Trying to keep warm – Life on the Farmlet

It has been unbearably cold for us all week. Temperature was down to zero one night and hasn’t gone above freezing for days.

All this cold weather meant that we never opened the curtains and insulating blinds. We also had to drape the windows in the dinning room (previous owner’s sun room) with blankets. It worked by the way, which tells me I have a big project ahead of me for all those windows!

We’ve had very low fuel, because the propane guy couldn’t get out here to deliver to us, or anyone. You see, the snow and sleet froze solid and all the roads were closed. All of them. To further conserve fuel we turned the heat way down to 62, closed the doors to unused rooms (big house) placed a space heater in the living room, and when it got down in the teens during the day we even turned on the electric oven to help warm things up a bit. The oven has a cast iron lining and holds onto its heat for hours helping to heat the living/kitchen area.

So yesterday afternoon we were buried under blankets in the living room and trying to stay warm. When we heard a loud smack on the front room window, Bob jumped and said, “What was that?” I told him I thought it might be a bird and then got up to look out on the porch.

It was a bird, a Yellow Bellied Sapsucker to be exact. It had crashed into the window so hard it was laying crumpled on the bench and not moving. I went over to check and see if it was alive. It was, although it had knocked itself silly.

Leaning down I gently picked it up and brought it into the house. I found a small box, lined it with a hand towel and placed him inside. Then I covered the top loosely with another small towel, and put him in the bathroom where it was quiet and a bit warmer. About 20 minutes later I thought I heard some scratching noises and went in to check on him. He was sitting up and giving me a wary look. Putting the cover back over the top I took the box out to the porch and set it on the bench. I uncovered it and told him I hoped his headache didn’t last too long and that he would be more careful when flying about windows.

He wasted no time listening to my admonitions. He just flew out of the box and headed towards the setting sun.

I have been in awe of these birds since we moved here. Holding one in my hands was a gift and I am glad that he was able to fly. Maybe he will come back to visit? And though I probably won’t know the difference between him and the others, it will be fun to imagine that it is him.

We have hope that tomorrow will actually give us the 36 degree high the weatherman promised and that our propane will be delivered on Monday.