More Sky Art

I love wide open spaces where I am able to see the sky. I've said before in my post Sky Art that I feel the sky is God's canvas.

And sometimes a passing airplane lends a little paintbrush stroke to God's masterpiece.

Even over an ole dirt country UP road.

Amen.

Snow Egg in a Bird's Nest

During a recent walk, I came across this little nest filled with what looks like a Duck's egg! The snow was too deep for me to get any closer, so I zoomed in with my camera as best I could. It's a snow egg! Ha. 

It amazes me how many nests I miss in the spring, summer and fall. We have one right in our tree by the driveway and I didn't have a clue a family was being raised there until the leaves were down and the branches were bare.

It reminded me of this poem by Edward Thomas:

The summer nests uncovered by autumn wind,

Some torn, others dislodged, all dark,
Everyone sees them: low or high in tree,
Or hedge, or single bush, they hang like a mark.

Since there's no need of eyes to see them with
I cannot help a little shame
That I missed most, even at eye's level, till
The leaves blew off and made the seeing no game.

'Tis a light pang. I like to see the nests
Still in their places, now first known,
At home and by far roads. Boys knew them not,
Whatever jays and squirrels may have done.

And most I like the winter nests deep-hid
That leaves and berries fell into:
Once a dormouse dined there on hazel-nuts,
And grass and goose-grass seeds found soil and grew.

There's your literature from me for the week!

Canine Friends

Meet Gus the puppy.

Last weekend I told you we were to meet our son and daughter-in-law's new puppy.

Gus is the sweetest puppy I've ever met. He's not shy, and he's not overbearing. He is curious!

Ike met Gus.

Sometimes Ike went grrrrr...

 I said, "Play nice, Ike."

Then there would be eye contact and kisses...

...and I would say, "Good puppies!"

Bear met Gus.

Gus is also smart and verbal when he plays.

When he sensed Ike had had enough of Gus' attention and attempt at becoming fantastic friends, he moved on to Bear.

Bear feigned oblivion and slumber though her eyes were open in the event Gus attacked, er, began swatting Bear to wake up and play.

"Oh," Gus says, "So you are awake. But you know what?"

"Go back to sleep. I'm kinda tuckered myself."

"We'll just cuddle awhile."

Gus is a KEEPER.

How Do the Birds Stay Warm?

At 7 a.m. this morning it was -26 degrees F. The sun shone all day but I don't think it reached 2 degrees. Needless to say, the dogs and I didn't walk. Too brrrrr for this sissy girl. And I've noticed one of the dog's paws was bleeding so not a good idea to walk in this cold. The dogs are snuggled up to the wood burner on a blanket and have been all day. Ike is sawing logs. (It would be helpful if he actually did. Ha.). When they have to do their business, they go to the door and look at us. When they want back in...well, Bear relies on Ike. Ike goes to the back door and lets out one big "woof." If we don't open the door quick enough, he "woofs" again.

Coming Ike....

Steve talked to a friend of ours from church today and he had -36 F on his truck's outdoor thermometer this morning.

And I'm not even talking wind chills today. I have no idea on that. It is so deceiving when there isn't a cloud in the sky.

Currently, I'm watching the Waltons and writing this here little post and the outdoor thermometer reads -11 F. 

Today I was watching the birds and I wondered how in the world do they stay warm during these frigid temps? They fly from feeder to feeder as if it's just another day.

Here are some photos of our visiting Pine and Evening Grosbeaks and an occasional Chickadee...

Well, it's a comfort knowing God watches over us all, even the littlest Chickadee.

Remember to keep those pets warm and you keep warm dear readers!

Love,

Debi

P.S. How warm/cold was it by you today?

Cocoa Beach...I Miss You

Sigh.

I found this Cocoa Beach photo on my phone. The gremlin has been up to his animation tricks again.

I am just missing the WARMTH of an Atlantic Ocean beach, and the squawking seagulls, and the fishermen, and the pelicans, and the surfers...

...if you look real close and fast you might see a surfer off the end of the Cocoa Beach Pier.

The weatherman said this morning that it should get down to -17 tonight.

Stay warm everyone. We're in for yet another cold blast. Glad I bought flannel sheets a few weeks back!

Gus the Puppy

This is one of my favorite things...Puppies! Meet Gus, our new Grandpuppy. Ha. We get to meet him in person/canine this weekend. Can't wait!

Here he's in the tub getting a bath.

He is part Shar Pei and part Black Lab, and a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. I can already tell he's gonna be a goofball and lots of fun and colorwise he fits right in the family.

Getting plum tuckered out while he follows Riley and Lindsey as they snow shoe.

While snow shoeing Sleeping Bear Dunes, Riley posted this on Facebook this past weekend with this caption, "I had just told Gus we had another 5 miles of snowshoeing..."

I don't think Gus is spoiled.

Nope. Not at all.

And he's modest and humble.

The world would not be the same without (wo)man's best friends.

And I'm looking forward to what Thing One and Thing Two will think of the little Gusmeister.

Warning: There most likely will be many more dog pictures coming up on this here blog. Just sayin'...

This Makes Me Chuckle!

This may take a bit to download and warm up...but get ready!

I was going through my phone camera pictures and found this one from Christmas! Sometimes if I shake my phone while taking a picture, my phone thinks it can animate the picture in some way. I really don't understand how it happens but I sure come across some neat and funny shots!

I love my goofy family!

Take a Groomer Ride With Me!

Steve groomed one of the Chippewa Snow Chaser's snowmobile trails this weekend and I rode along.

The driver's seat is in the middle, and the two passenger seats are to each side of him.

This is his view...

...and this is my view to the front...

...and the back.

Here's a better view of the back.

We met many snowmobilers and many snowmobilers passed us by.

It was a beautiful night.

The moon was out.

Groomer Steve

and there's Groomer Dean, Doug, and John at our end of the trail system.

Snow clouds coming...

Did I say it was a beautiful night?

Last picture of the night...

I added some new links to the sidebar of this blog. If you are reading this on your phone, you can access them here if you want to see how much snow we have, read about the trail conditions, etc. and so forth.

Chippewa Snow Chasers

Chippewa Snow Chasers Snowmobile Trail Report

Strongs, MI, Groomer Barn Live Web Cam

Strongs, MI, Groomer Barn Live Web Cam #2

The International I-500 Snomobile Race will take place this Saturday. Here is a link if you'd like more details. I added that to the sidebar also. There are activities going on all week in the Soo.