Picture a Day #343 – Home for the Holidays

It’s hard to believe the winter holidays are almost here, especially when I have marigolds blooming in the planter box on my porch. I’m cleaning and packing, preparing to go home for a two week break.

Christmas marigolds

It’s true that teachers get a lot of breaks from work. But we had to relocate for Sam’s teaching job, so we have to rent a place to live during the school year, and figure out what to do with the home we own. In the current real estate market, our options are limited.

This may be our last Christmas in the home where we have lived for the past seventeen years. That’s longer than I have lived anywhere in my life. We are gradually settling into our new community, but it is very hard to let go of our old one.

The kids have grown up and are in the midst of establishing themsleves. Now it’s just the two of us. Starting over again is always hard, but we are fortunate to be among those all over the country who are also starting over with new jobs in a tough economy.

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Picture a Day #342 – Holiday Travel

I caught sight of this jet passing overhead in the afternoon, and it reminded me of my traveling son. He is flying through the midwestern storm today, on his way to New York. I can close my eyes and see a multitude of airplanes crossing the country, carrying travelers to spend the holidays with loved ones.

airborne jet

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Picture a Day #341 – A Gift

For my birthday today, I received an honest-to-goodness hardcover book. I can’t remember the last time I read a hardcover book. I hardly know how to behave around it.

First, I think I’ll admire it for a while. I might carry it from room to room until I find a place to put it where I won’t forget to pick it up and read it. Perhaps I’ll write my name inside the cover.

My brand new book, with its crisp dust jacket, is Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver. When I first discovered this talented author, I read Pigs in Heaven. Then I went to a used book store and bought every novel that I could find by Ms. Kingsolver, in paperback. I read them all. The last one I finished was The Poisonwood Bible. That took me awhile.

Flight Behavior

Then I flitted among several other authors. But now I am back. I’m ready for a new adventure.

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Picture a Day #340 – Yellowstone Wildlife

During a July trip to Yellowstone National Park, we saw a variety of wildlife. Bison and elk are commonly seen creatures throughout the park. Occasionally a visitor may see a grizzly at a distance. If you are out and about near dawn and dusk you may catch a glimpse of a wolf in some areas of the park. Moose are sometimes seen, along with the occasional coyote or fox. Canada geese tend to congregate.

There are some less conspicuous critters that hang out as well. Those who stick to the roads may not get a view of the plentiful trout within the park.

Yellowstone trout

This white pelican posed for me at the water’s edge.

white pelican Yellowstone

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Picture a Day #339 – Coyotes and Christmas

We have been visited the past month by a steady parade of stormy weather. After the dry conditions earlier this year in California, the rain is welcome, but can lead to a cooped-up feeling.

We were surprised today by a pair of coyotes on the hill behind the cabin. They were in sight for too short a time to get a photo, but what a treat. We don’t have any livestock to be concerned with, so Sam and I were able to appreciate them for their graceful movement and beautiful coats. The telltale signs that identified them were their large ears and fluffy tails.

Coyote

This photo is courtesy of Dreampusher.

Later in the day, we drove to Nevada City to see the Victorian Christmas. The downtown area was blocked off to traffic, and craft and food booths were set up in the middle of the street. Children and adults played their instruments along the sidewalk, and a light drizzle did not prevent steady foot traffic.

Victorian Christmas

This photo is courtesy of Nevada City Chamber of Commerce.

We stopped into Pete’s Pizza for a slice and some ale, warming ourselves enough to venture outside again. It was a great way to spend a cold, wet afternoon, and chased away the stale indoor air from our lungs.

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Picture a Day #338 – A Trip to Yellowstone

On a visit to Yellowstone National Park, there is so much to see and do, that you can’t bear to waste a minute of your time. After setting up camp in the northeastern section of the park, we drove the northern loop before nightfall. One of our destinations was Tower Fall on the Yellowstone River.

Tower Falls, Yellowstone RiverBy the time we reached Nymph Lake we were losing light, but it was still a lovely sight to see. We enjoyed our view of some hot pools from a wooden walkway.

hot pools YellowstoneWhen the moon sent us back to our campground, I couldn’t wait to continue our adventure the next morning.

Yellowstone moon

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Picture a Day #337 – Surviving Tragedy

On a day like today, nothing makes sense. Why anyone would turn their rage against innocent children, in a place that should be safe: a school, is only one of many questions we have. There are no answers, only more questions.

It’s human to point the finger of blame when faced with tragedy. If only someone had done something to prevent this terrible act. It’s a horrible mistake.

Each of us must look inside of ourselves and affirm our deepest-held beliefs. Then we must live them. When we take care of each other, we know that we are not alone.

inverted sunset

Today’s post is dedicated to the community of Newtown, Connecticut. You are not alone.

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Picture a Day #336 – American Bison

In mid-July 2008, my husband Sam and I arrived in Yellowstone National Park for the first time. We drove into the park by way of the Beartooth Highway, which leads to the northeastern entrance.

Although we were lucky to get a campsite, I was disturbed by a report of a bear attack just outside the park. Nevertheless, we set up our tent and took a drive before dark. No trip to Yellowstone is complete without the presence of American Bison.This group posed on a convenient hillside, oblivious to our presence.

Yellowstone bisonThe next day, this buffalo appeared unperturbed by traffic.

Yellowstone buffalo

The only Grizzly I saw on this trip was through a spotting scope. Less dramatic than a closer view, but much safer.

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Picture a Day #335 – Beartooth Highway

Beartooth Mountains WY 5On our cross-country adventure of 2008, we took Beartooth Highway from Red Lodge, Montana to Cooke City, Montana, dipping into Wyoming to climb Beartooth Pass and cross the Beartooth Mountains.

Beartooth Mountains WY 2

The scenery is more than spectacular, rivaling Trail Ridge Road in Northern Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.

Beartooth Mountains WY 3Beartooth Highway leads the traveler to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. I hope you enjoy the view as you climb with me into the alpine environment.

Beartooth Mountains WY 4

 

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Picture a Day #334 – Goose Step

I stopped on my way home today to photograph the Canada geese that were feeding in a pasture near the edge of town, and saw something new.

Grass Valley goose step

I have never seen a goose step before. I think it’s very comical looking.

pair of Grass Valley geese

These geese were very serious about their mealtime. As I approached the edge of the field where they congregated, they moved away from where I stood. As I retreated, they moved back again. They are magnificent birds, and fun to watch. I would have stayed longer, but it was too cold for me. I guess I need some feathers.

Grass Valley goose

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