I wonder if next year, at this time, I will remember the November/December cold spell. I’m more likely to remember this, a spell rather than a snap, because weather spells last some time and weather snaps are of short duration.

It was again in the negative numbers this morning, and the temperature did not, as it did yesterday, rise above O˚F. Yes, I think that I am going to remember this.

Below 0˚F and my fingers freeze up when I remove my gloves. My nose also grows numb. Glad to have good footwear and gloves, as well as my Refrigirware suit.

Sub-zero temperatures don't slow this guy down

I did as I did yesterday, and I got all four horses out. I also took them out when the sun was visible. I can’t say high in the sky because this time of year it is not high in the sky. It’s a low orange ball. I went outside (again) right before it rose over the mountains, and I went back inside right as it fell behind the mountains. Earlier or later, the cold temperatures would be too hard on the horses.

Sometimes, mainly when there is an absence of people, living here is like living in a resort. When people are around, less so. When people are around, I’m reminded that this is a growing area and that they all feel as though they deserve a huge chunk of the recreational pie. Sad to say, who gets what is not determined by consideration for others or the land. Rather, everyone seems to belly up to the trough.

The recreators include but are not limited to vehicular users (snowmachiners, ATvers, and Swamp buggy enthusiasts included) and gun users, (trappers, hunters, and target practice aficionados included). Cross-country skiers and bicyclists are also usually out in numbers.

Today I again decided to allow Tyra to run loose. I unclipped the lead line on the upper end of Siggy’s trail. We then heard, down by the turnoff, a very loud gunshot. Tyra, who was about 100 yards distant from me, stopped, raised her head high, and pricked her ears forward. Then she next ran over to me. We kept going. The idiot kept firing his gun. I put Tyra back on lead when we neared the base of Siggi’s trail. I think that she felt safer being with me.

The gunshots continued as we made our way to the Murphy Road Trailhead, and finally, the road. They were finally so loud that I began to cringe, as did Tyra.

I never did see the person firing their gun. He or she may have been over on Ridge Runner Road. I thought of what I’d say to this individual, but then I realized that saying anything to anyone with a fully loaded gun would be fool hearty. I also realized that people own firearms because they give them a sense of power. They think if they have a gun in hand, that they own the world. And they do.

If we had a whole lot of money we could live in a more rural area, one in which we owned endless acres of land. Most of the time I think that we’re lucky to live where we do. Most of the time. Those times, like today when I heard those gunshots, I didn’t feel quite as lucky.

Next: 345. 12/14/21: Energy Suck