The Seasons Change,...

Camping season is over,...

The sky is heavy with new snow,...

'Tis the season,...

Mellow Yellow,...

I don't often post pictures of flowers, but this morning while out wandering around enjoying the first light I enjoyed these lily blooms. Hope you like them,...

Snow Day On The Hill,...

We are enjoying a "snow day" on the hill. The usual view is overcast, and now a few minutes after this picture was taken it's snowing hard again. Snow depth so far is 10.5 inches.


Looking down into the woods from the front deck...


The back yard and driveway,...


My new camper just waiting for spring,...


How to spend a "snow day?" Mitzi knows,... take a nap!

Or like Kiki, hang out by the window and watch the snow...

The plan for the afternoon is to bake some bread, and plan a nice dinner. I love a snow day!

Nap Time,...

Where is KiKi? She hasn't been seen for a couple of hours. After a search of the house this is what I saw... snuggled down under the comforter... Yes, that is a cat's ear!


Gee Mom, I was napping, and you started flashing that camera at me. I think I'm getting "the look!"
OK KiKi, go back to sleep.

An Evening at Home,...

What a comfy bed a mandolin case makes! Introducing "Peanut"... who's not really very small, in fact he's a very big boy now that he's all grown up!

Here's the mandolin in action!

Friends, music,... a relaxed evening at home!

The Beat Goes On...

Readers that have been with me for the past nearly two years know that I am a lover of bluegrass music. Every summer I take my camper and travel to the festivals in northern New York and in Vermont. My grandson is showing interest in the music. He has gravitated toward the mandolin. He'll be going with me to his first festival this coming June.


Here he was "playing along" with Louis Setzer and the Appalacian Mountain Boys on a dvd.

His expression says it all!

Winter Saturday,...

This morning it is bright and sunny, a bit "crisp" at only 8° however! What does a person want for breakfast on a cold winter day? Why waffles, of course! (yes, I know that butter and bacon aren't that healthy,... but it's only once in a while!)

New Year Wishes for You,...

This New Year's Eve here on the hill is quiet and peaceful. JenJen is napping on the sofa hassock, I'm here in the recliner. Outside the daylight has faded into night.
My wish for you and all of yours, for my community and for our country and planet is peace, good health, and happiness. Welcome, 2010!

Merry Christmas to Everyone,...

JenJen rests after opening her gifts!

From my home here on the hill to all of you, may you find peace, happiness and good health on this Christmas Day and in the year to come!

Cat? Cat,?... Do You See a Cat?....

There seems to be a ruckus going on under my pine chest in the diningroom. I hear a rattle of a kitty toy...
Apparently JenJen has a new "hide out!"

Who me? Would I hide on you, Mom? Not ME!

Queen Anne and Her Friends,...

In front of my deck is a sea of Queen Anne's Lace. The reason is because I've been off having fun at bluegrass festivals and camping trips. That part of the rough lawn has not been mowed. My house is on a hillside, and that part is done with a weedeater once a year. This year I'm a little late and the reward is beautiful!
Ferns, black-eyed Susans, Daisies, have joined in the display!
I haven't been able to identify this wildflower. It is bright purple, and only grows about six inches high.
Can anyone tell me what it is?

I have a lot of these red berries, (honeysuckle?) and they are providing a feast for someone,.. as the low branches are pulled down. Birds? Squirrels? Deer? .... a Bear?

The Queen Anne's Lace will be able to grow for another week. I am leaving today for five days in Vermont. The Lake Champlain Bluegrass Festival begins on Friday. The weather is forecast to be pleasant, so make your way to Alburgh, Vermont for some fun and good music!

Hawks and Fleas...

The last week has been busy for me, but now school is out, graduation is behind us and the last graduation party attended. Whew! Time to relax and see what's growing along my driveway through the woods...

I have always called this Paintbrush,... but the book calls it Orange Hawkweed. It's on the sides of my driveway as well as at edges of my back yard.

This is Daisy Fleabane. It's so delicate in both flower and color.


So there you have it,...Not flying hawks or crawling fleas,... just wildflowers! One of the nicest things about living in the woods.

A Closer Look?...

While experimenting with my camera trying to get some closeup shots I took the following photo. Yes, it's our common "weed" the Dandelion! When you look at it closely it is beautiful! Perhaps we should look more closely at other things around us!

Here is the fresh growth on an evergreen tree at the edge of my lawn...

And the closeup view...

The white Trillium is blooming at the end of my driveway.

And again,... a closer look!

It's been raining for a couple of days now, I wonder what will be blooming when the sun comes out? I will be looking more closely!

Sweet Violets!...

In 1951 Dinah Shore recorded the song "Sweet Violets." Sweet violets are growing in abundance all around my home and along my driveway! I have had fun experimenting with my camera the past few days...

Spring Bath...

Many of you have expressed thoughts and questions about "washing" my house. Perhaps it does seem unusual to some people. However if you go to your local hardware store you will find products for doing just that. It takes some elbow-grease but it is certainly worth it.

Here is a view of the enemy...



A closeup of the problem... left side of the photo shows a spot scrubbed, but not rinsed. The right shows the accumulated dirt. It is probably a combination of dust from my unpaved driveway a few feet away, and as this side of the house faces north and is shaded from late morning on it could be fungus like the north side of trees? Who knows.... all I know is that it is grey-ish and unsightly. The power washer I have borrowed is small and it does take additional scrubbing with a sponge mop to get off the deposit.



The "troops" are assembled...



The weapon is ready,...



Victory is mine!

It's Finally Here!...

After much anticipation I do believe that SPRING has come to the hill!

Trees are budding...


My driveway is completely dry...

Green shoots are enjoying the sun ...

The pine trees are getting ready to produce that dreaded yellow pollen. I know, I know... it's nature's way!

And I've spent two days raking...!

Today I start on an even bigger task,...washing my house! Stay tuned!