Or shall i title it 'no apparent change'? But i borrowed that one from 'The Northern Wall'. Thanks, anyway.
It stopped snowing.
Everything looks white and as it already did for quite a while, so,
no apparent change.
But all the paths i have been diligently making are gone.
I shovel a bit and then go for a walk. Just down the driveway, now all my paths are snowed over. There still will be a base somewhere underneath, but i cannot see where. And i don't feel up for any strenuous exercise anyway.
The sky is nicely striped. whites, greys, blues. And when i first leave some pinks of the early morning.
As there is no other way to go, i turn onto the road. Blessed as i am, we are second last on this road, so not much change to meet any traffic.
But if you know me, i find it hard to just stay on the beaten track.
And when i see a still visible path going uphill, i take it anyway. It's not bad actually. No worse then what i get myself normally into.
I come out halfway up 'crocus hill'.
That's where i sit down by a spruce tree. I try to still my mind. Lots of chattering there lately.
The sky is still striped. The sun behind the clouds. The mountains clearly visible, but because of the way the sky is striped, bands of light shade and bands of light light. In front of the mountains also some wispy clouds. And some mountain tops connected by those clouds. All very subtle.
Sky , Mountains, no apparent difference.
First i sit, then rest on my elbow. Till i just lay down.
The spruce branches, with snow on top, look pretty neat from underneath.
But the Sky! The sky is GLORIOUS.
Look up and you will see.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Takhini river valley
It is snowing out side, big time.
I am listening to 'Tibetan Incantations'.
Thanks Aria, very soothing.
Yesterday i did go for that ski with Virginia.
This is as far as we got.
No river in sight. Here the set trail stopped, we could have gone on breaking trail.
But Virginia, had not been there all winter i think. And that would mean very deep snow, and going down the slope, you see towards the right.
I always like to see, how the land is made through the time. Here we are i think by an old river bank of that Takhini river, who knows 1000s of years ago.
I will dig out the specific map today, to see how far that river is now, at that particular point. Virginia says, "oh, it's still quite a ways.
Looking out over her farm, i do see blue sky.
Oh Faith, about the sounds, you gotta come out and we both have to go investigating, in the dark i am too scared alone. (Just kidding.) And i haven't heard anymore strange sounds, outside that is.
I am listening to 'Tibetan Incantations'.
Thanks Aria, very soothing.
Yesterday i did go for that ski with Virginia.This is as far as we got.
No river in sight. Here the set trail stopped, we could have gone on breaking trail.
But Virginia, had not been there all winter i think. And that would mean very deep snow, and going down the slope, you see towards the right.
I always like to see, how the land is made through the time. Here we are i think by an old river bank of that Takhini river, who knows 1000s of years ago.
I will dig out the specific map today, to see how far that river is now, at that particular point. Virginia says, "oh, it's still quite a ways.
Looking out over her farm, i do see blue sky.
Oh Faith, about the sounds, you gotta come out and we both have to go investigating, in the dark i am too scared alone. (Just kidding.) And i haven't heard anymore strange sounds, outside that is.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Strange sounds in the woods
This morning i was standing outside in the moonlight. And hear some strange sounds.
I still send Alexander off to school, get up with him and such. It's his last year in high school. He took the car today not the bus.
About the sounds later, because he just phoned. I left a message for him to phone me when he arrives at school.
Because on the local radio we heard that the school bus is stuck. Now being the worrier i am, i forgot to tell him that the roads are very slippy. Yesterday driving, i would sometimes feel the car slightly sliding of to the side, down the camber of the road.
He arrived safely! Reassuringly he says sweetly,"i am a good driver mom."
Anyway the sounds; faintly, almost human. It's not birds or a coyote. Neither a distant dog.
At the end i just wonder if it's the wind blowing around something at the neighbor's.
I guess i never know.
Today i do want to start making some strange sounds. (oops i always did anyway)
As in words on paper, well on screen, nowadays.
For the longest time i wanted my stories here on the blog to mean more then just an account of my nature experiences. To me they always meant so much more, somehow.
Thank you, who already figured that anyway.
