John Jenkins
@oteachjohn.bsky.social
Father, Birder, Ex-rancher, Naturalist, Hunter, Sophant,
Tenelach, Ex teacher, Drathaar, Tautologist, Nemophilist, Perspicacious, Orgasams for all
Tenelach, Ex teacher, Drathaar, Tautologist, Nemophilist, Perspicacious, Orgasams for all
Old Dog just absolutely enjoys his day.
Up for scratch, hug, and bit of retrieve,
Waited for breakfast, and biscuit.
Out the door down a fresh plowed road.
Searching edges, into woods, up to belly in snow!
Returned home, waited while I shoveled.
Inside for nap and treat!
Up for scratch, hug, and bit of retrieve,
Waited for breakfast, and biscuit.
Out the door down a fresh plowed road.
Searching edges, into woods, up to belly in snow!
Returned home, waited while I shoveled.
Inside for nap and treat!
December 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Old Dog just absolutely enjoys his day.
Up for scratch, hug, and bit of retrieve,
Waited for breakfast, and biscuit.
Out the door down a fresh plowed road.
Searching edges, into woods, up to belly in snow!
Returned home, waited while I shoveled.
Inside for nap and treat!
Up for scratch, hug, and bit of retrieve,
Waited for breakfast, and biscuit.
Out the door down a fresh plowed road.
Searching edges, into woods, up to belly in snow!
Returned home, waited while I shoveled.
Inside for nap and treat!
Surely do like the bright sun shiny days!
But never fond of the wind!
Even the howling gets to be incessant!
Not to mention the extra shoveling necessary,
even after couple new inches of snow last night.
Just turning into a crotchety ole fogey, I reckon!
Enjoy the day!
But never fond of the wind!
Even the howling gets to be incessant!
Not to mention the extra shoveling necessary,
even after couple new inches of snow last night.
Just turning into a crotchety ole fogey, I reckon!
Enjoy the day!
December 8, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Surely do like the bright sun shiny days!
But never fond of the wind!
Even the howling gets to be incessant!
Not to mention the extra shoveling necessary,
even after couple new inches of snow last night.
Just turning into a crotchety ole fogey, I reckon!
Enjoy the day!
But never fond of the wind!
Even the howling gets to be incessant!
Not to mention the extra shoveling necessary,
even after couple new inches of snow last night.
Just turning into a crotchety ole fogey, I reckon!
Enjoy the day!
John’s Splinters. Woke to banging wind, scourging Island! Long shadows cross pond as Sun’s zenith close to horizon. Near to longest night! After melt, gentle day yesterday, hard on old bones. Shoveling/cold hands! Fewer birds feed? 16ºF headed to 19. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 8, 2025 at 6:53 PM
John’s Splinters. Woke to banging wind, scourging Island! Long shadows cross pond as Sun’s zenith close to horizon. Near to longest night! After melt, gentle day yesterday, hard on old bones. Shoveling/cold hands! Fewer birds feed? 16ºF headed to 19. Ya’ll be careful out there!
Don’t know what Askum’s eating or imbibing,
But seems lighter on his paws,
Tail grin running full throttle,
jauntiness to his step.
Up early ready to play, breakfast,
inevitable wait for the Old Man!
Down the lane, nose in the powder,
logs presented.
As I type hear snoring!
But seems lighter on his paws,
Tail grin running full throttle,
jauntiness to his step.
Up early ready to play, breakfast,
inevitable wait for the Old Man!
Down the lane, nose in the powder,
logs presented.
As I type hear snoring!
December 7, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Don’t know what Askum’s eating or imbibing,
But seems lighter on his paws,
Tail grin running full throttle,
jauntiness to his step.
Up early ready to play, breakfast,
inevitable wait for the Old Man!
Down the lane, nose in the powder,
logs presented.
As I type hear snoring!
But seems lighter on his paws,
Tail grin running full throttle,
jauntiness to his step.
Up early ready to play, breakfast,
inevitable wait for the Old Man!
Down the lane, nose in the powder,
logs presented.
As I type hear snoring!
Incredible how even the thin light of Northern Sun,
Can totally change one’s mood, well being.
Hot cup of Joe, basic morn’ chores, and the day begins!
Walk down slick lane, no disasters quite yet.
Few new bird calls, none I recognize,
tracks on new snow!
Merry Christmas!
Can totally change one’s mood, well being.
Hot cup of Joe, basic morn’ chores, and the day begins!
Walk down slick lane, no disasters quite yet.
Few new bird calls, none I recognize,
tracks on new snow!
Merry Christmas!
December 7, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Incredible how even the thin light of Northern Sun,
Can totally change one’s mood, well being.
