Monday

It's dark outside and I can hear the deck boards creaking. Not to worry. Indy would be barking non-stop if there was anything actually on my deck (she's spread out on the floor by my feet right now). It's clear skies so the temps are falling quickly - I expect they are below zero by now. The origin of the sounds then is just the material in the deck moving as it shrinks in the cold, accelerated by it also giving up moisture to the dry winter air. Unlike in summer when I hear the sounds of frogs & crickets,  in winter I'm listening to a symphony of cracks, pops, and groans. (Well, some of those might just be me getting up from my chair.)