Around Colehaus, we’re entering deep winter. Ice and snow have already come and gone, not that these seed-grown Violas would care. They’re living in a succulent pot close to the house, under a roof eave and loving the chill.

One of a few wild strawberry plants, also grown from seed though not intentionally (thanks to the birds) doesn’t seem to mind the cold either. Mom plans to put all the wild strawberries into one pot in the spring to keep them from taking over the flower beds but if that gets out of control, into the yard debris bin they’ll go. But what about wild strawberries to eat? Oh, sure, sure, Mom says. But with our eyes on an uncertain future, it’s all about keeping the outside looking neat as a pin this year. Thankfully, the yards are easier to maintain than ever before. All that hard work of digging and clearing overgrown plants and trees over the past summers has paid off.

Neighbor cat W promises to help with gardening this year.

Oh, who are we kidding? W just wants to watch the visiting birds and mooch Greenie treats from an old, half-opened bag we found in the garage, as any self-respecting outdoor cat would do. Here, he was racing toward Mom in hopes she had treats hidden in a pocket, and when she didn’t, he just kept walking and went home.

A decade or so ago, we had lots of little green frogs that lived in our backyard and then, one summer, they all up and moved away, probably to a different part of town with a better school system and an award-winning volunteer fire department. You know, some place that little green frogs could raise their tadpoles to become young, confident frogs with bright futures.

One frog has stayed with us for five years. We call him Joe. Now, you might speculate that no frog lives for five years, and we’d probably agree with you. But the fact remains, there’s this one, single, medium-sized frog living in our backyard, a hermit frog, if you will, who just happens to live in the rocks surrounding our fountain. And there’s a fern growing next to his home’s entrance. And someday, Mom will get a photo of Joe and his front door fern. For now, just imagine Joe out there, croaking away at all hours of the day and night, perhaps singing to his fern because he certainly isn’t singing to any other frogs.

Mom’s Cyclamen is hanging in there through the cold and she’s pretty happy about that. It has extra bark mulch tucked in around it and though it looks like someone’s been munching on a few leaves here and there, it’s looks pretty good for a greenhouse-grown florists’ plant that most people would have tossed out after blooming back in 2017.

The Star Magnolia is covered in pussy-willow tail buds, waiting for spring.

Peeking out the front window, who do we have here? We don’t know but we’ve seen this kitty before. We’ve never gotten within thirty feet of him but oddly enough, he looked up at us peeking at him from inside and he didn’t bolt, and in fact, sat there on the chair cushion for another hour. Mom says he probably already feels safe here. It’s just a matter of time before we’re all friends.

Here’s a shot of him taken back in December. He’s a good, healthy-looking boy. Yeah, he’s gonna need a name sooner or later. Mom’s vote is for Rusty.

Neighborhood cat Scruffy, who’s pushing sixteen years old this year, is still around and appreciates this fine personal fountain we happen to have for him in our backyard.

Back inside, Viola doesn’t care about what’s going on outside. Just give her her scratchy post tower and any leftover Fancy Feast from Quint’s dinner and she’s okay with the world.

Lovebugs Quint and Olivia have spent a good portion of this winter sleeping and lounging around together. You’d never guess they once disliked each other with all the fury of a thousand raging blow torches.

Lastly, Ginger Princess Pia’s spent a good portion of this chilly time of year contemplating life, love and nose freckles, like you do. Not photographed was Tessa because we all know she was sitting somewhere plotting her next bout of grumpiness. Oops, here she is:

Yep, grumpy. The airplane ears kind of tell-all, don’t they?

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A Colehaus Cats flashback:

2019 – No post
2018 – Napping Newton
2017 – No post
2016 – No post
2015 – No post
2014 – Flashback Friday
2013 – No post
2012 – No post