Northern Winter, 2012

Winter in our part of the north is sunrise on the  hills, newly covered with snow and glowing rose as the sun creeps higher.

Winter is the old apple tree bearing up under the new snow as it faces the weight of another year.

It is the gathering of birds at your feeder which has become their winter home.  They keep us busy with the corn on the ground, sunflower seeds in the feeder, and suet on the tree—our obligation and our enjoyment and entertainment through the windows.

There are nuthatches, goldfinch, tree sparrows, all kinds of woodpeckers, and today there were two pileated woodpeckers.

And we walkers mustn’t let winter stop us either; there is cross-country skiing or snowshoeing to do. Last Tuesday my neighbor called and we took our skis and drove to the Indian Trail, part of the Sleeping Bear National park.

Skiing Sleeping Bear National Shoreline pastel by Carol

The road was snow-covered and a light rain had begun.  What?!!  When we arrived there was only one other Tuesday walker but after a little discussion we decided to hike the trail, for it would be a little icy for the skis.

The rain had changed to snow and the woods were beautiful as we headed towards Lake Michigan.  When we reached the dunes and the lakeshore the wind was fierce and our stay on the dune was short; we soon headed back to the protection of the woods.

By then the cedars and pines were now snow-outlined and looking like lace tablecloths, really making for a beautiful walk.

It all made for a good winter’s morning and the hot soup we would soon enjoy looked even more inviting.

Here’s Lulu’s favorite idea for a winter’s day.

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