Take a Walk In the Park Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today is considered to be “Take a Walk in the Park Day”.  I am a big advocate for being outdoors. I think everyone should try to be outside on a daily basis. Even if the time outside is short due to the weather; get outdoors. Michigan can dish out some pretty cold, windy, wet, snowy, days.

I still find the need to be outdoors during those times even if my time outdoors is limited. I may just walk to my mail box or walk around the house.  On those days, where the weather will  not allow me to be outside, I step out on to my front porch just to view my surroundings. I understand everyone cannot do the same. Eventually, you almost become addicted to being outdoors. I have days where I just need to “unplug” myself from all my technical gadgets (which I love). I still carry my cell phone with me for emergency use. I put the ringer to silent.  Of course, I never go for a walk without my camera. Michigan has some of the most beautiful wildlife and nature landscapes.

I am lucky because I am near numerous areas where I can enjoy walking around on old paths and trails to view and photograph the wildlife. I live near the Maple River.  I can walk around the edge of the river flats to discover any creature movement. I have been doing this since I can remember. Despite being an adult, I still come home with my boots covered in mud. Oh well.

Despite the cold weather or hectic schedules, I still think you should take a walk in the park or walk around on a hiking trail. You do not have to be professionally hiker to enjoy the outdoors. Grab a pair of comfortable walking shoes and enjoy. A simple walk around the block can actually be beneficial to both you and your family.

Here in Michigan, there a numerous beautiful hiking trails and parks to discover and explore nature. In fact in most areas, parks are a short drive away. I know being outdoors can be difficult especially with hectic work and school schedules. But I do think making an effort to spend time outdoors is good for everyone especially for children. Plan a special day to go to the park.  When you walk around, point out the birds, let children explore the surroundings.  You may surprised by their questions or their need to learn more about their surroundings.

 

Is it Spring?

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Is it Spring? Oh, I just love living in Michigan. To be honest I do love it here. The day started out with the sun shining; I thought the sun was a predictor for warmer afternoon. A chance for me to get out and walk around my yard; I have been thinking about what herbs and vegetables I would like to plant. But no by the afternoon, the wind picked up and the snow started to fall. What can I say, it’s spring time in Michigan. One moment the weather seems warm and the next I am building a fire.

Well, I hope everyone had a great weekend. May your week be filled with peace and harmony.

Until next time….peace.

First Day of Spring

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The first day of Spring brought warm, sun shine with over 50 degree weather. I love seeing the sun shine through out my entire house. Except for the sun actually reveals how much dust and cob webs my house currently holds. I guess a Spring cleaning day will be in my near future.

At least with the warmer weather that we have been experiencing here in mid-Michigan, I can get outdoors to photograph wild life. I do get out in the winter, but during the other season I love being outside as much as possible.

The photo I am sharing is a hawk.  I seen him outside my kitchen window (I cannot actually confirm he is male, I am guessing) flying in my field. Then, he dove downward to catch his prey.  The hawk stayed on the ground for some time until he retreated to the nearby tree.  I took this opportunity to photograph him.

I was actually standing on my front porch when I took this picture which is a bit grainy. I need to invest in another long lens. The hawk immediately knew I was there. He even looks like he is starring right at me in a couple of the photos. I guess my camera clicking was bothering his concentration. He kept moving from branch to branch as he watched my every move. Then, he dove down again to find his prey.  I watched him for a while without bothering him with my camera. I found his movements remarkable.

Well, Happy First Day of Spring everyone!

Until next time…. peace….

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I just want to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!

After researching my mother’s family, I learned my great grandparents originated from Ireland. Mostly around the Dublin and Northern Ireland area, I would really like to go there.  So, I have made that a top priority on my bucket list.

I love the stories that I learned while researching their roots. There were different folklore past down through the generations that I found absolutely fascinating. The stories have provided me with a basis for the book that I am writing.

I am hoping with a little “luck of the Irish” my endeavor will be a success.

 

 

A Bit of Fantasy

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I spent most of this chilly Saturday night working with some different photo software.  I love the relatively easy use of this type of software. I grew up in the era of film; I did go into the digital world of photography kicking and screaming.  What can I stay to this day, I still like my film camera. I know.. “GASP” but I always enjoyed the “magic” of developing my own prints.

But I do like the quick use of photo editing software. Tonight, I played with different textures and overlays. I enjoyed making the different, almost fantasy type extensions of my photos.

Sunset ReImagined

What do you all think???

