Mild Winter, Signs of Spring

We haven't had much of a winter this year. Only one snowfall was enough to need shoveling, and I could have gotten away with not doing it except that I am obligated to keep the public portion of the sidewalk clear. We did get some bitterly-cold spells, but they did not last long. 

The news reported that "February, as well the previous two winter months, soared well past the internationally set threshold for long-term warming,"  This is worrisome. 

Still, I welcome the longer days and the early spring flowers. These daffodils are blooming next door.

I'm still seeing our year-round birds, and I've also seen some large flocks flying over which I assume are migrating. Here we see a mourning dove.

I had another picture that was similar and I edited it with a couple of filters. I used Photoshop Elements. I dropped my subscription to Photoshop because I don't like monthly payments. I liked it's functionality better though, partly because I knew so many shortcuts. 

New Business, Old Business

There’s a new gas station/convenience store on Front Royal Road in Strasburg. The location actually was at Valero service station at one time, but it was closed for years. The new owner has completely remodeled it so that it is sparkling clean and pleasant. They sell coffee and pizza, and you can sit at a table and admire the view of Signal Knob. 

Meanwhile, a large building in Sperryville is ready for retail tenants. It was the home of River District Arts until 2016 and then sat vacant. Originally it was a processing plant for apple products.

On the day that I drove to Sperryville, I first went to Front Royal. I drove down a side street and saw this sad Victorian building. As you can see, a fire damaged at beyond repair. 

Tuesday Treasures

Four Seasons of Rappahannock

Last week I was driving on Route 211 and I glimpsed this colorful mural in Rappahannock County Park. I turned around and went back to photograph it.

 It covers a long section of fence and I can’t do justice to it in a single photo so I’ll show some highlights. 

It helps to make the park look cheerful and welcoming. This is near Sperryville and “Little Washington.”

Mosaic Monday / Murals

First Baptist Church in Harrisonburg

 The congregation’s history dates back to 1871, and this brick church was built in 1964.

The tall building in the background is a grain elevator. 

I cropped the photo and lightened it so that we can glimpse the stained glass. 

Church History

Animal Effects

Horses. Only one of them is clearly visible in the first photo. The second one is in the shadows. I cropped the picture and lightened it drastically so you could see the brown horse. 

These horses can usually be seen near the Rappahannock County Visitors Center.

 I don’t have a variety of animals to show today. Of course, I do have some pictures of Charlie. He doesn't seem to like it when I point the cell phone at him to take a picture. He reminds me of my daughters in that regard. But sometimes I catch him looking very cute.

I used several filters in Picsart and got a strange effect.

Caturday / Saturday Critters

The Original Photo

Well, I’m having problems with formatting my pictures tonight, so I’m going to bid you good night! 

Scenic Skyline Overlooks

Yesterday at Shenandoah National Park

Although I wasn't planning to go to the national park yesterday, I decided to enjoy a little time there between errands. I entered Skyline Drive at Thornton Gap and drove south for 10 miles, stopping at several overlooks before heading back.

Although the resort area at Skyland was still closed for the winter, the weather was mild. There’s something refreshing about being in a beautiful place in the mountains.

 

One Week into March

March did not “come in like a lion” this year. We had fog and rain and wind, but it wasn’t really wintry. It definitely felt more like spring.

Since I’m usually outside early in the day to walk with Charlie, I’ve witnessed foggy mornings and took a few pictures. 

March 4

March 6

We had some nice days too, and I got to enjoy the local scenery.

North Fork of the Shenandoah 

Today I left Charlie at day boarding and drove to Front Royal for an oil change. My plan was to drive to Whole Foods for some groceries that I cannot find here, but I decided against it because it’s a long drive and can wait another week. This was a pretty day and the Blue Ridge Mountains are so close! 

All Seasons / Skywatch / H2O linkup

I still spent most of the afternoon driving, but it was beautiful.

Ready to Turn Gold

American Goldfinches

 

Our goldfinches are still in their duller winter feathers, but they're beginning to replace them with brighter plumage. The males will look dramatically different as they get ready to attract a mate. The females also turn more yellow but not as drastically.
 

Wild Bird Wednesday

In the photo of two finches at the feeder, the bird on the right appears to be male because the feathers over his beak are molting. Soon he will have a black mask from his beak to the crown. Until I looked up their plumage cycle, I was concerned when I saw the mottled faces of the seasonal molt because I had read about eye infections spreading in birds that frequent feeders. I'm glad he's okay. They are such charming little birds.

Octavia, a Sculpture

Along the Trails at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley

Wordless / Tuesday Treasures

Freedom Mural

"Thank a Veteran"

 The town of Mount Jackson has a new mural celebrating freedom and veterans. It is just around the corner from two other murals, which I’ve shown here before.

Mosaic Monday / Murals

The town has an interesting mix of quaint buildings.

Bethel A.M.E. Church, Harrisonburg

On E. Kelley Street.

The numbers over the door appear to say 1893, but it could be 1883. The Valley Black Heritage Tour brochure says it was built around 1885 by local carpenters who had been enslaved in Elkton at one time. 

The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) is said to have been the first independent Protestant denomination in the United States to be founded by Black people. The denomination has roots in Philadelphia in the early 19th century. I have seen quite a few AME churches in Virginia.

Charlie in Early March

Hello! It's me, Mom's brave beagle. She says I'm doing better because I'm not as scared in the car as I used to be. I still don't like it much. I worry a lot, but that’s part of my job. I have to take care of Mom and the house and the yard. It can be exhausting, so I sleep a lot.

Did you hear something? Did you see something move?

 There was too much rain this week. The squirrel got wet.

Rain even came in one of the windows. It made a mess.

Today Lynn and some friends came, and Wayne worked on the window from the outside. Lynn and Barb took me for a walk.

And a daffodil bloomed in our yard today. 

Yesterday Mom took me to the state park. It rained later, but at least I had a chance to check out all the interesting smells. Other dogs go there, and different animals too. 

I’m just trying to show you what I can see by sniffing. It’s very exciting.

Accidental Photo

Oops, I did not mean to take this picture. I take unintentional pictures more often than I would care to admit, and most of them I delete right away. Usually they are askew, and the angles can be interesting. 

Reflection in Windows

Mt. Jackson, VA

CDP Theme Day / Reflections

If you look closely, you can see that a railroad runs behind the Mount Jackson Town Hall. (This is the rear entrance.) The tracks are no longer used, and may become a bike trail/walking trail.