Queens Creek

These shots of Queens Creek were taken during a recent froggy foggy spell.

The light was low,

and the colors rather drab.

The zoom on my new camera is pretty amazing, though.  I'm still in the novice stage and have too much lots to learn, but I am looking forward to getting out in warmer weather and experimenting.

Although these pictures may be a little drab and dull, my life has been anything but.  My son is spending the semester in Valencia, Spain.  It was a little nerve-wracking to send him off with really only blind faith that he was going to arrive safely and be OK.  But he seems to be flourishing and thriving.  I couldn't be more proud of him on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Daughter is also thriving in UVA's Architecture School.  She, too, is talking about studying abroad at some point.

In other news, we recently celebrated my father's 76th birthday. A grand event with fresh seafood, the party was a success except for the $50 Golden Corral gift card from Baby Sis that "went missing."  After two days of hand-wringing and "Can you look through that nasty garbage one more time to be sure we didn't throw it away?", I am pleased to announce said "missing" gift card was located safely in my mother's pocketbook, where it had been resting comfortably all along during all the commotion and associated hullabaloo.  *sigh*
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In two weeks, I take off for Dillon Beach, California, to reunite with dear friends I've made from this very blog.  Since we are short-staffed at work, and I am doing several people's jobs in addition to my own, to say that I'm excited for this little break away from everything is most assuredly an understatement.

Last but not least, I will be blogging for the Mathews County Visitor and Information Center starting next week. Once it's up and running, I'll link it here.

That's it from this neck of the woods.  Hope all is well where you are.

Snow II

After last Saturday's blizzard was all said and done, 

Sunday morning on Queens Creek looked like this.

These were taken with my new camera, which has more options and gadgets and functions and widgets than I know what to do with.  

At the moment.

But I am learning.

Slowly but surely.

Coinciding with the coldest weather of the season--and a blizzard--my heating system decided it'd had enough.  After several days of frigid indoor temperatures, I decided to move outdoors and build an igloo, which would be warmer it was determined that I need a new compressor.  

After wondering whether I should just up and move to Alaska, which surely was warmer, Mother Nature flipped the switch.  Lo and behold, the outdoor temperature raced up to the sixties, and all the snow disappeared.  

(Since I still don't have the replacement compressor yet, we're still able to ski and ice skate inside my house.)

A week later, every bit of evidence that there was a blizzard is gone.

I look forward to many more practice sessions with my new camera. 

Snow Storm

The Big News in Mathews County right now is this.

Snow.

Glorious, wonderful snow.

I've been amusing myself by feeding the birds.

There must be about 30 birds at or near my front yard feeder.

And a few brave souls have finally discovered the one out back, where all the wind is.

I've never quite understood why some people are so anti-snow.  I mean, I understand it can be a huge inconvenience.  It's a safety hazard if one has to travel and/or work.  I get it. 

But if I were otherwise going to be home, with the usual list of chores to complete?  I wholeheartedly welcome a permission slip from Mother Nature to stay inside and break from the normal routine.

Which is exactly why I am still in my pajamas at 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday, with absolutely no intention of changing--at all--today.  There's comfort food in the crock pot, and I'm admiring these beautiful birds in the winter wonderland that is just outside my window.

Thank you, Mother Nature, for permission to just be in the moment.  

To just be.  

With no expectations or requirements.

I am most grateful.