I can't think of anything great...so

Starting Thursday, I knew I was coming down with 'something'. My throat felt raw and hateful. I didn't have a temperature. So I wondered was it part of the jaw that hurt the day before?

Nope this was going to be some sort of cold.

After chores, I decided I wasn't going to let my throat keep me from at least going out to see the beautiful snowfall. We hadn't had any so far this year. We had a snowfall in December and that was gone by Christmas.

Besides, the cold air felt really good and I had plenty of energy. I wasn't going to waste a beautiful snow event just because I was getting a cold. 

[Funny but true story...when my sister and I were running distance road races and competing, we'd sometimes, get a cold. We decided to practice through our colds anyway. We were convinced that we'd beat our colds by running in the cold. You know, it sort of worked. Or maybe we were just young and invincible!]

The last time I had a serious cold was in 2009. I recall I had a fever of 101 and called into work and they said I couldn't call off. Even with a physician's note and a fever when I went the next day, I got lectured and given 'points' off and a 'warning'. Anyway that was long ago and I am rambling....

First I took care of the ladies who were having such a blast giving themselves snow baths and chasing each other around.

Here, my charming red heads telling me to hurry up with their sled full of hay.

With all the chores done and hubby taking a nap, I grabbed my two weather resistant cameras and took off to see the creek and swap out the trail cam SD card.

The trail down to the creek was getting snow filled and deep. I got down to the creek and noted that most of it was frozen with no water showing anywhere.

I went to find the areas where the water still flowed from the warm springs.

I was rather happy to find little bits of open water. It creates a beautiful magical scene with snow.

If you can find a spot that reflects the trees above, I consider that a bonus. The snow simplifies what is in the photo. The grasses are covered...

and the rocks get snow caps...

I got to this point and figured I'd better head back home, I'd told hubby that I was just going to the creek. I didn't tell him I'd get sidetracked by water, rocks, and reflections.

This is the same area that I found Bluebirds in earlier this winter. Three years ago I found Robins in the same area. Another time I saw so many of one type of bird here I was enthralled. I guess that is when I decided to try and find the names of birds.

So I stood for a few minutes and then heard a light tapping noise right above me.

Hello Chickadee! It then flew down in front of me.

...and then posed for me after getting a drink of water from the creek. 

Oh I was so tickled! And I took it as a sign to head home on a great note. The snow was still coming down. Below is my 'trail' along the creek. Whoops. I got too far out on the thin ice and broke through.

I do love my Muck Boots. I didn't get wet.

I was so happy at seeing the Chickadee that I called it a day. 

I got home, took off my coveralls, made lunch for hubby and went upstairs to sleep until evening chore time.

By then I was beyond miserable.

You know. When you think you are dead and maybe wish you were dead because it is so miserable?

Today I am coming out of it. I actually nearly feel human again.

I may even be able to take off my mask soon!

 

Peregrinate

 to travel or journey

especially on foot...

That is my word of the day. 

In a sense, it also means Wanderlust except the word specifies journeying on foot.

And I love to journey on foot. I love exploring. I like moving and always have. I used to run distances at one time, then I transferred that love to distance bicycling, then distance riding, and then back to 

Peregrinating.

After spending two weeks stuck indoors and dealing with multiple phone calls to prepare for surgery and after a year of terrible vision...

I shut the door and stepped out.

And the world was a wonder.

Charlie and I just wandered about through our creek bottom and admired the ice. The temperatures were warm but the sun rarely shines in this section of the creek so we were able to enjoy the frozen tundra.

Photo of me, now sporting hubby's fishing shades. Sorry, I'm not so great at selfies. 

Ice formation in the creek:

Hiking the creek:

The meadow:

The Girls, hiding out in the woods, staying in the sun and out of the winds:

The Boss:

Today we are going to traipse about at the Reserve in the areas that no longer have trails on the map.

Charlie and I enjoy being rovers and wandering together. 

I will throw one more word out for fun. 

We will maunder about, just idly exploring, collecting our thoughts, and wandering more or less.

The definition of the word is more explicitly about one who talks on aimlessly or moves about aimlessly...

That fits me also.

Color my dull world and oh dear...

Willow Trail...in IR. Yes, I know, it doesn't look real, but it is fun.

Near old Campsite G...

Pictured is one of the last column of an ancient bridge from when this land had been a community with farms on it. The column on the south side disappeared sometime in the past few floods. This is next to the now closed Equine Crossing. The first time I crossed the river here on a mule we followed a sandbar across. Buck was a pony mule and I get pretty wet. 

It was a wise move to eventually shut this crossing down but I can see people still use it. 

As a side note. Things have really changed in the past 30 years. LaFarge Rescue now holds drills on the river twice a year for rescues. Mostly for canoeists that get themselves in a bad jam. The Kickapoo River may look lazy and shallow but it has its moments. The drills have proven to be useful. Last spring the Rescue Squad had to do a water 'save' of two women who'd gone canoeing in the spring run off and got tangled in downed trees and roots.

