Christmas lives on in the tree and the amaryllis!

This is the second stalk (the first is withering on the right) of the famous amaryllis from Ann Arbor.  And yes to the left is the Christmas tree which will stay up until February 2, Candlemas or the feast of the purification of Mary.  That is my official explanation.  In reality, it remains up as a antidote to the gray skies of winter.  Because it is cut just down the road from us and because we do not put it up until Christmas eve, it lasts and remains fresh and beautiful for all to enjoy.

Birds of a feather

Looked up and there in the gingko were the pair of woodpeckers who visit the feeders on a regular basis.  And check out the cedar siding for any tasty morsels to be found hibernating.  The loud pounding of their pecking at the house makes one think they are much larger birds.  Thank you sunny day for sending out to the woods!

a little color in a snow storm

The solar lantern is the color in this snow storm and waving a bit in the wind.  It greets visitors at the intersection of the driveway and the walk to the front door.  It was snowing hard when I took this but white on white doesn't provide much contrast.  If you click on the photo and enlarge it, you will see the flakes falling with the tree trunks to highlight them.
You may obtain these sweet little lanterns in many shapes and colors  from Allsop Garden (http://www.allsopgarden.com/solar-lanterns/soji-silk-effects/).

more from the chainsaw art gallery

The American Eagle is having trouble flying these days.  Tree stumps make for perishable art.  My eye loves all the lines showing up in this photo.

Christmas amaryllis in the snow

The first stalk is over but the second stalk is producing 6 (!) more blooms.  I am not sure why but I always toss the fading blooms into the snow.  Over the weekend with temps in the upper 40's most of the snow cover disappeared, but this morning we woke up to a new covering of the white stuff. 

Where is Henny-Penny?

Finally captured the turkeys!  They are in the field just south of the barn whose doors appeared a couple days ago.  As I uploaded the photo, the phrase "turkey-lurkey" popped up, recalling an old childhood fairy tale.  With the Supreme Court ruling allowing corporations to spend freely in elections, I feel like the sky is falling......

Winter color

This old barn sits next to the cornfield where I most often find the turkeys.  Why both doors stand open I do not know.  The farmhouse, barn, and field are owned by St. Gregory's Abbey, the home of a group of Episcopalian Benedictines.  People come to the abbey to retreat from the daily round of activities.  It is but one of several such places in Fabius.

not only a bear but a moose can be hidden in an old tree

Close to us is a farmstead that has been a duck farm and is now a small engine repair shop for outdoor equipment.  With a chainsaw, a friend transforms old tree stumps into sculptures -- the bear, the moose, an eagle (currently under snow cover), and a cowboy with his horse (the heads of each).  There are lights around the moose's neck lit by the small solar panel to the left -- there are nights when they do not shine.
And yes, despite all my moaning about it yesterday, the sun is shining off and on today; the clouds are rolling in and out like a sonata for wind, clouds, and sun.

The sun finally rises

After how many days, the sun has shown its light once again.  The time was 7:45 am, EST.  It is now 10:45 am and the sky is once more gray.  Legend has it that we have as many sunless days as Seattle.  But I do not think I would give up our proximity to Lake Michigan for more sun in winter.  Or am I just kidding myself?!

Bear with me on this one

the turkey field

I stopped here on my way into town because turkeys were in every row, until I opened the car door!  I have "shots" of them flying away from me, but decided to share with you this view of the field where the rows are not all straight.  Wild turkey are hunted but have made a great comeback and are thriving.

a foggy day in Fabius Town

Warming (wow, in the 20's) plus snow equals fog in southwest Michigan.

Entering "fabulous Fabius"

You will no longer see a map where the county roads are still marked with a number as on this sign denoting the boundary of the township and the city.  County Rd 105 is Hoffman Road after this sign, Street until you reach the sign after you cross US 131.  Still called by its number.  But Michigan 216 is now Marcellus Highway.  Is there more romance in the Michigan soul than the Federal Government's? 

a welcome visitor

All hail great sun! and blue sky!

The cornfield across the road on a very sunny day with temperatures above freezing to boot!  Spirits soared!

traditional connections to the world

As I add these words and picture to the Web, questions come to mind: How long will there be newpapers to deliver to these boxes?  Both of ours from Three Rivers and Kalamazoo get slimmer every day.  And will the USPS  survive? 

no horsing around in winter

These are American Cream draft horses who live down the road across from the cornfield.  I want to give them blankets!

Sunshine on the Christms amaryllis

the extra bark of winter

Further afield

birds of different feathers

winter swim

the struggling sun

cold and sunny as seen from inside

Buddha in his snow blanket