The Ship

 

Until next time…..peace

 

Torn

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.”  Henry Rollins

Winter has definitely come back to Michigan.  Today’s snow fall left me torn between the beauty of winter and the desire for warmer days. Like any good writer, I took advantage of the cold wintry day by accepting extra articles.  I got ahead of a couple deadlines which is a wonderful feeling.

For the rest of the evening, I will work on my personal writing while having the fireplace roar with warmth. I am grateful for winter days as I look forward to spring’s rebirth from the coldness.

I hope everyone had a wonderful day.

Until next time…..peace….

Rainbow Above the Trees

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Over the last couple of weeks, the weather here in Michigan has been extremely cold.  Actually between the negative temps and the bitterly cold wind chills, area schools have had to close down. I honestly do not remember any time where schools have had to close due to just the winter coldness.  I remember, school being closed due to the amount of snowfall but never freezing temps.  On a good note, Spring is inching closer every single day.

Needless to say, with the cold weather I have been hibernating inside next to the fire.  I have been trying to complete my book as well as keep up with my deadlines. I have done really well meeting article deadlines early (still had a couple rejections but that’s part of the freelance writing gig).

I was surprised to view this rainbow above the tree line tonight.  I am assuming the rainbow was due to the ice crystals in the air.  I loved seeing the brightness of the rainbow against the dull wintry sky.

Have a great night everyone.

Until next time….peace…

Frozen Clouds

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Ok, I know clouds cannot be frozen.  I do remember some parts of my science classes from grade school.  Tonight, when I had to get outside and away from the computer, the air was so cold.  The clouds just looked as if they were frozen in the sky.  I loved watching them as they slowly changed.

The air is suppose to be colder and colder throughout the rest of the evening. I really do not seem surprised by this; we’ve been experiencing this cold snap for a few days now here in Michigan. So, I am going to focus on my novel. But I thought I would share my frozen clouds first.

b2 b3 b4 b5

 

Have a great night.

Until next time…peace.

Friday the 13th

Posted on by Rebecca C.

So, today is Friday the 13th. Does that make you worried? The only aspect of Friday the 13th that I find scary today is the cold weather. The wind is still blowing causing the wind chill to dip down into the negative double digits. The sun is out shining brightly which is very deceiving; the cold air is enough to take your breath away when you step out the door. But I know spring is just around the corner. In fact, I think the first official day of spring is just over thirty days away. I am definitely ready to get outdoors without having to bundle up.

I have been looking up some quotes and facts about today.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery…Today is a Friday the 13! ~~Author Unknown

Did you know that the fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia? ~~Author Unknown

It’s Friday the 13th. Just warning you all before you make any weekend arrangements for wood cabins by the lake.  ~~Author Unknown

Here are some facts about Friday the 13th, according to NBC News:

Here are five of our favorite Friday-the-13th facts:

  1. Fear of Friday the 13th — one of the most popular myths in science — is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.
  2. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.
  3. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.
  4. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. “It was bad luck,” Twain later told the friend. “They only had food for 12.” Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.
  5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number — 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.”

I thought the facts were interesting especially the part where you can hire a 14th guest to complete a dinner party (NBC News, 2014).  I love learning about superstitions and folklore. The ones that surround Friday the 13th are intriguing.

Have a great day!

Until next time…..peace….

 

Source:

NBC News, (2014). Five facts about Friday the 13th. Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29661652/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/five-facts-about-friday-th/#.U5tjk_ldV8E

Beautifully Cold Morning

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I am not sure if the words “beautifully cold” are proper together.  But those two words are how the morning looked to me. The last few days, the mornings have been cold.  The windchill has been in the negatives.  Mid-Michigan has warnings out, do not expose any part of your skin for more than 30 minutes or risk frost bite. Needless to say, I have been spending most of my time indoors.

I really cannot complain. I can deal with cold, there are many areas that are being hit with massive snow storms.  So, this seems to be mild compared to what Mother Nature could truly unleash. Anyways, I just stoke up the fireplace a little more especially in the evenings. The wind is colder during the evening hours, the extra heat is truly a blessing.  My house has been nice and warm the last few days.  My cats and dogs are pleased, I find them all gathered around the fireplace throughout the day.

During this cold snap, I have been putting extra seeds out for the birds and other little critters that visit my feeders. I think, it is the least I can do for my feathery little “friends”.  I love watching them around the feeders.  I can sit at my table, work on my book, drink my tea and watch the wildlife.

If you are in a cold snap, stay warm.

Until next time…..peace.