Topic: Harvest Hills Farm activity
Wintertime around the Farm
In the past week, we've experienced an ice storm, heavy snow, a hoar frost, temperatures down to -11 and up to 47...it's wintertime in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
Here are some photos showing the fields, vineyard and outdoor infrastructure under the ice, snow and frost. The ice and snow you will recognize, no doubt. But it's rare to have the perfect conditions for a hoar frost which covers every surface of thing outdoors with a delicate fuzzy coat of icy dew.
The Ice coating branches, above and to right
Then the snow--this is the actual color of the atmosphere during the snowfall-
Some photos from the morning of the hoar frost.
I know we are all forced inside by the wintry conditions and weather alerts cautioning wind chills and frost bite. But I'd like to inspire you to force yourself to bundle up, put on the “grippers” if icy, or snowboots, or if very ambitious—the cross-country skies!--and take a nature walk, just for the fun of it. It doesn't have to be further than the perimeter of your backyard or once around the block. It will wake up your ancient brain and stimulate both sides of your cerebrum as you simply experience and observe. You can indeed “communicate” with nature simply by being “in it” provided you use your senses and are open to their input without putting up excuses about why you can't go outside or don't have time.
And, walking the dog doesn't count! The dog's communicating with nature, not you--and you are meanwhile distracted with a task. So, likewise, going out to fill the birdfeeder or feed the barnyard animals also doesn't count as a personal encounter with nature. Go out without a task in mind.
And, if you truly can't leave the house, then park yourself by an unobstructed window and spend some time. You might see something interesting, like these guineafowl at your birdfeeder.
Like the Nike advertising advises: just do it!