Hot cup of Joe, basic morn’ chores, and the day begins!
Walk down slick lane, no disasters quite yet.
Few new bird calls, none I recognize,
tracks on new snow!
Merry Christmas!
Can totally change one’s mood, well being.
Hot cup of Joe, basic morn’ chores, and the day begins!
Walk down slick lane, no disasters quite yet.
Few new bird calls, none I recognize,
tracks on new snow!
Merry Christmas!
John’s Splinters: Light flurries through out day, leaving a white covering over the land. Morning broke, layers of pinks drifting North. Cold, but only gentle breeze. Slick as ice rink. Not one Junco? rest here. Time to hang Wreath. 24ºF headed to 30. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
John’s Splinters: Light flurries through out day, leaving a white covering over the land. Morning broke, layers of pinks drifting North. Cold, but only gentle breeze. Slick as ice rink. Not one Junco? rest here. Time to hang Wreath. 24ºF headed to 30. Ya’ll be careful out there!
Askum knew as I woke, a bad no good night!
Came for scratch and hug, longer than usual.
But laid as I dressed, no play this day.
Out he went, hunting the woods!
seemed much the same as years past!
Moving easily, alert, happy with tail going!
Somedays he just makes my heart Sing!
Came for scratch and hug, longer than usual.
But laid as I dressed, no play this day.
Out he went, hunting the woods!
seemed much the same as years past!
Moving easily, alert, happy with tail going!
Somedays he just makes my heart Sing!
December 6, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Askum knew as I woke, a bad no good night!
Came for scratch and hug, longer than usual.
But laid as I dressed, no play this day.
Out he went, hunting the woods!
seemed much the same as years past!
Moving easily, alert, happy with tail going!
Somedays he just makes my heart Sing!
Came for scratch and hug, longer than usual.
But laid as I dressed, no play this day.
Out he went, hunting the woods!
seemed much the same as years past!
Moving easily, alert, happy with tail going!
Somedays he just makes my heart Sing!
Ghosts plus warped memories,
rode their ponies,
across my night thoughts.
Lots of war with sheets and blankets.
Woke cold/trashed been a while.
Dressed warm, as possible down slick lane.
Only passing crow, distant tap of woodpecker!
Eyes to the ground anyway, navigating ice!
rode their ponies,
across my night thoughts.
Lots of war with sheets and blankets.
Woke cold/trashed been a while.
Dressed warm, as possible down slick lane.
Only passing crow, distant tap of woodpecker!
Eyes to the ground anyway, navigating ice!
December 6, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Ghosts plus warped memories,
rode their ponies,
across my night thoughts.
Lots of war with sheets and blankets.
Woke cold/trashed been a while.
Dressed warm, as possible down slick lane.
Only passing crow, distant tap of woodpecker!
Eyes to the ground anyway, navigating ice!
rode their ponies,
across my night thoughts.
Lots of war with sheets and blankets.
Woke cold/trashed been a while.
Dressed warm, as possible down slick lane.
Only passing crow, distant tap of woodpecker!
Eyes to the ground anyway, navigating ice!
John’s Splinters: ‘Nother day of varied weather, well cold remained. Evening clear, haze filters in. Night of strange clouds, colors highlighted with big moon circled in blue. Flurries. Weekend chores to be done. Feeder overloaded. 13ºF headed to 33. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 6, 2025 at 8:54 PM
John’s Splinters: ‘Nother day of varied weather, well cold remained. Evening clear, haze filters in. Night of strange clouds, colors highlighted with big moon circled in blue. Flurries. Weekend chores to be done. Feeder overloaded. 13ºF headed to 33. Ya’ll be careful out there!
Man oh day, no wish to leave cozy bed.
Askum looked in twice,
up for morning ritual of scratch an play.
Peeked at thermometer,
thought 1st walk round noon.
My Old Dog, other ideas.
Out, eating hard snow,
following his nose down slick lane.
Into woods, back again!
Home to Nap.
Askum looked in twice,
up for morning ritual of scratch an play.
Peeked at thermometer,
thought 1st walk round noon.
My Old Dog, other ideas.
Out, eating hard snow,
following his nose down slick lane.
Into woods, back again!
Home to Nap.
December 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Man oh day, no wish to leave cozy bed.
Askum looked in twice,
up for morning ritual of scratch an play.
Peeked at thermometer,
thought 1st walk round noon.
My Old Dog, other ideas.
Out, eating hard snow,
following his nose down slick lane.
Into woods, back again!
Home to Nap.
Askum looked in twice,
up for morning ritual of scratch an play.
