Winter Miscellany

For the first time since early December, we're getting hit with a significant snowfall. All things considered, there's not too much to complain about. Besides, it's melting quickly.

Below are a few snowy, icy photos taken over the last few days - with a couple of colourful breaks for good measure. Please remember to click on them to enlarge.




Temperatures rise and fall creating melts and refreezes. This tiny branch is delicately coated with a fine layer of ice.





A curious chickadee watches as I play with my camera settings.





What's left behind when the ducks and geese leave the mostly-frozen pond for a swim in the open waters? Well lots of webbed prints, and a few other unmentionables.





Something about these snow-covered burrs reminds me of a little monkey clinging to a branch. Please tell me that I'm not the only one who sees this.





A very thin sheet of ice barely clings to the rusted iron railing. Seconds after I took the photo of this droplet, I inadvertently knocked the ice to the frozen pond below.





This is the textured edge of a tunnel wall. The passage allow us to continue walking along the paths, under a busy road without worry of traffic.





One very cold morning, this pair of squirrels stayed close to one another for warmth. One of them eventually noticed me toss some peanuts out for them, and they soon scampered down the tree, and ran across the yard to collect them.





A bowl of strawberries waiting to dress up a yummy dessert.





A colourful bouquet of flowers. I bought them for myself when I felt the need for a bit of cheer.

I'll be out of town for a few days - some of which will be without computer access. Wednesday's POTW may suffer since I'll come up short-handed but I'll be back around to visit your blogs later in the week and I'll try to make up for it on the next POTW. Thanks for your understanding. Catch you in a few days - hopefully with new photos. Until then, there's another scheduled colour coming up Thursday.

Fowl Play at the Olympics

As you all know, the 2010 Olympics are currently being hosted on Canadian soil. Athletes from all over the world have been competing for gold in the beautiful west coast city of Vancouver. This post is about our own Canadian athletes. I may never have been to British Columbia but I have had the honour of photographing some of our country's finest Olympic hopefuls. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge - and let the games begin!




There are many events during the course of the two weeks but as with any sporting event, we'll open with our national anthem. Please stand for the singing of O Canada.





Curling is a popular sport in Canada. This athlete has just released the stone and watches as his teammates help to sweep its path to the house.




Down the ice, other team members shout encouragement to the sweepers. "Hurry! Hurry hard!"




Hockey is an exciting sport. Two players race down the ice to try to gain control of the puck.




The downhill ski course has high jumps. This athlete glides through the air before landing and continuing his run.




Speed skating is a fast-paced, exciting event. Canada's favourite contender is about to cross the finish line.




In the spotlight, a graceful figure skater performs a perfect routine.




Skating partners since goslinghood, Canada's favourites have completed a perfect performance in their ice dance.




They anxiously wait for the judges to present their scores. Top place!




The crowd goes wild with the thrill of victory!




Other couples were not as fortunate. Oh, the agony of defeat.




Please join us for the medal ceremony. We win gold - go Canada!

Posts of the Week

The icon/award to the left here is yours for the taking if your blog post has been named as a Post of the Week - either as top post or as a runner up, today or in past weeks.

She Didn't Do It, Guv'nor
by ED
at Eternally Distracted

Other wonderful posts in no particular order are:

A Dog Just Having A Snack
by Steph
at Incurable Insomniac


A Little Pencil in the Hand of God
By LWK
at Life With Kaishon


Sunday Serenity
by TSannie
at The Tombstone Chronicler


River Otter
by Tammie Lee
at Spirit Helpers


Gorgeous Sunshine
by Redbush
at Redbush's Brambles


The Morning After
by Fragrant Liar
at Fragrant Liar


Wordless Wednesday
by Daryl
at Out & About in New York City

Reader's Choice

Recommended by Jinsky:
The Iron Poet
by David
at Pics and Poems

Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you.

The Colour Purple

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."
~ Alice Walker

As a bit of a break from winter images, I've decided to revisit the spectrum and select another colour. This time it's purple. Please remember to click on each of the images to enlarge them.



Grape Hyacinths grow along the fence by the pathway to the park.





A collection of small tea candle holders which sit on a low chest in my living room - some of which are purple.



