What's outside of your picture window today?

Do you make the paper for the journals? and, hopefully, you do keep one for yourself as a good healing tool. I can't and don't anymore as it's such a challenge to write with a pen, so I sometimes write notes to myself chronicling my thoughts, emotions, etc. Since reading and conversing on Connect, I don't do so much of the personal journaling, as I don't have the time when I have the energy, yet. That will come as I get stronger and hopefully stay at a higher level of better.

Isn't it fun and feels so lovely to use your talents of others. That nurse will cherish those baby blankets and bibs, may even save one or two for her grandchildren! You have a very special life and heart, Lori. I'll get the camera out in the morning and ck it out. Let you know what I find.

Love hearing from you and seeing nature through your eyes. You know, that's why I want to take photos, because when I see the trees, I see the patterns of the limbs and shadows and the unusual sights. I want to catch those sights before they fade....

Blessings, my friend. Elizabeth

@ess77 Hi Elizabeth, Yes, we are kindred spirits...I really enjoy making things for others. Seldom do I ever keep anything for myself, though I did finish a big quilt this past Dec 31 in celebration of surviving 2020. It was the first big project I took on since all the hoopla with leukemia and the stem cell transplant in early 2019. That one is near and dear to my heart and is a keeper.

The journals have been a recent discovery for me. Got sucked down that rabbit hole of creativity without a backward glance. I love anything to do with paper, fiber, fabrics, beads, baubles...you name it. I’ve made paper for years and have incorporated it in my journals. Some for covers, some for the pages. Most frequently though I fill them with either watercolor paper or sketching paper for friends.

Would it help to know I lack the discipline to actually write IN the journals? LOL. Though I truly empathize with your frustration of not being able to write any longer. Similar situation for me with not being able to hold a pen without hand fatigue while writing letters.
I love the tactile sense of putting thoughts directly from brain to paper. It’s very visceral. However in lieu of that, typing it out works just as well and it’s legible. Accept, adapt and move on, right?

Aw, I also love naked trees! (I can hear Jake saying, Tree Porn! LOL) But there is something about their structure that captures my attention. I guess it’s being able to see the underlying strength and foundation of each tree. Maybe a metaphor in there...

Have a delightful day, dear heart. Do what you can each day but also listen to your body. That was my most difficult lesson to learn...
Hugs, Lori.

A pileated woodpecker was outside our windows the other morning. They’re so elusive I was happy to get these pictures! Taken through a window so they’re a little grainy but pretty cool anyway!
For those not familiar they’re large birds about the size of a crow. Fun to listen to them chipping away. Unlike other woodpeckers who do a ratatattat with their beaks. These guys sound like an excavating crew using an axe and pick.

@loribmt
Well I was saying a lot but not “tree porn” but I was thinking about something else when I read that which had trees all beat to heck. I like naked trees too especially when covered with snow or ice. I guess they wouldn't be naked then.
My eyes lit up when I read “I really enjoy making things for others. Seldom do I ever keep anything for myself, ”
But my eyes went dim when you mentioned “I love anything to do with paper, fiber, fabrics, beads, baubles” but you got my attention when you said “you name it.” So I will, how about any one of my 5 favorite (and the most essential) food groups candy, cookies, pies, cakes & pastry.
I must admit you got my attention back again when you mentioned quilt. Years back an awe-inspiring quit of my favorite mountain (Mt. Shasta) was being raffled off. Like a dope I only bought 100 tickets and lost. I was devastated. I went to the ladies who made it and begged, pleaded, groveled, bribed and nearly cried but the wicked old hags refused. I told them to name their price. They used the pathetic excuse that it was too much work. Jabbering that it was appliquéd whatever that is. So, I should expect my goodies when? Lizzy likes goodies too @ess77
Jake

@jakedduck1 You never fail to ‘quack’ me up! So now I should start posting winter trees pics along with ducks for you? I can do that! You’re a cheap date!

I’ve been known to bake a few cakes, pies and cookies. Years ago my speciality was making cream puffs and eclairs! Waistline wasn’t real receptive to that idea...or it was! My favorite food group was the O group. Cheetos, Nachos, Doritos... Now my sweet tooth gets treated to only 2 pieces of chocolate daily and I’m a happy girl.

So sorry you missed out on the quilt that caught your eye. It must have been beautiful. Does Mount Shasta hold a special place in your heart? I can’t believe, with your powers of persuasion and sweet talk, that you couldn’t convince one of the ‘wicked old hags’ to make another quilt for you. (Insert eye roll...giggle).

Tell you what, just for your pain and suffering I’ll post a couple of bonus pics today of trees covered with snow and frost.

Thanks for always brightening things up, Jake! Lori

Beyond my picture window are roads my husband and I walk daily. In the north woods of Wisconsin we are seldom alone on our walks. Mother Nature’s critters are all around. An area I particularly enjoy is an old logging road through the forest. The road is packed sand so all kinds of animal tracks are visible.
Who were we walking with today??? The pictures posted below are of our lone wolf that frequents the area and his big paws!

@loribmt
A birch tree too. I like birch trees.
I don’t mean to doubt the word of a lady however I find it very difficult to believe that anyone can be happy with only two pieces of candy a day. Obviously a delusional thinking.
Yes My Shasta holds a special place in my heart. Nearly all the memories of my Gtandparents are in Mt.Shasta and they are buried their, that's not such a nice memory. They new the area well. My Grandfather was there shortly after his birth in 1905 and my Grandmother’’s in 1913. We used to eat See’s candy and talk on her bed looking at the mountain. I loved those days.My grandmother was raised there and knew a lot about the place. They eventually moved away but returned after retirement.Many of my family members climbed it. My Great Grandfater did in 1919. It's 14,179 feet.
Guess I better get ready to go to the duck pond and visit my friends and walk walk walk before Becky gets after me.
Take care,
Jake

Lori, I can only hope to see things like this on vacation!

WOW! What great photos of a great bird.....I've never seen a pileated woodpecker in person. My woodpecker friends, I have a couple of regulars not on my feeders since adding a peanut ball suet in a wire cylinder feeder and a woodpecker seed cake in a wire feeder....they love both and also like the plexiglass feeder on my window with lots of sunflower seeds and nuts/fruits.

I seem to have found a good menu and serving containers for them this year. It took dedicated work to find the right set-up, tho. I had trouble finding cakes and feeders sized to fit each other, so have quite the backlog in the kitchen.

Haven't seen the RedBreasted Grosbeak since so couldn't get a photo. Sad. I do have the woodpeckers daily now, and several other new birds are coming around. Poor squirrels. I've put a damper on their feasting....goody. they can still eat at a couple of feeders, but I have them limited and under control better now. In fact, I do want to feed them, too, just they are tremendous hogs and pig out all day if they can. Well, now they can't!

Success on the feeders....blessings, Lori. elizabeth

That's a big fellow! Is he really a loner? I didn't know they'd survive well alone since pack animals. You've gotten to know him and he you well, it appears. Giving each other plenty of personal space. I understand from somewhere recently wolves are abundant now in some areas, the southwest, maybe, or Montana? Don't recall, but it's kind of sad he's all alone without a mate. Guess I can identify with his plight!
Thanks again for the sharing and keeping life so interesting for us city dwellers. I love it...blessings your way. elizabeth