Lake Huron Shoreline in the Winter

During a lull in a snowstorm yesterday, I had the opportunity to snap this picturesque Lake Huron shoreline photo. The harsh wind stung my cheeks and my boots sank into water, wetting my socks, but the photo was worth the discomfort.

I'm amazed at the beauty God has given us in this world and hope we all have time to enjoy it once in a while. Watching the golden grass seed heads bowing in the strong wind and seeing the white waves rolling in from dark blue Lake Huron waters was an experience I won't soon forget. I felt alive at that moment and found perspective for my goals. Often we become bogged down in our routines and start spinning our wheels. Having a view as far as the eye can see settles the spirit and sings to the soul. Already this morning I have written a scene for my ms and it's not even 8 AM.

The weather forecast has predicted up to fourteen inches of snow for Sunday. I will have my camera ready. :D

Note: Blogger.com has had a software change and the images do not enlarge like before. They are working on giving us the old way back.

Hugs, JJ

You're an Amazing Blogger Award and a Lovely Country Snow Scene Photo

Bob, from Blackholes and Astrostuff, an addictive astronomy blog, has awarded Nature Shows and Dreams with the You're and Amazing Blogger Award. :D The award warms my heart, especially with a snowstorm brewing outside. Thank you, Bob!

If you're into astronomy or love just gazing at the night sky, Bob knows how to draw you into the mysterious and amazing black space filled with colorful wonder that surrounds our blue earth. The ever expanding Comet Holmes is one example. Bob has been a great blogging friend whom I love visiting often. Jeff and I are thinking about buying a telescope.

It's my turn to pass on this award. My choices are: Peripheral Vision - Inner Sights by Lynda Lehmann, Gayle Rainwater Photography, A Side of Cartoons Please, and Floyds Ancient Wonders. If you click on the links, you'll see why I chose them. :D They're spectacular.

I also wanted to show you a lovely country snow photo that I snapped last year. With six to twelve inches of snow predicted in this area, the landscape will whiten over to a thick blanket of white that begs for snowshoes. The world turns into a magical place when snow clings to the branches and roofs of buildings and cushions your footsteps.

Soon we'll snowshoe, build a fire and roast hotdogs. A winter treat.

Hugs, JJ

Puffs of Snow on a Golden Tamarack

The tamarack's my favorite evergreen because if its delicate, lacey pattern of needles that whirl around the tree. I love the golden autumn coloring of the tamarack in the sunlight, and the snow makes it even more beautiful.

And it's a special evergreen because the tamarack, or American larch as others call it, acts like a deciduous tree and drops its needles in the fall.

This tree kept its needles longer than some of the other tamaracks that hibernated before winter set in. It was more sheltered from the wind. I was lucky the sun took a moment to shine through a dark sky so I could capture this shot.

This tamarack dares to be different and look how it glows. She has a personality! She's delicate on the outside but holds strong wood within her girth. A symbol of femininity. :D

Hugs, JJ

Painting of the Family Farm

This family farm painting was done by my great aunt Elizabeth, and it now hangs in my mother's living room. When I gaze at it my childhood springs to life. We used to dress up in our Sunday best for a visit to the farm because it was a grand occasion. I kept asking, "Why do I have to dress up when I'm going to play outside?" It was careful play, playing tag around the trees in back or playing softball without sliding into home base.

During the breaks, I'd spend an hour reading through the two long rows of National Geographic magazines, getting my eyes fulls sometimes and blushing.

When asked what I wanted to eat, I always requested bread and butter and water and my aunt Elizabeth laughed and teased me, but she baked the best homemade bread!!! I can feel the butter melting in my mouth now and inhale the yeast aroma of bread fresh from the oven.

After supper, the grown ups would play cards until the stars came out, while I read through yet another National Geographic and wondered how my family could play the German card game, Spitzer, so long. I half listened to the great stories that circulated around the table and sometimes laughed with them over a good joke.

As I watched the clock my eyelids grew heavy. One hour. Two hours. Three hours...

YAWN!

Then a relative would stand and say, "It's time!" The shiny fiddle appeared and the adults and children gathered onto the porch and waited for the fiddler to enliven the night. When he placed his bow on his fiddle strings and played lively music, we hopped onto the ground and partnered up for square dancing under the bright starlight and amongst the fireflies. Now the dress made sense. :D Square dancing wouldn't be as much fun without swishing skirts.

What memories I have of the family farm. And how wonderful I had the opportunity to share them with you. The farm no longer is in the family, but I still dream of back when.

Hugs, JJ

Happy Thanksgiving! and Snow Crystals on an Evergreen

Happy Thanksgiving and safe traveling to those on the road heading toward family and friends. We have lake effect snow coming in later this afternoon along Lake Huron. I hope my family makes it before the weather turns bad.

