This week is less of a debate to pick Mildly Dry over Near Normal (but definitely thought about Moderately Dry) for 2 reasons: 1) No significant precipitation or general change in conditions. 2) Basement is mostly dry with only one regular wet spot.  Otherwise, I'm going to assume that groundwater resources (that I heard about last week) are still OK.  Additionally, we've been having an abnormally early cold spell, touching 0°F, -17°C with a full moon. Snowcover varies in depth but already there is some icy quality to the lowest layer.  Unsure if the ground has frozen under the snow.

Trees are bare and only the odd brown leaf skitters around like an escaped prisoner. 

The garden consists of dead brown flower stalks, shaking with each chilly breeze.

Canada geese are still migrating but either as large, high flying flocks or one or two locals. Saw a lovely flock of snow geese flying high heading directly south.  Evidence of a bunny around.  Birds at the feeder generally seem  few and hesitant but they are appreciating an open water source.

Allergies have been low-to-moderate and are definitely related to being shut up indoors or the low humidity of the cold temperatures.

The cold spell has temporarily dampened all activity: human and animal. But so far, the normal coping systems (snow plowing, soup season) have held. Approximately 13 days until the light turns.