Crayolas?

Do you know what this is?

 

Or this…

How about this….

Now you get the idea.

This is what the Netherlands looks like in Spring!

Isn’t it awesome!

I think I need to update my bucket list to include a visit to the Netherlands in spring-time.

Out & About – The Colors of January

When I started my blog a year or so ago my intention was to track my garden and outdoor shenanigans.  Nothing of much interest to anyone else.  Just for me.   I was OK with that.  The thing is that I am finding kindred spirits and find that I love to show what’s going on in my neck of the woods as much as I love seeing what’s going on everywhere else.

To the few who check in and read what I have to say and see my pictures, thank you but more importantly, thank you for sharing your world with me.

Without further ado, here’s what has happened in the last week in Massachusetts.

ANOTHER snow storm hit on January 12th and lasted all.day.long.  About 20”.

20 or so inches later…..

The troops arrived in droves the next day for clean up….and food!

Bird by bird, peck by peck, the crew was here to dig out the seed.

Within two days between the work crew and the sunshine, the seed was uncovered.

Oh!  Look!  A bird party!

A woodpecker, goldfinch and a bunch of bluebirds.

I  was thrilled to see bluebirds at this time of year.  Today I went to the seed shop and I was told that I was indeed lucky.  They do appear here and there in winter but not very frequently.  If you have the good fortune to have bluebirds you will notice that they tend to be in groups of 6-10.  That is their winter pattern.  Once the warmer weather comes they will become territorial and will only be found in pairs.  How lucky that they came upon my feeders!

When the winter doldrums hit, it is nice to see these flashes of color!

Unchartered Territory – The Pug & I

My butt has respectfully requested that I get off of it.  It is annoyed with me.  As am I, with it.  Soooooo……. before I have to resort to the treadmill (and the dreaded shin splints that I get while using it), I am getting out in the great outdoors.    So much more pleasurable.

So last week the Pug & I ventured over to the town reservoir.  I was there a awhile ago and it was not a great place for walking but a couple of years ago the Town set up a parking area and unbeknown to me, now there is somewhat of a path.  

Of course they are largely obscured by gazillions of leaves!

At this time of year any color on the forest floor POPS!

These little red berries, and I do mean little – the plants were only about 2 or 3 inches tall, just caught my eye amongst all of the brown.

Newborn evergreens I assume?

Mushrooms growing 20 (or so) feet up in the tree canopy.  Isn’t nature amazing??

I was kind of surprised to see this.  Probably a recent installation since the wood still looks kind of new.

 

One of God’s beautiful creatures….the swan.

They are curious creatures and approached us along the shoreline.

Probably hoping for food.  The Pug (aka city dog) had a bark-fest – they were not bothered in any way.

Can we go home now?  I’m thirsty……and pooped!

I have been down to the reservoir 4 or 5 times this past week and plan to do so until the snow comes.  I will post more about my adventures – boring as they may be!  Fun for me though.    And Elsa.   And my butt thanks me.

The First Miner Rescued in Chile

The first of the Chilean miners was rescued from the San Jose mine about 1 1/2 hours ago.   The thought of being contained 1/2 mile under the earth's surface for 69 days is much more than my mind can fathom.

Please pray that the other 32 are brought home safe and sound to their families.