Tiny, purple summertime flowers which grow in Frank's back yard.





Tiny springtime raccoon kits which grew in my attic the year before last. They were placed in this purple tub upon rescue. This is not to be confused with the little ones who were born under my deck last year. If you've never read the story of my "home invasion" it can be found here.




Lovely thistles look so beautiful in summer.




Clematis during a rain storm.





A partly purple tea cup which sits on my kitchen shelf.




Irises bloom for a few weeks during early summer.




Lilacs have an even shorter stay in May.





And shorter still are the majestic colours of a sunset.

More photos coming up soon.

Ordinary Miracles

Ordinary Miracle was written by Glen Ballard and David A. Stewart, and performed by Sarah McLachlan at the 2010 Olympics opening ceremonies. Please remember to click on each image to enlarge.


It’s not that usual
When everything is beautiful.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.





The sky knows when its time to snow.
You don’t need to teach a seed to grow.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.




Life is like a gift they say.
Wrapped up for you everyday.





Open up and find a way.
To give some of your own.




Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.




Birds in winter have their fling.
And always make it home by spring.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.






When you wake up everyday.
Please don’t throw your dreams away.





Hold them close to your heart.
Cause we are all a part.
Of the ordinary miracle.





Its seems so exceptional.
Things just work out after all.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.





The sun comes up and shines so bright.
It disappears again at night.
It’s just another ordinary miracle today.

Posts of the Week

Before I announce the Posts of the Week, Saz of the blog formerly known as Fat, Frumpy and Fifty aka Fab, Feisty and Fifty has gone on a short hiatus from blogging. She wanted her friends to know that she'll be back again before too long.

Now on with the Posts of the Week.

The icon/award to the left here is yours for the taking if your blog post has been named as a Post of the Week - either as top post or as a runner up, today or in past weeks.

Olympics
by Brian
at WayStationOne

Other wonderful posts in no particular order are:

Sleeve In My Soul
by Cabo
at Hey, Cabo


Because I Chose To Do Something
by Imbeingheldhostage
at In the Gutter


The Prize
by Abe
at Brookville Daily Photo


One Great Thing About Winter
by Kerri
at A Little Piece of Me.


My Favorite Bartender
by Sandra
at Add Humor and Faith


Let's Flock
by Cloudia
at Comfort Spiral


Recommended by Blunoz:

Stop Motion Videos
by Thomas
at The Adventures of Art Lad

Recommended by Gaelikkaa:

My Man Is Not Roses
by Mama Kat
at Mama's Losin' It

Please drop by their blogs for a visit and leave a kind comment if you have the time. Also, please feel free to add your own choices (for any blog except this one) for a specific blog post in the comments section below, where others can see them.

Thank you.

A Winter Sunrise

One morning, last week, I awoke to a soft, peachy glow in my bedroom. I hadn't slept well, and I thought about catching a little bit more but I realized that this lovely light in the room meant that there was a nice sunrise taking shape. And I didn't want to miss it.

Once out there, I took a few photos so you don't have to miss it either. Please remember to click on each of them to enlarge.



Stepping out into the park, the sun was just beginning to set the horizon on fire. The frozen pond was a lovely shade of winter blue.





I always leave a couple of peanuts on the branches of this tree. This morning was no exception. Peanuts first and then a photo.





Further along the path, I glanced up to see this die-hard oak leaf still clinging near the top branch of a tree. It was catching some of those early rays.





Despite the fact that it's dead, this is still one of the most beautiful trees in the park. It's a shelter to many birds throughout each season. And on this morning, it was looking its best, as it extended its branches to greet the rising sun.





Just a couple of moments later, I walked to the other side side of the tree. Its trunk and limbs were bathed in golden syrup.





The sparkling snow took on a more subdued reflection of the vibrant colours of the sunrise. Distant trees cast very long shadows.





By the time the sun fully rose above the horizon, it gave brilliant colour to everything it kissed. This sumac just glowed.





As I headed home, I caught the tail end of what appeared to be the neigbourhood geese rehearsing their icy stage production of A Chorus Line.





I told you it was the tail end.

Thanks for sharing the sunrise with me.