Peeked at thermometer,
thought 1st walk round noon.
My Old Dog, other ideas.
Out, eating hard snow,
following his nose down slick lane.
Into woods, back again!
Home to Nap.
Last night full moon, blazed, held into morn!
In the stillness of morning,
cold nose, ears, cheeks, an toes.
Fingers curled up, fists in gloves,
Just trying to keep them half warm.
Gun fire crack of boots on frozen tire tracks.
Everything a glint, sparkling in low winter sun.
In the stillness of morning,
cold nose, ears, cheeks, an toes.
Fingers curled up, fists in gloves,
Just trying to keep them half warm.
Gun fire crack of boots on frozen tire tracks.
Everything a glint, sparkling in low winter sun.
December 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Last night full moon, blazed, held into morn!
In the stillness of morning,
cold nose, ears, cheeks, an toes.
Fingers curled up, fists in gloves,
Just trying to keep them half warm.
Gun fire crack of boots on frozen tire tracks.
Everything a glint, sparkling in low winter sun.
In the stillness of morning,
cold nose, ears, cheeks, an toes.
Fingers curled up, fists in gloves,
Just trying to keep them half warm.
Gun fire crack of boots on frozen tire tracks.
Everything a glint, sparkling in low winter sun.
John’s Splinters: Just plain cold! Howling wind like a banshee, clear afternoon, clouds rolled in! Quick crack gave color early evening. Morning, light haze turning to sharp, like a well honed knife, blue. Amiable feeder all eating! 4ºF headed to 23. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 5, 2025 at 7:34 PM
John’s Splinters: Just plain cold! Howling wind like a banshee, clear afternoon, clouds rolled in! Quick crack gave color early evening. Morning, light haze turning to sharp, like a well honed knife, blue. Amiable feeder all eating! 4ºF headed to 23. Ya’ll be careful out there!
Cold plus extra walks keeps My Old Friend in bed late!
Soon as my feet hit the rug, there he is for scratch/hug.
Down lane, loves the snow, eating, rolling,
searching for mice under!
Repurposed log from under the pines,
carried off home.
Waited as I shoveled.
Biscuit and Nap!
Soon as my feet hit the rug, there he is for scratch/hug.
Down lane, loves the snow, eating, rolling,
searching for mice under!
Repurposed log from under the pines,
carried off home.
Waited as I shoveled.
Biscuit and Nap!
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Cold plus extra walks keeps My Old Friend in bed late!
Soon as my feet hit the rug, there he is for scratch/hug.
Down lane, loves the snow, eating, rolling,
searching for mice under!
Repurposed log from under the pines,
carried off home.
Waited as I shoveled.
Biscuit and Nap!
Soon as my feet hit the rug, there he is for scratch/hug.
Down lane, loves the snow, eating, rolling,
searching for mice under!
Repurposed log from under the pines,
carried off home.
Waited as I shoveled.
Biscuit and Nap!
Bleak start to the morning w/ stagnant skies,
Breath of December blown cross bare neck!
Crunch of refrozen snow echos in the stillness.
Under blankets of heavy snow,
Dark brooding figures catch the eye,
Hard frozen lane and slick,
Tippy toe along,
even Askums 4 wheel slides!
Breath of December blown cross bare neck!
Crunch of refrozen snow echos in the stillness.
Under blankets of heavy snow,
Dark brooding figures catch the eye,
Hard frozen lane and slick,
Tippy toe along,
even Askums 4 wheel slides!
December 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Bleak start to the morning w/ stagnant skies,
Breath of December blown cross bare neck!
Crunch of refrozen snow echos in the stillness.
Under blankets of heavy snow,
Dark brooding figures catch the eye,
Hard frozen lane and slick,
Tippy toe along,
even Askums 4 wheel slides!
Breath of December blown cross bare neck!
Crunch of refrozen snow echos in the stillness.
Under blankets of heavy snow,
Dark brooding figures catch the eye,
Hard frozen lane and slick,
Tippy toe along,
even Askums 4 wheel slides!
John’s Splinters: After snowfall, mixed day of puffy clouds, overcast, then bang! Sunset with bright oranges on the blue. Monochrome skies, over freezing pond. Juncos in mass, plus the regulars. Boots found! Shoveled shot driveway. 27ºF headed to 37. Ya’ll be careful out there.
December 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
John’s Splinters: After snowfall, mixed day of puffy clouds, overcast, then bang! Sunset with bright oranges on the blue. Monochrome skies, over freezing pond. Juncos in mass, plus the regulars. Boots found! Shoveled shot driveway. 27ºF headed to 37. Ya’ll be careful out there.
After his scratch and play time.
