Some Sunshine and a few hours off!

This is a Grey Dogwood that was still hanging onto its leaves on Sunday.

For those who love Tamarac trees! These are about a mile away across the ridge from this field. I only get to see them glow like this in November each year.

Meanwhile, after all the hard rains and wind we had for the past few days, I got back down into the Barberry [invaded] forest.

The colors were still pretty amazing. I sure wish the landowners would have cared for their land. But it is almost a square mile of 2 valleys and ridges. A LOT of land to care for.

Charlie and I stopped to check the mail and I noticed some bright pink. I had to look much closer to realize what I was seeing. 

These are the stems where the dogwood berries had been.

Pink!

I don't have much else to report. I saw the endocrinologist again on Monday will have another bone density scan on Veteran's Day and more decisions to make after that.

However.

Tomorrow I'm going exploring with my geologist buddy. We are meeting up at a state natural area and will enjoy talking rocks, geology, and cave stuff while hiking and playing with our dogs.

I'm so lucky to have met people like him who are fun and so down to earth. And who have the gift of gab!

November Colors

Let me give a huge round of applause to another blogger and photographer who has encouraged me to see the Beauty of November!

Generally, November has been the boring month, the brown month. The month of adjusting to light/time change and early darkness...as well as temperature changes. I've always turned a bit inward and ignored the overcast skies and the leafless trees. Nothing seemed to appeal to me outside.

But if you look for it, sometimes you can find some amazing things. 

Points down

Tamarack Trees in full color
with afternoon sunlight 
highlighting part of them!

A stump in the woods. 

The moss picked up some yellow highlights of the subdued sunlight that tried so hard to come through the dull grey overcast.

Charlie and I headed down the ridge trail that our neighbor made years ago with his bulldozer. I sat on the trail to look at some lichen on a rock. I turned to look up the trail and squished my eyes half closed. I wanted to see the forest for the colors and not for the trees. 

Muted greens

yellow

reds

burnished oranges

leaf litter

sticks...

and

bark

make me Happy!

Maybe...
just maybe...

I can start to look with different eyes.

Wild

Strawberries 

make me smile!

Barberries

Pointy 

Sharp

Red,

No
smiles.

Pretty reds

and greens

decorating

creek rocks.

Imagination

drifts while

admiring the trout

in the creek.

Abstract reflections

of 

the grasses above

the water.

At the end of the day, I can honestly conclude that I found this particular November day full of vibrant colors.

Maybe I can change my attitude about November and look for its beauty. After all, I find winter to be fascinating and beautiful.