Saturday, December 25, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Foggy and Christmas Joys
Freezing drizzle kept us home most of the day. A trip to the
supermarket allowed me to 'spy' a fog covered
mountain top across the way (Bottom.)
The joys of the holiday season...a good high school
choir singing carols is just as beneficial for the soul
as a warming by the fire (Top!) A holiday orchestra
with a guest flutist from the local college was
our treat on Monday evening (Middle.) After a full week off
(from high school) the weather permitted
one day of school with the seasonal Christmas
musical 'snuck in' at night!
What a treat...what a joy!
supermarket allowed me to 'spy' a fog covered
mountain top across the way (Bottom.)
The joys of the holiday season...a good high school
choir singing carols is just as beneficial for the soul
as a warming by the fire (Top!) A holiday orchestra
with a guest flutist from the local college was
our treat on Monday evening (Middle.) After a full week off
(from high school) the weather permitted
one day of school with the seasonal Christmas
musical 'snuck in' at night!
What a treat...what a joy!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Christmas Tree Challenge


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!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
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.)
:-)
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
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.
:)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Oh oh.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Today
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Lois Nancy
This artwork is my mother's. It touches my heart. (So gentle.) A thoughtful depiction of something sweet, tiny, and cute. 'Wa...
-
This artwork is my mother's. It touches my heart. (So gentle.) A thoughtful depiction of something sweet, tiny, and cute. 'Wa...
-
He broke his stride for me He threw me a rope I threw a rock at his head He was generous It was his nature I pushe...