February - This and That (and Lucinda B Rabbit)

Over the last 3 days, we received 2 1/2' (76.2 cm) of snow.

Bob was outside moving snow all morning.

my touring skis point toward Red Mountain.

We woke just as dawn was pinking the southern sky.

The Moon was still casting a glow.

We expect more snow over the next couple days.

We depend on winter snowpack during summer wildfire season.

Some of my long-time blog friends remember Lucinda B Rabbit.

She was often featured on my other blog Live and Learn (now private).

She celebrated a birthday recently.

I helped her blow out her candles.

Since she is ageless, she prefers not to reveal which birthday we celebrated.

A 12 year old girl in our neighborhood is raising chickens.

She brought me some eggs recently.

They're almost too pretty to eat. (Almost....)

Snow, Lucinda, and gifted eggs are my One Good Things today.

Lucinda wants to remind all her friends that 

(sometimes)...

"It's good to be bad!"

Thanks for visiting!

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PS In January I celebrated my 15 year anniversary post heart attack. If you're at all interested click on "heart attack" in labels. I mostly posted on the Live and Learn blog but have a few posts on One Good Thing describing my experience.

End of 2024

 Winter settles in to stay for awhile.

We take a short trip to Vail to celebrate Bob's 80th.

The village is quiet before the influx of holiday tourists.

We dine at our favorite restaurant.

Returning home, family surprises Bob on his big day.

By the end of December, we have feet of snow on the ground.

I wear spikes on my hiking boots to take my walks.

Our white landscape is punctuated by blue-sky days.

Early morning sunrises are my favorite.

I watch dawn creep toward Red Mountain.

Family is my One Good Thing today...and always.

Goodbye 2024!

full moon hangs over Imperial Peak as dawn spreads a pink glow.

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March at High Altitude

 I'm an early riser.

Often, I watch the moon set as the sun rises.

Weather permitting, I take a morning walk on the county road near my house.

It's an unpaved road, plowed in winter, and it doesn't get much traffic.

It provides distant views of Bald Mountain.

A couple weeks ago, I started noticing mountain lion tracks.

I'm always alert when outdoors, but the tracks gave me a little surge of adrenalin.

Lions prowl mostly from dusk to dawn, and it would be unusual to encounter one midday.

I'm still seeing tracks but so far no lion!

A large tree just off our property blew part way down this winter and is now supported by a nearby tree.

I check every morning to see if it has finally crashed to the ground.

So far, it's still standing, with the smaller tree holding it upright.

Sometimes, at dawn, the sky offers a brief, breathtaking display.

Remember: there is always One Good Thing!

I hope you're well.

Thank you for visiting.

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Winter Landscapes

We're in the midst of winter in Breckenridge, CO.

Red Mountain and blue shadows

After a slow start, we're finally getting some reliable snow storms.

Winter light is always special.

Though my world is white for many months, sky and sun and clouds add color.

As usual, I'm mesmerized by winter's beauty.

gifted tulips in winter

 Bob and I were sick with the flu in the beginning of February.

At nearly 80, I don't recover as quickly as I did 5 years ago.

Friends brought flowers and food.

moon over Imperial Peak

However, I'm happy to be out and about once again.

The fresh air and scenery do wonders for my health and well-being.

our son leaving for the ski area

Thank you for visiting.

I hope you enjoy the winter scenes.

dawn

Winter light is my one good thing today.

May love and peace abide with you.

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Healing Thoughts

Good News!

My physical therapist told me last week I could begin exercising outdoors.

As soon as I returned home from his office, I got myself ready for a walk.

I left from the house and walked a half hour on the plowed dirt road nearby.

I was careful.

I was v-e-r-y slow....

I was exhilarated!

At one point, I realized my face was wet with tears.

How embarrassing - I was crying tears of joy.

I pulled myself together and kept striding.

Now, I go for a walk nearly every day.

I take a hiking pole but only use it if there is an icy patch.

I'm able to walk over an hour most days.

My ankle is stiff by evening, but I see improvement daily.

I continue meeting with my PT.

storm clouds hide Red Mountain

Winter landscapes are constantly changing.

Clouds move in and bring snow.

Each dawn bestows the gift of a new day.

 

This photo is for a blog friend who loves foxes.

She recently received a troubling diagnosis, so I send her healing thoughts.

My One Good Thing today is the body's ability to heal.

I wish you strength.

I wish you sunshine.

I wish you healing.

Barb

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Winter's Blessings

We get a few inches at a time to freshen the white.

There have been no major storms this season. 

We always hope for more.

We depend on winter snowpack to lessen summer drought.

Jack (17) leaves from the back yard to go skiing.

Family visits nearly every weekend.

walking the logging road behind the house

Sam (9) and I hike in lemony light.

He's a good companion, chattering about what he sees.

I enjoy viewing the landscape from his perspective. 

Do you see Bob at tree line? He's on touring skis.

The forest cut is complete.

Red Mountain at sunset from our back deck.

I'm becoming accustomed to open spaces and new views.

a pink dawn colors fresh snow

Morning light  creates unexpected beauty.

Foxes pass through several times a day.

Notice how this small fox is looking directly into Sam's eyes.

They both keep perfectly still and calmly watch each other.

Perhaps the fox is Sam's spirit animal.

Bob works hard between storms, raking the roof and clearing snow.

breaking trail on the snowshoes

Winter's changing landscape is my one good thing today.

We're thankful for the blessing of white.

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Exploring New Territory

How can it be the end of January already?

Do you think time passes more quickly as you age?

I do!

Red Mountain rises 13,227' (4,031 M) into the sky - I greet it each morning

I can see dawn from my kitchen window now.

The forest that obscured this view in the past is gone.

Bald Mountain 13,690' (4,173 M) previously hid behind the forest 

The cut is nearly complete.

Aspen, spruce, fir, and baby pine still dot the landscape.

However, the lodge pole pines - ancient trees over 125 years old - are gone.

Vast open meadows have taken the place of dense forests.

Wildfires which pose a dangerous threat have less fuel to spread.

Cutting the old pines provides the forest a chance to regenerate.

I snowshoe through the new landscape.

Silence follows my linked footsteps.

High peaks look down on me.

Young trees wave hello.

The snowshoe hare also leaves tracks.

I believe it's faster than I am on its snowshoes.

Peak 9, Breckenridge Ski Resort

This season we celebrate half a century of downhill skiing.

I still feel like a girl when I float down the slopes on my skis.

However, each season, I wonder if maybe it will be our last.

It's a dangerous sport, and we are no longer young.

But, we'll enjoy it this winter while we still can.

Moon hanging above Peak 10

The logging has exposed so many views.

It's fun to explore new territory.

I'm surrounded by Nature's beauty which is my good thing today.

I hope you're able to enjoy natural landscapes, too.

Stay well!

Barb

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