Red, White and Blue.

Wild Bird Wednesday / My Corner of the World

 Today was Inauguration Day and flags were flying. I was so glad it took place with dignity and beauty and no violence. It was strange to see the audience spread out with everyone masked because of Covid-19.  The crowd was also limited in size for security reasons. The riot at the Capitol on January 6th was on everyone's mind, so we were relieved that the safety measures were successful.

Today's birds are cardinals (male and female), a red-bellied woodpecker, a bluejay, and a nuthatch, I think. 

Nature is refreshing. It has beauty and rhythm. It has pain too, and the violence of predators against prey. But it seems to make sense in ways that human interactions do not. 

Double Masked.

 Links: Wordless Wednesday / Mitchell's Linky / NC Sue.

 Wearing Surgical Mask on Top of N95

The Old Hudson House

Hudson's Crossroads, Shenandoah County.

Sharing with Tuesday Treasures and Our World Tuesday.

 This sturdy stone structure was built around 1790. It is said to have been built to withstand an Indian attack, or may have replaced an older building from the era of the French and Indian War, which ended in 1763. 

This house is no longer occupied. It can be seen from Senedo Road, Route 42. 

See Thomas Hudson House on Shenandoah Stories.

Blue Monday / Peaceful Heart.

Random-osity / Blue Monday

I found a mural to post today but first I want to acknowledge the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King. Daily Word published a page which included a quote from him so I'm am basing the first part of today's post on that, starting with their affirmation. 

Looking at the world today, it is tempting to feel discouraged or even angry at the discord and disagreement that seem to surround me. I pause to remember that no matter what is going on in my environment, peace begins with me. I breathe deeply and relax, softening my heart, calming my emotions, and easing my mind. I heed the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said, “Peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but … a means by which we arrive at that goal.”

Here are some peaceful scenes from Shenandoah River State Park for Mosaic Monday. 

Monday Murals: This is a restaurant in Front Royal. The location was once a gas station but the owners have put much effort into making it into a place to eat and drink. 

I hope we have a peaceful week.

Meanwhile, Back at the Resort..

Bryce Mountain, Basye, VA

Inspired Sunday

Our Lady of the Shenandoah is a Roman Catholic Church in Bryce Resort.  It overlooks the ski slopes, which are currently covered in mechanically produced snow. 

It's probably been a year since I went to Bryce. We used to live there.  I loved the area, but we felt like we needed to be closer to town as we got older. 

I was surprised to see the Post Office there is now painted bright blue. It was brown before, in keeping with the rustic look of the resort. I used to drive there every day to get our mail. The postal service provided each resident with a P.O. Box rather than deliver mail up and down the narrow mountain roads.

Geese and Friends.

It's been cold enough for ice to form on the lake. Canada Geese like to hang out around an unfrozen pond in the middle of the ice. I imagine it offers safety if a predator should appear. 

Weekend Reflections / Saturday Critters / I'd Rather Be Birdin'

Some mallard ducks were out there too. 

At least two families of mostly white geese live near us.  One group visits our back yard every day. They seem to think they own the place. 

I saw some visiting ducks. These are not mallards. (What are they? Buffleheads?)

Goldfinches visit our yard just about every day, probably because I feed them. 

Yesterday I looked out and saw a couple of young squirrels who did not know that the geese own the yard. At first the geese were curious about the furry intruders. Then the gray goose, who often watches over the others, decided to intimidate the squirrels. 

The squirrels did not react immediately but then they moved away. The lead goose strutted off with his head held high. 

I've noticed that geese often do that: stretch their necks up after behaving aggressively. Some people do this too.

Interesting Times

"May you live in interesting times" is said to be a traditional Chinese curse. The interesting times we live in have been traumatic. From the long pandemic to the assault on the U.S. Capitol, we've endured a year of new things that we did not want. 

I make an effort to get away from the news at times. We have to take care of our mental and physical health if we are going to build a better world.

Willy Nilly Friday: Nothing is blooming here in January so I took some pictures of supermarket flowers to show you. 

Floral Friday / Garden Affair / Friday Bliss

I'm glad I figured out how to caption a picture in the new Blogger interface. (In edit mode, click on the image and look for the underlined A.)

Yesterday I scanned in some old black and white pictures from my high school years. This is one of the person who became  my first husband. I'm over being angry at him and I like the picture. 

Let's jump back to today for a skywatch photo. 

This afternoon I had an online committee meeting for Friends of Seven Bends State Park.  We plan to have a public meeting online in February. 

 

Guardedly Good News: Vaccinations for Covid-19 have reached our area. I've been trying to make appointments for us, especially for Frank since he is diabetic.  Yesterday I got part way through the online registration form only to see that all slots were suddenly gone. They appointments have to be spaced out for safety and they are snapped up like hot concert tickets. 

It looks like the vaccines will not end Covid though. It prepares the body to fight back at the disease, but does not make you immune. I guess we'll be wearing masks for a long time.  

Stay safe! 

New Trails in Winchester.

A new trail system has opened next to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. It crosses a farm field and goes into the woods. 

There's a new entrance with additional parking too. You have to drive slowly because there are pedestrians, dogs, and cows to watch out for.

Signs, Signs / My Corner of the World.

 

There is artwork along the route, with more to come as the park grows. I only walked a short distance on the trail. 

Blog Post #7400 ~ Wild Bird Wednesday.

Chickadee and Cardinals

Black capped chickadee

The female Northern Cardinal is sometimes described as drab in comparison to the male, but I think she is quite pretty. 

The male is bright red. He seems to be more camera-shy so I don't have as many photos of him. 

Along Senedo Road.

Some Trumpers don't give up.

Wordless / The Barn Collective.

Between Columbia Furnace and Conicville, VA.

 

Wall of Woodpeckers

Good, Random, and Fun.
 

This huge woodpecker mural is in downtown Front Royal. 

I used the pan feature on my cell phone so the building may look curved, but it is not.

Monday Murals.

 The mural is on the side of a woodworking business on Main Street.

Mosaic Monday. Let's look at some woodpeckers that were attracted to my feeders: Red-bellied woodpecker, downy woodpecker, flicker, and pileated woodpecker. 

While we're at it, here are some squirrels. They love my feeders so I have way too many pictures of them!