I Miss the Winter Sun

After awhile, I realized the deer weren't following my trail, I was following the deer trails! With the additional snow we received earlier in the week, plus the blowing winds during midweek, I quickly realized I was in for a good snowshoe workout today. Breaking a new trail was the theme for today..... all the way.

The men-folk came out today for a little ice fishing. I was happy Bike man could get outside for the afternoon. Looks like the single digit temperatures will return for next week. Boy oh boy, winter is starting to drag on and it's getting on my nerves!

The fish were not really biting today, but this small Northern hit around 5 pm. Not a keeper, so back in the hole it went!

I sure hope I see some sunshine tomorrow.....I really need it.

What Do You Think?

What do you think.....this Kindle E-Reader thing?

Does it look like a book?

Does it feel like a book? I don't know.....I have mixed feeling about turning the pages with the 5-way controller button. I'm still scratching my head when it comes to electronic books. I think I might miss the glossy colorful book jackets, and the feel of paper, and the physical touch or the heaviness of a real book. I've always preferred hardcovers verses trade books (soft covers). Well, I guess this is part of my job ya know.....being a techie librarian and all. But hey, I don't have to LOVE it, just learn it!!!!

Every Morning I.......

Never under estimate winter and the beauty of it's contours and textures. Every morning on my drive to work, I see the art work of nature. It's just wired in me! If only I had time to stop and soak in all the beauty. Surprisingly, there's no artist involved in what I see..... just mother nature at her best.

Do you take the time to look around outdoors to see the beauty.....the beauty of nature?

Pink

It dawned on me while I was driving home tonight that this was one of the few days of complete sunshine. I caught the very last glimps of the setting sun as I drove home tonight....it was so beautiful....so brillant orange. And then of course the orange turned to pink. I couldn't resist stopping the car tonight to take a photo. With an outdoor temperature around zero degrees, my picture taking was short and sweet.

No snowshoeing tonight. Just home sweet home.....and freshly baked bread!!!

Measure of Toughness

There's something about transitioning into February that always makes me feel hopeful.....hopeful that winter is halfway over. When you live in the Midwest, winter becomes annoying....like a pain or ache that keeps coming back to irritate you!

With the winds blowing and the snow drifting late this afternoon, I chose to stop by the fitness center after work for an elliptical workout. My physical body was there, but not my mind, or should I say not my heart. I love the outdoors and I look forward to the elements as much as possible. I think I need to work on my "toughness" and not let myself get too soft!!!! Single digit temperatures over the next few days so it's certainly a challenge to one's toughness.

Into the Darkness

I felt like the creature of the night trudging through the snow in winter darkness. The snow was hitting my face as I broke through 4-5 inches of new snow. Very peaceful.

I slipped into my snowshoes (boots already in the bindings) and took off at darkness. Halfway through my walk I rounded a corner as I headed into the bay area and immediately spotted these brown dots in front of me, just scattering. I knew it! I knew that sooner or later I would spot the creatures that wonder the lake ice during the darkness. The deer must have heard my snowy footsteps because those animals just bolted to the wooded shoreline and totally disappeared. I was hoping to see a fox or coyote, but no such luck tonight.

I finished my hour walk totally drenched in sweat. Those extra layers of snow took a toll on me tonight. Most important however, is that I got outside and enjoyed the winter air. It's all about the fresh air....it keeps your body healthy and your mind clear.

All About the Sunshine

The glitter was plentiful......everywhere I looked the snow just glistened.

As I walked along my snowshoe trail, I realized something had walked before me! Perhaps a coyote or fox.


The sun finally returned today....and it felt so nice.

A few fluffy clouds appeared and then quickly disappeared as the sun started to set in the Southwest sky.

Headed out on the big lake to take one more look at the ice shacks on Tainter Lake. Walked for about one and a half hours. Very pleasurable indeed. Bike man was absent this afternoon, as he was involved in a presentation kick-off for Sustainable Dunn (Dunn County) for the "year of the water." BM is gearing up for more lake and stream monitoring this spring and trying to recruit volunteers. Did I say spring? Just saying...........