Hot Dogs, Marshmallows, Fire, and Snow

Happy New Year!

Where has 2007 gone? The months skipped by like flat stones hopping over the surface of the water and here comes January again, marching in full of snow.

Thanks to all the viewers and people who posted replies on Nature Shows and Dreams. I've made great friends because I blog and intend to continue on. You're the best!!! The blogosphere is full of great people.

Tonight Jeff built a fire in the snow and we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows on maple sticks and enjoyed the flavor of the night. This is a New Year's Eve tradition. It was harder to stand up after kneeling in the snow this year. LOL My knees must have dropped their springs somewhere.

The coyotes were quiet, the wind was hushed. All that was heard was the crackling of the fire and a stolen kiss...okay I asked for two. :D

God's blessings to all and I wish you the best in 2008.

Hugs, JJ

Lovely Winter Creek Photo :D

We had a heavy snowstorm last weekend, were without power for hours, but look at the lovely scenery that has draped my world. :D I love a winter creek scene and gasped when I saw this one.

Nature has times when it leaves us speechless for its beauty. The heavy snow bending and weaving the branches into a tapestry show, the beginning of the milky ice on the creek, the open patches of mirroring water all created a great view. I wished this moment in time lasted forever as I viewed my surroundings. I felt God's love warming me. This day I didn't want the scenery to change with the rising and setting of the sun.

I also breathed in the snowy scented air that held a hint of evergreen. And my boots crunched in the snow as I walked. A crow complained because his food was all covered up. It was as if I had been transported to some magical movie scene.

Happy Sunday and God Bless You in 2008!

Hugs, JJ

Coyote Tracks and Tales

Part of what makes winter fun is seeing animal tracks in the snow. Here are some coyote tracks. Coyotes walk in a straighter line than dogs and you can tell right away what the tracks are. These tracks held small dried beech leaves and I thought it was cool how the leaves nestled into the paw prints, adding more charm to the photo.

Coyotes. Do we have them! They howl at night across the creek, up on the ridge. They come across the creek and yowl in our yard, communicating to each other as to their whereabouts. We hear them while sitting in the living room or when lying in bed. It's a mournful sound and especially eerie under a full moon.

One time at night we had let our large dogs out and it was time to bring them in. They were frisky and sometimes it took some coaxing. Jeff and I were outside hollering for them and Jeff used his flashlight to find their glowing eyes quicker.

"Rosie," I hollered.

"I think I've found her in the bushes," Jeff said.

I turned around to see glowing eyes not far from me, iridescent marbles in a black night.

"It's a coyote," Jeff said, his snow boots scrunching on the driveway in the snow. "Go on. Get."

"Great," I said and rolled my eyes, hearing the bushes rustle as the coyote skedaddled. Okay, my heart skipped a few beats.

The dogs came bounding over the ridge, panting with their tongues lolling, having had a good twenty minutes to roam around, full of adventure and excitement.

"Come when I call, " I said to reprimand them.

"I can't wait for the time when these dogs settle down," I said to Jeff as I opened the front door to let them into the house.

"That will come soon enough, " Jeff said.

No kidding. Now Rosie wants the couch and wants me to sit on the floor. LOL

Hugs, JJ

The Winter Sun

During the winter, when a snowstorm troops

across the sky, the sun becomes a weak orb of light that you have to search for to reassure yourself it's there.

The sun had a cloud cataract on this day when I observed its light mid morning, duller than moonbeams, beyond the barren branches of a maple tree.

The day was gray and moody. I was waiting for coyotes to howl. I have coyote tracks in the snow coming up on the next post.

How does this photo inspire me? I know this clouding over of the sun is temporary. Some people imprison their thoughts into a negative cycle where every day looks like this. They can't forgive themselves for a past deed or forgive someone else for a past wrong.

Let it go.

God wants you to move forward. He wants you to succeed. :D Days like this are great for giving thanks for all you do have.

It's bright today. The clouds are only a haze. I opened the door and the sun glared off the snow, making me see spots like I was in a camera flash. :D The temps are near 40 degrees, which means the six inches of snow we have left will continue to melt. So far, it's been an easy winter. We missed that bad last snowstorm that left thousands without power. Once we lost power after an ice storm and had no electric for five days. We melted snow on the woodstove for bathing. :D

Blessings to you on your journey in life.

