Parting the Water: End of 2009 Events

Although 2008 and 2009 has been a time of economic difficulty for much of the world, our memories of this time includes several interesting trips to exciting places. We have been blessed with relatively good health. We have been able to spend quite a bit of time with our children and grand children. Here at the end of 2009 is a good time of reflection on the things that are important to me.

Clarice and Jon who have been in Australia for just under two years returned to the United States on December 21. Karen and I picked them up at Chicago and got everyone home safe and sound. Going from summer in Australia to winter here was a bit of a shock, but at least there was pretty white snow and the Christmas holiday to help make the transition.

Karen has a collection of lighted ceramic buildings that we try to put in a snow village scene on our buffet. This year we scaled the village way back.

We traditionally decorate our Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. We have always had that time as a family time of music, food and fun. This year in honor of Clarice being home we did pizzas.

Apryl helped in the making pizzas for the crowds.

We eventually got the tree decorated.

Christmas morning - Since Clarice and Jon got back just before Christmas and were going to be gone after Christmas to visit Jon’s family in Ohio, they came over Christmas morning and opened gifts together with Karen and me. We actually spent most of the day together and really enjoyed having them with us. It’s good to have them back home.

Jon provides spice to any gathering.

We actually spent most of the day together and really enjoyed having them with us.

The Day after Christmas Clarice, Jon, Karen and I went over to Blake and Apryl’s and “had Christmas” with them. One of Skyler’s presents was the mount of the Dahl Sheep that he had taken several month ago. It looks really nice between the deer mounts that Blake has above the fire place.

Skyler holding the latest addition to the Blake Harris household.

We had an enjoyable time of opening presents, snacking and visiting later in the day we noticed the snow beginning to really come down.

Here are some of Blake and Apryl’s deer in back yard.

After the snow let up the sky lightened a bit. This shot is off of Blake’s deck looking out in their woods.

After a couple of days of being cooped up with Christmas cookies and Candy, Karen and I decided to bundle up and take a walk. We ended up at the board walk near Pisga Marsh. We walk this area quite a bit; it is relatively near our place and is normally quiet and scenic, so we try to get here as often as possible.

At the end of the board walk is a sizable shelter that looks out over a small lake. Even though it was really cold we were dress warmly enough that we sat on a bench and just enjoyed the view.

After a while we notice some movement at the far end of the lake. Some wild turkeys walked out on to the frozen lake heading for the eastern shore. I got these shots while the birds were in the middle of the lake.

Then we noticed several more turkeys, I think we saw about two dozen in all crossing form west to east across the lake and up the bank on the east.

The next day we walked the two mile form our house to the other side of Pisga. The photo above is from the same vantage point as the shot that I took back in November below.

The color in nature is not as dramatic as they are in some of the other seasons, by I kind of like the subtle, nearly monochromatic colors of winter.

Skyler and I have been able to get in a few Ice fishing trips this winter. We have also been successful enough to have had a couple of nice fish fries.

After the first of the year we were able to get with Adelphia’s family. Clarice, Jon, Apryl, Skyler, Trae, the two great grandmas, Karen and I gathered there for a quick snack and to exchange gifts.