Snow cat

For most of the last week, NOAA has been predicting a Winter Storm for our area with very cold temperatures, high winds and 2-6 inches of snow.

The forecast started backing off the cold temps first.

I don’t know what it did other places but at my house, it was a heavy, wet, ugly snow. It was pretty coming down but it melted a lot as it landed and what did pile up, started sliding off trees and making a gloppy mess on the ground.

I made my Saturday grocery run on Friday, planning on a home day if it did storm. It worked out as even though I don’t think it was stormy out and about, I’m sure it was messy and I was happy to stay put.

I’ve been taking Auggie out on leash and the last 2 days unhooked the leash and let him explore. He’s been sticking to circumnavigating the house and the garage. He will run in and out of the house a bit. All first steps in going outside. I have the Loc8tor device on his collar** and the few times I wasn’t sure where he was, I found him quickly with the Loc8tor.

He’s seen the snow from the few small storms we’ve had over the past weeks, but today was the first day I let him out in the snow.

Several people have told me that he is a Norwegian Forest Cat or at least has some of that breed in him…the ear tufts, triangle face, set of his eyes and double coat match what I’ve read of them. At any rate, he does not seem to get cold or be bothered by the cold November air.

He was a bit cautious about the snowy ground.

After looking, sniffing and tasting, he headed off the porch but jumped back after feeling it on his feet.

He then discovered there was a path of ground next to the house.

But he kept testing that white stuff.

I thought he was going to stick to grassy areas…

…but suddenly he just dove in and that was that. I let him explore for about 10 minutes, brought him in to warm up and he went out again a bit later for another 10.

Like his two namesakes, Gus and Bob, Auggie is a snow cat.

**it is a breakaway collar so he can’t get snagged. And yes, if the collar comes off the loc8tor does also.

When Montana decides it is Fall…it IS Fall!

The road home.

This afternoon.

A late work day yesterday (Tuesday).

A very early start today (Wednesday).

At 5:00 p.m. on the dot (Wednesday) – I called “THE END”!

Bear and I took a Jeep ride.

On the way back…

I spied…

SNOW!

Oh, yes.

Mountain Snow.

Hoo…I say….HOO-RAH!!

Friday morning

The just past full moon, through the trees, over the house to the west.

Beardog on lookout.

Foggy mist rising as sunrise approaches.

Foggy morning walk…

… in wonderfully cool (39F) air.

Apple cinnamon rolls (mini) with a brown sugar-cinnamon-goat cheese frosting to celebrate the last day of the work week (a GREAT work week), the return of cool weather and the demise (mostly) of the yellow jackets.

The sun finally made it.

Friday morning.

The weather finally changed

You could feel the change Monday evening. The air cleared, there was a hint of cool even though it was still 75F.

But, it cooled quickly and after out last walk, I closed windows all but a crack to allow the night air to move through the house.

This morning.

40 something.

Beautiful.

Our first time of sitting outside in a very long time.