Hugs,JJ

Mackinac Bridge in Winter

The five mile span of the Mackinac Bridge connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and has celebrated it's 5oth anniversary of faithful service to commuters and tourists in this area. Michiganders call the bridge the Mighty Mac, but I see her as a "she", gracefully curving her way to the distant shoreline, successfully connecting the state of Michigan.

While on the bridge, one has a fantastic view of Mackinac Island; you can see the Grand Hotel jutting up stark white against the island's greenery.

And if you're lucky, you can watch freighters shouldering the Lake Huron waves as they pass by or journey under the bridge to Lake Michigan. I love seeing the salties, ships that come from the oceans, because they have unique designs and are different from the US traffic. During the warmer months, you see a little of everything on Lake Huron from sail boats to ferries to parasailing. Jeff and I want to parasail tandem on Lake Huron one day.

At night during this time of year, colorful Christmas lights that are strung along the railings light up and make the bridge crossing even more fun. Jeff and I plan a trip to Tahquamenon Falls during the winter so I can bring back winter waterfall photos, which are special to see.

If you're journeying during the Christmas season, drive safely.

Happy Christmas Eve! JJ

Cheboygan's Nativity Scene and a True Christmas Story

This Nativity Scene of the birth of Christ is nestled in snow on Cheboygan's Main Street. The life-sized figurines add to the charm of Christmas and make one's heart light as we remember the Bible story from long ago.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to those who celebrate the birth of Christ and BLESSINGS to all who do or don't celebrate the holiday.

When I was in parochial school, we always had a children's Christmas Eve service where we memorized portions of the Bible to retell the birth of baby Jesus and sang Christmas songs. We practiced in the church for weeks before December 24th.

"Don't mumble. Speak clearly. Sing louder," the teachers would say with tension in their voices, hinting of disaster. Many of the students were nervous standing up in front of the church and trying to remember their Bible verses while having stage fright. I always had a voice that carried and never needed a microphone. I loved the children's service, when all of us kids were dressed in our finest: red or green velvet dresses for the girls, and suits or sweaters and slacks for the boys.

I loved the Christmas service so much that I later became a Sunday school teacher to first and second graders and participated in the Christmas service each year. I enjoyed my Sunday school class. Thought of the children as my own during that special hour of time each week.

When one Christmas service rolled around, my class, with flushed cheeks of excitement for the birth of baby Jesus, and already having sung "AWAY IN THE MANGER", walked proudly to the front of the church and recited their lines.

"And it came to pass in THOSE days, that there went out a decree..."

KJV Bible, Luke: 2 had begun.

None of my class stumbled and recited the chapters loud enough so the whole congregation could hear.

I beamed.

After it was over a little boy and favorite of mine came back and slid next to me in the pew, while the others slid in around us. We grew quiet. It was time for the pastor's Christmas message. As I listened to the pastor's booming sermon voice, the little boy tugged on my dress sleeve and looked up at me with an urgency in his eyes.

I leaned down and whispered in his ear, "What?"

"Are you my real mother?" the little boy asked.

My eyebrows drew together in concern. His mother was sitting a few pews away.

"No, I'm your teacher," I whispered back, needing to clear that up right away.

"But you feel like my mother," the little boy insisted.

I smiled and patted him on the head.

While leaving the church I pulled the pastor aside. "Little Boy thinks I'm his mother," I said. "Do you think we have a problem?"

The pastor smiled and said, "That's nothing. He always asks me if I'm Jesus!"

That's a memory I hold dear to my heart.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! JJ

Baby Possum at the Feeder

Hey there, baby possum, where's your Mama? You look too small to winter on your own. How do you keep your pink, hairless tail warm? I love the pink tips on your ears. And you eat like my cat. If it weren't for your pointed mouth and all of those scary teeth, I'd be tempted to have you winter in the house. But enjoy the sunflower seeds. Keep warm, stayed tucked in your shelter during the storms, and grow to a strapping possum come spring.

