A Walk on the Lake

It was one of those warm winter days where the temps hovered around freezing.

The sun was bright and the skies were clear and blue.

It was a good day to venture a walk on the lake.

Our lake days are in the summer where we spend time swimming in the designated areas which are not too far from the shore.

It's a treat in the winter when we can walk as far as we want from the shore on the frozen water.

Usually the snow builds up which makes it hard to walk, but this winter has brought so much ice that the surface was virtually clear of snow.

There were no snow machines to disturb our peace.

There was no wind whipping around our ears to freeze them.

Our little dog had the whole lake to herself and she took full advantage of it.

We're not much for outdoors in the winter anymore, but these kinds of days are gifts that have us enjoying it.

Spring on the River

The colors of spring are a most welcome sight after a long winter.

And this year was no exception.

The river was running a little high.

The trees were starting to bud.

The warm day had a slight breeze that kept the annoying black flies away.

It was such a treat to take a stroll through the field that led to the river.

The bees were happily buzzing from one dandelion to the next - the first food flower of the season for them.

Little May flowers and sweet violets grew in patches in the shorter grasses.

The maples were sending out their seeds as the birds called their spring songs from up in the branches.

Mother Nature sure knows how to bring joy to the soul.

Each season has its own special gifts, and this day was one of Spring's finest.

 

Ice Art

 

The rain was coming down and freezing upon contact one February afternoon.

When it finally stopped, I was anxious to get outside, but being in the middle of something, my walk was delayed.

The temps were quickly rising, and I could see the ice falling from the tree branches as I watched from the window.

I was going to miss my ice photos opportunity - one is lucky to get these perfect conditions once a season when it all comes together just right.

By the time I made it outside, there wasn't much ice left on the bushes, berries, branches, or pines.

A few mediocre photos made it onto my camera, and I was getting ready to retrace my path back into the house.

Then I saw it out of the corner of my eye.  That perfectly shaped ice leaf - all alone hanging from a branch.

It had separated from the leaf on which it had been formed, and it was just there - in the empty space between the branches.

I snapped a few photos of this little beauty before it joined all the other ice creations that had succumbed to the warming temps.

I had been fretting not ten minutes before about being too late in getting outside.  

Had I been earlier, this piece of ice art wouldn't have been finished and I would never have seen it.

And just a minute later, I would have missed it as well.

Timing was perfect for this shot, and I was most lucky. 

Things do have a way of working out if we just let them.

 

Winter Color

Just after a fresh snowfall, when everything is still covered, black and white are the predominate colors in the winter.

The red of the cardinal birds stands out beautifully in the trees.

The blue of the sky beyond those trees is just as vivid as the red birds.

But it's pretty hard to find other colors in a winter landscape after Mother Nature lays down a new snow layer.

That was the case today on my afternoon walk - no cardinals or blue sky to be found.

Just a lot of black and white with varying shades of gray in between.

There was one stray flash of color though that caught my eye as I passed by.

The white of the snow against the lime green of an overturned pail really stood out.

It beckoned me to take a closer look.

My phone was small enough to fit between the thorny branches and get close enough to capture the shot.

A winter abstract, with a splash of color - makes for an interesting composition.

 

Winter in Rye Harbor

This photo was taken about four years ago on a winter trip to the ocean at Rye Harbor.

Part of the State Park system in NH, we have visited here at least a couple times a year for as long as I can remember.

This past year we were never able to make the trip and the ocean was surely missed by us both.

No matter what time of the year, there is nothing like smelling the salty fresh air and seeing the everchanging beauty of the water and waves as they rush along the shore.

The sea gulls, ducks, and sand pipers that are numerous in the summer are no where to be found in the winter.

But if one is really lucky, there are a couple of Snowy Owls that have been known to visit the area.

To them, this is their "south" as they nest and breed in northern Canada each spring and summer.

I have never been able to get a decent photo of one of these beautiful owls, but I was lucky enough one winter to see one.

He was easy to find though - the group of tripods and photographers were a dead give away that something interesting was going on down by the shore.

They were respectful and kept their distance as not to scare him away so we could all enjoy his winter visit.

 

 

Frosty Mullein

Mullein leaves covered in frost on a cold New Years Day

Snow is expected tonight so tomorrow will find these fuzzy leaves covered once again.

Mullein happily grows in poor sandy soil and can often be found alongside the road in the summer.

This was a first year plant as there were no dried flowering stalks left over from the past year.

It is also very small as these plants and leaves can be quite large  - I've seen them taller than me.

Valued for it's respiratory health properties, it can be harvested and dried when it is in season so it can be used when it is needed year round.

The leaves are covered in fine hairs which can be an irritant to the throat if they are used in a tea, so it needs to be strained well before drinking.

Viewed as a common weed by many, it is a gift from Mother Nature to those who recognize its worth.

 

 

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Puppy Profile

We got this little sweetheart of a puppy dog about a year and half ago when she was six months old.

She is a Yorkie-poo, a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a small Poodle.

We had a large breed dog many years ago right after we were married, and he lived to be thirteen.

He has been gone for over twenty years, and I wasn't so certain I really wanted another dog.

All the shedding, the smell, the care, and expense of a large animal wasn't something I really looked forward to at this point in our lives.

I always figured cats were the way to go for a pet - they were better able to care for themselves, and a purring kitty is very calming and soothing.

But then, I met, Mya.

She's tiny - about 12 pounds.

She has hair, not fur, so she doesn't shed.

Her weekly showers keep her ever so soft and oh so clean.

She follows us everywhere - inside and out.

Going for a ride is one of her favorite things.

And she is most entertaining in her playing and prancing about.

Those bright eyes and that wagging plume of a tail show us her love.

This little soul makes me laugh, and brings such joy into our lives.

I really don't know how we got along without her all these years.

She is such a gem, and a more perfect match for our home could not be found.

Life is good with this little puppy dog!