Winter Lover...or Not? February~March 2021

Wow! February is flying by. I know it is the shortest month, but it seems as if Punxsutawney Phil was just coming out of his burrow to check the weather back on Groundhog Day. He apparently did see his shadow and scurried back into his burrow to shelter from another six weeks of winter. We are about four weeks past that day, and Phil sure got it right. For winter snow lovers in NW CT, we have had fabulous, deep, dry snow accumulation. Every few days yet more snowfall filled the air with fat flakes building up the drifts and alternating with crisp, blue sky, sun shiny days.

The Topsmead landscape has been a winter dream: tree boughs lined with white, snowshoe and cross country ski tracks galore, insulating quilts of snow keeping the gardens cozy until spring. With our slight February thaw, the snow has become snowman-making perfect so keep your eyes out for snow creations on your winter ramblings about the property...or make one yourself!

If March comes roaring in like the proverbial lion, we can expect a few more weeks of Old Man Winter. But for those who are not irrepressible winter lovers, do not despair. Daylight is chasing darkness so that by the March 20 vernal equinox, the amount of darkness will be equal to the amount of daylight. From that point, I promise, the days will lengthen out to the warm days of summer. In the meantime, you can remain cozily inside with a cup of hot chocolate, a hot toddy, or one of Miss Edith’s favorite cocktails and enjoy virtually the Friends of Topsmead State Forest “Lectures on the Lawn” series. Zoom in and participate in Master Wildlife Conservationist Ginny Apple’s presentations on animals of CT. So far, I have been to the bald eagle and the beaver lectures. Future lectures will feature moose, fishers, coyotes, and bears. Check out the dates and register right here on the FTSF website!

Whether you are looking for exercise and fun outside or entertainment and fun inside or both, Topsmead has experiences for you! If you have a minute, leave a comment below to let us know what you love about Topsmead in the winter.
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Margaret Hunt
Musings BlogMistress