Christmas Tree Challenge

Although 'they' look harmless and exude
peace and tranquility,
the above black furry beasts (Top Shot)
challenge me and the tree yearly.
I am attempting to put together this years' tree.
Annually, I have to twisty tie
the bottom three (at least) branches of the lights
and the ornaments on, or OFF they go
(especially the lights.) The 'beasts'
run through the tree taking with them
what they can...
Middle Shot:
I'm hoping to procure for you
a wintry shot of the many excellent
specimen Christmas trees grown
on hillside after hillside here.
We cut ours down this year.
This is a shot my husband took (earlier)
off the highway of a large tree farm.
They look even better
(if that is indeed possible) in the winter!
Bottom:
A lovely, quiet 'winter red barn'
resting along the New River.
Enjoy!

Things That I

artwork

color...

lithographs...

old books
(the older the better)

(little) angels...

shadow and light source, always

...appreciate.
:)

Thing of Beauty Revealed

Top: Winter's Trees

Thing of Beauty: A rather large

snow drift (for those who guessed!) :)

that looked like a lovely wave with a curl.

Today we have freezing drizzle

(as was predicted courtesy of Ray's Weather...)

on top of about 15-18 inches of snow. It has formed

a 1/8th inch (thus far) crispy, crunchy layer.

Even the dogs are mystified by the shape of things!

To walk (the dogs) I must use my walking stick

and proceed very carefully.

Once 'punched through' the snow;

I'm safe but the road's slick

surface is downright treacherous.

We have no school for the entire week

at our local high school.

Today, however, the slick ice makes

driving truly not something you want

to do. We were able to drive out

yesterday several times. It was a

sunny day with melted snow here

and there. The local college kids

finished their exams and headed

home (including our son.)

:-)

A Thing of Beauty

(What is it?)

Day 3

Hibernating

...is the thing to do.

Snowy Offering

Blanket of powder
pristine and white
falling so gently
in morning light.

Snowflakes
they tickle
they rest on my cap
all others are sleeping
a long winter nap.

A lonely deer wanders
the path that I see
I track her footsteps
a comfort to me.

Sprinkle, its coming
snow settles down
all nestled in
our small town.

December Blue Ridge Beauty

My daughter and myself ventured out
and onto the Parkway
to procure some long view shots yesterday.
Our usual right turn south on the Parkway was
closed for the season. Last year, we were unable
to get on the long drive on the mountain
tops at all in December. I now know why.
Road conditions to this overlook in the
other direction were poor, with about
4 inches of packed, icy snow but mostly glare ice.
We drove like turtles and didn't stay
long to get these shots, never seeing another
car in either direction on the drive.
Next week, I imagine the Parkway
will be totally closed off to through traffic.
This wonderful mountain top drive
through the Appalachians is
not maintained in the winter.
Top: A large and burly open tree
that one could stand inside of.
Next Two: Long views at present.
:)

Oh oh.

A repeat of the last storm is on the horizon with colder
temps (than 13???) and blizzard conditions (for next week.)
What?

Finally

...ventured out of my warm home.
It is about -20 degrees with the windchill
so I was out for about 8 minutes.
Still, my fingertips were numb and
tingly even dressed in fur lined winter gloves.
Nursing my camera and a bit fearful
it would freeze or something, I kept this walk short.
Apparently (according to a source we love here
in the High Country, 'Ray's Weather,')
it is colder here than in Wisconsin.
Bottom: a shot today of a
'yonder' mountain top that showed just a hint of color.
I like the slightly misty feel that it has.
Top:
'The House on the Hill.'
It has been a source of great comfort for me.
The entire front porch is totally lit with
large yellow lights at night. I can see it
just at the top of my bedroom window,
a friendly reminder of neighbors near by.
Can you find it?
...do
stay warm!
:)

Lion of a Winter

Well. I cheated (in a sense.)
I am procrastinating (or is it balking?)
at procuring a shot today (this one is from yesterday.) :)
I must muster up the courage to face the howling wind and
maybe put a plastic bag partly over the camera?
Last night, it became apparent to me this one thing:
The planet we inhabit is spinning (moving)
one direction and the wind is shagging its way across
the Appalachians in the other!
In the colder night time temperatures, the wind last night
was achieving a hefty gusting of 60-65 (?) M.P.H.
producing one heck of a long and drawn out howling effect.
There is nothing like a winter wind howling across the
Appalachians at 4000 feet.
A large tree limb that was loose crashed down
covering most of half the driveway.
Watch for my shot today
at a later time.
I will have to work myself up for it!

