Snow Moon Rising

Moon Rising At 6:43 PM

6:58 AM

7:43 AM

It’s 7:45, and the sun is at its peak, flooding our living room and the lake with light. I’ve been up since 6:30, now on my second cup of coffee, on an 8° morning. A few fishing huts were already out on the ice when I woke. I was also surprised at the lack of birds at the feeder early on, but now, at 8:30, sparrows and finches abound. Finally, I can't believe it is already February. Where did January go? 

Sunday was a glorious day, with sunshine and blue skies for most of it, capped by a spectacular moon rising at dusk and well into the evening. I actually slept in until 7:45—a miracle—and, because it was Sunday, enjoyed a leisurely morning coffee (like every other day, actually). For some reason, Sundays feel different. What was truly different this time, however, was the absence of NFL football after 17 straight weeks of Sundays.

Dad Fishing, Daughter Playing In The Snow

Once Evie was up, we listened to CNN. There’s a depressing sameness to much of what they cover, although Fareed Zakaria seems to be an exception. After the blog and breakfast, I wanted to get in a walk despite the single-digit temperature. I decided on the Chautauqua Institution, thinking it would be at its winter best—snow-covered and quiet. And it was. I took numerous photos of the grounds and encountered only one other person out walking. It was cold but manageable, except when I turned into the westerly wind.

Thunder Bridge

Bike In Winter

Classic Church

Afterward, I drove to Mayville to see what was going on. Snowmobiles were everywhere—parked or zooming along the trails—and the lake was dotted with at least fifty fishing tents. I talked with one guy who had just come in; he didn’t have much luck. He was one of those fellows who sat on an orange bucket and mocked the “wimps” with tents, generators, and even TVs. It was good to see Mayville bustling. I remember two years ago, when there was hardly any snow, and the snowmobiles had only a single weekend on the trails all winter.

Mayville Fishing Huts

Man And His Bucket

Parked Snowmobiles

Snowmobile And Fishermen Trails

When I got home, I read for a while and then heated up leftovers from Saturday night’s dinner. That’s when I finally realized they’d given me the wrong meal. I’m still not sure what I had, but it definitely wasn’t pasta with asparagus, chicken, and tomatoes—there was no chicken or asparagus in sight. When the waiter set it down, I asked if it was what I’d ordered, and he said yes, so I assumed it was. It tasted fine, so I didn’t complain or even think about it until lunch the next day.

After eating, I read some more and then, to my surprise, took a solid hour-long nap, waking up a bit groggy. I considered going for another walk but opted to read instead and wait for wine time at 5:00. We had chips and dip before dinner and were stunned by the spectacular moon rising around 5:45. I kept stepping out onto the porch to take just one more photo—it was that wild.

Dusk

Moon Rising Over Long Point

For dinner, we had Evie’s chili with cornbread. Yum. We watched the Grammys, and I have to admit I’m beginning to feel like my parents did when they couldn’t understand rock and roll. Aside from Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish, much of the music was unfamiliar—especially rapper Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny. All I really know is that they’ve won numerous Grammys, and that Bad Bunny was a controversial choice for the Super Bowl. After an hour, we’d had enough; the commercials seemed interminable, longer than the awards themselves. I was happy to switch back to the NBA before bed.

Snow Moon

8:13 PM Moon Light