Your gray and white peppered long hair looks so soft. I'd love to pet you, but I have to remember you're a wild animal and musn't go near. I want to say coochie - coo.

Don't you love God's creatures! Jeff had to shine the flashlight on this possum because twilight had come and I needed the critter in the spotlight. He's most welcome to partake of his evening meal.

It doesn't look all that great sprinkling black sunflower seeds on the white snow, but it helps many creatures of the forest and the larger birds who can't handle the feeder, like the dove, the cardinal, and the blue jays.

Hugs, JJ

Robbay's Cartoons are a Blast! and Hold a World of Meaning

Two Wise Mice

Robbay from A SIDE OF CARTOONS PLEASE has enchanted me with his humorous, enlightening, outrageous, well-crafted cartoons since I first visited his blog. I was transformed into the girl who stretched out on the floor with the Sunday funny page of the newspaper spread before her, getting laugh after laugh out the published cartoons.

The first Christmas cartoon, "Two Wise Mice", is a great example of his humor. The cartoon, while making us laugh, gives us the message of DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE. A great cartoon for this time of year when you watch every car during your holiday travels.

JOLLY

Robbay's true talent lies in the fact that he can empathize with anything, whether it's man or beast or inanimate object, and he does it with great finesse. Robbay's insightful and I'm in awe of his talent.

The second cartoon, "Jolly", is another example. Santa, who has all of the Christmas gifts in the world, delights in a tiny mouse who has a special gift of his own. Robbay is telling us to ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE. Sometimes we become so busy we don't see a special moment.

Robbay's inspiration comes from everywhere. I can't wait to visit his blog to see what he has come up with next! Like this one of Hilliary Clinton and the subject of mud slinging during a campaign. If only there was a time out on TV when the presidential race heats up so we could watch a regular commercial that makes us hungry. If only we could see CARTOONS during the mud slinging portion of the campaign, so we could chuckle and come away light-hearted, instead of saying, "those dirty dogs."

There are many more cartoons I love at A SIDE OF CARTOONS PLEASE. More Christmas cartoons to take the edge off the holidays after standing in long lines at the store counter, more cartoons of God's creatures who make our life a delightful place, more works like the one that was inspired by his daughter when she told Robbay he listened to elevator music. ROFL.

Take a moment to hop on over to A SIDE OF CARTOONS PLEASE. You'll enjoy the humorous journey and see the special place on the internet that Robbay has created. :D

Happy Holidays!

Hugs, JJ

Adorable Pine Grosbeak at the Feeder

This adorable Pine Grosbeak arrived at the feeder as one of a flock. At first they perched on branches of a barren maple and checked things out. After watching the downy woodpeckers and chickadees feasting, the grosbeaks decided it was safe to indulge.

This male, dusky rose colored bird enjoyed the sunflower seeds I had scattered on the ground.

It's a great treat to see a patch of color on the stark white landscape as winter progresses. The sound of this little guy's warble was music to my ears.

If you begin feeding the birds at the beginning of winter, don't stop. The birds come to rely on your seeds and suet and may have decided to hang around because of it. You don't want the little ones starving.

Happy Holidays!

Hugs, JJ

RITA winner and author ROXANNE ST. CLAIRE Guest Blogs :D

What a great opportunity! Rita Award winner and author Roxanne St. Claire is guest blogging on Nature Shows and Dreams, answering questions about her books and writing career. Her current release, HIS STYLE OF SEDUCTION is on the shelves now. I had Jeff buy it for me as soon as I heard it was out! It's a Harlequin Silhouette Desire book that is available online at stores like Harlequin or Amazon, or even at your local Wal-Mart or K-mart. Click on the links to learn more.

Here's a blurb for HIS STYLE OF SEDUCTION:

"His Style of Seduction – December, 2007 Finally! The story so many readers have asked for -- you met Jackson Locke in The Sins of His Past and he’s coming back for a story that will make you laugh and cry again! He’s wild, he’s rebellious and he’s a nonconformist right down to the last sexy bone…but someone has to change Jackson Locke’s style and he doesn’t like that…but he sure likes the woman who has the “makeover” job. Sparks fly when Jack has to demonstrate his one of a kind Style of Seduction."

Click here to read the first chapter.

