Monday, December 8, 2025

Frozen ponds, goalies and holly

Sunday's walk to the pond yielded the first freeze of the year, the pond iced over, resting 


And I remembered scissors so I was able to cut a couple of holly branches, the only greens I can bring in 


After I'd spotted the concrete rabbit, now very hard of hearing, trying out for goalie.


With a cheering or jeering section squirrel criticizing his form 


From a safe distance. The squirrels are manic just now, leaping around, mating rapidly between scarfing berries and seeds, nature in action.

Now that I've exhausted the Ruth Galloways currently available, I've retreated to Tudor times and Alison Weir, with Jane Seymour.


This is not as far fetched as it seems, my people still fighting the Reformation. Still loudly reminding everyone that those cathedrals were ours, and we took care of them without GoFundMes. 

I perfectly understand the mentality of people still arguing the outcome of the Civil War.

Happy day everyone, remember to take your hobbyhorse out for a trot around the paddock. What's your ride or die hill to die on, to scramble a couple of metaphors?


Ted and Big Ursy have a few of them 




Still my flag, a whole class of hobbyhorse.
 





34 comments:

  1. I love how you connected the rabbit with the squirrel. They’re such similar visuals.

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    1. The squirrel was quite obliging, sitting glaring at me.

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  2. While have to take care that they aren't necessarily facts, historical novels can educate in many areas.

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    1. That's what Alison weir says about her fiction. She's a recognized historian, too.

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  3. Squirrels are very busy here, too, galloping through the trees and up and down the tree trunks. Entertaining.

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    1. They're probably driving the dogs mad, lemme get at em, just lemme!

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  4. I have a thing for goalies AND rabbits, so what can I say?

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  5. Squirrel would have disappointment if he chased that rabbit. I had a squirrel sitting near me on a branch just chittering away, while tucked up with his tail around him as if sleeping - I figured he was dreaming! Keep warm!

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    1. That's an interesting thought, wild animals dreaming. I think pets do, but hadn't thought about other animals. I wonder if tigers dream of eating people..

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  6. I've never read Alison Weir. I should take her up on that! Happy new week!

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    1. She might be just the ticket while you're healing, too. Long expansive story of long ago. I bet Christmas features, too, since Tudor courts made a big deal of the twelve days.

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  7. There’s a whole lotta ‘pond resting’ going on today. It’s -9 on your thermometer and -22 on ours.

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    1. We're a bit warmer now, but that's a shallow retention pond, probably will freeze to the ground, good for skating, if a bit bumpy.

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  8. We are on our fourth day, I think, of gray skies, rain, and chill. It's okay. I'm getting used to it.
    I went through a Philippa Gregory phase where I did nothing but listen to her books for months. Quite enjoyable! What I mostly came away with is that Henry VIII was a truly horrible man.

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    1. Oh, he was. He had a serious head injury in a jousting accident and some historians date the erratic cruel behavior from then. And probably syphilis. Not a good man to hang out with, and with literally the power of life and death.

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  9. Ice hasn't really formed on our river yet but that's because the water is fast-moving and it takes an extended cold snap before it freezes. -15C here at the moment, so perhaps today.

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    1. It's colder there, yes. Is your apartment cosy?

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  10. I'm surprised at how much snow we have gotten and we are supposed to have some more this week. I'm so glad my oldest son lives with me as he likes shoveling. I've been doing more April and Aiko as I'm not walking outside when it is cold and icy.

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    1. I'm glad you have snow help. I do like yes2next and must check today's challenge, which I've been more or less following, just to keep variety in the exercises.

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  11. I hope the rabbit and squirrel had a good match. All water is iced over here. I don't know about the river that goes through the town. Since my horses are now all hobbyhorses I have a good selection to choose from.

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    1. You literally can take out a hobby horse, weather permitting. Right now I'm guessing it's barn time.

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  12. Jack is home sick today, so a day at home. I'm doing laundry and Christmas baking, maybe we'll even get the tree up:)

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    1. He might feel better with the tree up, too. What a blessing you are in his life, stability, home baking, Christmas plans that will happen.

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  13. I haven't seen anything as large as your pond frozen here. Just our bird bath! We've been pretty temperate so far.

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    1. Growing up in North Yorkshire we used to marvel at mild London winters. And actual warmth in summer. It seemed very unEnglish, being comfortable.

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  14. The squirrels are nutty this time of year--lol!
    We had a little snow. Ice and snow predicted for tomorrow.
    :( for ice part. :) for snow part.

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    1. As long as you don't need to go out on ice, that's OK.

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  15. Squirrels can sound like they’re scolding someone.

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    1. Yes, they can go on a some length when they're expressing an opinion.

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  16. Things are starting to freeze over here but not thick enough to walk on yet. But soon o think our weather is crazy cold very early for us.
    Cathy

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    1. It seems to me this cold's a bit early. I'm dressing as for January.

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  17. We are not having typical Aussie Christmas weather. Down in Tasmania they have snow! Not a few flurry’s. But snow!
    I’m currently sitting in the caravan with blankets because it’s so cold.
    You will find out why I’m in the caravan when I next post

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    1. I did see the lovely new tiny -- not so tiny -- modular house. That's great for weekending and vacationing on the farm

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