December, defined + Being an Introvert.

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It's getting brighter outside and the intensity of the falling snow has diminished greatly. The accumulation on top of the balcony railing has disappeared because it's 34° outside. I still haven't been able to force myself to go out and get my snow shovels. I will postpone it as long as I can and then I'll clean off my car too. For now, we are all enjoying a cozy cottage feeling.

I read this article and have determined that I am an introvert. I've always preferred listening to talking and now I know why.
23 Signs You're Secretly an Introvert

This article in Time Magazine by Susan Cain explains the difference between shy and introverted.

Snow is Falling

I'm glad I went out yesterday to do some essential things related to a real estate contract. I'll be able to stay home today and shovel snow once I get my equipment out of the bunker.

What a difference a day makes.

Unlikely Friendship: Wild Fox and Dog

It's a real life story of the fox and the hound.

Snifer the wild fox and Tinni the domestic dog met by chance one day in the woods of Norway and their very unlikely friendship blossomed. Read the enchanting story and see many more photos captured by Tinni's owner, photographer Torgeir Berge, here.

Ice Over Snow at My Cottage

We got about 1/2 inch of snow late yesterday and then it stopped and turned to rain.

Webster crunched around and wasn't interested in staying out very long. Tabitha stayed out a little longer than he did but now she's in a tight ball on my bed. The salt trucks have been out and the roads are black but my car looks like an igloo. It's a good day to stay inside. Be safe.

Two dollars and sixty-nine cents worth of happiness

I have needed a new sink stopper for years. My old one was over 10 years old and the top had deteriorated to the point there was no place to connect the chain ring. My new one cost $2.69 at Sears and it makes me so happy. Of course it required two trips because the first one I brought home was too small. Luckily, the strip mall with the Sears Hardware is close to the place with the cheapest gas in the area, so I'm over that way quite often. It doesn't take much to make me happy, does it? 

The visiting dog went home and Tabitha is happy. She has walked through the living room several times to the water dish and back to the bedroom. The first snow flakes are starting to fly but we don't care. I got two new tires on Friday so I'm ready. It's not supposed to amount to much and I hope it's just a dusting. We are cozy and warm here at the cottage and hope you are too.

Tabitha is NOT a fan.

Henry is going home today and you-know-who will be so happy. She barely tolerates Webster after all these years and Henry loves cats. Not a good combination in this household. I have to put my hands over her eyes when I carry her from the vestibule where she eats into the bedroom where she spends all of her indoor time when he's here. His noontime pickup can't come too soon.

Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol

I added the text to this illustration by Jessie Willcox Smith. 

Bluebirds are Back at My Cottage Again

It rained all day yesterday and most of the night so all of my bird baths are full. Today the bluebirds can drink and pose for me. I love the mirror image and the blue sky reflecting in the water.
Click photos to enlarge.

My photos. Have a great weekend.

Apple Pie in Progress

I hope there is pie in my weekend and yours too!

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Webster has a Weekend Guest

Webster's friend Henry is spending the weekend with us and the Wonder Dog is thrilled to have some company. Webster is a great host who doesn't mind sharing. It rained most of the day but we managed to get in several walks. We'll take the last one in the dark after the evening news. Have a great weekend.

The Cycle of Life

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Give Credit where Credit is Due

I couldn't wait until Easter to post this.

The disgruntled Easter Chicken via

The Loyalty of A Dog: 1888

Briton Rivière, Requiescat, 1888, detail

Loyal to The End. How very touching. via This really brings tears to my eyes.

Requiescat -- Click to enlarge

Dog Sledding -- Literally

Hilarious. Found here. There is a video of these crazy dogs sledding here. They look like they are having so much fun.

An Architectural Pineapple in Scotland

The Pineapple at Dunmore Park, Scotland -- I've never heard of this, have you. I've never seen another photo either. Is this a well-kept secret? via What an amazing architectural feat.

Perfect Room for A Christmas Tree

I love the tree and the wreaths hanging inside the beautiful tall windows. It's perfection, isn't it? via

Wreath on Front Door of My Cottage

I put my wreath on the front door recently.

Tabitha likes it.

Webster doesn't care.

Here's the identical first photo with an in-camera filter called cross process done while the photo was still in the iPhone. I like them both.

Good Night All

Everything went well today. Time for everyone to go to bed now. This pair of friends looks very cozy, don't they? via

Blue Spruce at My Cottage

I planted this towering tree as a seedling about 20 years ago. When I moved here I had a tree company bring a grove of "my" trees and transplant them. They all made it and now they shield my cottage from the road.

First Christmas in A New House

I would like to see the back of this house to make sure it has lots of big windows looking out on the mountain view. I put up my wreath yesterday with the white bow like last year in memory of my mother. I have to attend a home inspection today with my buyers and thankfully it's a nice mild day. I hope it goes well so they can proceed with wrapping everything up so they can move in. I'll leave the TV on for Webster since I'll be gone all afternoon. I usually turn off the TV at 9am and switch on NPR on the radio. I've always been that way -- I like background noise. He prefers talk shows to all music and the voices of men rather than women. My mother used to listen to books on tape and he would stick around and listen with her if the reader was a man. image source

Sad, But True--About Trees

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