Reflections of Spring?

Waiting...

Silence

It is still covered in rotten ice. But I imagine it will melt this weekend, the temps are supposed to get up near 60. 

The real life colors were dull brown, dull green, and a grey-cast ice with a blue sky. 

I like my version of the world. 

I like the appeal of doing something wildly different. 

I like how it can be black and white or wildly colorful. I can make trees yellow, pink, and purple among other things. I can leave the sky an apocalyptic orange/yellow or even and evil red if I wish.

My new camera assistant is doing quite well. He gets impatient and starts to whine if I spend too long in one spot.

I did tell Charlie that I wanted to paint him a nice bright color so he'd show up in photos much better. Too often, he is a tiny black dot moving through my pictures....

Oh well.

That all said.

Let's add insult to injury from Thursday! Can we? Oh yes we can!

I always carry a spare battery while hiking. I've learned that I can run low in colder weather.
I sprayed Oxy-cleaner on my hiking pants and tossed them in the wash. Oh. Someone FORGOT to check the pockets, right?

I washed my spare battery. Extra long wash. 

Yup.

Morning in the creek

This world of late...

has left me a bit uninspired.

I turn to the easy stuff.

You know, photography and light.

Hiking and working on pastures, yard, and garden.

I always feel a bit left out of something though. As if I am missing.

Missing what?

It could be the length of time we have closed ourselves off to the outside world.

86 days. But who is counting?

Who wants to see/read the news? I want to write how I feel about it and found myself trying to explain this verbally to Rich last night.

That didn't go well. I was watching peaceful protesters from all around the United States.

I understand that there are so many factors that have bubbled up and over-spilled into our society right now that it is a cauldron of simmering emotions, feelings, and indignation. 

I tried to explain it to him.

And I found myself really not very good at it. 

I know I feel unease inside of me. Some of the same horrified unease I had in 1968 when I watched Martin Luther King, protests, riots, calls for peace and not War. I wasn't sure of what to make of it all then except to know that things were very wrong.

And all that wrong-ness has not really changed. It has just simmered under the surface to pop up here and there.

So I take a walk down to the creek. The day is going to be hot. I walk along in partial darkness looking for some light.

I walk with Charlie up and down a small stretch of the creek exploring it through the view finder.

It takes my mind off this troubled world. It is my escape.

And in turn I look for beautiful things.

There are the rocks...

...and Greens

And..
then
the light
begins to appear through 
the
forest...

And then I begin to feel better. 

Refreshed and renewed.

At least for a bit.

I whistle.

Charlie and I head home.

Stuffs....

Do you remember how little Sven was???

He and Charlie were not that different in size!

Now 10 months later....

Wow!

Sven had an ear infection...I think. Lots of ear gunk for a while. Now he walks with his head tilted and his balance isn't as good as it could be. However his vitals are just fine and he seems normal.
His mom was sickly and his father had the same issues after he was a year old.
I wonder.

I guess I don't care because Sven is such a doll who has NO idea that he is a goat!

Here my hiking cohorts are when I took out the treats. Sven loves dog biscuits. Charlie prefers the bacon flavored ones. Go figure, I rattle the plastic bag and I am both of these guys' best-est pal!

Rich and his psychiatrist have 'new' rules for me. I am not to hover and watch over Rich reminding him to take his meds. I am to let go a bit of my 'mothering'. Rich feels well enough to express that and I have decided to stop being the major worry wort. His mood is much better and his health is tenuous still. But he is holding his own.

So there it is. I signed up for a Master Naturalist Class which starts in March on Monday nights. I am going hiking with my ex neighbor and two of her friends tonight for a candle light hike at Wildcat Mountain State Park. I have a 'date' to go trail running with a CrossFit pal next Tuesday afternoon.

This year feels different for me. New and exciting things are happening quickly.

I donated an Infrared Photo to OneEarthStudios for ArtShare Dare in Ohio. ONEarth Studios is run by my [ex] sister in law and her amazing family.
I had two folks from CrossFit  actually purchase some photos of mine!

Okay, I do not plan on becoming a pro. Phew. Nope, not me.

I've been asked to volunteer instruct kids for cross country skiing too! Smack my forehead! How fun could that be?

Kristi from CrossFit asked it I'd consider doing a trail race/run with her. Um. I am going to be 64 and she is 41. But she sure can be convincing.

I've always loved 'running' or jogging. Trail running? Well, if I had a pal to do it with...mayyybeee!
I looked at the map for the Tromp and Chomp and realized that I know the trails very well.

So watch out. I have 4 months to 'train'.

Yesterday, Charlie...Mr. Short Legs, ran through the hay fields and across country with me. I don't like road running anymore and besides, it was ice.
We did 3/4 of a mile before Charlie pooped out. I was not going to try and make his 3 inch legs go any longer than that so we walked the rest of our 'run'.

