“Grasses in Snow”
Heatherwood Winter
When most bushes and tree branches are covered with snow, grasses still break through the snow blanket to show off their golden winter color. These grasses above our waterfall provide a contrast of warm golden brown after a fresh snow fall. Many gardeners like to cut their grasses back in the fall to have a nice neat garden bed. I much prefer to let them show off their autumn color and seed heads through the winter.
“Daydreaming from Office”
Heatherwood, Winter
I find myself often turning around from my office desk to gaze out my window. There is always something to see and catch my attention. Frequently my gaze turns into a daydream. A beautiful winter morning is a gift.
Garden Path
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
One day I wake up to a beautiful sunrise like in my previous post. The next day I wake up to a short blast of snow. By early afternoon, the snow had melted and it was warm enough to be outside with a light jacket. I feel blessed with changing weather. It keeps me on my toes to see what’s new or different that I can photograph. I very seldom get bored!
“Heatherwood Sunrise”
Today started with a bright sunrise as a harbinger of the start of a new chapter. Biden’s Inaugural speech on “Unity” was a bright way to start the path for the new Administration. Patience, persistence, honesty, compassion, compromise, and a lot of hard work will be required by all of us.
“The Gap at Sunrise”
Heatherwood Winter
Winter sunrises are spectacular. In the winter we frequently have a light cloud cover and have many sunrises like this. It is a wonderful gift to start the day with.
Pink pastels grace the sky
As the sun hides below the horizon.
A bright new day awaits.
“Selah Ridge – Framed”
Heatherwood, Winter
I constantly am trying to improve my photographic skills. Early this morning I was re-reviewing an on-line class from David duChemin titled “The Decisive Moment.” It was dark outside when I started the session. After I finished, I looked outside and saw that our garden was encased in fog. The decisive moment was at hand. I quickly slipped on my shoes and grabbed my camera. It was mysterical and magical outside. I enjoyed this moment and many more.
Heatherwood From Above, Dec 2020
The last day of 2020 was a beautiful sunny winter day. Mary and I decided to take a little walk around the neighborhood and say goodbye to 2020. The walk felt very good … we should do it every day!
The above image will record the progress of Heatherwood as of the end of 2020. The property has changed considerably since I moved in at the beginning of 2016. For reference, below is an image that I took in March 2016.
Heatherwood Property March 2016
“Cherry Tree Silhouette”
Heatherwood, Winter
I see the light and hope of a New Year rising above the shadows of the past difficult year. It may be a little blurry around the edges, but hope clearly shines through.
We have many difficult challenges to face: health, political, economic, cultural, social, and many that we cannot predict. But with every challenge, there is hope and opportunity. It is the responsibility of each of us to make the most of every moment and make the world we live in a better place.
Many things are moving in a positive direction. Vaccines are becoming available to cure the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Political change is on the horizon; hopefully it will bring our nation together instead of pulling us apart. Cultural and social awareness were brought to the forefront this past year. Positive change will be on all our minds. Economic issues will impact all of us differently, but financial resources are available to provide more, new, and different means to pull us forward.
Life has changed. This year will be a transition to bring us back to a new equilibrium. Things may first continue to get worse before they stabilize and get better. Patience, faith, hard work, and persistence will be required by all of us to move forward. Light and hope are ahead. It is up to all of us to pull together and proactively make it happen.
May the New Year be bright!
Snow Covered Grasses
Heatherwood, Winter
It has been a long and difficult year. But, that is not a reason to let my head hang down. With the Covid-19 pandemic and all the political discord our lives have changed. They will never be the same. We have learned to cope with uncertainty and adjust. New ways of doing things have entered our life styles. That is not all bad.
Being newly-weds, the “stay-at-home” initiative has given Mary and me a lot of quality time to really get to know each other’s habits and interests. We have had a lot of time to discuss our feelings and opinions. We have had time to plan for many things we would like to do in the future. We miss not spending time with our families and friends but look even more forward to what the future will bring.
We are thankful for the challenge and joy that our new garden brings us. We excitedly have watched the garden form during the last two years. We enjoy our frequent strolls through the garden and appreciate those special moments as we sip our morning coffee or afternoon wine.
It has been a long and hard year! But, I can look up with a smile to the challenges and opportunities that a New Year will bring.
“Looking Up the Hill”
Heatherwood, Winter
This is a winter telephoto perspective of Heatherwood looking up from our southern corner to the northern property line. The grasses of the meadow and those of the north planting area frame in the Japanese garden hillside and the Alpine rock garden. The various garden areas blend together while providing different types of interest.