Common Ground
A homeowner in Waukesha for 20 years, Steve is president of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization and enjoys motorcycling, fishing and staying on top of politics.
The Last Great Night Of Winter?
My Don Jacob's Subaru showed five degrees in the dash board as Kanook and I pulling into the dog park parking lot at Minooka County park. The clear night allowed the moon to illuminate the whole area, eliminating the need for a flashlight. The snow is packed and makes walking easy yet allowed the cleats of my Wolverine hiking boots to grip safely on the slopes that surround the crown plateau by the entrance. Standing still, the steam from breathing hung in the air, no breeze present to drift it away. Venus to the west even seemed to add to the brilliance of the white landscape.
Kanook shows no signs of his health event of last week and was running around checking out whatever pee-mail was left here and there. Last night he got a bonus of doing some additional exploring when the outer gate at the exit was not shut tight by the last user and he used the opportunity to enjoy some freedom outside of the fenced area. He knew he was getting away with something, but I knew that he wouldn't go far and would soon come back. He always has.
The temperature is to take a swing upwards the next few days. That will quickly turn bare spots to mud and packed snow to ice. Make no mistake. There is plenty of cold weather yet to come. I recall some subzero days in February of the past. The thawing will cause the newly excavated pond to fill even more over the present layer of ice, furthering the possibility of someone or some dog breaking through. The fence put up around it is sagging and not keeping dogs or people from the pone.
I am ready for all of it. Too long has my motorcycles been sitting to the side of the garage, hooked up to the battery tender. Even the boat, long unused, beckons to once again troll the structure of Nagawicka and Pewaukee. Even the geocaches that are hibernating under the snow seem to be sending out energy that spring will be coming.
Have no doubt about it. The winter is nearing the end and spring will soon be here. As will tax time.
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