There is great beauty in the world. Snow adds another dimension. This is the road leading down to our house.
In troubled times, it is easy to forget that beauty surrounds us, and that there are people found throughout the world who are kind, generous, and tolerant. It is important to remember that the world’s great spiritual leaders— whether their wisdom came from Bethlehem, a cave near Mecca, a Bodhi Tree in India… or a mountain, desert, forest, palace, or city slum— simply wanted the best for their followers: peace, understanding, happiness, a future.
I have to believe, do believe, that if Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, Moses and the world’s other great spiritual leaders of the past were here today, they would walk shoulder to shoulder together down earth’s highways urging the people of the world to work together to create a better world— not only for humankind, but for all life.
It’s a good thought to have during this season of hope, joy, and giving.
Speaking of “the beauty that surrounds us,” it snowed here last week. Peggy and I woke up and found our deck and trees coated with three inches of soft, white loveliness. We quickly decided to go for a walk in the woods. It was perfect for the season. I half expected to see an elf, or at least Frosty the Snowman (or maybe Big Foot wearing an ‘old silk hat’). The magical guys were all busy on holiday chores elsewhere, however. We happily shared our hike with the local deer herd, wild turkeys and an inquisitive grey squirrel instead.
Naturally I took my camera. Here are some photos from our ‘winter-wonderland’ walk. Think of them as our Christmas card to you. May you share a warm and happy holiday with your family and friends. We wish you peace.
Curt and Peggy
As we stepped out our back door, this young fellow was taking time out to smell the daisies. (That’s called artistic license. Actually he was checking the metal flowers to see if they were edible.)
Snow covered trees towered over our tool shed. There would be no yard work today!
I stopped to take a photo of a snow-covered branch and a flock of Canadian Geese flew into the photo. Serendipity. The specks on the photo were a reminder that it was still snowing.
Peggy took advantage of my distraction to pack up a snowball. And yes, she threw it at me! Had you been present, I can pretty much guarantee that she would have thrown one at you as well. We play a lot around here.
Snow adds drama to White Oaks. A Ponderosa Pine stands to the left. The dark spot on the oak center right is mistletoe. Now, if I can just get Peggy to stand under it…
The limbs of this Douglas fir were bowed with the snow it had collected.
The straight tracks made by a wild turkey suggests it was on a mission. Normally turkeys wander about pecking at anything that resembles food. Snow is wonderful for recording animal tracks.
A female Black Tail deer stopped next to our upper fence to check us out. “You wouldn’t happen to have an apple, would you?” she seems to be asking.It was one of her twins that was sniffing at the metal flower.
Just past the road, our walk took us into Klamath National Forest. It borders the back of our property.
Peggy provided a splash of red in a sea of green and white.
And I added a touch of blue. The OR on my hat stands for Outdoor Research, but I like to think of it as Oregon.
The snow added to the natural attractiveness of this twisted oak tree trunk.
Not to be outdone, a stalk of grass captured its own share of beauty.
A manzanita bush shows off its winter coat.
Its leaves peaked out through the snow.
Surprise! A madrone’s bark gleams with wetness created by melting snow.
Our walk takes us down to the Applegate River. Ponderosa Pine on the left and Red Cedar on the right add color.
We return to our lower property following Upper Applegate Road.
And have a final view of the forest giants that keep us company.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Oh how jolly it would be to join you and Peggy in a snowball fight! Worry about that glint in Peggy’s eyes though… What a glorious winter wonderland you have. Happy Christmas to you both and thanks for another year of great posts!
You should worry about the glint in Peggy’s eye. I do. 🙂 The very best to you AC as well this Christmas. And thank you for the wonderful work you do and for continuing to amuse me with your great animal photos. –Curt
Your photos and thoughts are lovely. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you Cindy… And again, the very best to you and your family. –Curt
What a positively outstanding post, Curt!! No one can beat this!!
From Pacific Paratrooper and hoping we have another great year together!
Thanks so much GP. And we will have another great year together! The best to you and your family. –Curt
Thank you!
Precious photos, C. And I can only hope to look as good as HER at her age. 😉 Happy holidays to you and P.
So good to hear from you. I’ve been concerned. Here is wishing you and your family the very best this Christmas and in the coming year. –Curt
So sweet. Appreciate every word, Curt.
Xx
Diana
Thank you for that lovely walk in the snow. Surprisingly Vancouver on the ‘Wet Coast’, like you in Oregon, has snow, but there is none here in Montreal. It’s the warmest winter in years, and seems to be getting all of Vancouver’s rain. We do not mind. Wishing you both peace and joy for now and the coming year.
Cheers, Alison
You are welcome Alison. Glad you could join us. We never know what Mother Nature is going to do anymore. A heat wave in Montreal! (But then you and Don are a bit like the weather. I can never predict where you will be next. :)) The very best to the two of you in the coming year. I look forward to sharing in your adventures. –Curt
And I thought we would miss out on a white Christmas. Great shots. Wished I was in Finland where a White Christmas is pretty normal as well. Of course Santa is from Finland.
