Life out there. I know that even in the harshest of winter times, I must sometimes venture outside our gate.

Overall, pretty. The big picture can be pretty serene.

Less tracks. The cherished rescue mutt left the far side of the backyard less traveled this time around.

Winter rest. Our backyard rose bushes seem to be appreciating their winter hibernation.

A beaten path. Our cherished rescue mutt appreciated that the alcove allowed her some leeway from the big snow. The pesky wind let some of the white stuff in nevertheless.

Waiting for the icicles. More proof that I cleared just enough to open our back door to allow the cherished rescue mutt to escape that way.

Got that door open. I finally worked my away around with a shovel to clear the path to opening our back door. Our cherished rescue mutt was certainly glad for another way out to the backyard.

Didn’t get back to clear there yet … It took a bit during the initial forces of the snow for me to get motivated to wind my way to the back deck and clear a path to that door. Until then, our cherished rescue mutt had to go out the side door instead. Here’s what…

No ski lift. Our driveway plowing company worked hard to keep up with the first big snow of 2026. The news folks told us we had 21 inches that first day at the airport, and it continued for the next several days. Yes, we live a couple miles from the airport as the plane flies.…