Breakfast served, quick drink, wait for the old Guy.
Thrilled he was as he hit porch into the snow.
Quick roll, then snow plowing, biting huge chunks.
Followed deer tracks and searched the woods.
White beard even whiter.
Definitely in his element!
Breakfast served, quick drink, wait for the old Guy.
Thrilled he was as he hit porch into the snow.
Quick roll, then snow plowing, biting huge chunks.
Followed deer tracks and searched the woods.
White beard even whiter.
Definitely in his element!
December 3, 2025 at 8:07 PM
After his scratch and play time.
Breakfast served, quick drink, wait for the old Guy.
Thrilled he was as he hit porch into the snow.
Quick roll, then snow plowing, biting huge chunks.
Followed deer tracks and searched the woods.
White beard even whiter.
Definitely in his element!
Breakfast served, quick drink, wait for the old Guy.
Thrilled he was as he hit porch into the snow.
Quick roll, then snow plowing, biting huge chunks.
Followed deer tracks and searched the woods.
White beard even whiter.
Definitely in his element!
Incredible beauty last two days!
Mess on roads, slick but passable!
Bright sunlight this morning,
plus hard grip on plants with wet snow,
creating Winter Wonderland.
Sure puts critters in a fix hunting food.
But busy even before light.
Really cold, single digits on the way!
Mess on roads, slick but passable!
Bright sunlight this morning,
plus hard grip on plants with wet snow,
creating Winter Wonderland.
Sure puts critters in a fix hunting food.
But busy even before light.
Really cold, single digits on the way!
December 3, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Incredible beauty last two days!
Mess on roads, slick but passable!
Bright sunlight this morning,
plus hard grip on plants with wet snow,
creating Winter Wonderland.
Sure puts critters in a fix hunting food.
But busy even before light.
Really cold, single digits on the way!
Mess on roads, slick but passable!
Bright sunlight this morning,
plus hard grip on plants with wet snow,
creating Winter Wonderland.
Sure puts critters in a fix hunting food.
But busy even before light.
Really cold, single digits on the way!
John’s Splinters: Snow came, near continuous fall till morning. Quick trip down Island. Near 4” on the ground, not included melt. Trees hang low with wet White. Toweling off Askum, Shoveling, and morning chores. Birds famished. 26ºF headed to 34. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
John’s Splinters: Snow came, near continuous fall till morning. Quick trip down Island. Near 4” on the ground, not included melt. Trees hang low with wet White. Toweling off Askum, Shoveling, and morning chores. Birds famished. 26ºF headed to 34. Ya’ll be careful out there!
Askum left blanket on near all night,
But morn arrived with toy for play!
Long scratch, big hug, kitchen to wait for breakfast!
Waited until down lane, for drink!
off into the woods, after spotting geese on pond edge.
Obtained log or two.
Showed them off, headed home!
Napping!
But morn arrived with toy for play!
Long scratch, big hug, kitchen to wait for breakfast!
Waited until down lane, for drink!
off into the woods, after spotting geese on pond edge.
Obtained log or two.
Showed them off, headed home!
Napping!
December 2, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Askum left blanket on near all night,
But morn arrived with toy for play!
Long scratch, big hug, kitchen to wait for breakfast!
Waited until down lane, for drink!
off into the woods, after spotting geese on pond edge.
Obtained log or two.
Showed them off, headed home!
Napping!
But morn arrived with toy for play!
Long scratch, big hug, kitchen to wait for breakfast!
Waited until down lane, for drink!
off into the woods, after spotting geese on pond edge.
Obtained log or two.
Showed them off, headed home!
Napping!
As Winters’s icy tendrils cross the land,
freezing ground, water, fingers!
See thermometer, spiral downward,
Knowing inevitable White,
slick roads, cold feet near.
Back in time!
Feeding cows on cold morn,
shoveling drives, hot coco
down hill runs, snow angels
present for Son!
freezing ground, water, fingers!
See thermometer, spiral downward,
Knowing inevitable White,
slick roads, cold feet near.
Back in time!
Feeding cows on cold morn,
shoveling drives, hot coco
down hill runs, snow angels
present for Son!
December 2, 2025 at 6:36 PM
As Winters’s icy tendrils cross the land,
freezing ground, water, fingers!
See thermometer, spiral downward,
Knowing inevitable White,
slick roads, cold feet near.
Back in time!
Feeding cows on cold morn,
shoveling drives, hot coco
down hill runs, snow angels
present for Son!
freezing ground, water, fingers!
See thermometer, spiral downward,
Knowing inevitable White,
slick roads, cold feet near.
Back in time!