This photo shows how ice can mix with snow to form crystals on the evergreen needles. As late autumn changes over to winter the weather varies between rain, sleet and snow. This also makes the highways slippery. Soon the roads will have salt and sand on them to make them navigable during the snow season. Black ice is slick and hard to see. Please be careful!

This is also the time one takes a tentative step outside to see if salt needs scattering before stepping out to the car. The porch can glaze over with ice. One year the truck was parked on ice and when I opened the door and lifted my leg to step into the vehicle, I slipped right underneath the truck! Banged up my shins good. It was a slapstick moment. Jeff chuckles with me now and then when we think about it. He couldn't figure out how I disappeared. One moment I was there, and the next moment flat on my back and out of sight. The underside of the vehicle didn't shine like the rest of the truck. LOL

Enjoy your gathering of loved ones and make memories that last forever. I'm looking forward to hugs from my family and catch up time. :D

Hugs, JJ

Finding my Muse along a Frozen Lake Huron Shoreline

This photo was taken of me walking along the frozen Lake Huron shoreline a few seasons ago but is one of my favorite winter photos. It shows you where I still find my muse when I'm working on a manuscript. My walk this year will modify to an ice-free shoreline because I broke my arm last Christmas Eve - not at the lake, but the memory of the slip and the pain lingers.

Everyone needs inspiration and the Lake Huron shoreline, with its vast expanse of water and sky as far as the eye can see, does that for me. The water and sky turn into a movie screen and my characters whisper into my ear and tell me what will happen in the next scenes. Their utmost secrets are revealed to me in my solitary walk.

Writing fiction becomes a search into your own soul and has been helpful to me by giving me insight on difficulties I've had in my life. If you have problems to overcome and have an urge to write fiction, give it a try! It's amazing how you can grow emotionally through fictionalized characters. Through writing I've found a sense of peace I know I never would have achieved if I hadn't delved into my psyche. We all search for inner peace. Writing fiction is a great way to figure yourself out.

Do you have a favorite place you visit when you need to think things through?

Hugs, JJ

WooHoo! First Snowfall and Chickadee Photo

From the photo two posts down, you can see what a difference a day or two can make in Northern Michigan weather. This snowfall happened while we were in town shopping. We left in a leaf covered landscape and came back to a winter wonderland. The chickadees have been feeding heavily for five days. They knew the snow was coming.

When you live close to nature, you can predict the weather from what's happening in the woods around you. Like in the summer if I see ants scurrying, I know a rainstorm's moving in.

But doesn't the first accumulating snow look inviting! The weather hasn't cast on its frigid cloak yet so walking outside has one singing Christmas carols.

I saw a boy rolling up his first snowman as Jeff fought the slippery roads home. Two drivers had pulled off the road and were traveling at a snail's pace. Traveling on snow covered roads makes the winter a challenge.

The fat snowflakes amuse me now. When February rolls around, I may come dragging my boots in here. LOL

Hugs, JJ

The Glory of Clouds in the Sky

Don't you love a moment when you the take time to raise your eyes to the sky and find a glorious display of clouds drifting by! I always wonder if God lets painters who have gone to heaven try their hand on the clouds for the day, and that's why you see so many different features and colors in them.

These dark, pearly-gray and pink tinted clouds were scooting by to the west of us one afternoon and I'm glad Jeff and I shared this moment together. If nature has given us anything, it's quality time to enjoy our environment.

The longer I commune with nature, the more spiritual I become. It's inevitable.

Hugs, JJ

Do You Love Chickadees At The Feeder and Do You Hand Feed?

When the sun's bright orb blazes through the barren trees, I love to stand at the window and watch the cheery black-capped chickadees work their way to the feeder. Some sit on a maple branch a moment and then wing in. Others land on the perch right away, grab their treasured sunflower seeds in their beaks and whisk them away, only to return in a minute later.

I know when the lovable birds are on their way. When I stand outside on the porch inhaling the brisk morning air, I hear chick-a-dee-dee-dee down by the creek and I chick-a-dee-dee-dee back. It warms my heart. :D

The long Northern Michigan winter would drag on if not for the friendly chickadees warming up the air with their various bird calls. They also follow me around, hopping from evergreen to evergreen, when I'm stomping through the snow. The chickadees are my dear friends as much as anyone I know.

As the winter drags on, I'll post some hand feeding chickadee photos. If you've never hand fed the birds, it's a treat hearing their pillowy sound close to your ear and feeling their tiny feet on your glove. Stand still, don't move a muscle, don't look at them, and soon they'll land wherever you have sprinkled seed on yourself. I love to sprinkle it on my head, my arms and my hands.

