Somehow, chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows, finches, jays, and cardinals keep coming to the feeder, and squirrels keep cleaning up down below. But how they do it in this unending extreme cold I do not know. Pax, tough as he is, was clearly uncomfortable on our abbreviated walks, even occasionally picking up his modified hind leg.

Leaving Pax home, Sue and I went to work out at the Aquatic Center, where, after listening to the song Jardin d'Hiver (while on the elliptical) I jumped into the pool. Nothing like swimming when the temp is below zero. Here, for example:

Bridal Veil Falls last weekend, photo by Pat Hess from the Kagawong Facebook page.

And here is a squirrel's nest in Starin Park. It looks exposed and drafty, but is actually water tight and fur lined.

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Ab has got the coming season's seeds ordered, so we can assume that if the little ice age (Younger Dryas) ends sometime soon (and we can sing about a Jardin d'Ete) then we can actually think about growing things. And, of course, it is important to...

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Find the shortest, simplest way between the earth, the hands, and the mouth.

—Lanza Del lVasto