Nature – The Petrini Page

Snow Coda

As much as I don’t like cold and ice, I was a little let down by last night’s and this morning’s snowstorm. We got an additional inch or two over what we already had from earlier in the week. So, unlike Monday’s storm, it was really no big deal. I even went out this afternoonContinue reading “Snow Coda”

Preparing for Snomicron, Round 2

After weathering Monday’s storm and being spared the widespread power outages that persisted through Tuesday, we actually lost power Wednesday afternoon, after most people’s electricity had been restored. It was off for a few hours, and the house was beginning to get pretty darn cold. But it came back on that evening, and we wereContinue reading “Preparing for Snomicron, Round 2”

Snomicron Update

In honor of the Omicron coronavirus variant that’s blasting through the country right now, some have nicknamed yesterday’s snowstorm Snomicron. Monday’s snow was beautiful, but a foot of it was a lot more than anyone expected! In addition to losing at least one tree in our yard, we lost internet service for most of theContinue reading “Snomicron Update”

Snow Crash

Yesterday the temperature reached 65 degrees and I was outside without a jacket. This morning we woke up to this. We’ve been in this house almost three years, and so far today we have received way more snow than the cumulative total from all that time. I’d gone to the back door and taken someContinue reading “Snow Crash”

Friday Five: Christmas Eve

1) If you had to build a Christmas tree with just items around your house, what would definitely be part of it? Books, of course. I’ve built one of these before, and posted about it earlier this month. But here’s another photo. 2) What’s your favorite holiday to decorate for? Halloween. The decorations are fun,Continue reading “Friday Five: Christmas Eve”

Bird Brains

Twice this week, I’ve seen people respond to online posts with suggestions of killing suburban backyard animals. What’s wrong with people? Yesterday, someone posted to ask for advice on removing squirrels from her attic. Some of us who have faced that challenge suggested that she spend the money to get professional help. You may beContinue reading “Bird Brains”

Twilight for Tangier

I recently joined an online group, Abandoned in Virginia. Members post photographs of abandoned buildings around the state; the emphasis is on stunning images of decaying buildings that were nevertheless glorious in their day. Yesterday I posted my first image, an abandoned home on Tangier Island. And I was floored by the responses I received.Continue reading “Twilight for Tangier”

Heat Wave

I took this photo of my kitchen window this morning. Yes, it is December. While it is a bright, sunny day, the actual temperature is in the mid to low 50s. This is what happens when you install a thermometer in direct sunlight! Gotta find a new location for that thermometer….

The Arboretum

And now, for no particular reason, here’s a shot of the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at James Madison University. I enjoyed watching the ducks.

Speaking for the Trees

I am totally not a gardener. But I did some gardening today, mostly under the direction of my gardening husband. (We call him “Farmer Bob”). Alexandria’s goal is to achieve a 40% tree canopy cover by 2035. To that end, the city holds a Fall Native Plant Sale each year, with reasonable prices on variousContinue reading “Speaking for the Trees”