This is my hundredth post!!!

Hugs, JJ

The New Mackinaw Icebreaker Looks Sharp on the Great Lakes

The excitement mounted as we waited for the new Coast Guard Mackinaw Icebreaker and our first view. She's a beauty and we were surprised by her design. With her 360 degree rotating propulsion pods (azipods), she has full power backwards. The bottom of her blunt stern has a scalloped edge to help the ice breaking process. Actually the new Mackinaw can tackle ice from all directions. No need for a rudder. :D And no need for a whale of a ship.

She's a 240 foot eye-catching ice breaker and was launched on April 2nd, 2006. Both she and the old Mackinaw Ice Breaker were in service for a while - a couple of months - before the old one was decommissioned and the new one carried on. She's powerful and ready to tackle the Great Lakes ice again this year. The Mackinaw also tends buoys, does search and rescue and such.

What a magnificient sight the new Mackinaw Ice Breaker makes when we see her riding the waves with her red and white paint glowing in the sun. Another great reason to live in Michigan. Hardly a day goes by when someone isn't talking about the new Mackinaw Icebreaker. :D

Hugs, JJ

Sharing Local Color: The Snowmobiling Bear LOL

This time of year the snowflakes fly and one begins to drive passed houses where it's not unusual to see the snow mobile dragged out into the driveway with its hood up, and seeing a man hard at work tuning up the engine.

This always makes me think of this humorous photo I snapped a couple of years ago in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Jeff and I were on our way to Eckerman and were traveling on US 123 when we passed through Trout Lake and this scene.

Jeff pulled over. It was too funny to pass up a shot. It makes you wonder if bear do hibernate, or if they speed off after other snowmobilers. LOL

A little local color goes a long way in making a trip more enjoyable. I appreciate a good sense of humor. :D

Hugs, JJ

Winner of Floyds Best Bloggers Award and More Photos of the Old Mackinaw Icebreaker

Finding my blog the recipient of FLOYDS BEST BLOGGERS AWARD touches my heart. It is my heart and soul that I pour into this blog and I'm glad others are enjoying reading Nature Shows and Dreams. It's been great meeting other bloggers and interacting with the message posters here. I couldn't imagine life without blogging. It's opened up my world and I've visited places I've never dreamed off. Floyd's blogs are such places.

In continuation of my Coast Guard Mackinaw Icebreaker photos, the first photo is of the Old Mackinaw's bell at the front of her bridge, ringed with a wreath - the symbol of goodwill, that was displayed when we toured her.

The second shot shows the Mackinaw's length and her graceful shape. The ship was in use keeping shipping lanes open from 1941-2006. Sixty-five years of hard service.

The old Mackinaw Icebreaker would ram and smash the ice with her strong hull, which must have been incredibly loud, or push its bow up onto the ice and use the weight of the ship to smash the ice under it. The new Mackinaw has a different icebreaking technique I'll post about soon.

Hugs, JJ

Author Deidre Knight Pre-release Celebration Chat!!!

My favorite paranormal/romance author, Deidre Knight, is having a pre-release PARALLEL DESIRE chat tomorrow afternoon. I love her writing and am happy to invite you to her celebration chat.:D If you've never been to an author chat, it's great fun and a chance to see what happens in an author's life.

Hugs, JJ


Come and join author Deidre Knight for a pre-release “cocktail hour” celebration of PARALLEL DESIRE’s publication!




Hosted by her e-loop, we’ll be chatting, doing giveaways and trivia from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST on 11/9/07 at the TKA chat room!



Come one, come all and have a blast with us for a special TGIF!!

Old Mackinaw Icebreaker Turned into a Museum Ship

The decommissioned Coast Guard Icebreaker Mackinaw has been turned into an Icebreaker Museum Ship and sits at dock in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The 290 foot vessel was built in 1941 and has been a sight on the Great Lakes with her tall mast for as long as I can remember. When I heard it was going to be replaced a pang shot through my heart. It's part of the nostalgia of Michigan. You can imagine my delight to hear after the retirement, she found a home in Mackinaw City where tourists and residents can tour her.

Jeff and I were lucky to take a tour the winter before she was taken out of service, and braved a bitter winter day that chilled us to the bone to walk on her deck and view the bridge. What struck Jeff about the vessel was the natural cork insulation on the steel walls. It brought home the age of the vessel and the fact that they provided good insulation to the crewmen.

Here I am in the second photo standing in front of a motor lifeboat with my cheeks frozen - this was at the end of the tour. I wondered how bundled up the crew members must have to be on deck. The thought made me shiver and admire any women serving on her. If I were one of them, I'd have ten layers on.

You can see the new 240 foot Mackinaw Ice Breaker in the background. I have more photos coming of both vessels in future posts.