Now it seems that it was just me standing in the dark.
This is yesterday's poem, which started shaping in my head visiting a neighbor.
Today i fell in love, again
I saw a path so smooth and straight
Right through wide open space
heading for a hidden river bank
Come out someday and ski
Virginia said
Of course i cannot wait
Now i wonder
What kind of lover would you be?
Would you take me to a secret meadow right beside the stream
Would you take me to the cliffs above the river
Would you take me to a broad and open view of a waving ribbon
Or does this path abruptly end
the brush to thick
Reaching no river after all
I still send Alexander off to school, get up with him and such. It's his last year in high school. He took the car today not the bus.
About the sounds later, because he just phoned. I left a message for him to phone me when he arrives at school.
Because on the local radio we heard that the school bus is stuck. Now being the worrier i am, i forgot to tell him that the roads are very slippy. Yesterday driving, i would sometimes feel the car slightly sliding of to the side, down the camber of the road.
He arrived safely! Reassuringly he says sweetly,"i am a good driver mom."
Anyway the sounds; faintly, almost human. It's not birds or a coyote. Neither a distant dog.
At the end i just wonder if it's the wind blowing around something at the neighbor's.
I guess i never know.
Today i do want to start making some strange sounds. (oops i always did anyway)
As in words on paper, well on screen, nowadays.
For the longest time i wanted my stories here on the blog to mean more then just an account of my nature experiences. To me they always meant so much more, somehow.
Thank you, who already figured that anyway.
Now it seems that it was just me standing in the dark.
This is yesterday's poem, which started shaping in my head visiting a neighbor.
Today i fell in love, again
I saw a path so smooth and straight
Right through wide open space
heading for a hidden river bank
Come out someday and ski
Virginia said
Of course i cannot wait
Now i wonder
What kind of lover would you be?
Would you take me to a secret meadow right beside the stream
Would you take me to the cliffs above the river
Would you take me to a broad and open view of a waving ribbon
Or does this path abruptly end
the brush to thick
Reaching no river after all
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Woodpecker tree
This tree is in the back here, on the neighbours property actually. Mostly for me to enjoy. We each have 20 acres and no need for fences.
I didn't go very far today. When i got up with my men it was snowing and still dark anyway. I went back to bed, because i haven't been sleeping very much lately. With that moon out during the day, why not sleep a bit too.
Pelly rescued me! It is always amazing how when i don't feel so energetic, somebody gets me out. Pelly wanted to snowboard in the yard here and urged me; "come and look!" Thanks Pelly! Once i 'm out i always feel better.
I clear a bench and watch for a while, put on my snowshoes and reset the trails around the house.
There are sill clumps of old snow on the trees, but now fresh snow blown into the twigs.
I like these emoticons, the one for Laughing :D, but now i wonder what is the one for dancing, shouldn't that be D? Because that's what i do mostly today, dance around the house a bit.
Tomorrow back to work, for two whole days, yuck! :D
Monday, February 2, 2009
Colors in the clouds
Or my head in the clouds?
So off North i go this morning. The clouds still pinkish, from the morning sun, but mostly blue sky. (does that mean, still 6 weeks weeks of winter? well that's good! That means spring will be early.)
I ski the first part on established ski trails. Carry my snowshoes on my back. In May 2008 when i started this blog, i went this way every other day to check the Birch and later to collect the sap. Now all winter not even an animal has taken the trail.
I switch to snowshoes.
My snow shoes sink in deep. And that bit of crust in the middle somewhere, i break through it. Needless to say i go very slow. But it is glorious. February is exactly what it is supposed to be in my book.-5C today.
(when was it? Feb.2007; -47C)
It is hard work though, i only come as far as the top of a drumlin. I can see the Birch on top of the hill, they have a reddish shine to them. Very different then all the poplar here (quacking aspen). What i do come through is a little forest of Pine trees. I love those too, they are nice and light green compared to the spruce, and more...feminine somehow. About Pine; that doesn't grow around our house, because apparently it needs a forest fire to germinate its seeds. And here at this spot there is definitely some sign of fire, which could be in this semi-arid climate, 60 years ago.(something else to find out)
On my way home, i see that the moon is up already.
