OAImages Blog

I’m waiting on news and images of some rumored new issues, namely forthcoming flaps from Occoneechee, and some activities patches from Eswau Huppeday. I also haven’t had the time to finish some posts on state shaped patches.   

So, after seeing the news of the dreadful cold weather around the country this past week, I was going post some pictures of the first signs of Spring here in central North Carolina. However we, too, had an unexpected appointment with Mr. Winter.   Yes, we do get snow here in central North Carolina.

Long time readers of this blog might remember back to last Spring when I built this small pond, here surrounded by snow and frozen over.

(More pictures follow.)

Those who know me personally or have seen my Facebook profile also know I share my home with a rather large long haired tabby. He was a stray I took in just over two years ago. He loves to climb and, even though it’s a rare treat, he’s desperate to be outside. So, when he started jumping on the back door Thursday morning, I decided I’d put his harness on him and take him outside… into the snow that fell Wednesday night.   He was in for a surprise.

After struggling against me while I put his harness on, I opened the door.  Normally, Radar runs right outside but he needed some coaxing this time.   Instead of running to the grass — his “salad bar” — he stayed up against the house and tried to squirm his way to freedom.    Even with the cold and snow, he was still content to be outside.   The leash was the greater annoyance.

It was getting late for me and the camera batteries only had a minimal charge, so I decided to hurry up his introduction to the snow.  I picked Radar up, carried him across the deck and out into the snow.

Once again he crawled around, thinking he could squirm out of the harness. and decided he wanted to explore the wonders of my snow covered deck.   He walked around for a bit, leading his human by the leash.

After a few minutes of exploring, it became clear to him that he would get neither his freedom from the leash nor a chance to appropriate some tasty “fresh food” for himself.  Without those options, being in a warm bed and curled up against his human was much more pleasurable than being outside in the cold and snow.

“Okay, Daddy, I’m ready to go inside now.”   

This was one of the few times that he wandered back to the door without having to be coaxed or bribed.   After taking off the harness and giving him some attention, we both crawled into a nice warm comfortable bed.

Most of the snow had melted away by the time I woke up.  Maybe I’ll share those signs of Spring in another week or so.