I sure hope that the deep freeze that just ended has been the last for this winter.  The four evenings in a row with temperatures in the -40Cs and the days of mid -20Cs with windchill made for serious cabin fever.  I learned that when I do not move a vehicle for 3 days, I must still go out to start and run it for 15-20 minutes or the cold drains the life out of a battery.  Apparently I was not the only one that did not know this.  The tow truck driver that provided the boost said he had been doing a lot of that.

I also hope the cold has frozen all the 'bugs' out there.  I've had more than my share of stuffed heads and runny noses this winter. I am looking forward to being outside again in the fresh air to counter act the daytime close encounters of office germs.  

Almost three inches of snow fell over the past couple of days in addition to the cold temperatures.  Neither seemed to bother the backyard wildlife. The deer continued to visit their grain tub and the chickadees created a frenzy at the feeders.

I learned a couple of things from watching the action.  Those cute little black-capped chickadees can get aggressive.  The pot of sunflower seeds sitting on my deck rail was guarded by some black and white bullies.  There was quite the flurry of feathers when intruders tried to sneak in for a snack.

I also learned that white tail deer have large bottom teeth.  One of the young deer happened to 'smile' as I snapped a photo.  I was surprised to see the size of the teeth.  I would think that each could use a toothpick after eating all those sunflower seeds shells!

The warming trend is welcomed.  My granddaughters are coming for a sleepover this weekend.  They are registered into some x-country ski lessons and having comfortable weather will make the time outside all the more enjoyable.