The winter snows that came at the turn of the year took their toll on the old shelter tarp out at Roundrock. (From what I can gather from news reports, the area was blanketed with thick snow again last week.) When we were last out to the woods (too long ago, alas) we found the tarp mostly on the ground, with a melting slab of ice resting on the back part. With the new cabin nearby, the tarp had grown superfluous, at least in that part of the forest. With no other immediate plans for it, we decided to take it down and put it away until it might be pressed into service again. Long-time readers will recall that I've had a succession of tarps over the years, all coming to torn and shredded ends. I think I've used them up fully before retiring them, and this tarp is about the same. The weight of the snow had caused one of the grommets to rip out. That will make it difficult to hang as a shelter again since the rip is along the ridge line, but there are likely other uses for such a versatile, waterproof chunk of fabric. We folded the tarp loosely and put it on the floor in the cabin. It was still wet, and I wanted it to dry before we folded it more fully to be put away (though where?). Until we put some actual furniture in the cabin, I guess it's going to serve as a well-built tool shed (which is a problem since I think it would be quite easy to let the cabin become a tool shed rather than a relaxing retreat). I'll probably use the fence posts from the tarp set up in the pine plantation to fortify their defenses against the maurading deer. Reduce, reuse, recycle. It's the American Way! Missouri calendar:

• Groundhog Day - Legend says if he sees his shadow we'll have six more weeks of winter; no shadow means an early spring.

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