Cold As Ice

Just last week I was complaining about the weather---it was too warm! I know, that sounds a lot like the rantings of a crazy woman, complaining about temperatures in the forties in January. But, I had a reason to complain. I was worried that it would be too warm for the ice festival. Every year, Plymouth, Michigan holds an ice festival in the heart of the city, Kellogg Park. And, almost every year, the warmest temperatures of the winter seem to occur during the festival. Some years it rains and visitors wander around the park, under their umbrellas, trying to identify the rapidly melting statues. Other years, the temperatures are so warm that the carvers seem to be making slush creations.

This year, with perfect timing, the weather turned icy cold, with temperatures falling into the single digits. I got up early this morning, dressing myself in multiple layers and driving downtown just in time to see the sun rise. Watching the first rays of sun shining through the ice carvings was worth the price of frozen fingers.

Happy New Year !

Here's to a joyful 2012 !

This year may you discover unexpected wonders and beauty.

Seasons Greetings

I found these cutouts last week while walking around downtown. All they needed were two faces to fill the holes. So, with the help of a couple of my favorite cards: my niece Amanda and her friend, Kim, I'm sending you a little holiday greeting. I hope you take some time to have fun wandering about exploring the season, too.

First Snow

And so it begins...the first snowfall of winter. Luckily it didn't stick to the sidewalks; by late morning it had melted off of the cars. I guess this means I should dig out the snow shovels before we get a real snow storm. The snow's pretty now, but it won't be long before it's whining time again.

Nutty Behavior

I watched a little neighborhood drama unfold while I ate my breakfast yesterday. One of the chipmunks who live under my deck, poked his head out his front door, perhaps to see if it was a good time for him to gather his breakfast. A red squirrel also noticed him and decided to investigate. The chipmunk must have said something rude, because the squirrel didn't stick around too long. After the squirrel left, the chipmunk came out again, sniffed the rock by his front door, and with an indignant, "harrumph" went back to collecting his breakfast.

Playing With Numbers

For the last week I've been working on a photo project involving prime numbers, specifically the numbers 17 and 19. I've been borrowing sports jerseys from neighbors, making a nuisance of myself in the aisles of Home Depot and taking my camera with me to bowling. Basically, I'm participating in a weird numerical scavenger hunt. It took an even stranger turn when I located a stash of hockey bobble heads. Luckily for me there was a #17--Brett Hull and a #19--Steve Yzerman. The craziness began while trying to decide where to photograph them. It seemed to me the only place to photograph hockey players was on the ice. Since the only ice I could find was in the freezer, you'll understand why Brett is eyeing a giant stack of ice cube trays and Stevie is next to a tower of frozen bacon.

Fall Colors

I went hiking this weekend, in the hopes of finding a bit of local fall color, although it was pretty late in the season. It seems like all of the leaves in my neighborhood have fallen, except for the ones on the trees in my yard. I think they are waiting until after the city has finished their final leaf pick-up for the year and the snow plows are out on the roads. There's nothing like shoveling freshly fallen snow and leaves at the same time.

It was a beautiful sunny day, though and I enjoyed myself. I didn't locate any "grand vistas" but by taking my time and looking beyond the obvious, I saw some fascinating sights.