Goodbye January

Winter provides a spectacular backdrop for sunsets over the Tenmile Range.

In the morning, I watch the moon hang over Imperial Peak.

My routine is to sit and have coffee as I read emails and plan my day.

We spend as much time as possible outdoors.

I walk for an hour or more while Bob downhill skis.

It's necessary to wear spikes on my hiking boots to get traction on ice and snow.

At 80, we're committed to keep moving.

We enjoy having family visit.

It seems quiet when they leave.

Our grandchildren are all young adults now except the youngest who is 12.

Luckily, they no longer need my supervision!

As blue washes the landscape, I say goodbye to the day.

There is often a splash of alpenglow on Red Mountain.

The panorama of Nature is my One Good Thing today.

I hope wherever you live in the world, Nature offers you beauty.

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Goodbye Fall

Since I last posted, we've had snow twice - it melted within a day.

Grasses in the meadow turned golden.

The forest floor glowed russet.

Foliage was beautiful.

Now most of the trees are bare.

We have daily sightings of moose.

They're temperamental during  rut. We don't antagonise them.

We welcome displays of color before the coming of white.

We've been working daily to prepare for winter. The deck furniture is stored. The tractor and snowblower are oiled and ready. Our boiler is winterized. The property is raked and cleared of summer debris. After the next snow, I'll sow seeds, hoping for summer blooms.

Goodbye fall - you've been my One Good Thing the past month!

Thank you for visiting.

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Goodbye Fall, Hello Winter

It's been a long time since I posted.

People are starting to email asking if I'm OK.

The answer is yes and no.

behind my house - Red Mountain at sunset

I injured a tendon in my left ankle in the spring.

It's not completely healed so I must be careful.

I'm going to physical therapy.

In late September, I tested positive for Covid.

I was very sick and have some residual health issues.

Luckily, Bob remains well.

I feel better day by day, but my normal active life is at a slower pace.

I've gone off all social media except the blog. 

I've given some thought to making One Good Thing private.

I don't want to spend too much time on the computer.

Nature and the outdoors beckon me.

I need to be more physically active, not less.

Recently, I took a short hike with my 10 year old grandson.

I smiled as he chattered about what's going on in his life.

Four moose just ambled through my property.

The foxes came to visit this morning.

I'm sitting by the fire to write this.

It's snowing off and on.

There are many good things in my life.

I hope there are many good things in yours.

Stay well.

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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Sunset - Small Stone - 8

the magic show of twilight

darkness overtaking light

day into night

At 10,000' above sea level there is little artificial light.

Sun, moon, and stars guide the natural world.

The sky heralds beginnings and endings.

I'm reminded that darkness is necessary to appreciate light. 

small stone

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Pansies Make Me Cry - Small Stone - 5

pansies raise their sweet faces toward sunset's glow

thinking of my mother who loved pansies

passing from this life on a July evening

her pansies still blooming

I remember her in the comforting twilight

as tears fall

small stone

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Winter's Changing Landscapes

We finally had two back to back snow storms.

The first storm started one afternoon while I was walking.

Clouds obscured the mountain as tiny ice pellets fell.

By dawn of the next day, we had 13" (33cm).

The second storm gave us about 6" (15cm).

Sunlight created a rosy glow on virgin snow.

It finally looks like winter again, though our snowpack remains below normal.

High winds over several days knocked the snow from branches.

Gusts blew some beautiful sunset clouds over the mountain.

Winter's changing landscape is my Good Thing today.

Thank you for visiting.

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End of Fall

We're awaiting snow.

climbing

We've had longer than usual fall weather.

Now, we need moisture badly.

dried grasses glowing in sunlight

It's been nice to hike through balmy fall days.

But, the forest is very, very dry.
A blanket of snow would reduce our risk of wildfire.

town of Breckenridge from a ridge in our neighborhood

Yesterday, after our walk, I sowed wildflower seeds.
I smile at the promise of the seeds.
Perhaps next summer I'll see colorful blooms dancing in the breeze.

lovely Blue Spruce in the forest

Early this morning, Silver, the large male fox, scouted our property.

I saw movement on the deck and watched the pine marten on patrol.
Later, I was startled by 4 bull moose stampeding through the forest.

I was glad I wasn't walking a path near them!

The wild things are alert and on the move.

heading home through dry forest

We received good news this week. 

Bob's Urologist called to report that his bloodwork was excellent.

Though I didn't know I was worried, I shed tears of relief.

Now, we go on with life until his next test in 3 months.

sunset before the forecasted snow

As I finish this post, it's starting to snow.

Moisture in the form of white is my one good thing today.

Photos are of walks near the house in the past week.

Thank you for your visit.

Stay well!

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Celebrating Fall

Our fall is brief but glorious at high altitude.

For a couple weeks we live in a golden world.

Temperatures start to drop below freezing in the night.

Wildflowers and perennials go to seed.

Bushes and trees put on a show.

On early-morning walks, we wear layers.

The forest floor turns russet and amber.

Sunlight streaming through lodgepoles has a golden cast.

Each day, there is work on the property preparing for winter.

Garden ornaments are stored.

Leaves are raked.

On sunny afternoons, we sit in sunshine on the deck with mugs of coffee.

We talk of winter as leaves drift down on our shoulders.

Tourists still visit Breckenridge, but they rarely venture onto the trails behind our house. 

If we do see people approaching, we veer into the forest.

Usually, we meet no one on our walks.

We're alert for bear and moose.

The bear are gorging, preparing for hibernation.

The bull moose are in rut, searching for mates.

The squirrels are busy storing food for the long winter.

Gray Jays, like little old men in overcoats, follow us as we walk.

Nothing remains the same.

We cherish this time of change.

We stay isolated, surrounded by beauty.

We enjoy the quiet.

Stay well - look for One Good Thing.

Thank You for visiting.

Barb

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Birthday Girl

I came upon this scene yesterday during my morning walk.

Do you see the black bear sitting on the snow?

It was aware of my presence because it turned its head to look at me.

It was busy eating garbage it dragged from one of the trash cans.

Showing no aggression, it just kept snacking as I moved past it.

I've been seeing signs of bears for weeks, so I was exhilarated to spot it.

I decided it was my first gift of my birthday weekend.

Today (May 9th), is my actual birthday.

How did all these years go by and make me 76?

I've been hearing from family and friends all day.

In this time of isolation, I smile to connect with them.

Early this morning, while the snow was still frozen, we took a walk.

It was the first time since fall we could venture into the wilderness without skis or snowshoes.

Walking with Bob on my birthday into the solitude of the forest was wonderful.

Though it was cold, sunlight warmed our shoulders.

I noticed the seat of the swing was partially snowless so I sat a minute.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to actually swing!

But, day by day, there is more melt, so someday soon I'll sit there with my Kindle.

Last night, Bob cooked me a delicious dinner of crab legs, veggies, and salad. 

Tonight, we'll snack on small plates -

AND - chocolate cake with enormous strawberries...

When it's your birthday and you're 76, it's OK to be spoiled.

I'm thankful for our health and grateful for the love and friendship bestowed on me.

Every day I look for and find many good things.

I hope you do  too.

Thank you for your visit.

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