The Slate Colored Juncos, which like to feed on the ground on seed spilled from the feeder, are hilarious when they attempt to do so. They try to land on the surface but rapidly start to sink out of sight in the soft fluff and quickly change their minds with wildly beating wings. Occasionally the sun does appear and a miracle transforms the world. Diamonds sprinkled on the snow flash back bits of sunlight. The Cardinals and Blue Jays are more brilliant.
Animal tracks are trails when the snow is deep and powdery.
Not even deer leave single footprints but drag furrows in the snow. Warm and snug indoors, with a fire on the hearth, we can recall the time when gardening was a hands-on pleasure. Just now, even pulling weeds would be something to do. Memories bring back gardening while everything is asleep under the snow. Last fall I brought in a number of pots of plants when a frost warning was sounded.