Winter fun with Texas family

Fun times with company! James took exactly five minutes after arrival to march out into the snow and sled? Jumping over the fence was just a tad harder than it looked...

Drop dead gorgeous weather here. Paul, Sherry, James, and Katie had a fantastic first day skiing (snowboarding for James). The rest of the week is supposed to be the same. Bright sun, blue skies, and 40. What's not to love? Krissy, again, we miss you!! Mark and I were supposed to ski as well but somehow didn't have the energy. Well, we can pick and choose our day and time. Better get on with it though, the mountain closes in less than a month now. How did the time go by so fast?

Fox roaming around our house. Their coats are so beautiful and their hunting technique amazing. Jumping straight up in the air to dive down into the snow headfirst after listening intently for their rodent prey. Not worrying anymore about their winter survival. No rodents in our house by the way (or flies either) after the pest control guy came last Sept.

Mark's long lens camera

Mark's camera again -great closeup

Finished a book- A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor, an autobigraphical travel story about his adventures tramping around Europe in the 1930's (just before World War II broke out). Very good and I'm getting his second, which is the continuation of the 3 year story. He died last year at 96 - long accomplished life. I'm still reading Atlas Shrugged, in bits and pieces - boy it's a struggle. I'll get it done eventually...

Crunching snow and cleaning out

There's a strange feeling of spring in the air here - I must point out that it's waayy too early, we haven't even gotten to mud season (April). Nonetheless,  a bluebird has shown up hanging around our deck - what is it eating? All snowy here.  More calves are being born every day and low 40's  are the temps the last few days. Paul, Sherry, and kids show up Sat. - a skiing snowboarding spring fest on the horizon!

Snowshoeing every day and it appears the creatures in the woods have found our tracks. You know, a little pee here and there. Animal marking I mean...

Red hawk nest

A new project for me - cleaning out the basement. We're going to start finishing it out. Oh, boy...It seems that the stuff I got rid of when we sold the house in Maryland, didn't all go away. Anyone need twenty year old exercise equipment, giant size cell phones or VHS players? Hey we even have a Beta - remember those?

Ah, the joys of wintery March

Mark is back at Star Mt. for a whole two weeks - hurray! We hope to make the most of it. Already been to one of our favorite Asian places -  Ryce in CB. Yummy as usual.

Sunshine and clear blue skies ahead for the next week. We have company coming next Sat (Paul, Sherry, James, & Katie) for a week of skiing and snowboarding. We'll miss you Krissy! Should be great timing with recent snows bulking up the mountain and nice spring like temps. (Here that means 40's).

Mark made use of the snowblower to get the rest of the snow off the deck. Massive wind slowed his progress yesterday a bit. Walter had to come back today to redo the driveway with his heavy machinery. The wind had blown snow in almost closing in the gate.

Snowshoeing next. Gotta get that aerobic stuff in. Saw no animal tracks but did hear a strange whooshing sound a few times - my explanation was an airhole under the snow collapsed after we crunched down the snow. Sounds like I know something - maybe. Deep snow in our woods - my trail of a few days ago mostly all gone, so huff and puff to trail blaze again...

Mark watched a fox hunting around our house early this morning. Our animal sightings are few and far between at this time of year. We did see a fairly unusual sight down Ohio Creek today - that little black ball is a skunk. Looked pretty (at a distance). Time is moving fast - the cows have started birthing calves and goats their kids. This whole month is one big baby fest...

Back at Star Mountain

March 1st and finally posting. I am back at Star Mt. after a crazy schedule of wrapping up and packing up from the condo in Naples to drive across the country to Colo Springs before I headed to Star Mt. and Mark headed for Detroit. A small miracle while we were there - my father actually was able to come for a home visit at my mother's, walking in on his own two feet. Terrific to see him a bit better. His future is very unknown, so we are grateful for this respite.

Oyster House

McBrides

 

With the three day drive came reward. The Oyster House outside Mobile, AL (terrific seafood) and a new fantastic local steak place (hand cut dry aged beef) in Wichita Falls - McBrides. A definitely local, cowboy kind of place. Both are worthwhile stops if you're ever in the area.

What a joy to be at Star Mt. Snow has come in and the snowblower is in use. In between snows I did a little snowshoeing (actually more than a little, and blazed a trail - very hard work, gorgeous out there though). Mark comes back tomorrow - a giant hurray. He will actually be around for two weeks, another miracle of sorts...

A couple of late Penny pics. I'll be back to see her in April I think. I will expect giant changes- again.

Princess Penelope

Penny this and Penny that. Anything and everything that baby does is thrilling to us. Absolutely typical first time grandparents I'd say. We are enjoying our short visit here in Virginia. Heather and Jay came over yesterday to visit and go to lunch with the group. Mexican, which we all enjoyed (Penny just fell asleep).





















A lovely and welcome respite from the recent chaos in our lives. What great parents Tiffany and Chris are, and what a doll baby Penelope is.

Whirlwind life

Yes I know, where have I been... Quick post to say my father is no better and we are just waiting for, hopefully,a pain free and peaceful end. With everything out of our control, we simply keep to the schedule of our life. Been in Naples for a bit, got a little art class action with my great teacher, and now fly to see baby Penny (and the rest of the family). Mark is flying in today as well but from Detroit. Should be a great long weekend!

Condo back to very cute, and we'll be renting it out soon. After the long weekend we come back to Naples, but only for a day to pack up and drive back across the country to Colorado. Staying in CO Springs where my father, mother, brother and sister in law are. Then Mark flies back to Detroit and I take the jeep (aka the Rock) back to Star Mt. Whee, what a schedule!

You plan and then life steps in

So sorry for the non-activity on the blog. I've been dealing with a family medical situation. My father is very seriously ill and providentially I was in Colorado just a few hours away from where my parents live. Positive thoughts and prayers are most appreciated!

my brother George at work

While visiting had a nasty virus run through the family (I escaped somehow), big snowstorm (managed to schedule a flight out after the big mess), and had some terrific bonding time with my siblings albeit there for a much more serious reason.

couple of ducks swimming by

Bouganvilla

lady fishing on my walking route

 Back to Naples and happily reunited with Mark- haven't seen each other in almost 2 weeks. Life is definitely bit out of control. Hang on and wait for the next installment is all I can do. Oh, the top photo is some craziness my phone camera decided to produce. Kind of apropo...