Winter fog

This morning I grabbed my camera on my way out to run errands. You just never know when you'll get a good photo-opp. I was passing a beaver pond on my road, and noticed this serene winter scene. The sun was bright, and a fog had settled on the ice covered pond.
I'm not sure the photo really does it justice. Experiencing the spot made me take pause and thank God for putting me there at that moment.

The Day After

This picture is of my sister and me. You know the guy in the middle. I really didn't know what to make of him.
I'm guessing I was around four years old at the time.

Christmas dinner was at my house this year. We remembered my grandmother, Florence who passed in June of this year at the age of ninety-five. Christmas was one of her favorite times because she loved having her family all around. Though she wasn't there physically, I definitely knew she was with us.

I tried to get folks to sing carols with me, while I played my guitar. Trouble is I hadn't practiced, so the carol idea fell by the wayside :-) All in all, Christmas was a success. How could it be otherwise?

It's Just a Crush

Last Wednesday night, I had the misfortune of crashing my truck. I didn't think the roads were slippery, they hadn't been until I reached Surry. Surry, NH has a reputation for not maintaining the roads very well, and I shouldn't have guessed. Anyway, there was just enough greasy slush on the road to bring me in to a fishtailing skid. When I landed, I had slammed into some trees. I banged my head on the driver's side window, and bruised my legs on the steering wheel. I think perhaps I pulled a muscle in my lumbar region too as it has been achy ever since.

Who knows when the truck will be fixed, there was a problem with my auto insurance. Apparently when I bought the truck last February it was never processed. I have been paying for car insurance on a car I don't have anymore. The insurance company is investigating and will determine if they will be helping me repair the truck. Meanwhile, I'm driving my dad's plush Blazer. It's kind of a gas hog, but a nice ride nonetheless.

With all the rain we're due to get today, hopefully alot of the snow will melt. My roof is leaking despite raking the snow off, so I am definitely anxious for the rest of the snow to disappear.

On a more cheerful note, Christmas is nearly upon us. Merry Christmas one and all!

The Life of Merle

We've had a pretty good dump of snow the last couple of days. I ventured out on my snowshoes Saturday. It was sooooo cold, I stayed out there for two hours. Today it warmed up a bit, and I have about 9" of snow everywhere. Sleet came down on occasion. I stayed inside most of the day, running on my treadmill, watching TV, studying for my A & P final, and watching Merle basking in the firelight. She hadn't a care in the world, Oh the life of a cat.

The First Snow

The first real snowstorm hit Sunday night and into Monday. It has been a beautiful sight for sure. I decided to give up my wicked cool Christmas job at UPS. The thought of pushing a couple hundred pounds of packages through the snow using a two wheeled dolly wasn't worth $9.50/hr. I went hunting instead. For several hours I tracked four deer but never saw them. I suspect they could hear my heavy breathing! I was on snowshoes, and struggling. I was soaked with sweat but warm. I had prepared by wearing my "under armor" then a layer of wool. Works every time. I didn't see the deer, but I got a great workout, and found the biggest White Birch I've ever seen. I am going to estimate it to be at least 7' around. Two people would have a hard time stretching their arms around it. I may go back and take a picture of it, while my tracks are still there.

As I made my way out of the woods, I heard a shot ring out from the other side of the brook where I had been! Only one shot. I wondered if that hunter was successful, or whether he just had an itchy trigger finger.

This photo is of my neighbor's apple tree. There were deer tracks beneath it. The tree is only a few feet from the road. I imagined this deer could be that four pointer that has been eluding me! Just imagine what would happen if he got a hold of all these apple? He'd be so drunk! Then I might stand a chance of getting him. Perhaps I should shake the tree?