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
Threw off blankets after snoozing a bit,
Old dog there for morning scratch, Hug.
Off for a toy to throw, retrieve.
Breakfast, long drink, rang the door bell!
In a hurrah thinks I.
Out ahead most of the walk,
New log found, later stored for another day.
Back for biscuit, Nap!
Old dog there for morning scratch, Hug.
Off for a toy to throw, retrieve.
Breakfast, long drink, rang the door bell!
In a hurrah thinks I.
Out ahead most of the walk,
New log found, later stored for another day.
Back for biscuit, Nap!
December 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Threw off blankets after snoozing a bit,
Old dog there for morning scratch, Hug.
Off for a toy to throw, retrieve.
Breakfast, long drink, rang the door bell!
In a hurrah thinks I.
Out ahead most of the walk,
New log found, later stored for another day.
Back for biscuit, Nap!
Old dog there for morning scratch, Hug.
Off for a toy to throw, retrieve.
Breakfast, long drink, rang the door bell!
In a hurrah thinks I.
Out ahead most of the walk,
New log found, later stored for another day.
Back for biscuit, Nap!
As we traveled down now melting roadways.
Dirty snow littered the edges.
Patches of snow, ice, and pools of water new today!
Askum with his 4 paw drive and new youth,
manages just fine across it all.
I, never light on my feet,
now dangerously clumsy,
pitty pat down slick lane.
Dirty snow littered the edges.
Patches of snow, ice, and pools of water new today!
Askum with his 4 paw drive and new youth,
manages just fine across it all.
I, never light on my feet,
now dangerously clumsy,
pitty pat down slick lane.
December 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
As we traveled down now melting roadways.
Dirty snow littered the edges.
Patches of snow, ice, and pools of water new today!
Askum with his 4 paw drive and new youth,
manages just fine across it all.
I, never light on my feet,
now dangerously clumsy,
pitty pat down slick lane.
Dirty snow littered the edges.
Patches of snow, ice, and pools of water new today!
Askum with his 4 paw drive and new youth,
manages just fine across it all.
I, never light on my feet,
now dangerously clumsy,
pitty pat down slick lane.
John’s Splinters: Day filled with flurries, walk through snow laced woods, The morrow came, clouds racing eastward, pursued by blue heavens. Birds are back! No shoveling this day. Roads bare or Zamboni slick. Cup of Joe, & Askum. 35ºF headed to 36. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 11, 2025 at 7:38 PM
John’s Splinters: Day filled with flurries, walk through snow laced woods, The morrow came, clouds racing eastward, pursued by blue heavens. Birds are back! No shoveling this day. Roads bare or Zamboni slick. Cup of Joe, & Askum. 35ºF headed to 36. Ya’ll be careful out there!
My Askum surely loves the snow.
Cain’t wait to get out to gobble, roll,
and to search the woods.
Moisture heightens scents,
but now critters seen, least by me!
Found a log, carried it home,
lots of snow added to his already white face.
Nice for us both, just sauntering along!
Cain’t wait to get out to gobble, roll,
and to search the woods.
Moisture heightens scents,
but now critters seen, least by me!
Found a log, carried it home,
lots of snow added to his already white face.
Nice for us both, just sauntering along!
December 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
My Askum surely loves the snow.
Cain’t wait to get out to gobble, roll,
and to search the woods.
Moisture heightens scents,
but now critters seen, least by me!
Found a log, carried it home,
lots of snow added to his already white face.
Nice for us both, just sauntering along!
Cain’t wait to get out to gobble, roll,
and to search the woods.
Moisture heightens scents,
but now critters seen, least by me!
Found a log, carried it home,
lots of snow added to his already white face.
Nice for us both, just sauntering along!
The woods holding tight to the Quiet and Stillness!
Few tracks, fewer movements!
A palpable feeling of emptiness.
The added layer of new snow,
muffles sound and paints a winter wonderland.
As day takes over, still a feeling of waiting?
New place, new experiences!
Few tracks, fewer movements!
A palpable feeling of emptiness.
The added layer of new snow,
muffles sound and paints a winter wonderland.
As day takes over, still a feeling of waiting?
New place, new experiences!
December 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The woods holding tight to the Quiet and Stillness!
Few tracks, fewer movements!
A palpable feeling of emptiness.
The added layer of new snow,
muffles sound and paints a winter wonderland.
As day takes over, still a feeling of waiting?
New place, new experiences!
Few tracks, fewer movements!
A palpable feeling of emptiness.
The added layer of new snow,
muffles sound and paints a winter wonderland.
As day takes over, still a feeling of waiting?
New place, new experiences!
John’s Splinters: Evening clouds moved in, pale sunset. Overnight nother 2-3 inches of White. Nice walk down snowy roads, sun trying to break through. Rain?? predicted for today. Trip to PO. Famished birds at feeder. Shoveling again! 21ºF headed to 43. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
John’s Splinters: Evening clouds moved in, pale sunset. Overnight nother 2-3 inches of White. Nice walk down snowy roads, sun trying to break through. Rain?? predicted for today. Trip to PO. Famished birds at feeder. Shoveling again! 21ºF headed to 43. Ya’ll be careful out there!
My Askum on the other hand,
Simply forgets he has aches and pains.
After breakfast an play time,
headed out into the cold at a trot!
Snuffling through the pines covered in powder,
eating gobs of snow, found a log,
left me behind as he headed home!
Curled up in warm bed!
Simply forgets he has aches and pains.
After breakfast an play time,
headed out into the cold at a trot!
Snuffling through the pines covered in powder,
eating gobs of snow, found a log,
left me behind as he headed home!
Curled up in warm bed!
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
My Askum on the other hand,
Simply forgets he has aches and pains.
After breakfast an play time,
headed out into the cold at a trot!
Snuffling through the pines covered in powder,
eating gobs of snow, found a log,
left me behind as he headed home!
Curled up in warm bed!
Simply forgets he has aches and pains.
After breakfast an play time,
headed out into the cold at a trot!
Snuffling through the pines covered in powder,
eating gobs of snow, found a log,
left me behind as he headed home!
Curled up in warm bed!
Woke without an ache, neither physical nor heart wise.
First time since I packed up, left Ravenwind,
Well over year, thousands of miles ago.
Perhaps the gods, forgot I was still alive?
Or I am just finally finding me again!
Been a long road to The House with the Red Door!
First time since I packed up, left Ravenwind,
Well over year, thousands of miles ago.
Perhaps the gods, forgot I was still alive?
Or I am just finally finding me again!
Been a long road to The House with the Red Door!
December 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Woke without an ache, neither physical nor heart wise.
First time since I packed up, left Ravenwind,
Well over year, thousands of miles ago.
Perhaps the gods, forgot I was still alive?
Or I am just finally finding me again!
Been a long road to The House with the Red Door!
First time since I packed up, left Ravenwind,
Well over year, thousands of miles ago.
Perhaps the gods, forgot I was still alive?
Or I am just finally finding me again!
Been a long road to The House with the Red Door!
John’s Splinters: Clear skies as I headed to bed, near brutally so this morning! Long shadows stretching Westward. Pale skies, squeaky snow underfoot, red face, zero wind. Nary a breeze, pale Gibbous moon, filling in the tale. -5 ºF headed to 15. Ya’ll be careful out there!
December 9, 2025 at 7:30 PM
John’s Splinters: Clear skies as I headed to bed, near brutally so this morning! Long shadows stretching Westward. Pale skies, squeaky snow underfoot, red face, zero wind. Nary a breeze, pale Gibbous moon, filling in the tale. -5 ºF headed to 15. Ya’ll be careful out there!
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!