Welcome 2010

Now that 2009 is left to the history books we are faced with the new year.  2010 Anno Domini or Common era, also MMX.  This is the 10th year of the 3rd millennium or the 1st of the 2010's decade.  In Japan is is referred to as the "Year of the Tiger," while the UN calls it "International Year of Biodiversity," the International Maritime Organization has designated 2010 as the "Year of the Seafarer."  I call it the year I start getting social security payments... YES!

Whatever you call this new year, be it twenty ten or two thousand and ten it will only last for 365 days so you had better get busy if you want to make it memorable.

As I look out to the back yard I see the snow is still piled high (over a foot high) from the big storm of 4 or 5 weeks ago.  No doubt the record setting cold temperatures of December have contributed to the snows longevity.  Most mornings I arm myself with my big iron bar and break up the ice restricting the water flow over the water falls... particularly Humpty Dumpty Falls. The morning temperatures are still mostly in the single digits.  I laugh we we say something like, "I hope it warms up to at least 30 today!"

January is historically the coldest month for us.  Considering how December was I hope January doesn't meet expectations this year.

We're starting to get the gardening catalogs now and Ginger is making lists of seeds and flowers she wants to plant this spring.  I'm looking forward to the return of the Woodhouse's Toads and more toadlets.  I don't expect to see Joe or any of her relatives but they would be welcome if they were inclined to stop by for a swim or even if they moved in... so to speak.

While we wait for the snow to melt... Wait for longer days... Bask in the warmth of the sun through the window... I'll keep my eye on my new sundial as I await spring... it's just around the corner.  Can you hear those birds chirp'n?  Can you imagine the green buds on the trees?  Naw, me either... it too cold.