Snow at High Altitude

I live at 10, 200' above sea level.

My house backs to the National Forest.

This is my playground
in all seasons.

I have views of the Ten Mile Range

including the Breckenridge Ski Area.

The ski area closed in mid-April.

But, there is still plenty of snow.

This is how spring appears

at high altitude.

White frosts the landscape.

Lehman Creek is flowing,

under a cold blanket

of ice and snow.

In this area,

the first wood violets

 and moss marigolds will bloom

when the snow finally melts.

For now, we must 

navigate on cross country skis.

The spring snow storms

provide needed moisture

for our forests and wildflowers.

I must be patient!

On a happy note,

I've graduated from Cardiac Rehab.

I'm free to resume all normal exercise.

Anyone want to play in the snow?

Snow in the springtime

is what's happening 

in Breckenridge, Colorado.

See what's happening
in other worlds here:

My World

A Change of Scenery

I'm home in Breckenridge.

I awoke to a foot of snow.

Later, I'll cross country ski.

But, for now, I'm remembering
my visit to Phoenix.

I'm thinking of green desert landscapes.

I'm musing about
 blazing desert foliage,

sprays of flowers,

florescent shades,

attracting pollinators.

The orange was luscious.

But, the FUSCHIA!

I was nearly overcome...

Luckily, there were quiet spaces
to rest awhile

and watch birds nesting

and pecking.

The Alan Houser Sculpture
complimented the landscape.

While in Phoenix, AZ,
I walked and observed and enjoyed
the desert in bloom.

I also visited with
my dear friend, Mary,
briefly home from her jaunts
around the World.

Today, blanketed in white,
I'm remembering
the warmth of
sand, flowers, sunshine
and friendship.

Desert photos taken in the
Botanic Garden, Phoenix, AZ.

A Friendship Blossoms

What attracts you to a Blog?

I'm drawn to 

Nature, Photography, Art,

Gardening, Hiking, Poetry

and

Kind Heartedness.

I enjoy reading about

other people's realities.

Learning something new

intrigues me.

I like an upbeat, positive attitude.

I've never actually MET

a fellow Blogger -

until this weekend!

Marianne came to Denver from Boise
to visit her Parents.

We arranged to meet

at the Botanic Gardens.

(That's Marianne on the right!)

Since Marianne is an Artist,

it was perfect that 

Henry Moore's sculptures

were on display.

It's a little too early

for container plantings.

But, Pasque Flowers were blooming.

Succulents were in flower.

Blossoms filled the trees.

Bright colors drew the eye.

Marianne and I
 had a lot of work to do.

It was our job
 to take hundreds of photos!

It was a perfect sunny day.

The arbors were my favorite.

I'm drawn by their light and shadow -

the long and the short views.

They're supporting players.

Spring is a time of awakening -

of beauty and growth.

I don't know what Marianne
will share on her Blog
about our visit.

As for me,
any day that
a friendship blossoms
is a good day for me!

Time to Move Forward

I've been in a fog

the past three months.

(All photos enlarge.)

Since my Heart Attack,

I've experienced a gamut of emotions.

My Family and Friends
supported me.

But, healing is personal
and often comes

from a solitary place.

It takes time to make peace

 with fear,

with vulnerability,

with lack of control.

There is an ebb and flow

which must be honored.

Today, my Cardiologist

 put my heart to a test.

He was confident.

So was I.

My heart is strong.
It's time to resume Life!

He took me off medication

that makes me dizzy.

He told me
 to go have adventures
and to enjoy

 the gift of Life.

With these photos,

I'm remembering

awe-inspiring natural places

I've visited and photographed.

My  husband and I 

plan to travel this spring.

We'll do our usual

 hiking/biking/exploring.

Thank you 

to my caring Family

and

to my special Friends.

I'm grateful to all of you!

A Winter Woods

Earlier this week,

I took a solo snowshoe

on trails behind my house.

It was a blustery, snowy day.

The light was dim,

my former tracks

obscured by drifts.

The silent forest

surrounded me.

My snowshoes created

a "WHUMP" sound

as snow settled

with each footfall.

I listened to my steady breathing.

I felt the beating of my heart.

I wandered with a purpose.

Sometimes I looked back
 to see my steps linking
on the fresh snow.

Remember the Altar Stump?

I last visited in November

when my friend was

leaving on a long journey.

I've also taken a trip of sorts

the past several months.

I've been traveling
back to wellness.

 Tramping deep into the forest,

I was calm, peaceful.

I felt well.

Fear didn't weigh on my heart.

A snowshoe hare

had earlier chosen this trail.

Its tracks were frozen

in the blue shadows

of the still woods.

I followed them for awhile.

Finally, just when I thought

I had forgotten where the stump
was located...

I saw the smiling face on its 

weathered wood.

It has several faces,
but only one remained
 above the snow line.

The quartz lay under a thin

dusting of white.

The bluejay's feather was hidden.

I didn't move the quartz,

disturbing its rest,

in order to see the feather.

But - I have Faith that it's there.

My friend is home safely.

I am safe, too.

I returned home under a clearing sky.

Trees nodded and murmured
in the wind.

The forest safeguarded and sheltered

as I passed through its embrace.