Desolation

Staying inside as much as possible, as it is still freezing cold here in Michigan. This morning is is -5 degrees outside. I know Spring is right around the corner, and I can't wait! I did manage to go out a few times and snap some photos of the freezing cold conditions. Right now most all of the Great Lakes are at least 60%-90% frozen depending on location. This photo is one of Lake St Clair, which flows into Lake Huron a few miles down the road. I called this one "Desolation", because there is no living thing in sight here, not even a bird. It was so cold this day, that the kids deserted the hockey nets, probably in favor of some warmth and hot chocolate. Have a great day everyone!

Journey Through the Walk of Life

Well, it's been a busy week for me, and not in the best way. My step-son and his family had a house fire this past Monday morning that started in-between the walls of their fireplace. It slowly burned all of Sunday night, and was not discovered until Monday morning when they heard crackling in the wall of the fireplace. The family is so blessed that this fire did not take their lives in the middle of the night while they slept, as my two grandson's room was directly above the fireplace wall. I believe the house is a total loss, as what did not burn, was heavily damaged by smoke and water. Times like this are so devastating to people, to the point that you can't even think of what to do next. I cried when I saw the devastation to the house, as it was once home to me, my husband, my daughter and my step-son. It was also the last place we ever saw my other step-son alive, as he passed away last year at the age of 26. So, I have been busy with a "go-fund" fundraiser that I organized on Tue. to get my step-son and his family some emergency needs, as they have lost everything in this fire. I posted the "go-fund" on facebook, and the out-pouring of of donations and support have been truly amazing! We are already more than halfway to our goal. So many people have offered clothes, coats, shoes, etc. that we also had to set-up a central location to drop off donations. This week has taught me about love and support of total strangers. There will never be a way to thank all of these people enough for all that they have done to help my step-son and his family. It's hard for a man and woman, with their 3 children to look at what once was. Now, they are taking a new journey into what is the unknown for them. Our family is strong, and they will literally rise from the ashes in time. This is just another "Journey Through the Walk of Life." Happy Thursday everyone!

Embracing Unchangeable

Well, it does not look like the cold weather is going away anytime soon. As I am writing this, it is actually -9 degrees outside. Schools are closed once again, etc. I cannot ever remember a colder winter in my life. The kind of cold that actually takes your breath away, and can cause frostbite in minutes if your not properly covered in the cold elements. I decided to actually take myself outside with my camera because I am going stir-crazy with cabin fever. I didn't go far, just outside my front door. Did I mention, it showed all weekend too? Here is a little photo of me trying to embrace what I cannot change, the winter's bitter cold! I am looking forward to the weekend when the temperatures will be in the 20's. I think it will actually feel like a heat-wave in comparison to the temperatures we have had in January. So everyone, enjoy the day, and please keep warm!

Brash & Polar Vortex

With our record-breaking cold temperatures (Polar Vortex) this winter in Michigan, it has created problems on our international waterways. These waterways have shipping channels which let freighters travel between the upper and lower great lakes. One of the main waterways, which is the St.Clair River, has frozen solid and creating what is called as "Brash", making the waterway un-passable due to the solid ice formations. The Coast Guard and ice-breaking boats have to come in, and cut the ice, making the water passable for cargo vessels. So far, the crews have been working for at least a month on removing the Brash ice for passage on the water. Brash ice is actually broken ice, which is makes it harder for the cutter ships to navigate a path for the cargo vessels. This is the same river I wrote about in a post last week, entitled "Winter Inspiration" which shows the river in a totally different state about a year ago. I have never seen the river frozen solid, and was sure surprised when I took a ride a few days ago just to see the water. I was greeted with large chunks of ice as far as the eye can see. I'm still amazed, every time I see something new and amazing that has been created by nature! Here is a photo of the "Brash" that was created by the so-called Polar Vortex! Enjoy!

Spring Dreaming!

Driving on the roads yesterday, I was wishing that I was that person who loves winter. Sadly, I am not that person. I miss the sun, the warmth, and the magic of new life growing from the ground that Spring brings. So, while I play dodge the potholes with my car, look at the now dirty black snow, and the clouds in the sky, I will keep counting the days until Spring. :)

Winter Inspiration

Living in Michigan, I am surrounded by water. I live on the east side of the state where Lake Erie connects to the Detroit River, which connects to Lake St. Clair, which connects to the St. Clair River, which then connects to Lake Huron. That is a lot of water on the east shores of Michigan. This photo is a view of the St. Clair River on a cold winter day. The St. Clair River is a large passage-way for freighters that can travel along all of these lakes and the St. Clair River. The St. Clair River is also a ferry-passage for vehicles to, and from Canada, which is just across the river. The day I took this photo, it was extremely cold outside, I had no gloves with me, my fingers were frozen, but I knew I had to at least take a few photos of what looked like a true winter scene on the river. Hope you like it!

Diamonds Hiding in the Snow

I have been stuck inside for the last two weeks due to being sick. I am hoping to venture out later today now that it is a little warmer outside. Who would have thought that 20 degrees would be a heat wave! While, I was stuck inside, I managed to go out on my porch one afternoon when I saw these tiny little branches hidden in an otherwise snow covered bush next to my front porch. Beautiful little drops of water on the tiny branch shot up-close, created an abstract/bokeh type of effect on the snowy background. Happy Friday!