Life: Through the Lens

Snow Days! Oh my, how I do love snow days.  It is obviously a throw-back from my years teaching, as there is no "reason" to celebrate the day.  It is cold.  You can't get out because of snow and ice.  Meetings are cancelled or postponed.  But I think that's what makes it special for those of us with lots of hobbies and activities.  The first question seems to be "What should I do today?"  And there are lots of choices!    You can obviously shovel a path for the dog...because she couldn't possibly do her "business" when the snow is so deep and cold! (Have you read the book by Judy King titled The Bent-Handled Snow Shovel?  Humorous memoir...fun read!) https://www.amazon.com/Bent-Handled-Snowshovel-Judy-King/dp/1939502470/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3RDYVJTRULV5I&keywords=the+bent+handled+snow+shovel+book&qid=1705353689&sprefix=the+bent+handled+snow+shovel+book%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1 Or, you could stay in doors and watch the wildlife loo...

I have this lovely new point-and-shoot, but can't get the photos off of it!  Apparently wireless is the way to go now, so I have to figure out how to follow the directions that make no sense in order for that to happen.  This being said, I can't do my updated "comparison" post yet, so decided to focus on one of my favorites subjects - critters. The title of this post is Paying Attention, and that is what you really have a to do to find the little creatures who live amongst us.  You also have to be cautious, and quiet, and patient...and like to get up early.  Does this describe you?  I can be any of those characteristics, but it is so hard to do it all at once! There was a morning a couple of weeks ago where I said to my husband, "That's it!  I am getting up and going to take photos.  You are on dog duty.  Okay?"  I jumped (6:15) grabbed my camera with the close-up lens, tripod, a sweatshirt...and headed out to the field out ba...

Getting back in the swing of things.  I began my teaching commitments this week, though my house is not clean, a mountain of postcards, brochures and maps have yet to find a home, and I am not even close to figuring out how I will organize, yet alone display, selections of photographs from our trip.  And that is life, isn't it? The trip seems a bit of a blur, as we work our way toward fall, but it is nice to have beautiful interludes close to home to give us moments of quiet and reflection.  Though we saw many wild animals, and beautiful flora everywhere we went, I love having the same opportunities close to home. It is always good to have that reminder that though travel and seeing new places presents opportunity for growth and adventure, there are also times when looking out your own window, or walking your own neighborhood, are just as rewarding. However, I am NOT sure I am quite ready to give up my summer to the unquestionable beauty and...

Yes, there is a lot of flying in Alaska.  Part of the reason is so many of the towns are in the "bush," far away from roadways and what we consider normal travel ways. But there is also a LOT of fishing.  We knew that, and Daryl brought his equipment, but we had no idea what we would find as we explored some various nooks and crannies of the Kenai Peninsula. A family at our campground and their catch right in our lake - Rainbow Trout. The Salmon are Running We had always heard about the Salmon Runs, and knew there were specific areas here in Alaska which catered to those die-hard fishermen who wanted that big catch. But we had no idea what it really meant to be part of this run. Available at all boat launches we saw, life jackets! First of all, there is float fishing, fly fishing, sport fishing, commercial fishing, and net dipping.   And probably more.   We are new to the intricacies of this very important way of life in a country which st...

Oh my goodness, how I do love to photograph wildlife.  And it is just wonderful to be armed with prior knowledge about where you might see some amazing animals on your journey!  Thank you, Canada!  We loved the signage in British Columbia and the Yukon Territory which gave us a heads-up as to what we might have a chance of seeing. And sometimes we were rewarded for being ready for anything.  Though there was not always a sign, there were sometimes surprises around many curves, waiting to get our blood pumping! Since we arrived in Alaska yesterday, we are seeing some amazing landscapes, and enough airplanes to keep my pilot husband VERY happy!  No wild animals have appeared before us, but we know there are moose and bear in our area.  We shall see how the next few weeks unfold.  Anchorage is our location at the moment, and in the next couple of days we will head south, enjoying the Kenai Peninsula.  The quote of the day: "When ...

Have you noticed that the hottest topic around seems to be the weather?  The snow is melting in Sochi, it's icing in Atlanta, there is 13 feet+ of snow in parts of Michigan.  The temperatures are below zero...not just a little bit, but in the double digits!  The sun shines maybe once a week and the wind blows cold and strong.  The drive to work is dangerous, and children can't go to school because it's too cold to stand outside at a bus stop. And life goes on.  I do live in one of those states which has a reputation for fickle weather...and lots of it. I grew up hearing:  If you don't like the weather in Michigan, wait five minutes.  Or was that two minutes?  Or ten?  Not remembering exactly, I did an Internet search.  The results both surprised, and irritated me! If you don't like the weather in Texas... Just blink! If You Don't Like The Weather in Chicago, wait a minute. If you don't like the weather in Michigan, wait five mi...