And then above my house there is this big interesting cloud. As i flop on a chair on my little deck, colors start to show. I have never seen this. And if you have a name for this phenomena, please let me know. Its a cloud above the sun.
With a sky like that, i sing along with the Jerusalem Passion by Australian composer Murray Wylie (thanks anonymous) my version conducted by Hans Malta, and one of the choirs Les Sirenes (my sister's, Ank)
So off North i go this morning. The clouds still pinkish, from the morning sun, but mostly blue sky. (does that mean, still 6 weeks weeks of winter? well that's good! That means spring will be early.)
I ski the first part on established ski trails. Carry my snowshoes on my back. In May 2008 when i started this blog, i went this way every other day to check the Birch and later to collect the sap. Now all winter not even an animal has taken the trail.
I switch to snowshoes.
My snow shoes sink in deep. And that bit of crust in the middle somewhere, i break through it. Needless to say i go very slow. But it is glorious. February is exactly what it is supposed to be in my book.-5C today.(when was it? Feb.2007; -47C)
It is hard work though, i only come as far as the top of a drumlin. I can see the Birch on top of the hill, they have a reddish shine to them. Very different then all the poplar here (quacking aspen). What i do come through is a little forest of Pine trees. I love those too, they are nice and light green compared to the spruce, and more...feminine somehow. About Pine; that doesn't grow around our house, because apparently it needs a forest fire to germinate its seeds. And here at this spot there is definitely some sign of fire, which could be in this semi-arid climate, 60 years ago.(something else to find out)
On my way home, i see that the moon is up already.
And then above my house there is this big interesting cloud. As i flop on a chair on my little deck, colors start to show. I have never seen this. And if you have a name for this phenomena, please let me know. Its a cloud above the sun.
With a sky like that, i sing along with the Jerusalem Passion by Australian composer Murray Wylie (thanks anonymous) my version conducted by Hans Malta, and one of the choirs Les Sirenes (my sister's, Ank)
Deep dark forest
A poem, again?
I like to say the following poem was inspired by an early arrival of an eagle.(the groundhog is not expected till May). The eagles not expected till the end of this month.
Or by the endless expanses of snow, which i think have similarities to a desert.
Or that i just long for summer.
But that all would be a lie
It came out of the deep dark forest of my own emotions.
The first 5 lines borrowed from a song i often listen too from the Jerusalem Passion.I'll find out by whom, my sister sings in it, in an accompanying choir.
Where are the eagles
Where are the eagles
Why don't they hear, why don't they see?
And why don't they fly home
No, he is not in the desert
Not in all that openness
In all that sweltering heat
I fall in the sand
feeling every grain with my skin
My mouth can not speak
And anyone reading this, don't worry now. I am not going to write poetry.
I am doing just fine, doing the way i do, taking you on my trips in the wilderness.
Today i will go North, finding some solace at big birch trees
I like to say the following poem was inspired by an early arrival of an eagle.(the groundhog is not expected till May). The eagles not expected till the end of this month.
Or by the endless expanses of snow, which i think have similarities to a desert.
Or that i just long for summer.
But that all would be a lie
It came out of the deep dark forest of my own emotions.
The first 5 lines borrowed from a song i often listen too from the Jerusalem Passion.I'll find out by whom, my sister sings in it, in an accompanying choir.
Where are the eagles
Where are the eagles
Why don't they hear, why don't they see?
And why don't they fly home
No, he is not in the desert
Not in all that openness
In all that sweltering heat
I fall in the sand
feeling every grain with my skin
My mouth can not speak
And anyone reading this, don't worry now. I am not going to write poetry.
I am doing just fine, doing the way i do, taking you on my trips in the wilderness.
Today i will go North, finding some solace at big birch trees
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Bison!
February.
My favorite month. I get to sit out on the deck. The sun warm again, the snow reflecting it. Today started cool, the sun came out, with a speck of snow falling once in a while. But pleasant enough to indeed sit outside.
Don and i had planned to go skidoing today.
But my husband, well.. i don't go in details.
