tap tap tap... is anybody out there?

I've obviously been uninspired lately. The temperatures have been frigid, and what is there to do this time of year that's really blog-worthy? I used to get the winter blues; these days, it's more like the winter blahs. I'm not depressed, but I can't really get excited about, or interested in, much of anything.

Cliff and I haven't missed our walks this week, even though it was only ten degrees when we went out, two of the days. Carharts are a wonderful thing: May God bless the soul of whoever invented them. I'll admit they aren't a fashion statement, but they'll keep you warm in any weather.

One day we walked down a steep hill to the back of our place, to the lowest valley, and watched an owl swoop over us on silent wings, land on a branch in a high tree, and turn around to look us over before flying on his merry way. We've seen hoards of geese flying, I'd venture to say thousands. Isn't it a little late for them to fly south?

I enjoy checking out animal tracks in the snow, although Sadie pretty much wipes those out as she circles wildly around us, enjoying her freedom.

So you can surely understand my hesitancy to blog when the most exciting thing going on in my life is a walk in the woods with my husband and my dog.

Oh, as to the title of this entry: Years ago a Kansas City columnist, C.W. Gusewelle, wrote a column in the depth of winter that started out "tap tap tap" and was followed by, "Is anyone there?" He made me realize that I'm not the only person feeling isolated at that time of year when Christmas is over and spring is far away.

I wrote a poem in answer to his column and sent it to him, and he wrote a reply. Mr. Gusewelle never failed to answer any letter I sent him, which impressed me greatly. I'm sure he must get lots of mail, and I'll bet he answers every single piece.

So there you have it, my meandering for today. I just realized it's been awhile since I've read C.W. Gusewelle's columns, so I'd best go catch up. You can even hear him read his prose HERE.