SAD

I wanted to post a colorful, happy picture to help ease this gloom. There was an article in the Free Press today about SAD. "Michigan is a high-risk area for winter depression because the state has the third most overcast days between September and May....behind only Alaska and Washington. Seasonal Affective disorder triggers cravings for sweets, and starches and for sleep". Yea, I think I know all of that. Just tell me, do I have to wait until May for this to end? Someone pass me the doughnuts.

Dreaming of Sun

Allison at Hampton Plantation

Evening at the beach

Can't help but dream of my upcoming vacation to South Carolina. Looking so forward to seeing my daughter, her husband and my grand kids. These pictures are from my trip there last year. I really enjoyed myself. Amy told me to take her to work and then take her van and go where ever I'd like. The last week I'm there the kids will be on spring break so we can all take off. We are always on the go while I am there.

When I step out of the airport at Myrtle Beach the first thing I see is sun and palm trees (palmettos). I know that I am on vacation! Right now it is snowing quite hard here in Michigan. We are suppose to get 3-6 inches today.We will then be in the top 4 snowiest winters in the history of the state.

Just a change of subject...our new governor who, by the way, I did not vote for, is trying to balance the state budget. He is planning on taxing senior pension plans and also taking away the film industry tax credit. I am so upset by both of these plans and hope the legislature puts a stop to this.

George Clooney will be in my part of Michigan next month, filming his next movie. Could it be possible to to catch a glimpse????

This picture doesn't give any indication of how cold it was the day I walked this nature trail. It's always cold by the lake (LEMP). I never knew about this trail....thought it was a bike path. It is really pretty and I look forward to walking it in the summer, although I suspect it will be very bug infested. I'm dreaming....summer is still far off!

Please go to the bottom of this page to see my new Shutterfly album, "Songbirds and Butterflies". Press play.

Lake Erie

It is snowing, snowing, snowing! After almost all the old snow was melted we are getting a fresh coat...big time coat. I went shopping, had lunch at Olga's and got home just before the first flake fell.

I have been sitting in front of my computer ever since. There is a program on line called Shutterfly that you can make albums, and other things. Using your own pictures from your computer, you design the album yourself. It is easy to do. They print out the album for about $30 and mail it to you. The albums are beautiful! I've done two already. One of my grand kids and one called "Seasons". Seasons came out the best because I used all my own photos and could count on the quality. It is great fun, (Thanks, Heather, for tipping me off on this great site). I'm working on a new album now called, "Song Birds and Butterflies". I was really engrossed but than my eyes felt like they were falling out so I quit, looked out the window and OMG snow!

Mom and Me

I Demand More Sun

When I took these beautiful pictures on Tuesday the sun was shining brightly. Today we were under a gloom all day. It was so depressing. I went out to lunch with my friend, Gretta, and we had a really nice lunch and chat. When I got home I thought "It must be late. It's getting dark out." Actually it was 4:30. Can't wait for the summer sun and I vow not to complain about the heat and bugs. ;-)

A Walk in the Sun

I took a walk in the park today. It was bright and sunny, no wind and about 25 degrees...it still felt like spring though. When I first drove into the park I had to stop as a herd (about 10) of deer crossed the road. Of course, my camera was not at the ready. I walked on the walking/bike trail and there were a lot of walkers out today. Also saw two cyclists...pretty hardy souls. The birds were singing as well. I'm not very good at identifying bird song. That's something I'd like to work on.

Signing off for now....the sun is still shining bright!

Happy Valentine's Day

Personalize your own digital greeting

Liam's Room

( Thanks, Heather, for the pictures)

Not Everyone Complains About Winter

Cross country or cross trail

Does anyone know what kind of tree this is? Shaggy bark hickory?

American Tree Sparrow

Winter feeders

I took these photos last Sunday at Oakwood Metropark. The top picture is a beautiful red-bellied woodpecker. Next is the good old boys...a gang of male mallards. Above is the reason that I went to the park...to get a picture of a dark eyed junco. They only come to this part of Michigan in the winter, spending the rest of the year in Canada. They are really skittish and I had a hard time getting a good picture. He is a handsome fellow.

Snowmaggeddon, snOMG, snow 2K, snowpocalypse

It is a snowapalooza out there. Not as bad as it could have been but a mess none the less. I cleaned off my back porch and steps and the snow is very heavy. Waiting for the Curtis Team to come and clear the rest. Still snowing. Got some pictures from my son in Overland Park, Kansas. It looks far worse there and and the temperature this morning is 6.

I am still trying to decide if the snow storm met all the hype.