I am so excited to be in California. This morning we had to make a decision about what to do first. The choices were: attend a seminar on Argentinian Ants at UC Davis Entomology Department, sit around all morning drinking coffee while Dixie’s two Bernese Mountain dogs (huge) drool all over me, or go out…
This was a beautiful night for flying: clear and calm. Nothing overly adventurous on the way to DIA from Wyoming. In fact, I was so excited about my trip that I passed right by 3 Starbucks. Usually when I enter Colorado that is my first stop but I was a woman on a mission today.…
The variables lined up for a winter camping adventure: sunny 40 degree days, nights around freezing, and low wind speeds. The winds while driving were actually much higher than expected–35 mph gusts on I-25. However, I did not know that when we took off, so I learned what those wind speeds are like when pulling…
Years ago I stopped making New Year’s Resolutions, since most (all) of us break them within a week, anyway. To make people think I am all righteous and eager to improve my sorry self, I do make a list; however, the list contains only things I already do in my daily life. Therefore, I cannot fail!…
My son Kerry, our dogs and I went out to our largest nearby reservoir for a long walk and a Christmas bird count. The result: 150 Canada Geese 1 Bald Eagle flying overhead with prey in it’s talons 4 tiny, white birds who flew up from some grasses 1 Prairie Falcon On Christmas Eve Day…
A Northern Flicker (western version with red marks) visits the suet feeder now. With his red markings, which are not really noticeable in these shots taken from inside the house, he looks ready for Christmas. With that long beak, he pecks at the suet block, which is frozen solid this morning.Later in the day he…
I received two seed catalogs yesterday, The timing is not coincidental. Now that the the amount of daylight will increase a bit each day, seed growers know that gardeners thoughts move toward Spring planting. I enjoy winter and the chance for rest; however, I take comfort knowing that we are heading in a warmer direction…
Christmas draws near, which means work is crazy busy. However, each day I check something else off the to do list. The last few days: Christmas baskets filled and delivered to our senior housing and home visits done! Sunday: children’s Christmas program. Tuesday: Christmas Eve. So what follows a busy Christmas season for a minister?…
Perfect camping days come and go each week, even in December. The days are sunny and the nights not too cold—like today. What luck to have a camping opportunity on my off day. Oops! Is that wind I hear? The wind is milder than yesterday when we had a high wind warning again, but still…
I understand now why magazines and organizations present a Person of the Year, Best Movie of the Year, Best Book of the Year, Best New Musician and so on. These nominations give us something to write–or read–about on dark, cold winter nights when cabin fever begins to freeze body, mind and soul. Thus far, I…