Ice delay...and the sun came out!

Poor, poor puppies!

The weather has been so ugly (low temperature and wicked wind) that we simply fear for their safety. There was a work delay for a few hours today and so we waited to let them out to eat and take a short little walk.

They loved being out and scooted down the street with a little bounce in their steps...until they happened upon a frozen puddle. They were not amused as paws went in all directions as the pups scrambled for safe ground.

I try not to "short leash" them when we walk. I believe animals need to explore. But on the way back up the street I shorted them a bit, to keep my guys away from the icy spots.

The sun peeked out a little and we could feel the warmth. It promised a little more warmth than the weather reports told us to expect.

Walker's shadow...hopefully not 6 more weeks of winter. We have had enough.

The ice was everywhere. It coated some plants and merely dusted others. I saw a number of plants already blooming. I guess the weather has shocked them as much as it has surprised everyone.

The dogs and I continue to walk less than a mile in the mornings - just a little stretch of the legs.

Ice on the oxalis

Ice glitters on the yarrow.

Sleet on the iris leaves.

Water froze on this inverted bucket (and the dogs' water was iced over).

Some of the bulbs are already blooming. They didn't expect the bad weather.

Frozen precip. weighing down the Texas snowdrops (or whatever these are - they came with the house)

More plants shocked by the weather.

Ice coated the leaves of the nandina.

Leaves of the aspidistra glisten.

We are told freezing rain and sleet will begin again tonight and continue through the morning commute. We may warm up by the end of the week. We are all ready. We are ready for warm and we are ready for longer walks.