Dear Readers,
Mr. UT and I have been dog-sitting a cute little love bug this past week. She’s very easy to take care of except when we are trying to get her to do her business in the cold. And it’s been very cold and snowy for several days here. I’m talking about temperatures of -5 to 15Β° F, with -24 windchills. I have to pick up and put her down several times to get her to go! LOL Mr. UT shakes his head at this. He takes her out, but balks at picking her up, so she rarely poops for him! I don’t really blame her. Glad we have indoor plumbing!
Now, Mr. UT and I can still walk in this weather. Over the last several years, I have bought warm winter clothes, made for walking in colder temperatures. It takes me an hour to put all the layers, on, but so worth it. (However, Mr. UT is of a different breed, and he can walk with one layer, and no hat. Once in a while, he will put up his hood.)
We spent Christmas visiting with my mom, eating chocolate, getting the dog to go outside, and walking in fresh snow. It was perfect. Small things, little gifts of time and love. Things are crazy in the bigger world right now. Mr. UT reminds me it’s always been crazy, we just didn’t have communications like we do now, so we never knew. Just ask my mom, as she has lived through the world a long time, having been born in 1925. (And by the way, she had to use outhouses for some time before they got indoor plumbing up in Nothern Wisconsin!)
Below is a poem I wrote for children, and I hope you like it!
“Hush”, says the forest,
As I walk under trees of pine,
Soft needles make a sofa,
On which the deer recline.
With a dog in one arm, and a coffee in the other,
On 6 Years, 3 Months, and 3 Weeks,
Wendy

Such an adorable dog! I agree- the right gear makes all the difference! Happy walking! π
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Yes! Another beautiful snow walk today!
xo
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Beautiful poem and photos. Love all the snow. So glad you had a lovely day β‘β‘
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Thank you!!
xo
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Merry Christmas, Wendy!
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Merry Christmas!!
xo
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Itβs freezing here. Does the little doggy have booties?
I have many friends with a small shelter outside for little dogs to poop.
Beautiful poem.
Anne
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She does not!
Iβll ask her owner about that!
Thank you, Anne!
xo
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Beautiful pictures! Brrrr. I donβt know if I could handle that kind of cold. Little gifts of time and love make a perfect holiday. Merry Christmas, friend! ππ
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Merry Christmas, Collette!
xo
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I’d like to hear your recommendations for best gear! I want to be outside and was always a gym rat in previous years! Merry x-mas!
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It all depends on the temperature and wind chill.
I use a cami first..like from the Express.
I wear a long sleeve merino wool quarter or half zip turtleneck.
Long undies, any brand that is thin but warm.
Check REI or Dicks.
I wear some really warm stretch pants I got from Athletica a long time ago, along with long undies when itβs super cold.
Otherwise, jeans with long undies, or even a pair or leggings with long undies if above 25.
Lots of layers. I wear smart wool hats with a soft liner, and smart wool thin gloves under fleece leather mittens.
Jackets depends on temperature.
Long down one with hood if really really cold like -24 windchill
Lighter one if warmer.
Hand warmers of below 20 or 15.
Itβs complicated!!! Lol
Mostly you have to try different layers and find what works for you.
You are younger and probably donβt need quite as much.
xo
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As they say in Norway: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.”:)
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Silk or merino wool base layers! Light/medium/heavy depending on the temperatures and what you’re doing. The last few winters I’ve started wearing medium silk top and bottom base layers ALL THE TIME. And then just cover your head and hands π
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“It’s always been crazy, we just didn’t have communications like we do now, so we never knew.” This, exactly.
Merry Christmas, Wendy! Wishing you a happy, insightful, peaceful 2021. Adrian
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Mr. UT is smart!!
Merry Christmas, my friend!
xo
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Beautiful photos. I canβt imagine it. Iβve only been in snow two or three times in my life.
Our biggest concern today is putting on sunscreen, staying cool and trying to keep the flyβs away. What a difference.
Happy Merry Ho Ho and have a fine New Year.
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Lol!!
Thank you!!
xo
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Love you, Wendy
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Love you too, HD!
xo
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I wish my mom were still here to eat chocolate with! Love that picture. Hugs to y’all!
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Thank you, Elizabeth!
xo
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Enjoy walking Wendy. Cute dog β₯οΈ
Itβs snowing lots here this morning so we are out for a snow walk after lunch ππ
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Yay!!
Snow walks are the best!!
xo
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Love your photoβs and poem and walks in the snow! I totally bundle up like you. I have Raynaudβs syndrome and am constantly cold, especially my hands and feet! I have a coat with a heater in it! π I so remember picking my doggie up so often in those cold temperatures!! Her little feet seemed to hurt from the cold temperatures/snow. My friend did a doggie shoes recommendation, Iβll add that to them. Iβve tried many times and they just came off when my dog got outside. These seem to stay on!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Wendy! πππππ
They are protex pawz. I got them at pet smart. They are essentially red balloons. So they fit any dog and have actually held up pretty well. They are not that easy to get on but doable. There is a tool to help. It I manage ok without it.
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Thank you, Jacquelyn! The little fur friend is home with her mom!
It was fun, but happy to have house back! πππ
I have to be careful with my fingers, too!
xo
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Sweet!
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Hi Lia!
Thank you!
xo
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“I forget that writing brings me peace. It helps me clarify my thoughts, and let them go. Like setting them free! They like that! No more living in my head, they escape to look around!” Love this!! I need to strengthen my discipline muscle regarding writing….hopefully 2021 will bring more energy and inspiration! I’ve been pursuing photography and having a lot of fun with it. Just learning and whew! So much to know. Like you, nature always grounds me… and your pics are gorgeous! Are you self-taught?π
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Hi honey!
Yes, and also from Mr. UT, who was a news photographer for his early years in the news world.
Heβs taught me a lot.
xo
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