Life on the Bay

St. Patrick's Day

is an enchanted time

- a day to begin

transforming winter's dreams

into summer's magic.

  ~Adrienne Cook

H2O:

two parts Heart

and

one part Obsession.

~Author Unknown

For those of you who don't know me that well, let me just say that I was never much of a swimmer. I decided to learn a couple of years ago and I have to report: I AM IN LOVE WITH SWIMMING.  I get to take swim classes with my sister (she's really good) on Saturdays at  Lecom.  It's hard sometimes but I am really happy with my progress.  I smell like chlorine most days and if you sneak a peak in my purse you would find a wet bathing suit.  Swimming has become my favorite exercise.  M got me this really cool underwater housing for my camera. I can't wait for summer so I can really get some good shots!

Have fun today and find your new passion.

Don't wait for your ship to come in

- swim out to it. 

~ Author Unknown

There is new life in the soil for every man. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes.

Remember that nature is your great restorer.

~ CALVIN COOLIDGE

 
We shake our fingers in shame at those who have left manmade things lying about on the now very thin Ice. Why would someone who loves the outdoors not show the very same place, and very same space, the respect that they would use in their own yard? 

Go confidently in

the direction of

your dreams.

Live the life

you have imagined.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Sometimes I just want to open my eyes and see a whole different world. I want everything to have changed all at once into the next season or place. Other times, I want to watch everything slow down. I want to see the incremental changes in each little plant that grows. I want to discover again each  bird and bug that will bring the new season. I want to notice that today there is light for three minutes longer than there was yesterday. I want to be around people who smile, and make me smile, and I want to be one of them.

 

I saw a small Coyote today. He was about a mile out on the ice. The weird thing is that even though with my very best telephoto lens, I could barely see him, I could tell that he was looking at me. He is probably the last creature that will walk across the frozen bay this winter. The winds are high and the Ice is starting to heave and break up.

 

What a glorious season that is to be. We took a ride and I found the swans today. They were swimming in a big area of the first open water to be seen. The ice is retreating and soon will be a memory. Intermixed with the swans were some buffleheads and other migratory ducks that pass through a couple of times a year.

 

 If you look into the woods and squint your eyes just the right way, you can see some greening of the undergrowth as the final snows melt away. The frail little underling plants only have a short while to get some sun before the leaves come out  and steal their light. Sadly, I think I have found the remains of the last Snowman on the bay.

 

The skiing signs have to come down and find their storage place until next year, and the ice rescue equipment can all be thanked for not being needed. M is already looking for the smallest nub of a daffodil coming up. I tell him it's too early but like a dog, he won't quit looking in the same old spots. 

 

The winds are blowing extremely hard now from the East. When this happens the lake  always drops and the drop this time is dramatic. The normal shoreline is suddenly twenty feet wider as the waters retreat. M is excited and hopes the wind continues all night. If it does, this means artifacts and treasures to be found tomorrow. I'll let You know!

Sunshine is delicious,

rain is refreshing,

wind braces us up,

snow is exhilarating;

there is really no such thing as bad weather,

only different kinds of good weather.

~ John Ruskin

 

In spring time,

 love is carried on the breeze.

 Watch out for flying passion

 or kisses whizzing

 by your head.

   ~ Emma Racine deFleu

 

Just a day or two ago, we took a ride and saw everyone in the city enjoying the Sun and the Ice at the same time. The Ice boaters  have lowered their flag and retreated. They have better instincts than anyone, so I use their lead to determine the safety of the ice. You can feel the change. Even if we get bad weather this weekend, sunshine and optimism are in the air.

 

The creeks have opened up and are running like rampages of Chocolate milk. The flyfishermen are happy as they somehow pull fat Steelhead and Rainbow trout from the swirling mess.

Are these fishermen crazy or what? 

There is enough driftwood on some of the beaches to build a house. M has declared it the official opening day of Mud season. What a fun time to be at the beach. The wind is picking up and the cameras are on standby to see what will happen next.

Wherever you go,

no matter what the weather,

always bring your own sunshine.

   ~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Don't forget to change your clocks!

It was one of those March days

 when the sun shines hot

 and the wind blows cold:

  when it is summer in the light,

 and winter in the shade.

  ~ Charles Dickens

The last couple of days have been heaven and I think the quote I found says it all...

"Always remember that the future comes one day at a time. "

Dean Acheson

I've had a birthday week of fun and chocolate. We went out to dinner last night with some friends in the family and have another dinner tomorrow.

It seems like I am backed up on things around the house but there will be time this weekend. As wonderful as vacation was, it always takes a little while to get things back in order at home.

The weather has been really nice allowing us to take long walks with the dogs. My little buddy Molly is much more content and has renewed her interest in Chipmunk hunting.

The Docks are emerging from beneath the snow and I hear random bits of bird-chirp floating through the air.

I am finally ready to believe M. Spring is coming.

We turn outward,

attracted by the beauty we see

in created things without realizing

that they are only a reflection

of the real beauty.

And the real beauty

is within us.

~ Ernesto Cardenal

The sun light was perfect yesterday afternoon and  the temperature held the promise of warm summer days to come. I could almost hear the sounds of summer picnics and the dip of my paddle.

But the snow and ice will take their time melting away so I can only dream of the garden flowers and watch the slow process of winter leaving the bay.

Our visions begin with our desires.

~  Audre Lorde

Let us be grateful

to people who make us happy.

They are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom.

~ Proust

The weather has been fabulous, lots of blue sky and sunshine for the last couple of days.  I can hear the birds singing and puddles are forming on the icy bay.  I was seeing lots of ice fishermen and hockey players in the front yard.

But some hopeful souls made my day by flying a kite on the beach,

a sure sign of warmer weather to come.... 

Happy Birthday L

Sorry to hack your blog, I love You.

                                                                                       M

"It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

-e. e. cummings

What a day of sunshine and fun. We got up and finished the last of the basic unpacking from our trip. The day started and stayed sunny and sweet. After a really tasty breakfast, we gathered up the dogs and took a  five mile walk in the park. We  were happy to see that the powers to be put in a doggy fountain right at our favorite spot. Doesn't sound like much in the scope of the world, but my dogs have a different opinion.

We walked slow and purposeless which gave the two poochies the time to sniff everything, examine their own shadows, and basically just be dogs. There were other people walking their dogs which caused so many scenarios to  unfold with the interactions one might expect. Did I mention that my dogs always behave perfectly?

     Afterwards, we decided to take a ride and enjoy the Sun and soon discovered the treasures that one sees when exploring. When's the last time you saw a double headed dragon sticking out of the snow?

 

We also saw small birds gathering and thinking about their nests? The very early signs of spring are everywhere if you are an optimist.

     Back home and looking out front, I see the Sun setting on the skating rink. There's no one around and the shadows are longer every day. The tracks and prints are not being covered by new snow. The iceboaters, always intuitive,  pull back half of the fleet in fear of the creek rising and breaking up the ice. Cautious thought is on every corner and we are all waiting to see what is next to unfold.

A lot of people like snow.

  I find it to be an  unnecessary freezing of water!

  ~Carl Reiner