Feeding cows on cold morn,
shoveling drives, hot coco
down hill runs, snow angels
present for Son!
John’s Splinters: Yesterday blue skies, brisk wave forming winds. Clear walk. Evening found its way here, clouds filtered in, obscuring gibbous moon. Morn’ Omnious gray slow stratus marching out East. Filling feeder twice a day now. 19ºF headed to 37. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 2, 2025 at 6:33 PM
John’s Splinters: Yesterday blue skies, brisk wave forming winds. Clear walk. Evening found its way here, clouds filtered in, obscuring gibbous moon. Morn’ Omnious gray slow stratus marching out East. Filling feeder twice a day now. 19ºF headed to 37. Ya’ll be careful out there!
After his last nights soaking,
Toweled off, towels hung over radiator.
Tight curled up in his bed for evening.
tossed off blanket last night
Read for play!
Down the lane, sticks found buried,
Or carried back to the yard.
Still out walks me,
lying in the yard as I came up lane!
Toweled off, towels hung over radiator.
Tight curled up in his bed for evening.
tossed off blanket last night
Read for play!
Down the lane, sticks found buried,
Or carried back to the yard.
Still out walks me,
lying in the yard as I came up lane!
December 1, 2025 at 11:19 PM
After his last nights soaking,
Toweled off, towels hung over radiator.
Tight curled up in his bed for evening.
tossed off blanket last night
Read for play!
Down the lane, sticks found buried,
Or carried back to the yard.
Still out walks me,
lying in the yard as I came up lane!
Toweled off, towels hung over radiator.
Tight curled up in his bed for evening.
tossed off blanket last night
Read for play!
Down the lane, sticks found buried,
Or carried back to the yard.
Still out walks me,
lying in the yard as I came up lane!
Last night overcast, today mixed bag,
wind included!
Sun bright, glinting off Birch trees,
clouds ripping cross the sky.
Brilliant Winter sunshine.
Waves ripple cross the pond,
same on the bay, wind hard driven!
Porch chair rocking like ghost worrying!
Snow headed this way!
wind included!
Sun bright, glinting off Birch trees,
clouds ripping cross the sky.
Brilliant Winter sunshine.
Waves ripple cross the pond,
same on the bay, wind hard driven!
Porch chair rocking like ghost worrying!
Snow headed this way!
December 1, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Last night overcast, today mixed bag,
wind included!
Sun bright, glinting off Birch trees,
clouds ripping cross the sky.
Brilliant Winter sunshine.
Waves ripple cross the pond,
same on the bay, wind hard driven!
Porch chair rocking like ghost worrying!
Snow headed this way!
wind included!
Sun bright, glinting off Birch trees,
clouds ripping cross the sky.
Brilliant Winter sunshine.
Waves ripple cross the pond,
same on the bay, wind hard driven!
Porch chair rocking like ghost worrying!
Snow headed this way!
John’s Splinters: Yesterday overcast, gloomy! Evening arrived, darker early. By the time headed out for last walk, down pour, dog/old Man a soaking. Morn’, westerly pushing cloud banks past. Feeders full. Sea filled with ducks. 37ºF headed to 40. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 1, 2025 at 11:12 PM
John’s Splinters: Yesterday overcast, gloomy! Evening arrived, darker early. By the time headed out for last walk, down pour, dog/old Man a soaking. Morn’, westerly pushing cloud banks past. Feeders full. Sea filled with ducks. 37ºF headed to 40. Ya’ll be careful out there!
Nice walks yesterday,
Visits with friends along the way!
Askum enjoys company of others.
Morn’ routine, scratch, breakfast,
Cup of Joe for Old Man.
He puts up with my morn’s patterns.
down the lane, into the woods!
Logs to find, a puddle w/out ice.
home for the obligatory nap.
Visits with friends along the way!
Askum enjoys company of others.
Morn’ routine, scratch, breakfast,
Cup of Joe for Old Man.
He puts up with my morn’s patterns.
down the lane, into the woods!
Logs to find, a puddle w/out ice.
home for the obligatory nap.
November 30, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Nice walks yesterday,
Visits with friends along the way!
Askum enjoys company of others.
Morn’ routine, scratch, breakfast,
Cup of Joe for Old Man.
He puts up with my morn’s patterns.
down the lane, into the woods!
Logs to find, a puddle w/out ice.
home for the obligatory nap.
Visits with friends along the way!
Askum enjoys company of others.
Morn’ routine, scratch, breakfast,
Cup of Joe for Old Man.
He puts up with my morn’s patterns.
down the lane, into the woods!
Logs to find, a puddle w/out ice.
home for the obligatory nap.