Wednesday, March 6, 2013

From my kitchen window

I took all of the pictures in this post from my favorite chair at my kitchen window. It faces west, and in the winter you can see the sun setting through the trees along the edge of the property.

 

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Taken at sunset last night.

 

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Taken as the sun was waning, in beautiful late afternoon light.

In fact, it was so beautiful that I couldn’t believe that snow was forecast for the following morning.

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Yes. Snow. And some parts of Maryland got it today, but for us it was all rain although we had a snow day anyway, in preparation for the storm that was to come.

The rain was accompanied by strong wind gales, and several times the windows in the house seemed to shake with the force of it. I feel safe enough in this old manor house because I know that it’s been standing here through the centuries and am sure that it has suffered resolutely through many storms. But one gust today nearly knocked me off the chair. Upon investigation, we discovered that it had demolished the entire widow’s walk and left the heavy hatch to its roof entrance lying on the front yard.

The owner came to assess the damage, along with our trusted fix-it man, John. But until they came, my husband and I had to rig up a way to keep the rain from coming in. Honestly, with that wind sucking everything up, it was a little hairy at times today.

But it’s all fixed. Well, except we don’t have a widow’s walk anymore . . .

Here are a few posts that show what the widow’s walk used to look like:

Views from the widow's walk

It is accessed through an opening in the roof on the third floor of the house. One must climb up a ladder, then through another set of steps above the top of the ladder, removing the heavy hatch to get to the prize at the top which is a lovely view. The railings are all gone now and all that remains is the copper top with its hatch covering.

 

 

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While the hatch was being worked on, I amused myself by taking photos of birds out the kitchen window. They were resting on the branches of the dogwood tree and trying to keep from being blown away.

 

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An example of how windy it was for a tufted titmouse.

 

 

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Now that is windy!

 

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I’m glad I was home today because my husband would have been by himself when this happened. And I’m really glad that all is well now.

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37 comments:

Deanna said...

Oh it's too bad that the wind destroyed the widows walk, that was quite a wind...poor little birds, barely hanging on.

Gail said...

Wonderful photos.

It is sad about the widow's walk, hope it can be replaced sometime. Who knows who has walked there before.

Country Gal said...

That's a shame the wind damaged the widows walk . Glad all went well in the end though and all is safe ! I feel safe in this old farm house to as it has been here through all kinds of weather for well over 100 years, mind you she creaks , cracks and groans in the high winds but I think that's just her bracing herself to protect us lol ! Lovely photos ! I feel so sorry for the little birdies in the trees in the high winds hanging on for dear life !Have a good evening !

Nellie said...

Oh! That must have been really scary for the wind to be that strong! We had some high winds here that blew a rather large limb off a cedar tree in the back yesterday, but no property damage.

You are a really good photographer, Kate! Nice that you filled your time taking pictures.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Yikes! I am glad all is well and that you were there too. That poor tufted titmouse looks miffed!

Darn weatherman. Pitiful forecasting, I tell you!

Hugs...

Katherine said...

Great pictures!

http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com

beth said...

wow....the winds really blew you around....well you know what i mean. i'm glad everyone is okay...well, the widows walk isn't, but you and andrew are and that's what is important !!

we got snow. 8.4 inches of it. i would have liked the wind, better :)
xo

Sarah said...

Looks like you and the birds had a crazy day!

JaneK said...

Well don't get your feathers all ruffled...... (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Glad you were home, too; it's nice when it works that way....

Cindy said...

Lovely photos!! It's been extremely windy here too. Glad no one was hurt. Enjoyed the look back at the widows walk. Beautiful views from on top.

Hilary said...

That was some wind.. too bad about the damage though. Those little birds look like they're defining the meaning of a blustery day.

Anonymous said...

Your bird pictures are always exquisite. And such a variety. I'll bet you go through lots of birdseed. Do you have birdhouses? I'd love for you to add George in at least once a week. I need my George fix:)

My dog had a baby rabbit out in the yard today...I freaked out, he was standing over it. The rabbit was breathing. I tried to find the nest, but couldn't but put it back where I've seen rabbits for years. I just started crying...feeling bad for the rabbit, feeling sorry for me (chronic Lyme). And life goes on. Thanks for your touch of beauty. I'm a huge lover of nature.

Caroline said...

Such pretty shots! And good thing you were home during that storm. Omg...I would have been freaked out! I am glad all is well now too. Have a wonderful rest of the week!

GailO said...

Oh no that beautiful widow's walk! I am so glad that you were both home and that that was the worst of it. Scary though!

I think we are getting some of that storm and I am hoping we get more rain than snow too...so far all that has happened is one of the bird feeders blew off it's post.

Reena said...

Glad you were there to help. Sorry that it is gone. But glad all is well! The winds were so fierce today!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

These strong winds have given us fits this winter too- we had to replace our roof because of one event close to Christmas. Sorry about the widow's walk- but glad that was all the damage.

Em Parkinson said...

Poor little Titmouse! So glad you were there with your husband too. I wonder if you got that snow? x

Anonymous said...

Gusty here yesterday also. Poor little titmouse. Good thing he has a heavy coat of feathering to keep him warm!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

WOW, I'm surprised the widows walk was taken out like that!

Love your windy titmouse pictures...especially where he's facing into the wind.. great captures.

Nancy said...

So sad about the widow's walk -- maybe someday it can be restored.

Love your positive attitude -- I am one to look on the bright side as well. :)

Daryl said...

more hugs to you .. what an adventure .. i bet you felt like that poor little titmouse

Dianne said...

glad you're Ok
sorry about the widow's walk
this wind is relentless
I have gone out back to tell all the trees to make sure they hang on!

hugs

Kerri Farley said...

Sorry about the house damage...glad it wasn't worse. We didn't get a thing but some flurries and wind .... I'm ready for SPRING!

Love your birdies!

Anonymous said...

Always such beautiful photos. We do complain about the weather over here in the UK but really, when you think, it enables us to take such amazing photographs. I know you're the other side of the pond but every time I come to your blog I am inspired to get my camera out, whatever the weather.

CJ x

The JR said...

Sorry to hear about losing the Widows Walk.

I don't know how birds fly when the wind is so bad.

The Weaver of Grass said...

I am glad that all is well for you too. Winds can be quite scary at times can't they?
I adore that tufted titmouse.

simply bev said...

The wind was terribly as the front moved through! I'm sorry there was damage to your widow's walk and hope that it can be restored. I just love the top photo of that little titmouse!

Farmchick said...

Great pictures...I love the one of the bird getting ruffled by the wind! Come say hi!

Connie in Hartwood said...

I always love your bird photos!!

The wind was sure something! Blew a gale here, too.

Spring is coming!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

I know what you mean about the winds, but luckily nothing blew off here. Glad you were home when it happened and noone was hurt.

Did you see..there are buds forming on those trees. You can see it best in the first pic.

Mental P Mama said...

Yikes, my friend. Glad you were there, too. xoxo

Willow said...

That titmouse looks adorable windblown ...poor thing. I think we got your windy weather and snowy wind blown day today here in New England. Brrr

Willow said...

Oh after thought. I had meant poor you too, glad all is well now.

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Georgianna said...

Hi Kate,

Marvelous bird photos!

But oh, my, that must have been such a shock to have the widow's walk blow off the house!!! I'm so glad you are safe.

I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful weekend.

G

BB said...

Glad all are safe - loved the photos of the birds (as always) even the fluffy, clinging-on one!!
:-)
BB

Lili said...

Oh goodness! That little titmouse in the wind kind of sums up that day very well, doesn't it?! WOW! xoxo