Minnesota winter sunrise

 

 

Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.

  Yoda

just call me Scooter

I am in the midst of a winter whiteout, ennui has set in while the sky stays white with occasional bursts of sunlight or buttermilk. [overheard at the gym: one lady, 'is that the sun I see?, next lady: 'yeah, but catch it quick. Keeping up with the sky around here will give you whip lash!]



There's nothing in my archive that I can find interesting enough to post. Maybe I will joint Scooter and take up ice cream painting. Or maybe I'll just eat the ice cream. Either way, here's wishing you a 'sunny' Monday.

frozen beauty

We woke to a frosty world this morning. Yesterday's fog had become spikey bits of frost covering everything. This is the little dish that holds drinking water for the birds who visit our feeders.

Even the rusty rabbit had strange little spines. These little 'creatures' stand watch until the birds return and baby rabbits are born in the spring. That's why I'm linking these to Camera Critters this week.

Frost is the greatest artist in our clime -

he paints in nature and describes in rime. 

Thomas Hood

listening for sleigh bells

Red and green for Christmas--who doesn't love to see them getting along so nicely? Above is a painting made by Karl Larsson of his daughter decorating their tree. I see her red stockings, red stripes in her apron, cap and shawl as well as a few ornaments. A quietly festive scene.

Called Out in the Snow by Mela Koehler who was part of the The Wiener Werkstätte (Vienna Workshop) in the early 20th century. I love the lines and movement especially from the floating scarf and ribbons, not to mention the bright red gloves and the big red bow in the girl's braid. A happy scene.

I don't know who made this bucolic scene but it has hung in my kitchen for a long time. The lambs near the fire always make me smile as does the white cat sleeping in the window. Then there's the red stockings, towel and fire's glow. A warm scene.

More red creativity @ Ruby Tuesday.

 Same gate but two different seasons,

.

 months apart from each other. Open more gates at ABC Wednesday here.

Be nice to nerds.

Chances are you'll end up working for one.

 Bill Gates

“There was a knight came riding by, In early spring, when the roads were dry..."

Minnesotans are incredibly spartan and courteous. But, for the life of me, I don't know how they've continued to live with these long winters! Winter of 2011 has gone down on the record books for most snow, duration and percentage of soul sucking, but whenever there is even an indication of sun you'll find them out and about, like this guy--I snapped this picture outside of Minneapolis, temperature 49 degrees. Windchill? You do the math.

More reds @ Mary's Meme Ruby Tuesday.

[quote from William Morris]

We carry within us the wonders

we seek without us. — Thomas Browne

Since winter continues to slog along, my attempts to show the sky up here have been feeble at best. Last week I took these views of the eastern sky from the Mississippi River walk in north Minneapolis as the sun was struggling to move into view. The clouds were so soft I wanted to reach up and touch them.
Visit SkyWatch Friday where the sky's the limit.

peaceful kingdoms

On a recent winter trek I saw this little ogre at the feeding station on a rest stop. See if you can find a curious visitor who showed up in this picture.
post script: we too have a red squirrel that regularly usurps the bird feeders in our back yard. He/she has given Dave a run for his money as he stands knee deep in snow to fill the seeds. Our red friend loves the suet block and Dave, feigning disinterest, actually bought a case of suet for the feeders awhile back. I think they both have a good thing going!

More delightful creatures can be seen at Camera Critters.

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.
— Dr. Seuss

California dreaming or how I forgot snow for a day!

Dreaming of being in California where I spotted these very old cactus plants inside the Mission San Miguel grounds outside of Salinas. The buds reminded me of red potatoes--but then, everything reminds me of food somehow or other!
C is for Cactus and California @ ABC Wednesday.

Factoid: It has been brought to my attention by Maria Berg that these are indeed seeds and not blossoms. Edible at that!

'if you ask me for a nickel, I'm gonna hand you a dime', or. . .

Scenes from the same sunrise last week. Yes I did run around from the front to the back to capture these. Well, run might not be the exact term. Either way, this was the sun coming up over Lake Owasso with the neighborhood tucked in snow.

Thanks to the crew @ Skywatch Friday for offering a photo album for me to use for my Minnesota odyssey where I, daily, try to get in touch with my inner winter.

So, its comes down to this--post no. 600! Let it be understood that in the deportment box on my first grade report card I was marked down because it said she 'talks too much.' If those sisters could see me now. To celebrate, I've attached a catchy Yo La Tengo tune from the past to brighten up the last weekend of January. Enjoy!

Winter--you gotta love it!

One thing to count on in a Minnesota winter, besides a lot of snow, is a bright blue sky a few days each week. Two sky views here are both of frigid water. Speaking of snow, the levels in the Twin Cities is currently 53.9 inches (and counting).
The pic below is a view down my street toward the lake, also frozen and usually dotted with fish houses. Note my mailbox up to its neck in drifts.
I recommend visiting SkyWatch Friday for more seasonal skies.

Winter is not a season, it's an occupation. Sinclair Lewis

Three more days of cold

Is how the local legend goes when you see three sundogs at once. I had never seen sundogs until I moved to Minnesota but couldn't believe what a beautiful show three at one time can be. I took this from an empty grocery store parking lot on Tuesday morning when it was -9 [or -14 with the wind chill.] What a nice beginning to 2011!To see more awe-inspiring skies from all over the planet, visit Skywatch Friday.

Happy New Year too!

form follows function

Observe the official Minnesota winter grill: a fresh wreath entwined with an electrical cord to plug in an engine heater. Festive yet functional. Today's temp w/wind chill has been around -14 degrees. As I post it is -1. The old timers say this is much like the way winters used to be up north. . .

These are two pics I took before the town of White Bear Lake morphed into Siberia. Tis the season for red, including noses! Lots more @ Mary's meme, Ruby Tuesday.

He will not see me stopping here. . .

Saturday last we 'received' over 6 inches of snow in one day which ushered in this whole winter in Minnesota thing in style. I took this photo Wednesday morning when the crunchy snow was sun-washed. Due to freezing day temps since Saturday, the lakes are starting to freeze too. Soon the less stalwart water fowl will leave us for several months.

There is a fragile beauty in the sky and on the morning snow now. More beautiful skies to be seen @ Skywatch Friday.

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
Robert Frost

all dressed up and nowhere to go

Windblown but leafless

Poking through the bluest dome

Painted ladies wait.

Visit more beautiful sky views here.

Since winter seems to be backing off little-by-little, there is still beauty of the season left to ponder. Easier maybe because it isn't such a threat. I love how the rose bush wove through the heart shaped wire of this arbor gate.
See more @ Monochrome Weekend. Enjoy!