Hugs, JJ

Wild Wind Storm along Lake Huron

This brooding photo was taken last night before the ice pelted the house and we took shelter inside. The storm brought high winds with it that still rage outside. Our power was off all day. The waves on Lake Huron are predicted to reach eighteen feet tonight.

When Jeff came home from work we drove to the beach because pounding waves are mesmerizing to watch. We left the car and walked to the shoreline, the wind piercing through our clothes and my ears growing numb. Jeff was smart and wore earmuffs. The sand pelted our faces but I wanted to take some shots. I lined up the boulder on the left hand side for the shot below. Lake Huron is so shallow that the huge waves broke off shore in roiled waters. While standing on the beach I thought the wind would blow me away. LOL It reminded me of a teacher who used to tell me to eat my Wheaties when I was in grade school.

Have a super evening!!! We're hunkered down and I have a tremendous urge to munch.

Hugs, JJ

Sailboat Masts, Arnold Mackinac Ferry, and a Bell Tower

Mackinaw City is a picturesque tourist town in the Straits Area of Northern Michigan and every stop tells a story. Here gleaming sailboat masts point to the sky in a row in dry dock, while the vessels wait for sails to hoist once more in 2008. The scene is one of expectation.

A Native American fishing boat and the Arnold Transit Co. Mackinac Ferry still were moored to the dock as we viewed the scene. The Arnold Transit Co. has been in service for more than 125 years, taking tourists on delightful ferry trips in this area. Mackinaw Island and the Mackinaw Bridge are some of the highlights.

In the below photo, this Bell Tower sits on the lawn by the parking lot of the harbor we visited and also caught my eye. At this point I don't know where the bell is from but would appreciate it if someone could comment on it.

When one walks around Mackinaw City, one has an urge to "really want to know!"

Yesterday when I snapped these photos the sky had filled with clouds that looked like they were harboring snow. The temps have dipped to that time of year. While the boats all rest in the snow at the docks, I'll sit by my woodstove with Jeff and hope to snowshoe the winter wonderland.

Something else caught my eye at this scene big-time and I'll post about it next. :D

Hugs, JJ

Red Blueberry Leaves and a Deer Trail

Red blueberry leaves grace the garden in autumn and the fine green asparagus fronds hang onto the summer that's passed. As you can see in the background of this photo, the poplar and maple trees have shed their leaves and have settled down for a long winter's nap. It's a time when the forest grows quiet.

The other day I noticed my cats lounging on the front step with their eyes on the apple orchard, which is next to the garden. I followed their gaze and saw two does eating apples. One had her head tipped up high as she nabbed a yellow delicious off a branch and munched it down. The other less bold doe ate from the ground, her eyes averting to me time and time again in a long stare as I watched on from the bay window. I wanted to snap a photo but my windows had condensation on them - the highs and lows of photography. LOL But I did take a shot of the deer path that they used when the crossed the creek. It's the opening at the bottom of the photo. The deer have the tall grass worn down to the nub in that spot. I'm sure bear probably use it too and other creatures.

I love the shimmery reflection of the forest in a creek and find this spot feels like a sanctuary. I run there when I need to feel God's arms around me, and I take the trail down to the creek when I'm soul searching. We all need a place like this to know our hearts.

Do you have a special place you visit for contemplation?

Hugs, JJ

Winner of Nice Matters Award and a Glowing Autumn Photo :D

My Only Photo has chosen Nature Shows and Dreams for the "Nice Matters Award". Anna, the owner of that blog, has been a dear friend since we met at Blog Catalog. We speak the same nature/snap photo language and share an interest in writing. Thank you, Anna for finding me a worthy recipient of this beautiful award. :D

The rules of this award state that the winner has to be a nice person, good as a blog friend, and an inspiration to others. Now it's my turn to pass on his honor.

My choices are Word Strumpet because Charlotte Rains Dixon, who is a free-lance writer, novelist, copy writer, and creative writing teacher, always inspires me with warmhearted and helpful posts.

Next, I choose Fruit Spieces because Fruity has a delightful blog full of fruit photos and posts that have me bringing exotic foods home from the grocery store and this has me eating healthier. :D Fruity has been a special blog friend from the beginning and very supportive.

Go! Smell the Flowers has inspired me and made me feel at home every time I have visited. And even has an Inspirational Group on Blog Catalog! The focus also is on humor and that's important in today's world.

And last but not least, I choose Piping Girl, who has played the highland bagpipes for two years and blogs about her interest in an inspiring way. :D I've enjoyed our blog interaction.

Congrats to all the winners!!! Please pass the "Nice Matters Award" on. You can grab the image from the top of this post.

Hugs, JJ