Heat Snap.

1-8-18 SHORT HILLS: Well, I got the year right again. The cold snap is over for the moment, as it’s up in the twenties, and a few above-freezing temps are predicted for later in the week. Why do we talk about a heat wave and a cold spell or snap, but not a cold wave or heat snap? No wonder English is so hard to learn.

We took the dogs for a walk around the block today. We wore heavy coats, hats and gloves. The dogs wore fur. We walk them around the snowy yard after the outing to clean their pads of the salt from the roads.

If it gets up to the forties later in the week in VT, that will be more than 60° warmer than it was when we were there in December. Another 60° warmer and it would be 100°, but VT has probably never been that hot.

It must be obvious that I don’t have a lot to do.


White-throated sparrow has a 'white throat' and yellow markings in front of the eyes.

Here's one hiding in a barberry bush.


There were about three dozen birds at the feeders when something, perhaps a raptor, scared them all, and they disappeared in an instant. I think six are hiding in this bush, another barberry.

Taking a nap in soft fluffy stuff.

A big, furry bird.