SINS OF HIS PAST was an awesome read and I've just begun HIS STYLE OF SEDUCTION. When I turn to the first page of one of Roxanne's books, I'm immediately transported into a beautiful romance read where I never want the story to end. It happens every time! Roxanne has great storytelling talent and revealing character insight, and uses her talents to sculpture delicious heroes and beautiful heroines who become real and characters that you hold to your heart. Even if you haven't read SINS OF HIS PAST, you can dig right into HIS STYLE OF SEDUCTION.

Roxanne, whom we writers lovingly call Rocki, is the reason why I'm trying to become published today. She encouraged me when I was at my early stages of learning the craft. You hear me mention "The Hoods" sometimes and she is our fearless leader.

And did I tell you she's beautiful!!! I love you, Rocki.

If you have any questions, ask away. Visit Rocki's website and you'll see why she won a RITA!

Welcome, Roxanne St. Claire!

Hugs, your friend always...JJ

A Snowshoeing Afternoon In Northern Michigan

Jeff, the trail blazer, led to the way today on our snowshoeing outing to the shoreline of Lake Huron. It was a beautiful, blue sky day with the sun finally breaking through all of the lake effect snow we've been having in Northern Michigan. A great time to soak up some vitamin D and winter scenery.

It was a quiet day, no wind whistling in our ears, no birds singing on the trail...the birds were all at our feeder. LOL A perfect day to enjoy the peaceful elements of nature. We inhaled the crispy air and breathed in the balmy evergreen and experienced the winter God has given us.

Notice in the second photo how Jeff has cleared away the branches for me so I wouldn't snag my hat or scalp on a sharp stick. He's a considerate husband, the love of my life. :D I adore him and I enjoy our marriage. Winter doesn't stop us from playing. As long as hot chocolate waits for us at home and a warm fire.

Since Jeff was the trailblazer, you only see a photo of his back, but I promise a front shot of him on then next post. I also gathered some shoreline photos and can't wait to show them to you.

Robbay of A Side of Cartoons Please has honored me with a lovely review of Nature Shows and Dreams on his blog. Please visit Robbay and read through his great cartoon posts.

Hugs, JJ

Lacy, Snowy Branches and My Proudest Moment!

Lead me to your palace of ice, lacy branches of snow, and show me the magic of winter!

Outside can take your breath away during the winter season. You want to walk amongst the lacy, deciduous trees forever, as long as the deep snow doesn't climb down your boots and freeze your legs off. Thank heavens for snowshoes.

This actually is a photo of our driveway. We've had times after ice storms where Jeff had to chainsaw his way through the bent over branches that invaded our car space, making the driveway impassable. But we love the umbrella look of the full leafage in the summer and deal with the problems with the driveway when they come up. The biggest disadvantage to a driveway like this is the UPS driver refuses to come down it. LOL

My Proudest Moment

Anna of My Only Photo has tagged me with MY PROUDEST MOMENT. I've given this some thought over the past few days. Of course the birth of my two girls was a magical time where I knitted and crocheted my way until their due dates and then bundled my girls in what I had made them.

But my proudest moment is the day I graduated from college, because I knew then I could afford to take care of my girls myself after a divorce from a marriage of nine years. Taking care of my girls without help was the proudest moment in life. I didn't remarry until many years later. After high school my girls also graduated from college, and I knew I had guided them down a good path. :D

I'm proud of you, Jen and Rachel, every moment of the day!!!

Love, Mom

I pass the tag on to Carrie of Jabber Jaws because she has a heart that captures the admiration of others.

A Snowy Northern Michigan Landscape

Oh snowy, snowy day! This Northen Michigan landscape photo was taken in my yard. You can see my dog, Rosie, in the background posing for the photo. :D That's right - one ear up and one ear down. Her trademark since she was a pup.

The snow casts an aura of solitude over Northern Michigan during the winter season.

