For the last three weeks I have been basically house bound recovering from surgery and only recently have I been back to my old zippy self. When told that I had to stay inside, rest totally and that I most likely would not be able to read a lot because of medications , my self pity kicked in.

However, I had no idea that, besides the discomfort, that the enforced 'imprisonment' was a real gift. Over the period I became a marvelous observer of news, weather, my animals and the small daily gifts that most of us overlook when rushing around to complete our mission in life.

Two snowstorms hit over the holiday period providing me with great entertainment. With huge windows in my home, I could lay in bed or sit in my favorite chair in front of the fireplace watching nature roar into Turkey Hollow. The first storm was a gentle one with heavy intense snow falling straight down with little winds. For hours I was fascinated with the consistency of millions of flakes piling up endlessly. At the end of the storm, it was simply magical outside.

The second storm over the New Year's holiday was more a classic "Northeaster" with winds blowing snow and plunging temperatures. By the end of both storms over 16 inches of snow had blanketed the ground and the temperatures were well below -20 degrees! Now I had a reason to stay in the house besides my illness and that made me feel better!

How do the deer and other animals survive in such brutal weather? As I watched them cross the backyard, the snow was up to the chest of the young yearlings. The temperature was in the single digits and they just kept moving. As they came close to the house to get a couple of apples, I look carefully at their fur and wonder how warm it really kept them or were they saying to each other, "Damn it's cold!" Assuming they have their special place to go during storms, they must huddle together under the Hemlock Pines and wonder when Al Roker is going to announce the end of all this madness.

My cats, Uganda and Sheeba, who were great companions during the period, seem to look at the deer from the warmth of the house with a slight smirk on their face . During the storms, they would dash from window to window looking at the swirling patterns being created by the white outs. Then when nap time came they knew they had two options of either crawling in bed to snuggle against my body or to pose majestically in front of the roaring fire.

The cats are house cats and with the exception of summer time on the screen porch they never go outside. The coyotes or eagles would quickly make a holiday meal out of them. Nevertheless, the fear of being eagle bait does not deter pesky Uganda from every once in awhile attempting to make the great escape. On the morning when the wind chill was near -20, I opened the door and invited Uganda to take a stroll outside. She made the mad dash, hit the doorway, did a complete flip and ran to the fireplace. Guess she wasn't interested. Grin.

Television did provide some relief and I continue my addiction to Judge Judy. Her no nonsense, take no prisoners approach for some reason has me hooked. But I also got to see daily the antics of tragic Britney Spears with great sadness and the triumph of Obama's victory speech on election night.

So, back on my feet and zipping around again is a great feeling but I will miss having plenty of time on my hand to enjoy the details of the world around me.

Onto a peaceful, healthy and love filled 2008 for us all!

Photographs by Steven Guy in Turkey Hollow