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 