Taking it slow and silent

A slowdown at work has resulted in some extra time to take things at a more leisurely pace.

One walk daily turned into two with the morning trek being the more relaxed of the two.

While the snow pack wasn't deep enough to really restrict movements, it was enough to take some time for careful footing. 

As I placed my steps, I enjoyed stopping to look around.

One particular morning it seemed as though we were inside of a snow globe.

​Large flakes fell softly from the sky as if I was watching the scene in slow motion.

Wednesday evening provided me the opportunity to use a snow globe of my own to capture the colorful sunset.

​The snow dampened noise of curious canines sniffing in the snow.

Although admittedly, my winter headgear impaired my hearing a bit. It also blocked my peripheral vision.

I have been know to call and call for one of the dogs only to turn and see a very confused canine right at my side. I always have the same response with a giggle, "Oh, you're right there."

​Glimpses of the sun throughout the past week offered the chance to use the light to accentuate the sparkling snow.

​The frigid days while bright, were also very quiet. I heard only the trees cracking in the cold and goats munching on branches.

However despite my hat, it has been very peaceful in the woods.

Occasionally I would observe the tracks of wildlife that use our path when we are back in our warm home.

Some mornings we would move a few deer here and there. They were usually far off and kept their distance.

I wondered if the deer looked at my posse and thought "What a weird herd?".

Nonetheless, Sherman broke the silence on Friday morning. The Saint Bernard has been known to "cry wolf" or bark at things that may or may not be there.

He was barking up the hillside. I stopped and looked around.

The only thing I viewed was Clem doing his "business" a ways off the trail. Sherman apparently had not paid attention that it was Clem who had traveled off the path.

Poor Clem was very confused and wanted to run to see what Sherman was barking at. However, he was very much indisposed at the moment.

I then broke out in laughter as Clem raced off the hill and all the dogs tried to figure out what all the commotion was about. The goats were unfazed as always.

That's just the nature of things 'round here