shining brightly, but do little to illuminate
the land. My dog only ventured one step away from the porch to take care of business, and came
back in with frost on his whiskers. There is just the faintest hint of purple on the eastern horizon,
a herald of the approaching dawn. Bundle up!
Take care, Daisy


~ Monday, December 16, 2002 ~ 8am ~
17 degrees, steady driving wind, snowing sideways
Our anemometer appears to have become discombobulated, so I can only guess at the
wind speed today; let’s just call it uncomfortably windy. There are 3 or 4 inches of new
fluffy snow in the quiet spot behind the house, but the yard has been blown bare. During
yesterday’s cross-country ski ramble, we saw many tracks (rabbit, coyote, deer, squirrel,
and skunk) but I’ll bet the critters are all staying snug in their dens this morning. I, for one,
am glad I don’t have any outdoor chores to do today. Don’t forget your hat and mittens when
you venture out today; even if you are going in a vehicle, be prepared for the cold.
Stay warm, Daisy

~ Sunday, December 15, 2002 ~8:30am ~
26 degrees and dry, not even a breeze, 2 inches new wet snow
Although the clouds are grey, there are lots of breaks and the clean white snow reflects
the sun’s brilliance, giving a polished look to the landscape.  It looks like a good day for
cross-country skiing; the fresh snow on top of the icy underlayer will keep us from going too fast
downhill, and will provide good grip uphill. Let’s get that kettle of soup a-cookin’ and
head on out the door!
Have a great day, Daisy

~ Saturday, December 14, 2002 ~ 8am ~
33 degrees with a little mist falling, wind 10-15 mph, low clouds
As I look out the window right now, the sun is peeking through the clouds and sending beautiful
shimmering rays to the valley below. It is a good reminder that, no matter how bleak a situation
may appear... global, national, statewide, village, or personally... there will always be a ray of
light to give us hope. Open yourself to the light, and put dark thoughts behind you today. Do at
least one thing today that you enjoy, and avoid news broadcasts because they only report
negative stories. Make some good news of your own today!
Take care, Daisy

~ Friday, December 13, 2002 ~ 8:30am ~
30 degrees and hazy, winds calm, no new precipitation
It is the kind of morning that looks bleak when viewed from the kitchen window.
The sun is up there somewhere, and everything is painted in black and white.  When I
stepped outside to walk the dog, the trees were filled with blackbirds greeting the day
with their own special kind of song.  What a nice surprise!  There are crows calling in
the distance and the wet snow is just begging to be made into a sculpture of some kind. 
Ahhhh... if I get the chores done, Maybe I can talk Gomer into building a fort with me
later today!  Everybody, go out and play for a little bit today;
you will be glad you did!
Have a great day,
Daisy