On Wednesday, we visited our friends Paul and Judy. We had tea and apple crisp and plenty of conversation about politics. As Clif and I were getting ready to leave, Paul called, “Come look at the rising moon! It’s nearly full.” We followed him to the other side of the house and looked out the window. There was the moon, in its serene beauty as it crested the tops of trees.
“Oh, lovely!” I said. “And January’s full moon is the Wolf Moon.”
Clif took a picture, but our wee camera really didn’t capture the magic of the nearly full moon.
On the way home, I admired the dark fringe of bare trees outlined against a deep blue sky. A January dusk.
Unfortunately, the weather turned on Thursday, the night of the Wolf Moon. The day was gray and rainy. Because of the rain and the warm weather—it was nearly 50 degrees—the landscape now looks like March. The snow is gritty and packed down hard. The driveway and pathways are thick with ice.
Clif plans to sprinkle wood ash on the pathways. This is a dirty solution, but with our wood furnace, we have plenty of ash, and messy footprints on the kitchen floor are better than falling on ice.
The gardens are buried beneath snow, but a few of the taller plants can be seen, and the bee balm has been transformed into a many legged creature that looks as though it is ready to skittle away.
In the afternoon, we went to the movies to see La La Land, and much to my surprise, it turned out to be my favorite movie of the year. I am not a fan of musicals, but the musical numbers are kept to a minimum, and they really do help the story flow. La La Land is about two artists—an actress and a jazz musician—who desperately yearn to succeed in their careers and who fall in love. The movie is at times whimsical and even fantastical, but it is also grounded in the two main characters, played with quirky charm by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. In essence, La La Land is about the artist’s journey, and the movie really spoke to me.
The ride home was so foggy—all that melting snow—that it was a relief to turn into our driveway.
But today the sun is out, the temperature has fallen, and we are back to January. Yay! Now, all we need is a little fresh snow to cover the gritty mess brought by the rain.
Notes From the Hinterland 
I’ve heard good things about that movie – I’ll have to see it. You still have a lot of snow (ours is about 5-6″). The fog was really something yesterday, it must have been tough driving at night. Now we’re back to cold and blustery with treacherous walking. Looking forward to our next snowfall, too. 🙂
Oh, yes! How I hate having March in January. One March is definitely enough.
Michael and I both liked La La Land a lot – it made us both smile while watching it!
Off to see Silence tonight – don’t think I’ll have the same smile on my face seeing it . . . 😛
No, I don’t suppose you will.
John and I went to hear Bruce Coffin yesterday afternoon and were going to stay for a movie afterward, but the fog was so thick that we didn’t want to drive through it late at night. Glad you arrived home safely.
Yes, yes!
Stay safe in the cold weather and pick up a pair of Yaktrax. 🙂
Will do, Judy!
The moon picture is so beautiful. The landscape is so bright. The bee balm makes me laugh- it does look like a many legged creature. Our son is headed to his place in Freedom and just took our car because his hybrid is not made for real winter!
Thanks, Betsy. Hope your son doesn’t encounter any bad weather. In January in Maine, you never know.
Another excellent post. A couple of hours ago I photographed the moon in the early morning. I hope it comes out as well as yours. Thanks for telling us its name
Thanks, Derrick! Look forward to seeing your Wolf Moon picture.
It’s on – and you’ve got a credit and a link 🙂
That’s one movie I’m planning on watching at some point. Enjoyed the post. Wonder why they call a full moon in January (and no other month) a wolf moon? Will have to look that up. Take care.
Sorry not to be clear about the full moon names. The native Americans gave every full moon a name. January’s just happens to be the Wolf Moon.
I adore musicals but haven’t heard of it. Is it new in theatres? We get everything after America so maybe it’s not here yet.
Yes, “La La Land” is new in theaters. No sex, no violence. Your older children could watch it.
Great! Also, started your book yesterday while travelling with my daughter to the mainland. Just loving it, full of intrigue from the start. Maya just told Andy…can’t wait to see what happens next. I’d be finished it entirely if life didn’t keep interrupting me!! 😉
Thanks so much, Melissa. Such a thrill to think of Maya being read in Ireland.
We have a Harvest Moon but I didn’t know there were others. It’s a good picture, with some good colour and atmosphere. My camera is set up to take all the colour out of skies so photos can be frustrating.
The Native Americans gave each full moon a name. Because I love canids, the Wolf Moon has always stuck with me.
It’s an easy one to remember when you’re walking home alone at night…
Most of our snow has finally melted, but I suspect you have more there. I’m with Judy on the YakTrax!
We still have a lot of snow in central Maine. And ice.