After eight straight weeks of having my weekends tied up with various obligations and travel plans, I was finally free to rest and recuperate last weekend. Sunday dawned sunny and bright, albeit cold, around zero degrees Fahrenheit, but I was determined to get out side. The bird feeder needed filling, there was a little shoveling to do after the 8” of snow that fell last week, the dog’s path had filled up again and I needed to snowshoe pack it back down, and just generally get outside. It’s been a long cold winter this year, and cabin fever is really starting to take a hold. I bundled up and grabbed my snowshoes from the garage, stepped outside and sat on the step, strapping them tightly against my Mukluks. Soon I was ready to set off on my adventure around the yard. I filled the bird feeder, then made one pass around the perimeter of the back yard, stopping by the sliding glass doors to stomp the dog trail, then realized on my way back I had not grabbed the camera and there were lots of cool things I had seen already. So stomping up to the house I opened the door and yelled to my beloved, who was kind enough to find me my camera and bring it over to me so I wouldn’t have to unstrap the snowshoes.

Chores out of the way I headed back around the house, looking for the tracks that had caught my attention on the first pass. I spotted the first set – probably a red or grey squirrel, and then some more, very small ones- mice perhaps, or some other small rodent. I followed them as they led over to our retaining wall, then looked at the wall to see if I could tell if they climbed up. When I stopped to look at the edge of the retaining wall, I couldn’t believe how the snow on each brick had been melting outwards.

After my investigation of the snow tracks and brick wall was complete, I returned to the steps in front of my house and took off my snowshoes. I sat still and listened for a long time. The birds seemed to be echoing my cabin fever, and were out in great numbers. They were already invading the bird feeder I had filled, and the little downy woodpecker that loves the suet was pecking away in the crab apple tree.

I could hear cardinals and chickadees practicing their spring songs, which differ greatly from their winter noises. They didn’t sound completely sure of their voices yet, they were mostly tentative songs, but so sweet to the ears after a long quiet winter. Sitting there with my eyes closed, I identified blue jays, nuthatches, juncos, finches, gold finches, the red-bellied woodpecker, I even heard, but did not see, the pileated woodpecker. I sat as long as I could before the cold seeped in through my Carhart clothing, then decided I should head inside and see what Kelly was cooking up for breakfast.

Next Sunday marks the return of Daylight Savings Time, a time which seems to signal to my spirit that spring really is returning, the days are lengthening and warming, and soon new life will begin popping out all over. Laura Erickson, prominent birder in Duluth, MN, tells us that the spring chickadee song is “Hey Sweetie-Sweetie.” I like that. I almost can’t help myself and whistle right back to them, ‘Hey Sweetie-Sweetie” in return. Many Spring Blessings –

Victoria

Well here it is folks, the long-awaited pictures from our New Zealand/Australia cruise! The web album contains some of my favorites chosen from over 1800 pictures Kelly and I took on our vacation. I have captioned them and marked the locations as well, so hopefully it makes sense as to where we are when you look at them. http://picasaweb.google.com/aspendance/NewZealandAustraliaCruise?feat=directlink Highlights of the trip: The lush New Zealand countryside! Although the weather did not cooperate at all (11 days of cloudy/windy/wet weather), it did not hide the fact that NZ is very beautiful. Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington. An amazing preservation project bringing native species of birds and plants back to New Zealand, including the rare flightess Kiwi, and the Kaka, a New Zealand bush parrot. All of the Botanical Gardens we visited in several cities. NZ was just starting its summer season, so all the flowers were in full bloom. Fiordland National Park, including Dusky, Doubtful and Millford sounds. Breathtaking! Meeting Australian wildlife up close and personal - including Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Little Blue Penguins, a Wedge-Tailed Eagle and many others. Spending time as a family for this once-in-a-lifetime vacation! G'day Mates!

In a “moment that will define a generation,” in front of a global audience exceeding tens of millions, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States yesterday. It was hard not to get caught up in the excitement of this momentous day. Not only because of the historical significance of our first elected African American president. Not only because of the record-breaking crowds on the capital lawn, the traditions, the dignitaries, the parade, the eloquent but pragmatic Presidential speech and call to service for each and every one of us. Not only because President Obama reminds us that America knows ”that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness, ” that “we have chosen Hope over Fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord,” and that “all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.” But because President Obama reminds us of something even more important – something we’ve long known but seem to have forgotten, that the way to prosperity is not through self-interest, that the foundation of our country was not built on fear or intolerance, but rather “hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism,” ideals that are still present within us, ready to be called forth by a leader like President Obama. Where were you on this historic day? What will you remember about it? I was in the basement of my home in Lindstrom, my internet cord stretched taught all the way from upstairs so that I could simultaneously keep connected to work and watch the events of the day on the only TV in the house. I have never watched an inauguration before. I have never had so much faith or belief in the power of a leader to bring this nation together to do the hard work required to heal our wounds and fix our problems. Will it be a perfect country because of this change in leadership? Will we create Peace on Earth, food in every belly, a home for every person? I wish I could say a resounding, “Yes!” But it is still up to each of us to live up to the challenges set before us, to embrace “a willingness to find meaning in something greater” than ourselves and our own self-interests. If we can succeed in what President Obama has called us to do, to come together, gathered across all of our differences, to “extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good”, then perhaps, no, for certain, I will answer: “Yes we can!” "Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)." "WE HAVE CHOSEN HOPE OVER FEAR" For the President’s full speech please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/ For the President and First Lady’s first dance, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RRBYxZ7uxA

