the upper crust

The temperature has not yet risen above freezing, so the snow remains. We actually had a bit more!

Freezing fog, too.

Looked so pretty with the sunrise!

Rabbit tracks in the snow.  And...those lumps to the left of the track are from moles!  They're trying to poke through the frozen earth and snow layer because they're looking for food.  They aren't hibernating, like many other small creatures.

Lots of sun.

A lot of these photos are from the same vantage points, because, well, we just can't go hiking yet!  The (unplowed) trails have over a foot of snow, and it's been cold. We've got to wait for some melt before we venture too far.  The snow has formed a crust, which means that Pepita can be outside for short periods.  Sometimes she falls through the crust, and I'm reminded of a section of Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter:

Pa often said that he could not have managed without David. “He is such a good horse,” Pa said. “I did not know a horse could be so good and patient.” When David fell through the snow, he always stood still until Pa shoveled him out. Then quickly and patiently he hauled the sled around the hole and went on until he fell through the snow crust again. “I wish I had some oats or corn to give him,” Pa said.

I never really experienced snow crust before.  It snowed, it was wet, and it melted.  But this crust is really firm...until you fall through it.  Pepita isn't a fan.  She's still mostly indoors, until the snow melts.

Her relationship with the cats is progressing.  It's a battle to see who wins the coveted spot at the edge of the couch back.  If The Barnacle wins, Pepita respects his victory, and hangs forlornly over the armrest.

see The Barnacle on the couch back?

There is frequent cohabitation on the bed.

They mostly get along...although Pepita's no-exercise restless energy and her natural nosiness are a bad combination.  She loves to follow the cats around, her nose pressed into any available bottom.  She never snaps, barks, or growls at them, but she can be persistently annoying and sometimes get a smack to the face.  I think things will continue to calm down as she gets older.  

Calliope doesn't like having Pepita in her space (upstairs) at all...

...so they remain separated.

The weather is supposed to warm up this week, and we might lose all the snow by the weekend!  Then we'll be able to get out again.  Right now (besides work), there's mostly puzzles...

(when the cats allow it)

...and a few personal projects that I'm not ready to post yet.  Lots of reading, with MORE cat assistance (current book is The Will of the Many, which is really good so far!).

I'm not complaining, though.  I love spending time with the animals!  :)  I miss seeing what "our" outdoor animals are doing...the snow is too deep between us and the trail cams to access them.  Hopefully soon...although I'll miss the snow.  

Have a great week!