I get the skidoos ready. Which i do need his help with. He gets so crouchy.
Guess what i compare him with.
Indeed a big old Buffalo.
A good provider, but watch out.
So first i go for a spin by myself. You know i just don't like skidoing that much.
I am not very good at it, feel insecure, get stuck etc.
It's a family thing. When Don is with me , i love it. I would still rather be the one riding in the skiff (being pulled along) But Don prefers if i ride my own skidoo. A little Bravo by the way.
After i do 2 spins, clear some snow, watch the birds, he is finally up to it.
Off we go! Following a wide trail. (It's a hunter thing, i can't tell you where...) cutting through the forest, out in the open on a bluff, into a deep dark forest.
It's a joy to see Don ride. He is so good; where i would get stuck , he stands up, leans over and revs up.
Following a levee,the trees here still laden with snow, out on a meadow. Lots of days old Bison tracks. On to a winding narrow trail in the forest.
We are in thick big willow bush, i see the meadow through an opening ahead.
Suddenly Don stops.
I see it too, scramble for the camera, wish i would have gotten a picture of the willows too. But they are running!
They do actually stand still once and a while. I don't know if that is because of the deep snow, or is that actually how they flee; watching where the perceived danger actually is.
As sudden as we saw them, they have disappear in the woods.
Don takes off like a rocket. (I imagine now what my brother went through hunting with Don, that's another story, far more exciting, but not mine to tell.)
He doesn't follow the Bison, but maybe he is wondering if he can see them again on the other side of the forest. Thank goodness there is his skidoo tracks to follow for me. Eventually i do catch up with him. But because of the speed, my hat always gets undone. while adjusting it, i push my contact lens away from my pupil. Now i am half sighted. What a life!
Good and frozen we arrive home before dark.
The photos maybe not perfect, well they're perfect for being wild, we're not in the zoo here(although).
But what joy to share them right away, by the means of this wonderful blogging.
My favorite month. I get to sit out on the deck. The sun warm again, the snow reflecting it. Today started cool, the sun came out, with a speck of snow falling once in a while. But pleasant enough to indeed sit outside.
Don and i had planned to go skidoing today.
But my husband, well.. i don't go in details.
I get the skidoos ready. Which i do need his help with. He gets so crouchy.
Guess what i compare him with.
Indeed a big old Buffalo.
A good provider, but watch out.
So first i go for a spin by myself. You know i just don't like skidoing that much.
I am not very good at it, feel insecure, get stuck etc.
It's a family thing. When Don is with me , i love it. I would still rather be the one riding in the skiff (being pulled along) But Don prefers if i ride my own skidoo. A little Bravo by the way.
After i do 2 spins, clear some snow, watch the birds, he is finally up to it.
Off we go! Following a wide trail. (It's a hunter thing, i can't tell you where...) cutting through the forest, out in the open on a bluff, into a deep dark forest.
It's a joy to see Don ride. He is so good; where i would get stuck , he stands up, leans over and revs up.
Following a levee,the trees here still laden with snow, out on a meadow. Lots of days old Bison tracks. On to a winding narrow trail in the forest.
We are in thick big willow bush, i see the meadow through an opening ahead.
Suddenly Don stops.
I see it too, scramble for the camera, wish i would have gotten a picture of the willows too. But they are running!
They do actually stand still once and a while. I don't know if that is because of the deep snow, or is that actually how they flee; watching where the perceived danger actually is.
As sudden as we saw them, they have disappear in the woods.
Don takes off like a rocket. (I imagine now what my brother went through hunting with Don, that's another story, far more exciting, but not mine to tell.)
He doesn't follow the Bison, but maybe he is wondering if he can see them again on the other side of the forest. Thank goodness there is his skidoo tracks to follow for me. Eventually i do catch up with him. But because of the speed, my hat always gets undone. while adjusting it, i push my contact lens away from my pupil. Now i am half sighted. What a life!
Good and frozen we arrive home before dark.
The photos maybe not perfect, well they're perfect for being wild, we're not in the zoo here(although).
But what joy to share them right away, by the means of this wonderful blogging.
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