Well so far 2009 has kicked off to a great start. How could it not when you celebrate ringing in the new year with people you love, warm temps (well, warm being relative, compared to Jan. in MN), good food, live music, and a fantastic view of the Melbourne city fireworks from the 11th floor deck of the cruise ship Celebrity Millenium? It truly was a NYE to remember. Just last night we returned from this trip of a lifetime, a 14-day cruise in New Zealand and Australia, a trip we had been planning and saving for for over ten years. Between the two of us, we took over 1000 digital photos and captured many short (10-60second) videos of our trip. But don't worry - we won't post them all here! I will however be sharing some of the best highlights and photos of our trip in blogs to come, a nice diversion from the dark and cold January of a MN winter. So stay tuned folks, more of the "really good" stuff to come this week and next!

A light snow had fallen yesterday and last night, so despite shoveling and sweeping several times over the weekend, I was up early to allow time to shovel again before work. I dressed up in my warm layers, donned my old Steger Mukluks, and stepped out onto the front porch, inhaling the morning. It was about 15°, cloudy, still mostly dark, and calm. Perfect weather to be outside shoveling. Having watched my small bird feeder the last few mornings and noticing most of the birds did not arrive until 8am or later, I did not expect any birds to be out yet at this hour, and was taken by surprise when a chorus of birdsong filled the air above me. I searched in vain for the source, a flock of juncos, but could not make them out through the dusky light. I checked the amount of snowfall since we last shoveled – about ½”, and decided I could use a broom for most of the task, which suited me better anyway, since I am loathe to create loud noises so early in the morning. I grabbed my broom and began a rhythmic cadence: step right, sweep, step left, sweep. Step, sweep, step, sweep. I paused when I noticed fresh tracks in the snow crossing the driveway and pondered their source – was this the small dog that lived next door? And this – one of the many grey squirrels who scamper about outside my front window and entertain me so thoroughly? The tiny tracks in front of the garage door I assumed to be mouse tracks, and was glad to see they appeared to have checked out the length of the door and then wandered away when they could find no entrance. Cardinals now joined the morning dialogue, followed soon after by nuthatches, chickadees and even a few goldfinches. How does anyone living in the country ever feel alone with all of this life and activity fluttering about? I stopped my sweeping and refilled the small feeder to reward those who were already up and about, chattering around me, then continued on down the driveway – step, sweep, step, sweep. It is not surprising to me that many eastern traditions utilize sweeping as a form of meditation. My steps and sweeping and breathing all flowed outwards together until I lost track of time and place. Before I knew it, the task was done. I silently offered up a prayer of gratitude, for this beautiful place in the country, for powdery snow, fresh air, meditative exercise, and life stirring all around me. Blessed be!

