Sky Watch Friday - Sunset and beyond

Sunset over Catoctin Mountain on December 16 and a few shots of the sky afterglow.

Window Views - Snow out our windows

View from the bathroom - 9:05 AM Dec 19

View from my office - 9:34 AM Dec 19

View from the dining room - 7:47 AM Dec 20

View from my office - 3:37 PM Dec 21

My World Tuesday - Snow, then rain

We do not usually get major snowstorms in December, but this one was a record setting snow fall. The snow started Friday, December 18 about 9 PM and by 1 PM Saturday our yard was well covered and the shed had an even covering of the white stuff.

Around 8 PM, the snow was still falling and clinging to our outside decorations and rhododendron. Late afternoon on the 23-rd, our backyard was still covered.


But Christmas night a gentle rain began and the next morning the snow was disappearing fast. Roads were closed as creeks and the Monocacy River flooded. And the field behind us again became a lake.

Odd shots - Where's the water?

Build a snow squirrel? Find a nut? This guy had other places to go, so away he went.

To see more Odd Shots, start at Katney's Kaboodle and follow the links.

PhotoHunt - Twelve mice and a cat

Our tree is decorated with many animals - calico cats, bears, horses - but these have special meaning. In our early days together, I often used the phrase "we should do... ". Marianne would reply "What, you got a mouse in your pocket?" And she has given me a mouse ornament most every year since then. She found the Siamese cat ornament and it reminded us so much of two of our previous Siamese, Scooter and Sinbad, that it is now a fixture on our tree.

Sky Watch Friday - Snow and sky

After 24 hours of snow with about 18 inches on the ground, Sunday began with a clear sunrise over the snow. By mid morning the sky was a deep blue accenting the white snow clinging to the trees. And the day ending with the gentle glow of the setting sun through the trees.

Merry Christmas to all!

Window Views - Snow scenes

Shot of the snow on our van window Saurday night

Apparition is my lovely wife grinning at me through the reflected snow scene

And this one is lovely granddaughter in the next window

And last, a view out my office window Sunday morning

My World - Early white Christmas

Sunday we celebrated Christmas with family visiting from South Carolina. Friday's snow fall gave us a truly white Christmas. These grandsons are teenagers (and granddaugter soon will be 24) so the day started slowly with morning coffee. Opening presents was followed by freeing the cars from the 18 or so inches of snow; and then more playing games. Marianne fixed a delicious Christmas dinner that was enjoyed by all.

Odd Shots - Snow cavern?

At first glance saturday night, I though I had a broken window and a car full of snow. Not so - just an odd way the snow fell off the side of our van.

To see more Odd Shots, start at Katney's Kaboodle and follow the links.

PhotoHunt - Fast game of Sorry

Marianne and her boys get in a fast game of Sorry before dinner. The two Grandsons (on left) have been playing Sorry since they learned to count to 10 and as teenagers, the game is still required playing during every visit with us.

Sky Watch Friday - December clouds

Clouds on the road home, December 3

Clouds to the north at noon, December 3

Hole in the clouds December 3

Afternoon sky from our yard, December 10

Window Views - Christmas doors

Our door and kitchen windows decorated for the holidays. And two doors from the old section of the City of Frederick.

My World Tuesday - Christmas is coming . . .

. . . early for us this year. Marianne's son and family are coming this weekend, so we will celebrate a week early. The decorations are up, both inside and out. The presents are wrapped and Marianne has prepared some of their favorite foods. A few more things to get and we'll be ready.