Rosie loves sitting in the snow, watching the bird activity at the feeder, and she loves barking if a coyote or deer happen by. One time in the summer a fawn thought Rosie was her mom and approached her when Rosie lay snoozing. It was cute to watch. The fawn darted away before my dog woke up. Rosie would have died if she knew another animal wanted her to be a mother. Rosie has enough trouble with Bubba the cat thinking Rosie is his mom and snuggling in for more than a snuggle. LOL

Living with nature brings the same peace to the soul that you see in both photos. It's as if time stands still for a moment so you can breathe. And when you inhale it's an invigorating breath that fills your lungs with a refreshing coolness. Until it dips down below zero. Then you want to hold your breath outside.

Hugs, JJ

Author Deidre Knight's PARALLEL DESIRE Hits the Shelves!

PARALLEL DESIRE: A Novel of the Midnight Warriors
by Deidre Knight

“Emotional…powerful…enthralling…innovative.”
—New York Times Bestselling Author Gena Showalter


On a mission of vengeance, time traveler Scott Dillon finds himself marooned in the past—and risks disrupting the entire universe in his quest to destroy the warrior who killed his wife and unborn child.

A never-ending passion for Scott lures Refarian medic Shelby Tyler to Texas, but the man she finds there is nothing like the man for whom she once cared. Reeling from his loss, Scott has lost himself in drinking and brawling. With her body, Shelby will lift him from despair. And with her heart, she will help him discover a part of his soul he thought was lost forever—and the devastating truth behind the murder of his wife.

Praise for the Midnight Warriors Series

“Powerfully sensual and mind-blowing.”—Romance: B(u)y the Book

“Wonderful…with an out-of-this-world twist.”—Fresh Fiction

I love reading paranormal romance and Deidre's MIDNIGHT WARRIORS rock!!! She satisfies a hunger I have for a good read where handsome heroes sweep me off my feet. Jeff loves it when I read romance because it spices up our relationship.

Hugs, JJ

Snow Lady Birdfeeding Chick LOL

It's an overcast day after the severe snowstorm passed through last night with howling winds, but it left a snow lady birdfeeding chick outside of my window. Already black-capped chickadees and ruby-capped red polls have landed on her to pluck sunflower seeds from her balsam needle hairdo. I'll post some pics of the feeding birds when I have a good shot. I'm hoping the sun will poke through the gray long john stretch of sky so I can capture better fowl colors.

In the second photo, Bubba watches the suet and thistle feeders from the window. My cats dislike the snow and turn into indoor cats who prefer to look at the frozen landscape out of the window, while basking in the glow and warmth of the woodstove. When they have cabin fever, I feed them catnip coated around their favorite plush toys.

Have a super day. Jeff had to snowblow for over two hours this morn, before the driveway turned to slush with the over thirty degree temps we have today. This was our first snowstorm and our initiation into this winter season is completed. Happy snowshoeing to those who share this weather.

Seven Weird Facts about Myself

Tatiana from the Totally Useless Blog has tagged me to write seven weird facts about myself, and then I have to pass the tag on to seven other bloggers.

1) I love to eat M&Ms and wash them down with grapefruit juice.

2) I have to be the expert at irrevocably tangling an appliance cord in a short amount of time.

3) I cannot be away from water for too long of a time. My soul needs it.

4) All of my friends are on the internet. LOL

5) I have "knowings" of some future events. Many times I have to tell Jeff to trust me when I don't make any sense to him when trying to explain the impressions I'm feeling. I'm instinctive and Jeff is factual by nature. My instincts prove themselves.

6) I sing my cats in from outside. My favorite song is "The Rose" by Better Midler.

7) I have been known to crawl in my sleep in the past and awaken in the kitchen. I blame that on Jules Verne. After reading JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, I had nightmares that a red laser was trying to zap me when I slept. In my hurry to roll out of bed, I would tangle in the sheets and crawl away. LOL When I felt the cold kitchen tiles, I'd wake up.

My seven tagged bloggers are:

Smile! Tomorrow Could Be A Lot Worse!, because Lena has a needed voice in today's world.

The Whisper of Madness, a blog which warms the spirit.

Merging Point, who is on a fascinating journey.

Chicago Nature Lady, who paints nature in watercolor.

EVEREST THREE, because himalman lives his mountain climbing dream.

Eavesdrop Writer, a blog that shows a slice of our culture with every post.

Art From the Heart, where purple lady shows us artwork that's inspiring.

Hugs, JJ