Baja St. Martin

I’m home! I had a wonderful week with my two sisters in and around southern Michigan.
I flew into Detroit Metro airport, got my luggage and stepped outside to look for my sister who had texted me she was waiting. The frigid air took my breath away. For someone reason there were a lot of cars waiting for people so I couldn’t see her car right away. We texted back and forth and finally made connections but I had to keep ducking back inside various entryways just to breathe!
I knew it would be cold and I expected snow but it was cold even by their standards. One night the temperatures went to minus 14. One day the view from my sisters kitchen window was completely obscured by blowing snow. Her driveway is very long but had been plowed recently so we didn’t have trouble getting in and out. One night people expressed concern that cars wouldn’t start with the extreme cold but we never had trouble. I did see a number of vehicles mostly covered with snow. They had obviously been left outside.
I have to admit, I did stay a bit chilly much of the time. I did not want to complain but they didn’t keep their homes quite as warm as I am used to, but a pair of extra warm socks was helpful. Highways were all clear where we drove but there were mountains of snow alongside the roads. My sister’s mailbox was askew where a road plow had hit it.
My older sister lives on 26 acres of property which has three ponds within sight, lots of oak, maple and pine trees. It was absolutely gorgeous with everything covered with snow. We sat in the breakfast nook for hours watching the birds at the feeder and the deer eating corn we put out in the driveway. A flock of wild turkeys spent the days along the road nearby. The deer came pretty close to the house where the corn was but they were constantly on guard with big ears up. One slight click on a window or an obvious movement sent them leaping into the woods. She has two cats who would agitate to go outside but when the door was opened for them they would stick their noses just out a bit and then turn around and come right back in.
My baby sister has a 10 month old Pyrenees dog who is just the sweetest thing but huge. Cisco loved the snow, rolling in the stuff, plowing through it with his nose. Even he was pretty happy to come inside and sleep on a sheepskin rug.
And I took a picture of my cousin’s Scottish Highland cattle as they crowded around an outside feeder. The cows wouldn’t turn around for me, but two sheep who are apparently cow companions stared across the pasture at me. I don’t know a thing about sheep but these two were hugely roly-poly. The cows have sort of rusty-red, long, shaggy hair and great horns. I’m told they are very people friendly and one member of the family actually grooms them now and then, which I think might be a bit stressful considering they’re sold for meat.
Anyway, it was a wonderful visit but now it’s time to get back to work. Next trip is to Los Angeles for a granddaughter’s wedding but not until May. That won’t be so cold! Good to be home, and Ken, I did not lick any posts!

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be emailed at lcooke9417@bellsouth.net.