It's finally above freezing!

 But I couldn't wait. I thought I could, but when it was 27 degrees F, I drove over to Flat Creek to see how the ice situation was with water on rocks. It did not disappoint. But I discovered my teeth were cold, even with my mouth closed. I have become so used to wearing a mask, which kept my mouth and nose quite warm! This was a brief trip, barely across the bridge and down to the bank of the creek.

I don't think any snow had fallen, just ice that bubbled into existence where water was still enough to freeze!

This is my new header for "When I Was 69 (Now 80)" blog...where I post my opinions and interests beyond my own life.

Today's quote:

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth."  —Henry David Thoreau

Sunday's geese

It was in the 40s, and the lake ice was pretty thin, but still evident.

 The geese were cornered where the water hasn't frozen, and would fluff wings to rise up onto the ice when they got tired of standing in the water.

The water was pretty shallow here anyway, as you can see their legs as they stand in it.

Staying inside today 2.17.15

Dusting of snow last night, then sleet, left everything covered with ice.

Quote for today:

It may be that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.

Wendell Berry
Collected Poems

Icy waters 2

A side streamlet comes into Flat Creek in Montreat, NC.  Because it's south facing, there's no ice on this sunny day.

Look through the Rhododendrons and you can see some ice lingers in shady spots in the main stream.

Today's Quote:

Love is...like a spring coming up out of the ground of our own depths. "I am gift." 

All that I am is something that's given, and given freely. Being doesn't cost anything. There's no price tag, no strings attached.

Thomas Merton
The Springs of Contemplation: A Retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani

Icy Waters one

Quote for today:

Take full account of the excellencies which you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.

Marcus Aurelius

Lake frozen

Last night in single digits farenheit...today a high of 30, and tomorrow will actually be warmer, with only teen figures for our low tonight.

SO...our local lake froze.  There's a spring in this corner, which seldom freezes, so ducks were able to feed a bit.

A thin sheet of ice over most of Lake Tomahawk

And I was too late to get a shot of the mountains with snow on them this morning.  I didn't arrive until around 3 pm.  There had been a patch of snow on my car this morning too, but the sun took it away by the time I ventured out.

All this view is ice

Totally ice covering the lake

Quote for today:

There is no large and difficult task that can’t be divided into little easy tasks.

Buddhist Saying

The spillway was running just fine...but you can't see the edge of the ice very clearly in this shot. 

Maybe tomorrow I'll go over there earlier and see if it looks very different.  Or maybe I'll go see what's happening on Flat Creek.  Well, MAYBE...that's a big maybe!