ABC Wednesday - K is for Knife

K is for Knife............







This is one of the unique knives the boys have in their collection.

It is a hunting knife that was fashioned with a deer's antler for it's handle.

This knife comes as a kit, with an unfinished piece of wood that gets carved and shaped into a handle.

Instead of using what was supplied, the antler was fitted into the brass hilt to make for a most unique piece.

A piece of leather and rawhide lacing was fashioned into a sheath that fits the knife perfectly.

They have several other styles of these hunting knives, but this one is one of the most interesting and it makes for a great stock photo to boot!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Nest in a Grill - My World

Nest in a Grill - My World







Walking through a field, we came upon this truck that had obviously been parked for quite a while.

This little nest didn't have an occupant, but the little bird that built it certainly listened to a different drummer.

Instead of the traditional tree or bush, she chose the front grill of a large work truck.

She didn't have to worry about something sneaking up from behind her - or the sides either.

Hope she was successful with her little family!

A Faithful Buddy

A Faithful Buddy







I have posted about this little kitty in several of my previous posts, and this is another one that is featuring him.

He is the feral cat who took a liking to us about ten years ago.

He won't come in the house, but will wait patiently outside the door for food to appear.

Twice a day - and he is never disappointed.

We were worried about him this past winter, thinking it might be his last, but he pulled through with the strength that has kept him going all these years.

Whenever I am outside - gardening, hanging laundry, or just walking around, he never fails to join me, standing guard and watching if I am staying in one spot, or following me if I'm walking.

He is loving these warmer days and the sunbaths that he lounges in each afternoon.

These next few months will be easier for him and we will make sure he enjoys them as much he can.

ABC Wednesday - J is for Jetty

J is for Jetty............







For those of you who have been with my blog, I am sure you recognize this structure.

It is one of our favorite places to go when we visit the ocean, and there are many different images of it in previous posts.

You have heard my stories about the high waters and my fear of these giant rocks with the pounding water beneath them.

You can see my son doesn't take after me - he is right out on the very end - relaxing with his fishing pole.

My husband and daughter also have no problem with walking this ragged jetty.

I am usually alone with my camera, but if my daughter gets a chance to come with us again, she will have the baby with her.

And he is too little to go out there.

That means I get a companion - I can't wait!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Sprouting Daffodils - My World

Sprouting Daffodils - My World







I already posted this image on my other blog, Let's Jump Together, but I wanted to share it with my friends in My World, so it's going on this blog too.

If you can't tell - I am just so excited that spring has finally arrived.

These little sprouts are a sure sign of it, and they won't even mind if a stray snow storm should happen to blow in - they even grow with the snow still around them.

Bigger Flies for Fly Fishing

Bigger Flies for Fly Fishing







In my last post, I posted an image of hand tied nymph flies for fly fishing.

They are beautiful little works of art, but the larger ones are the ones that are really beautiful.

This tray holds flies that range from two inches to just about four inches.

They are so pretty, I think it is almost a shame to use them.

They can be reused once they have dried off, but they are never quite the same as when they were just created.

My stepson tied these beauties, and he and my son tied the smaller ones in the previous post.

ABC Wednesday - I is for Insects

I is for Insects............







Insect look a-likes, that is.

These are all hand-tied flies for fly fishing.

These little ones are called nymphs, and they are made to look exactly like the real ones.

Most fly fisherman will take their tie flying gear with them, and they will catch a real one to see what it looks like, and what the fish are feeding on in the area.

They will then duplicate it with their threads, feathers, fur, beads, and hooks so they can catch what is biting.

It is hard to fool the fish, so the fly has to not only look real, but act it too.

It is quite an art to tie and sculpt them into these little imitation insects.

These are the little ones that measure under an inch.

The big ones are the real beauties!




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Dock Thawing Out - My World

Dock Thawing Out - My World







Substantial ice melting going on around the little public dock at the lake.

After the rain we had this weekend, I bet the snow on the top of it has totally disappeared.

Once the ice is totally out on the lake, the dam will be controlled to only let a smaller amount of water out.

That gives the water a chance to rise back up and the legs of this dock will once again be underwater.

I will try to remember to take a photo of it this coming season to show the difference.

New Buds are Coming

New Buds are Coming







I saw them today on a tree outside the shopping mall.

There were tiny soft buds on the tree that we had parked our car beside.

I think it is too early for them to budding, but with the gorgeous weather we have been having the last week or so, I can't blame them for sprouting.

The above image was taken a couple of springs ago - soft pussy willow buds - captured at just the right time before they shed their furry skin.

Once the snow has melted on our yard, I will be inspecting the garden for the crocus and daffodil greens.

Love that spring!

ABC Wednesday - H is for Hands

H is for Hands............







Spooky dry ice in a bucket.

We watched it "evaporate" this past summer, and my son put his hands in the "fog" it creates as it "thaws".

This stuff is really strange - you can touch the fog, but if you were to touch the actual piece of ice, it would burn the skin.

We added a bit of water to the bucket, and once the fog cleared, you could see it bubbling as it dissolved.

It took almost a whole day for it to melt - and there was nothing left in the bucket once it did.




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Reflection Abstract - My World

Reflection Abstract - My World






The edge of the ice in the little pond down the road.

The bright blue sky is reflected in the still water giving this image some pleasing color.

On a cloudy day, the pond is all brown. The dirt and decaying leaves really give it a drab look.

The polarizer on the lens really picked up the blue reflection while still allowing the brown beneath the surface in the foreground to show through.

In another month or so, there should be plenty of green to make the whole scene more pleasing to view.

Receding Ice at the Lake

Receding Ice at the Lake







What a totally gorgeous day we had today in New England!

Certainly a big change from last weekend.

Picking up sticks and patching the roof damage from the wind storm was on the agenda and it was so nice of the weather to cooperate.

The ice is melting in earnest now down at the lake, and the warning to remove all bob houses has come way before the April 1st deadline.

The best thing about today - hanging out a laundry to dry. First time this season and can't wait to use those towels - they smell heavenly!

ABC Wednesday - G is for Green Pepper

G is for Green Pepper............







We use a lot of these guys in many of our recipes, so cutting them up has become quite an easy chore.

The sun happened to be coming through the window at just right time and amount one afternoon and it lit up the inside of the green pepper on my cutting board.

Positioning it just right and washing my hands, I then went to get my camera.

My family is used to the camera appearing at the oddest times, but when all things come together just right, one has to take advantage of it.

It I had waited until the next time, that light would have never been right.




This is the sixth round of ABC Wednesday. If you would like to join in please visit this site for the details.

Melting Ice - My World

Melting Ice - My World






It has begun.

No more walking out on the frozen, ice covered lake.

The temps have been just above freezing, and the melting has begun.

Especially around the rocks that are sticking up through the ice.

The sun warms them and the ice begins to recede.

It is still pretty thick away from those rocks, but just seeing that is enough to keep me from walking on it.

And just to think, we were out on it about two weeks ago, and none of this was going on.

The ice fishermen aren't too happy about it, but I think it's grand!