A mini doxxie is not really a distance runner. But, the important part is that we had so much fun!

I have not run any races or seriously done distances since I was 30. But yesterday I didn't feel tired, I felt like a kid running for joy.
I'm going to give a huge nod to my CrossFit workouts for the past year for this feeling.
I felt so alive and so free.

I haven't felt that in such a long time.

Stay tuned. I have a good feeling about this coming year.

Donated photo:

Ice Fingers!

I had some time Friday afternoon to do some wandering around at the creek. With the fresh snow I was able to see where the deer had been making trails. I found one that looked 'as busy' as when the mules made a trail.

I see that the recent wet heavy snowfall had caused oak leaves to drop like crazy. I guess it was just startling to see them littering the fresh snow fall like some child had gotten hold of a pile of leaves and tossed them all just so perfectly!

I do enjoy how Mother Nature redecorates on a whim with her weather.

I wanted to see the change since the snowfall from two days earlier. The temperatures had dipped into the teens and down to the single digits overnight.
I knew that the water splashing in the creek would create 'ice fingers' on the blades of grasses and any weeds hanging over the creek.

...and I was right. A parsnip plant was bent over the water and the water and temperatures had made it into a pretty ice sculpture.

The tiny falls that is between our land and one of the neighbors had a thick little ice formation.

Everywhere I looked, there was ice!

I didn't have time to explore further down the valley, so I just stopped and watched the small trout flit back and forth along this place.

It is hard to explain how calming this little creek is. I am so lucky to have it within a five minute walk from the house.

While Rich is resting or watching TV, I can grab a little 'me' time and catch some very fresh air at the same time.

The temperatures have dipped again today and will be 6 degrees tonight. Oh happy Ice Fingers!

~~~~~~
I'm opting for a hike in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve if I can swing it too this week.
I need to stop in at the Visitor's Center and see the photo contest display.

Two of my photos have made it to the Finals and they are announcing the winner on the 7th of December. That is my little planned get away visit so I won't be able to be present.

Below are the two photos that made it to the finals.
If chosen, they will be used on the KVR's web page or brochures for promotion.

I'm okay with that. I really like the the Reserve.

Goats, Campfire, and Cotton Candy

Saturday morning Daryl and his youngest daughter got up early and headed out to bow hunt.

Rich was sleeping, and the rest of the house was quiet so I grabbed my Nikon and headed out the door. I did have to go pick up milk at the little local gas station before the rest of the house appeared.

And why not enjoy the morning sunrise at the same time?

The photo is looking east from the ridge top across the Kickapoo River valley. New cell towers seem to always be popping up. I think they sort of ruin the pictures. I can easily erase them. However, they they are.

We eventually all gathered for a quick breakfast of 'whatever you can find to eat' and headed out to go to the Vernon County Fair.

As usual the last county fair in Wisconsin was packed with locals and visitors. There was the usual fair food that delights yet causes intestinal distress later. I didn't participate in the photography show this year. The time to organize my photos just wasn't there and my heart wasn't quite in it.
I did enjoy looking at the fair displays though. My favorite displays were those of flower arrangements, potted arrangements, and crafts.

I mentioned that I'd wanted to have a campfire in the evening. We could sit on chunks of wood and watch the full moon come up along with a nice small campfire.

The dogs and Sven joined us. It was an experiment which worked out very well. Charlie stayed very close and kept trading laps. Scout decided he wanted to go back to the house when the coyotes started to sing.

Sven hung out after he inspected the flames and decided they were not Goat-Worthy of tasting. One of the kids had a bag of Cotton Candy and Sven sought that out, grabbed it and walked away.
It led to a lot of laughter and the kids got it back.

They asked if Sven could try a bite. Yes he could. And Charlie wanted in on the action.
Sven's reaction was hilarious. He loved it. Of course! Who wouldn't like pure spun sugar?
From that point on, he kept circling and begging for candy until it was gone.

Sunday morning we took the dogs and Sven for a hike to the creek. After all, my friends can't seem to spend a weekend without going to the creek to check it out.

Apparently, Sven thinks that Charlie is HIS personal pal and other dogs need to leave his little buddy alone.

And of course, everyone including Sven enjoyed the creek. See him next to the Grace watching Daryl? He is a curious and fun companion to have along.

Sven browses as he walks and then trots up to the next person to see what they are doing.
Amanda set her waist pack down on some rocks.
Sven calmly walked over and picked up the pack by its strap then began to walk off.

A shout of "Sven! No!" doesn't faze him at all. He just gives you the Goaty Eye and continues.
I think the souls of goats are lovable imps.

How are the ribs? Wow, they were still terribly sore all weekend. Laying down to sleep and get comfortable is a challenge.

However.
I need to get over it and back into the swing of things.

I think I need a bit of goat 'lovin' and another campfire....

[taken by Grace]