March 18, 2017

A Few More Snowy Scenes

The snow didn't last long! Today temperatures were well above freezing and then in late afternoon, it rained, washing away all but piled-up snow.
Squirrel in Black and White


I took plenty of pictures while the snow was pretty, though. Birds and small animals stand out nicely, as do plants.

Here we see a robin, a cardinal and woodpecker at a feeder, a purple finch, and a branch that was just outside my window.



The last two pictures show my neighbor's dog. When I looked at thumbnails of these in Adobe Bridge, I wondered why I took them. I didn't see Molly rolling in the snow!

When I looked at larger versions, there she was, having fun. I cropped these so you can see her too.

March 17, 2017

Five for St. Patrick's Day

1. It's St. Patrick's Day but I didn't spend it celebrating. But then, I never do! I even forgot to wear my little green pin.

Orange You Glad It's Friday?
2. Here's some more green. I spent some time staring at this pretty picture in a waiting room at Augusta Medical Center today. My older daughter was having surgery to remove breast cancer. She did well, thank goodness! Oh, I should mention that she had an excellent medical team so I am thankful to them.
3. Since I spent hours waiting, I got tired of reading and checking social media so I took some snapshots. In this one I was looking at the atrium from the third floor.

The sky was bright blue but by the time I left it had turned gray and snow was coming down!
Sharing with Skywatch Friday


4. Some of the cafeteria workers were wearing green hats for St. Patrick's Day. That was a cheerful sight!

5. Last but not least, a photo of Lynn from 2010.
Sharing with Willy Nilly Friday




March 16, 2017

Snowy Scenes, Shenandoah Valley

Yesterday at Rockland Park

The first two photos are typical rural scenes. As for the last image, I was attracted to the shapes and bright sky even though I usually don't care for chain link fences. 


Sharing with Fences around the World

March 15, 2017

Snow at Last


Just as it seemed we were going to have an early spring, Mother Nature decided to present us with a snow storm. It was not as severe as the forecasters predicted, however. They called for as much as twelve inches and we only got five. I wasn't surprised because the weather has been so unusual this year.

On the afternoon before the storm, we stopped at the grocery store (like everyone else). Since my ankles were aching, I waited in the car while Frank went in and bought a few things. I watched numerous people walk to and from the store, and no one was wearing a coat! The weather was so warm that people were walking around in their shirt sleeves getting ready for the snow storm of the season.

It snowed at night and on Tuesday we awoke to a winter wonderland. This was a nice snow because it was pretty but the roads were easily cleared by mid-day.

I had filled our bird feeders the day before so I had plenty of feathered beauties to photograph.


Usually I prefer pictures of birds on branches, but I wanted to share one of the mourning dove on a feeder because I rarely see them perched on a feeder. They tend to eat on the ground, but I guess the snow had covered it so thoroughly that this one got hungry enough to change his habits.

The robin, on the other hand, found a bare spot in the grass where birds or squirrels had scrambled for seed that had fallen from a feeder, thus clearing a space for robin to look for worms.

March 14, 2017

Snow Day at Belle Grove

Middletown, Virginia




March 13, 2017

Good, Random, and Celtic Fun

Downtown Winchester Random-osity 

The Good: I found the Patsy Cline Mural! I heard about it in October and looked for it shortly after but failed to locate it. On Saturday we were in Winchester for the Celtic Festival and I took another look. Here it is near the intersection of Loudoun Street and Indian Alley. 
Click on Image to See a Larger Version
Patsy Cline was from Winchester. She sang blues and country music but her career was cut short by a plane crash in March, 1963. Here's a collage of the images. 
Sharing with Monday Murals and Mosaic Monday
The Random: In spite of cold weather, these bagpipers played at the festival. 


This child was not impressed with the bagpipes.
The Fun: The program listed a leprechaun juggler and here she is! I was relieved that she was a juggler dressed as a leprechaun and not a person juggling leprechauns!

Leprechaun Juggler, Winchester, Virginia

March 12, 2017

Congratulations to Allison

Frank's middle child received her Master's Degree. To celebrate we took her and her husband out to dinner.

She managed to earn the degree while working full-time.

St. Jacob's Lutheran Church


This charming church sits on a hill overlooking Senedo Road near Conicville, Virginia.

March 11, 2017

Cows On the Battlefield


I've visited Fishers Hill Battlefield many times but yesterday was the first time I've seen cattle grazing there. I crossed the footbridge and read the hand-printed sign that was posted at the entrance to the trail. 




Attention. 
Cattle on Premises

For the safety of the visitors walking the trails during the grazing period, DOGS are not permitted on the trails! Please stay on the designated trails and do not attempt to pet or feed the cattle. Your cooperation is appreciated. Grazing period ends April 10.
 

This couple walked their dog along the road and then put him in the car while they quickly walked out to the first historical marker and back. It was too windy to walk very far anyway.

This is not their dog. I think he lives at a local farm. He ducked under the wire fence and wandered into the pasture, but only for a few minutes. 



Fishers Hill was the site of a Civil War battle in September 1864. The battlefield park is not far from Strasburg and can be glimpsed from Interstate 81.

March 10, 2017

Signs of Spring and Greens


1. Trees are blooming and so are daffodils. However, snow is forecast for Monday so some of these blossoms will be nipped in the bud. 

Sharing with Signs of Spring and Flower Friday

2. I made this selfie for a blue-green theme for a photo group. I'm not smiling because this was before the dentist removed stitches from the hole where a tooth was extracted. Yesterday he did, so that's a step in the right direction. I won't get the implant for three months because bone needs to grow. Meanwhile I have a temporary tooth so I can smile even though it doesn't look right to me.

For those who are wondering why my face looks younger, I have a selfie-pose secret: Lie down and let gravity smooth out wrinkles.
3. Here's another portrait. This goose looks happier than I do!  

Orange You Glad It's Friday!
4. This is an old photo of my mother and her cousin Hazel Lou. 


5. Finally, one more picture from my experiments with the blue-green scarf. My iPad has special effects in the Photo Booth app and I got some interesting results.

March 9, 2017

Fences at Rose Hill Farm

Rose Hill is a common name around here, so let me start by saying this is on Jones Road near Winchester, Virginia. 


Do you see the doggy behind the fence?

Sharing with Fences Around the World

March 8, 2017

Bird Watching from My Window


We have bird feeders in front of our living room windows. Add a camera that zooms in and it's not hard to get some pictures of birds. Squirrels too, like the one on this pole!

It helps that our yard is next to a lake, attracting geese and other water-loving birds. I love watching the geese land.

 





The red-winged blackbirds are back! I understand this is a sign of spring.