Yesterday, the gang was all here in Florida for Grandpa & Grandma's 65th wedding anniversary - even me!

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Monday, February 28, 2011 - During this short month, I certainly accomplished and experienced a LOT in four short weeks.

We began the month with BLIZZARD warnings and had about 20 inches of snow on Groundhog's Day. As the month went on, we were all aware that my mom and dad were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on February 27th. Were we going to make it here -- or not?!

After numerous phone calls and a lot of yakking, I was the only one of us seven kids who wasn't going to be here until I talked to Dr. Lee last Monday, and she said, "why not?" And I said, OK, then.

I flew down with Denny and Avis on Friday, and it's been a whirlwind ever since. This morning, we leave to go back to Illinois but not before we pack our bags with not just our lightweight clothes but with wonderful, happy memories of a weekend of fun and reconnecting with one another.

And celebrating 65 years of wedded bliss with Grandpa and Granny. Those naysayers said it wouldn't last. But we're glad it did. And Diane is forever grateful that they moved to Florida back in the early 70's. (insert smiley face here)

We had a blast! Plus, the most amazing thing of all is that we all get along so well. It only took 60 years or so..... haha! That's a joke, kids.

There are tons of pictures to look at. I haven't seen them all yet but I will share them later. Gotta go drink some more coffee. bye for now, djb

Here's the kitty that used to hide under our neighbor's deck until the snowstorm, now he's decided to come and visit me.
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Here's my black and white visitor kitty who keeps wandering around our yard. He's the one who sat on the edge of the pool earlier this winter.
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Saturday, February 19. 2011 - The black and white kitty has been around for a while. But I never see him when I'm outside. All winter long, I've seen kitty cat paw prints in the driveway.

The other kitty was the one my neighbor called about and saw in our yard. She wondered if the kitty was mine. No. Just another visitor.

I'm sure they heard all about Hobbes and they're looking for a good time. see ya later, djb

This is a special photo of the full moon in the west this morning at 6:16 a.m. I had the camera on candle light setting so the flash wouldn't go off. However, the trees were in the way and so was the window.
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Friday, February 18, 2011 - As you read these words, let me just tell you that the full moon has already occurred. Here's the scoop:
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February 18, 3:36 a.m. EST – Full Snow Moon: Usually the heaviest snows fall in this month. Hunting becomes very difficult, and hence to some tribes this was known as the Full Hunger Moon.
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Okie dokie. Now that you know it's the full SNOW moon, you can carry on -- especially if you live in Florida. haha bye for now, djb

Here's Andrew and Jarrett's evergreen trees today on Andrew's birthday. Hey! Where's the road?? The snow really hasn't melted that much.
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Tuesday, February 15, 2011 - I'm SO glad that I planted those trees many years ago. At least, now when I go to the cemetery, I see something alive that is connected to Andrew and Jarrett. It makes my heart happy.

And it was thanks to Fred that this happened. Yes, I must call him tomorrow. haha bye, djb

P.S. Happy Boofday, Andoo

Here's the biggest icicle and his friends that were hanging from the gutter on February 8th right outside the kitchen window.
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Thursday, February 10, 2011 - On Tuesday morning, I decided that I had to get outside and knock those big icicles off the gutter because they made me nervous.

So, I bundled up and went out the front door into the highest drifts of snow that I've been in so far this winter -- it was at least two feet deep.

And it was hilarious! I had one of my long garden tools that has three tines on the end. As I trudged through the drifts, I fell down into the snow twice. It was like falling in a marshmallow. All I could do was laugh -- and then push on the handle to get myself back up again.

But I did accomplish my task. All of the icicles came crashing down and just a bunch of frozen snow remained. It wasn't going anywhere.

I sure know how to have fun! see ya later, djb

Here's another photo of yesterday's view of the hoof prints and birdie feet prints around the feeder in the front yard. It's fairly distinct.

This picture was taken 24 hours after the one above. There are a lot more hoof prints out there this morning. That's so exciting!
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Saturday, February 5, 2011 - When you look closely at both photos, it's apparent that the deer followed the same path as the day before. I suppose the snow is so deep they just want to walk in the same place and not have to make a new path.

When I looked out back, I could see a trail of deer prints all the way up back, then around the north side of the house to the front yard. The deer came through the bridal wreath bushes that are at the end of our property.

The word is out: Get your food at Donna's bird feeder! haa bye, djb

When it finally got a little bit light outside this morning, I could see that I had some deer visitors last night at the critter feeders.
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Friday, February 4, 2011 - Yesterday, I only had birds at the feeders....however, when I looked out this morning, I saw that there were multiple deer tracks in the snow. How exciting!

I got some good photos of a woodpecker and mama cardinal. Maybe I'll put those on the boys blogger blog. later, djb

This is the view from inside the garage looking out into the driveway. It was almost a disaster because the snow fell inside and I had to sweep it away or the door wouldn't close!
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - Because I'm a curious sort of person, I thought I'd open the garage door and see what was up. YIKES!!! The snow at the bottom of this picture is more than a foot tall - maybe a foot and a half.

It is unbelievable out there. I think it'll be wise to wait for the February thaw and just let it all melt. What an unbelievable mess. It is bigger than huge -- it's epic. wow!

I've got to go outside and check it out in person. later, djb

Here's Mother out in the snow in Harvard in 1929 (no gloves). This is one of the main reasons she's glad they moved to Florida.
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Steve and Dennis posing in the snow in Kingston in winter 1960 - obviously the film was not developed until April.
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This is another version of Diane on the snow mountain in the winter of 1969 - and this film wasn't developed until JULY!
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011 - Every once in a while, the wind starts blowing really hard....and the storm hasn't even started yet. It's going to be a nightmare out there.

Steve came over and blew the driveway before I had even finished reading the paper. God love him. There's going to be a lot of snow blowing going on around here.

Better go put some more old SNOW pictures on here. That's the way the Florida Bergs like snow -- only in pictures. haha

blizzard ya later, djb