Letters from Ascension Hermitage and Sanctuary

Snow "showers" had been predicted but during the night we had "real" snow. I took photos from the kitchen window while the doggies played in the snow on the other side of the house. The sky is still quite gray and with the temperature at 28 degrees, we might just have even more snow! Beginning today and continuing through next Monday you can be part of the  Great Backyard Bird Count . It's an easy, fun activity and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will be grateful for your interest and help.  

No doubt about it - the weather here is wet and cold - with a prediction of freezing rain and snow showers with no sunny days expected for the next week. But two days ago the first Goldfinch returned, and today many more have come to the feeders! And yes, the Redpolls are with them. All winter we have had many Cardinals, Titmice, Wrens, Morning Doves, Chickadees, and Nuthatches.  But now the harbingers of Spring!   

 The ducks - Penn, Kelly, Wink, and Ebony - are happy! Rain and more rain - just what they love the best. Ebony chose to have an early morning bath and shower all at once. Raining or not, we hope you are having a happy day, too!

Glory and all of the chickens are delighted to have a bright, sunny day! Rain and snow are predicted for Saturday night and Sunday, but it's all good now - 48 degrees, sunny, and only a slight breeze. Chickens are happy . . . and actually, so are the rest of us non-chickens, too!

. . . how many beagles can fit in that chair?!  And that's why it's best to be part of a pack - you never have to nap alone!