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.

(comments closed)

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.

(comments closed)

Hello Winter

The sun has set on fall in the high country. 

  I finally admit my container plants can't survive the cold.

A new season arrives with its own beauty.

In some areas, fall and winter overlap a bit as storm clouds drape the mountains.

We'll soon be buried in snow!

(When I saw this cut-off tree, it reminded me of a guy stuck head and shoulders in snow.)

I try to greet each day with gratitude.

My mind focuses on many good things. 

I hope it is the same in your world.

Thank you for visiting me.

Stay well....

(comments closed)

Taking Notice and Making a Difference

The beauty of light in winter's forest is ever-changing. I often stop to gaze and appreciate.

We've been getting small amounts of snow every few days. However, our snowpack remains too low to give us adequate moisture for summer. Temperatures fluctuate above freezing some days causing melt. During the night, lowering temperatures freeze everything solid. 

Navigating on skis and walking the neighborhood become challenging with ice underfoot. 

 

My amaryllis is blooming!

From bulb to bloom I've enjoyed the mystery of its growth.

Its fiery red adds a pop of color to our days.

now 18 years old, she was interested in plants from an early age

Our granddaughter, Amanda, was awarded first place in plant research at the Denver regional science fair. Now, she advances to the state science fair held in April. For her experiment, she investigated the effects of UV-degraded microplastics on aquatic primary producers - a timely topic in our modern world where plastic trash threatens the environment.

I celebrate many good things today:

light on snow, winter blooms, and a studious granddaughter trying to safeguard the natural environment

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.

(comments closed)

 

Ethereal Beauty - Small Stone - 20

 when the sun glows off western peaks 

the sky softening with morning light

my breath catches in amazement

at such ethereal beauty

small stone

(comments closed)

Tracks - Small Stone - 15

 

snowshoe hare tracks - the hare's fur turns white in winter - a great camouflage against the snow

morning light on snow

tracks leading into the forest

heading home

small stone

(comments closed)

Rules - Small Stone - 9

Photography has certain "rules". "Don't shoot directly into the sun" is one of them. When using my DSLR mirrorless, I'm aware of the damage the sun can do to the sensor. I avoid shooting directly into it. The sun creates flairs, blows out highlights, and over-saturates certain colors. For these very reasons, I sometimes shoot with the iPhone when I see a scene and think the sun's glare will add to the story I want to tell. 

We are often in the forest with the rising sun. Occasionally, I let the sun and the scene speak.

may light (both inner and outer) guide you today

small stone

(comments closed)

sometimes rules need to be broken....

Goodbye and Hello - Small Stone

I started this blog in 2011 to participate in an international Small Stone writing challenge. A Small Stone is a brief, mindful observation that may take the form of poetry or journaling. Some of the blog friends I made through the years of writing Stones still use the practice to encourage daily introspection and creativity. And so for the month of January, I begin writing stones to welcome 2021. 

As is my practice, I often use a photo along with the stone.

2020

Often, in the hour before dawn, I sat quietly to meditate and to think.

Routine and habits offered safety and comfort to start the day.

Moonlight and firelight cast glows - one cold, one warm.

Fragrant steam from black tea caressed my face.

Yesterday, I said farewell to to the aging year.

2020 demanded change and adaptation. 

I didn't (and won't) malign it.

It taught me so much.

goodbye

2021

This predawn morning, I greeted the baby new year with no expectations.

I was no more or no less than I was yesterday (except another day older).

Soft darkness, flickering flames, fragrant tea were the same.

I made no specific resolutions/promises for the coming year.

I sat quietly.

I meditated.

I thought -

perhaps I thought of you....

hello

May 2021 offer a new beginning leading to personal growth.

May 2021 bring many good things.

 Barb

(comments closed)

Winter Solstice - the Joy of Light

We ski into the forest at dawn to welcome Winter Solstice.

Weak light shines dimly between trees.

The sun rises higher as we climb.

I'm mesmerized as light permeates and transforms darkness.

This day, this hour, this moment receive my full attention...

lighting darkness...

infusing joy.

may lightness of being guide me:

penetrate darkness

cast out shadows

and

create stillness

in my soul

Winter Solstice

December 21, 2020

Daybreak

(comments closed)

photos iPhone 11pro

Small Stone - Waning Light

late afternoon

weary sun casting shadows

making pillows on the snow

as I glide homeward

Small Stone - Immaculate Beauty

A blog friend from India used  "immaculate" beauty to describe one of my snow scenes on Instagram. 

That description seems totally apt for the fresh fallen snow I often photograph. 

I'm charmed by the implications of the word.

the purity of first light on fresh snow scrubs my soul clean

time stands still - the pristine landscape unfolds

a world unto itself - perfection

immaculate beauty

Thank you Arti for being an inspiration - you're my one good thing today.

(comments closed)

Small Stone - Happy 2020!

I started this blog in 2011 to participate in an international Small Stone writing challenge. A Small Stone is a brief, mindful observation that may take the form of poetry or journaling. Some of the blog friends I made through the years of writing stones still use the practice to encourage introspection and creativity. 

Daily, for the month of January, I share stones to welcome a fresh start. 

I often use a photo as part of the stone.

golden light offers the illusion of warmth on this chilly dawn of a new year

Happy 2020!

(comments closed)

Day by Day - One Good Thing

We've been away from our Colorado mountain home for nearly a month.

Friends send us photos of snow in Breckenridge.

Here in S California, there is mist over the ocean when we awake.

Morning light is soft as waves surge forward crashing against rock.

Each day, we walk to exercise.

Some of the people we pass recognize us now.

We smile and greet each other.

We're friendly strangers.

One day in the grocery store, a man (another customer) started talking to me.

He was originally from the Middle East where his family had a farm stand.

He wanted to teach me how to find the best oranges.

Taking a pocket knife from his jacket, he insisted I taste one.

I wondered briefly about the cleanliness of his knife.

Also, was it OK to just take an orange?

However, he was insistent, so I complied.

The orange he chose from the pile was delicious. 

He cut it in segments, watching while I ate, the juice dripping off my chin.

Finally, he wondered why I was visiting in California.

Telling him my husband is receiving cancer treatment, I felt the sting of tears in my eyes.

Gently, he drew me into a hug and whispered, "I will pray for you both."

For the rest of the day, the scent of oranges lingered on my skin.

I'll remember kindness now whenever I smell oranges.

Each weekday Bob receives a proton radiation treatment. Today is #10.

When he reaches 28, we can go home to Colorado.

Meanwhile, we smile at strangers and accept their kindness.

Always (ALWAYS!) there is One Good Thing.

(comments closed)