Little did I know at the time Karo was teaching me this tradition that it would be her last Christmas Bell walk. She had passed this torch on to me along with all her wisdom about the house rules and how to keep the herd happy and close by. I lost Karo, my teacher and friend, April 10th 2006. I was alone, without my mentor.
I found myself making friends with a baby crow who had fledged the nest a little too soon. We became fast friends for two weeks until he learned to fly.
Then he kept in touch with me for years afterwards. He often roosted under the eaves on the downspout so he could stay out of the rain.
Each spring he would call out to me from the neighbour's roof top to tell me he was back from his winter vacation stop.
Below I'm teaching myself to make snowballs, almost my most favourite thing to do.
Once I get them made it is time to eat them: yum, yum. Snow is SOOOO much fun.
