Winter Walkabout

After a long stretch of sunny, but cold weather, clouds started moving in. 

Whenever we transition from calm to stormy weather, large lenticular clouds form around Mt. Rainier, foretelling the future. 

We can always expect rain within 24 hours whenever we see these strange and beautiful cloud formations.

I watched all morning as the skies turned moody and dark, swallowing up the mountains. 

Every now and then, bright beams of sunlight broke through the rapidly moving clouds. 

Eventually we were engulfed in the fog. 

These are not black and white photos! 

I love to take walks in the fog, so come along with me and we will take a little winter walkabout. 

Champ waits for us at the end of the walkway. 

It is very still and quiet as we walk along, our footsteps keeping time with the dripping trees. 

We pass vine covered cedar growing near the children's former play house, now a home for the dogs when kenneled (only when we have large gatherings or truck deliveries).

We fill the bird feeders and watch the nearly tame native Douglas squirrels take up residence after we leave. 

All are welcome! 

Oh -oh! Watch out! We are entering dangerous territory! 

The coast is clear, so let's take a look around. 

Plenty of evidence that men have been here.....

Some woodcutter's sculpture.

A guy's collection of 'precious stones'. 

We leave this manly place and follow the loud, prehistoric call of the Northern Flicker. 

'Wacka-wacka-ka-ka-ka-ka-ka'

There he is, and he spies me, too. 

The flicker is the only woodpecker to regularly feed on the ground, preferring ants and beetles. 

I have a nesting pair that resides here year round. 

All this mist and fog makes the moss very happy. 

We live in a temperate rain forest, here in Western Washington. 

Our winters are very wet and we frequently get heavy rain and wind. 

This causes flooding and mudslides in our heavily mountainous and hilly terrain. 

Our 'wind storms' would be classified as hurricanes elsewhere. 

This weekend we are expecting heavy rain and winds from 40-60 mph. 

With many 100 ft. and taller trees,

 this can cause power outages and dangerous conditions from falling limbs and trees. 

But because our climate is mild (zone 7), we have flowers nearly year round. 

Here, a hellebore blooms in a pot on my deck. It has been blooming all winter. 

We do get snow, but not regularly, 

and our relentless gray skies can be quite depressing. 

When the sun does shine, 

everyone comes outside to enjoy it, even in the cold.

It's not unusual to see people in shorts year round in our temperate climate. 

North-westerner's are a hardy bunch! 

To see some local Pemco Insurance commercials poking fun at our quirks, Look Here

Guaranteed to make you laugh.

'Sandals and Socks Guy' is the iconic North-westerner.

My Mr. is 'Flawless Firewood Stacker'. 

I am '4-Way Stop, You Go, No You Go'. 

And we used to be 'Blue Tarp Campers' when the children were young. 

So while the Stella Jays keep watch over the foggy hills, 

We brace for the impending storm. 

Thinking of all my Dear Friends who have suffered through the storms of winter this week, 

I leave you with this Irish Blessing. 

May God give you ... For every storm a rainbow,

for every tear a smile,

for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

a faithful friend to share,

for every sigh a sweet song 

and an answer for each prayer. 

xoxo

Thank you, Dear Friends for your sweet visits and friendship. 

xoxo