Thanks Curt
Glad you enjoyed it Gerard. Thanks. Do you know Turkey claims Santa as well. Peggy and I learned that when we were there a couple of years ago. Was news to us. Have a great ‘tropical’ holiday. –Curt
Just lovely, Curt and Peggy. A winter wonderland.
Thanks Bruce… indeed it is. —Curt and Peg
What a gorgeous piece of Southern Oregon property Cousin! Now, seems to me, I used to hear stories about your pop’s pitching arm??? Hopefully genetics has provided you a defense in the snowball wars…lol. Merry Christmas again Curt and Peg.
From Howard and Mellie
Peggy just said that the best time to throw a snowball at me is when I am holding a camera. She’s sneaky and a good shot. So I need all of the help I can get. (grin) We did luck out on our property, Howard. It took us a year to find it. You and Mellie should come for a visit. Seriously. Our best to the two of you this Christmas and in the New Year. –Curt and Peg
A blessed conjunction of art and nature … well done, mate!
Thanks Dave! Have a great holiday season. –Curt
Quite an exotic sight from 85-degree south FL! Glad you are getting to enjoy such a beautiful winter wonderland. Merry Christmas and Happy 2016 to you & Peggy!
Thanks. Looks like Santa will be in shorts and a T-shirt when he stops off in Florida. 🙂 A very Merry Christmas and a great new year to you and your family as well. -Curt and Peggy
Thanks! When he goes through Pasco County, FL, (famous for its clothing-free resorts) he probably won’t even be wearing that!
Lovely photo cards Curt. Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Thanks Timi… and a Merry Christmas and great new year to you as well. –Curt
Beautiful, mesmerising photos, including the ones with animals (even the humans). Snow seems a distant dream here, as things that should wait for the end of winter are already flowering.
Curt you captured the beauty of the snow perfectly. I love the sense of joy and gun in Peggy’s face. Wishing you both a lovely season and your message of peace is a soothing one. Thank you.
Merry Christmas, Curt and Peggy! Thank you so much for transporting me to your winter wonderland with your gorgeous photos. I must admit I’m a tad jealous because although we moved north (Georgia to Kentucky), we’re having an unusual warm spell and it’s supposed to be 71 today! James says he’s grilling a steak. 🙂 We have so enjoyed your blog this year and look forward to whatever 2016 may bring. All the best, Terri & James
As far as the weather is concerned, Terri, just wait for tomorrow. It will probably be a blizzard with a ten below zero temperature. Welcome to the modern world of global warming and El Nino. 🙂 Tell James I am grilling steaks today as well, even though its freezing. Hope you are having a great Christmas. Happy New Year. We look forward to continuing to travel with you on your journeys. –Curt and Peggy.
Wise words and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing. No snow here this year. We’ve been having record highs for weeks.
All best wishes for a very merry Christmas season and a happy and joyous new year!
Thanks Bill. And a happy and joy-filled new year to you and Cherie as well. –Curt
Nicely done. I thoroughly enjoyed walking along with you two this morning (even though your snow is probably melted by now). Your land is truly stunning, backing up against the National Forest, with the Applegate River nearby, and all those trees. I am just crazy about the shapes of the oaks, and I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for Madrones ever since I was raised on the North Umpqua. There is nothing like those smooth, red trunks. And snow simply makes them pop! Doesn’t it?
Thank you for the thoughts of peace and love at a time when we can all really use them. Merry belated Christmas to you and Peggy, and the Happiest of New Years next week. My hugs and smiles to you, from the other edge of our beautiful state.
Thanks, Crystal. Glad you could join us on our walk. It is quite beautiful. And yes, by Christmas morning most of the snow around our house had melted off. There was still plenty in the surrounding hills, however. I think the first time I ever came in contact with Madrones was on the Umpqua. My dad had a place along the river for a few years in the early 70s. I used to go up to Sutherland and drive west.
Hope your Christmas was a good one. Peggy and I celebrated without out kids and grandkids this year. It was quieter, but still lots of fun… with lots of texts and photos coming in from Alaska and Alabama. A very Happy New Year to you as well. I look forward to continuing to share blogs back and forth in 2016! Hugs. –Curt
Good heavens, your loved ones are scattered.
That they are, Crystal. For a brief period of time (very brief) it looked like we might have one family in Astoria and the other in Portland. Now it’s looking more like one in New England and the other in Europe. Oh well, both offer great traveling opportunities. 🙂 –Curt
Curt, Happy New Year to you and Peggy. I’m looking forward to many more adventures in 2016.
And a very Happy New Year to you as well. Peggy and I have some great new adventures planned for the year, as I am sure you do. –Curt
Oh how I miss Southern Oregon. I always thought someday I would retire either in Ashland, Jacksonville or the Applegate area, but for now we will probably keep the mountains near Lake Arrowhead as home base when not traveling. Curt, I would definitely love to meet you and your Peggy one of these days when we pass through. Do you ever go mushroom hunting for morels?
It would indeed be fun to meet up. We live out where the morels are supposed to grow but have yet to stumble upon any. 🙂 Peggy and I were traveling full-time a few years ago when we revisited Southern Oregon. I was doing some genealogical research. We had been looking for a place to settle and knew immediately that we had arrived! –Curt