Today

About now winter starts to drag. It's been more harsh than usual this year. No golf since early December; colder and a little more snow than usual. It becomes a waiting game - waiting for warm weather, for snow cover to leave so we can cut up some firewood piled up higher than normal, for the next day warm enough for golf (high temps in the 40's will be sufficient for desperate golfers), and until we head to Florida in a couple of weeks.

But constantly looking ahead robs me of today, of right now. Today will never come this was again, according to some song lyrics I remember. So make the best of every day. Actually, there is plenty to enjoy if I merely pay attention. Most of it I take for granted....like my faith, family, and friends.

And there is so much more. There is classical music, news from the BBC, and my digital picture frame. Our dogs are a constant source of amusement. Outside in Bittersweet Woods, deer and turkey have been active, creating energy-dissipating entertainment for Gabbie and Tess. Tufted titmice and Chickadees flit around in the tree canopy along the trail. And there is so much going on behind the outdoor scene. Beneath the heavy snow cover, snow bell flowers (left below) are getting ready to bloom; ditto for lenten rose (right). Soon we'll see daffodil shoots



Then there is the weather - often the archenemy in winter time. Yesterday's snowfall was beautiful. It was even better because our neighbor Dan plowed our driveway.


So, stop being impatient for the next big (or better) thing. Focus on the journey as well as the destination. Yesterday's gone; "...do not worry about tomorrow...(Matthew 6:34). Today's the day. The dogs would agree.

Critters in Bittersweet Woods

There are many different forms of animal life in Bittersweet Woods. Many are not native to the area. We have adopted some of them and brought them to live in Bittersweet Woods. They bring of lots of enjoyment and reminders of past trips and experiences. What critters are in your corner of Bittersweet Woods?

















Gabbie and Tessie

First snow

November was very warm, sunny, and dry - unusual from most years. We enjoyed golf and late day walks almost every day. But we are paying for that now with a stretch of 2-3 weeks of really (for here) cold weather. The first snow on December 5 was a mere dusting. It was just enough to silhouette downed trees in the woods and create a filigree on evergreen trees.



Today, December 19, a monster snow storm moved up the east coast. We caught some of the back side of that storm. Fortunately, it was not enough to require shoveling our rather long driveway. Whew - close call. But the wet snow and calm winds combined to created a beautiful lacework of snow covered branches in Bittersweet Woods.



Gabbie and Tess loved it, racing through the fresh powder, leaving rooster tails of glittering snow dust behind them. They are the consumate explorers; all smells and sights take on a new aura in the snow. In a few days all of this will disappear. Time to enjoy it now.

The Visitor

It was the day before Thanksgiving and out in the yard...there was a creature stirring next to the house. Gabbie and Tess were alerted first. The leaf rustling kept them returning to a spot in the pine trees next to the neighbors' house. Then Suzanne saw it, standing proudly near the bradford pear tree. It was a big, plump, game bird with distinct brown markings, a fan shaped tail, and a small distinct crest of feathers on its head. Oddly, the dogs were curious but did not chase it. It apparently failed to register as "that's something we chase after" in their previous encounters database.

Thanksgiving morning dawned cold and frosty. Tess went on high alert gazing into the trees on the hill behind the house. I walked outside and saw the bird shuffling through leaves. I bolted back into the house and grabbed for the camera. The bird had walked on to a large horizontal branch of the sprawling osage tree. It stood like a sentry on the log quietly scanning the area. Daughter Amy and I climbed the hill and crept closer for a photo. We were able to move within 50 feet to take some remarkably clear pictures.





Some brief internet search inquiries confirmed that this was a female grouse. No other grouse family members were evident. She stayed on the long for nearly two hours and was still there when we returned from church. We named her Gertie - sorry, Mom, but I could not resist the alliterative name.

After that she disappeared, though there were two more furtive sightings. We still look for her and wonder what drew her to this fairly civilized section of Bittersweet Woods - so near our house, with dogs, vehicles, and humanoids wandering around in full view.

It was another fascinating glimpse into the beauty of Bittersweet Woods. What is going on in your section of Bittersweet Woods?

Why I like fall

We walked the dogs after I golfed and Suz added another section to an ongoing retaining wall construction project. Most of the leaves are down now after a cold front blew through yesterday. Greater visibility allowed Tess to glimpse the very tip of a white tail bobbing just over the hill from us. A deer. She zoomed across the creek and up the opposite hill. She was closing on the deer but fortunately she broke off the chase and returned to base. I said "fortunately" because deer can be dangerous when cornered.

The woods are so much more open now. The afternoon sun, now much lower in the sky, penetrates almost every corner of Bittersweet Woods. The leaf color seemed brighter this year, or maybe I was paying closer attention.

The Weather Channel this year has a segment called Why I Like Fall. These pictures suggest why I like fall. This year what caught my attention were the more subtle colors. Also, fall is usually less humid and has more bright, sunny days in our part of the country compared to other seasons.

Fall is almost over. Enjoy it while you can.