A Good Supervisor

Effective supervision is much more than hanging out at a jobsite.

It requires perspective and vision - the ability to see the big  picture at all times.

While keeping all the disparate elements in sight.

Attention to detail is critical.

A supervisor's challenges are often complex and multivariate.  One person's rags are another person's rug.

All loose ends must be tied.

A good supervisor is supportive, but not intrusive.

An Unusually Heavy Snowfall

Sometimes we really get dumped on.

No way to get the car out of the garage.

Looks like it came down in big chunks.  Climate change is rough.

It also appears to have fallen mostly in front of the house.

This could be a problem.

The cavalry arrived just in time, 38 horses to the rescue

Time for a hot lunch.

Vollwerth's finest tube steaks!

Winter Morning

Christmas lights brighten a January morning.  They work just fine in February as well.

Looks like we may even see the sun today.

The best part of snowstorms is the day after.

Chickadees and Blue Jays show up at the feeders.

And all is at peace in the world.

Blowing out Sam's driveway.

And ours.

One of the sublime pleasures of blowing snow when it's near zero degrees is realizing that the cab you had built for your tractor really is poorly designed and lets in far too much wind so that fine snow blows in your face.  I resolved to make improvements.

Winter Days

A cold morning.

But it's warm inside.

All done with my aamupuuroa!

Blowing snow is a way of life up here.

Some people think that's funny.

But snow is no problem as long as you don't run out of hay.

Some get by on caffeine.

Heading out with my pole saw to trim the lower branches from my pine trees.

This was one weird snowstorm.  First snow, then rain, then heavy wet snow that filled in the driveways like concrete.  The following day I spent three hours blowing it with my tractor.  It felt like blowing slush, just like when I blow the mat from my driveway when it melts and softens in the spring.

Morning.

 Evening.  The  Finns call this the sininen hetki, the blue moment, when the fading light turns the snow blue.  A culture has expressions like this is a culture that is close to nature.

Visiting the Sheep

Winter is an easy time when it comes to keeping sheep.  All I really need to do is take out one bale of hay from the hayshed each day and spread it on the snow.  I usually spend some time watching them feed, not because it is necessary, but because I just enjoy watching them.  They paw through the hay, searching for the tastiest bits, and munch away with determination.  The dominant ones will push aside the others, so I spread out the bale into several piles with my hayfork so that everyone has  place at the table.

Helga and Enni are sisters, one year apart.

I no longer use this old hay feeder, but it turns out to be a fun gym.

What's that kid up to anyway?

She sure is making a lot of noise!

Uh oh, now she's bringing that kid closer

Watching sheep is fun, isn't it Mummu?

Winter Wonderland

This year I upgraded my snow removal equipment.  My father always said that you need a five foot blower to handle the snow we get up here.  Last winter I came to share his opinion, so over the summer I traded in my old tractor and blower and got this John Deere 38hp with a five foot blower.

David breaking in the new generation.

As the old whalers would shout, "There she blows!" 

Blowing snow is fun!  My new cab works quite well, but  some snow still blows in.  I plan to add some more material and make a modifications.

The sun comes out.

Highlighting a winter wonderland.

Isn't this just lovely?

BAAA...Humbug!

Winter is a two-edged sword.  Snow is beautiful, but it must be dealt with on its own terms.  One of the things I enjoy about the Copper Country is that no matter how much snow falls or how bad a storm is, within a day or two all the roads are plowed and everyone has their driveway cleaned out.  There is something comforting in that.  We are all in it together and we all know how to deal with it.

Fortunately Dr. Don has a proven cure for the mid-winter blahs.  You begin it in a mixing bowl...

....and then let it bask in the warmth of the parlor stove.

Sprinkle on some raesokeria  (whatever this granular sugar is called in English)

Your cure, fresh out of the oven.   Cut  yourself a thick slice, slather on a layer of butter,  and pour yourself a cup of fresh coffee.  Take your medicine seated by the window with your feet up, and say goodbye to your mid-winter blahs.  Repeat dosage as required.