Tuesday, December 12, 2017

I SEEM TO HAVE LOST MY CHRISTMAS SPIRIT SOMEWHERE

DSC_9129

I’M GUESSING THIS FELLOW AT A ‘RED BELLIED WOODPECKER’

It’s been snowing continuously since Monday but luckily we didn’t get the heavier snowfall that some areas inland had.  Many times snow streamers sweep in off the lake and the upsurge of wind from the shoreline bluffs carries the blowing snow up and over us before dumping it further east.  I did re-shovel about an inch and a half of snow off my pathways this morning.  Well it’s not so much shoveling as it is pushing and scooping which one can easily do when snow is light and fluffy.

DSC_9108

WASN’T BLOWING BAD ENOUGH TO STOP US FROM A JEEP RIDE BUT I COULDN’T SEEM TO DRUM UP ANY OF MY USUAL ENTHUSIASM THIS MORNING

DSC_9097

NO FISHERMEN ON BAYFIELD’S PIER

DSC_9096DSC_9103

ICE IS BEGINNING TO FORM ON THE BAYFIELD RIVER

DSC_9107DSC_9104

FISHING BOATS AGAIN REMAINED IN PORT AND EVEN THE RIVER HAD A FEW WHITE CAPS ON IT FROM THE UNRELENTING HIGH WINDS

DSC_9101

SEAGULLS AND DUCKS HANGING AROUND THE STERN OF THIS FISHING BOAT

With the wind howling in the tops of the pine trees I knew it would be blowing the new snow around out in the countryside and in fact area school buses were cancelled.  I loaded up Pheebs anyway and we took a drive into Bayfield.  Didn’t bother with a coffee and muffin because I knew we weren’t going to be out long.  Kind of hard to get enthusiastic about driving around in cold snowy weather so we weren’t long in coming home again and that was pretty much our day.

DSC_9109DSC_9110DSC_9112DSC_9113DSC_9119

HEADING BACK HOME

DSC_9122DSC_9125

LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY WAS A BIT HASTY IN BOARDING THE POLAR EXPRESS THIS MORNING AND LEFT THEIR LUGGAGE BEHIND

Here is Part 2 of a walk Pheebs and I took on the John Hindmarsh trail in the Maitland Woods on Sunday December 3rd.

DSC_8582DSC_8583DSC_8580

I WAS SURPRISED TO COME ACROSS THESE BIRD FEEDERS IN THE WOODS

DSC_8579 DSC_8578DSC_8585

THIS SECTION OF THE MAITLAND WOODS HAS DEFINITELY ENDURED SOME STRONG WINDS AT ONE TIME

DSC_8584DSC_8620DSC_8581 DSC_8597DSC_8587

I SEE THE GNARLY HAND OF AN OLD TREE HERE

DSC_8589 DSC_8591

DSC_8613DSC_8600DSC_8604

I’M ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO WALKING THIS TRAIL NEXT YEAR WHEN ALL THE LEAVES ARE BACK ON THE TREES

DSC_8596DSC_8601DSC_8605

IT’S DAMP ENOUGH FOR MOSS IN THE FOREST

DSC_8616DSC_8606DSC_8609DSC_8611DSC_8610DSC_8608DSC_8612DSC_8614

NICE TO SEE A SMALL POND

DSC_8615DSC_8618DSC_8619 DSC_8624DSC_8617 DSC_8623

DSC_8625 DSC_8621

I’M WONDERING IF A SQUARE HEADED WOODPECKER MADE THESE HOLES

DSC_8634

FOREST FERNS

I’m not sure where my Christmas Spirit has gone but looking out the living room window this afternoon at the snowy cold and gray outside I was aware it was missing.   Our temperatures have been hanging out in the mid 20’s and when I look ahead at the forecast it is solid cold gray days ahead.  I think the renewed novelty of winter has already run it’s course with me.

DSC_9143

NICE TO SEE A PAIR OF CARDINALS IN THE YARD TODAY AND THIS ONE IS THE MALE

DSC_9131

A DARK EYED JUNCO, FEMALE CARDINAL, AND A ?? SPARROW

DSC_9141<<< MALE CARDINAL

GROANER’S CORNER:((  To commemorate her 79th birthday , actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP.  One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'.  Here are the lyrics she used:  If you sing it, it's rather hysterical!!!

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillac's and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

=======================================

11 comments:

  1. No sun is the cause. It is common

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the renewed novelty of winter has already run it’s course with me.

    We did two weeks back in Ontario last Christmas. That was a novelty as well, but it was enough to do me for the next ten years.

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. As pretty as the snow is all white and fluffy we will be glad to leave it behind.
    Really liked the pictures of the cardinal.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great pics. The harbour pics are always fascinating. Nothing like those cold winds to knock the spirit out of most people.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I sang the groaner tonight and can certainly relate to every word. Thanks!

    As for Christmas spirit, attend church on Christmas eve and it will flood back to you, guaranteed. Just a suggestion.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the Cardinal pictures. I think they are beautiful but we don’t see them in Oregon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This dull winter days sure do put a curve in your enthusiasm , makes ya wanna stay inside. Sio you guys will be outta there and enjoy some nice bright sunny days again.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Soon..soon you will be headed for warmer pastures! Winter frost and snow do make beautiful photo opportunities.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love winter when things look Black and White, it's when everything turns Brown that ruins Winter I think. And cold, don't forget the cold. Won't be long now and you guys will be in warmer weather once again. So happy for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I remember last year when we were at home all Winter..Luckily, we did get to spend Xmas with our youngest grandkids at their house, and that helped..But I still had a heavy dose of depression and anxiety hanging over my head..It was my worst Winter in a long time, but we got through it..sooo glad to be on the road this year..I hope we can do it again next year, but I may be assuming to much..

    ReplyDelete
  11. You choosing these groaners especially for me?

    ReplyDelete