I have discovered, to my delight, that by putting out a small bird feeder hung on a plant hook just into the edge of the woods, I can increase the level of wildlife activity in my front yard by about 1000%. When I first tried putting up my little feeder, the chipmunks were still awake and busy collecting food for the long cold winter, and they quickly realized how to jump onto the feeders and carry all the seeds away in less than an hour. But now that the chipmunks have gone to their cozy hideouts for the winter, I once again tried putting up the feeder to see what it might attract. I didn’t have to wait long. Within an hour, chickadees and nuthatches were frequent visitors. In less than an afternoon, the variety had grown to include downy, hairy and red-bellied woodpeckers, purple finches, goldfinches, juncos, blue jays, and, to my utter delight, a half-dozen pairs of cardinals! I still worry about the red and grey squirrels learning the chipmunks’ tricks, but so far they are minding their manners from the ground. I am scoping out some trees however as possible sites for stringing cables for hanging the feeder higher off the ground if necessary. Yesterday I watched all of this marvelous activity spell-bound, but sad that my little digital camera does not have the zoom capacity to get any good shots of the birds. So last night I asked my husband if I could borrow his digital Canon EOS with the BIG lense. With this baby mounted on my tripod, I could set it up and point it at the feeder and then wait for the birds to flock in. I set it all up by 8:00am this morning and waited. I even put some seeds on pavers on the ground, for those varieties that can’t or don’t like to cling to feeders. I was not disappointed! All of the activity of the day before ensued immediately. In the middle of the commotion of blue jays and chickadees, something larger caught the corner of my eye – a pileated woodpecker, which landed right on the tree by the feeder! I went crazy snapping photos. I finally shut off the camera and went back to work, but the next time I looked up, TWO pileateds were clinging to the same tree! Again I went crazy with the camera. The first woodpecker enlarged a hole in the tree and stared intently into the hole, sticking its beak and tongue into the crevice to lap up the bugs inside. Suddenly, it flared its wings and moved sideways. I wondered what was up, so I glanced down the tree and witnessed a red squirrel advancing towards the bird which was at least five times its own size. They maneuvered in this way for awhile, the squirrel advancing slowly, the pileated spreading its wings and moving away, until finally it tired of the game and flew off to another tree. Satisfied its territory was safe, the squirrel retreated back down the tree to its position under the feeder. But the pileated was not about to forget about its tasty treats – soon it was back again at the same hole, pecking, lapping and cautiously keeping an eye on the squirrel. By about 9:30am the activity had died down a bit. Chickadees still visited the feeder, but the frenzy of “first breakfast” seemed to have passed. Which reminded me that my stomach was growling, as I had skipped my own first breakfast for the chance to capture the activity in the yard. So now I will fly off to the kitchen to take a gander at what tasty treats I can find there. I won’t have to worry about “eating on the fly,” or protecting my morsels from a hungry squirrel. I can sit down and savor, eating slowing and enjoying both the food and the ever-changing view outside my front window.

After a week and a half straight of cloudy, dreary, rainy, sleety, snowy, freezing weather, the sun is shining today! Ten days of grey really starts to wear on a person. I think the critters outside even felt better today, despite our single digit temps this morning. From my office window view of the front yard I could see many squirrels, both red and grey, out and about today, scampering up and around in the empty tree branches. I did not see the pileated woodpecker today, although he has been a frequent visitor lately. But no matter, the exuberant squirrels made up for any lack. As I stepped out on the front porch to taste the morning air and send my husband off to work this morning, I was struck by how beautiful a morning really is when the sun shines. A crow sailed by above the trees, its tail feathers illuminated by the low sun barely peeking from beyond the trees across the road. Chickadees and nuthatches were actively warming themselves up by flitting from branch to branch. A small flock of robins even landed in the tree near the front door, inspecting the berries still clinging to the branches. Frost sparkled on every smooth surface. I grabbed my camera and headed back outside to snap a few shots, to see if I could figure out the Macro setting on my little digital. I snapped a few shots of the frost on my car, and the kayak, and scurried back inside to warm up. At lunch time, while my slices of potato and onion, drizzled with olive oil and herbs baked in the oven, I went for a walk down to the lake. It had been 10 days since I had last been down to the shore, Nov. 11, the last time I had paddled, a clear, sunny, calm day, where I had braved temps of 32 to get on the water one more time. I had not counted on it being my last. My paddling journal states the latest I had ever paddled, and this was back when we lived in Duluth, was November 18, and it had been 50 ° that day. I certainly believed I could break that record this year, as I was not yet ready to put my boat away in the sling under the back deck. But my walk down to the lakeshore today cracked any hopes I still had of paddling. Even if the temperatures climbed back into the high 20’s or low 30’s, temps I could safely navigate with extra layers of clothing and safety gear, the water was not going to cooperate. A large sheet of ice already covered most of the bay including the shoreline where I put in. In fact, there was so little open water left anywhere that I almost couldn’t believe it, as the smaller lake on the way to town had absolutely no ice on it at all when I passed by it only yesterday! My disappointment at realizing my paddling season was officially “over” was soon replaced by utter joy and amazement at the beauty before me. New ice is a wondrous thing, especially if it freezes during a calm night. When that happens, the ice freezes crystal clear, giving you an eerie view of the bottom of the lake. I played around with my digital macro again, trying to capture the magic of the new ice and the bubbles where ice met sand. But lunch hours do not last forever, and I still had food in the oven. The walk back home, despite being uphill and cold, passed in a flash, as my mind was still elsewhere, savoring the stillness of the frozen water and the metamorphosis my lake had undergone during my short absence. I quickly remembered my hunger as I came into the house, greeted by the aroma of baked potatoes and onions. I hurriedly removed layers of hats, gloves, boots, and jacket on my way to the kitchen, as eager to fill up my now growling stomach, as I had just been to fill up my heart with sunshine and ice. Blessings!