The plow came through TWICE at about midnight,
now that is a dream living here...
We are fortunate on that count for sure!
The deer are out heavy pawing through the (about)
12-15 inch snow to dig down to corn piles!
They must be hungry, even ignoring Ginger's rather
boisterous barking upon seeing a large deer
standing out the patio door windows this A.M.

Oh- school is out for the second day, today.
This winter is not disappointing in its tenacity.
We are well in the grip of this ferocious lion 'winter,'
resting on its haunches and in no hurry to leave.

Today

Handy Items :)
(...and I needed color in at least one shot.)
:)
Verse that I am singing:
"Hear the wind blow dear, hear the wind blow.
Hang your head over...hear the wind blow."

See the Flakes.

S-s-snowy Path.

The Road Up

Snowed In

There is a h-h-h-high of twenty today.
We are 'officially' s-s-s-snowed in!
We went out to the store before the plow
came through on this 'ol mountain and
just barely made it up the first incline
(slid sideways) and the back incline as well (slid again.)
All around our road are drop offs and ravines and
the like~ so sliding is definitely not a good idea!
We (now) have all of the food, toiletries and the goodies
that we need, so we are in for the night! Couldn't
leave now.... even if we wanted to! Enjoy the photos.
It was 13 this morning with a high of 20 today,
with more snow flurries throughout the day and the night....
Tomorrow colder weather is predicted! What??!
(Actually I am lovin' it!)
The wind howled awfully hard last night.
I am 'once again' in love with...what???
Answer: The snow plow.
We bought my daughter a plastic paisley sled.
Top:
The dogs are wearing themselves OUT trying
to find a good scent :)
I'm O.K. with that :)
Middle: The neighbor's beautiful snow
crusted strange plant.
(Seriously~ I just heard the plow go by :):))
Bottom:
Slice of the snowy woods.
(Double click photos to feel like you are there~well, kind of :)
It wont' be as cold for you I mean.)
:)
More photos from our
'winter wonderland' to come
friends...
Come on along!
:)

Snow's First Fall

Please click to enlarge these.
It was 'all quiet' this morning.
We had a lovely dusting of about 5-7 inches of
powdery white snow. It clung to the branches making trees
(even small ones) sculptures singularly lovely each...
Although it was in the low 20's, it felt warm.
These are the result of my morning walk with dog one.

Early Walk

I took an early walk today; up alone.
I wish dear readers, that you could have seen my
dog Lakhi, hesitate to leave the comfort of the
front porch stoop and make any paw prints in
the snow. It was 'as if' she were staring at a blank white
canvas and balking at what to do! She stood a full 45 seconds
just staring at the all white blanket of light snow
before bounding off the porch! I didn't have a
camera at the time the view of her thinking about
the snow with puzzlement before stepping on it was great!
Bottom:
The road across from us; 'Galax,'
was lightly snow covered and inviting.
Next: I noticed that the 'toothpick tree' now
can measure snow precipitation!
Next: The pumpkins (still) out front now
don light snowy caps!
Next Up:
The glorious woods in all of its spender!
Top:
I drove to the Blue Ridge to procure a photo for you
(yesterday)! The wind was howling so I was not sure how
clear the shot would be...The blue sky, gray and slightly
violet clouds whipping by were awesome! Look at this
gnarly tree. What an absolute feast for the eyes!
The Blue Ridge Parkway officially is closed
sometime in December as it gets too treacherous to navigate.
Duty calls me at present! I must away Dear Readers!
:)
Enjoy!