Posts from the ‘woods’ category

Glacier Lily

Just to the right of center, a path heads north into the woods in the direction of the state land that borders my property. Just between the first “gateway” of trees, on the right…

…one lone Glacier Lily – the first I’ve seen this Spring.

Glacier Lilies are edible by both people and animals. Bears and rodents eat the root bulbs. Deer and elk eat the seed pods. According to several internet sites, the roots could be pulverized and made into a dressing for skin sores and other parts used to treat colds. The leaves and pods could be eaten raw or cooked.

For me, they are pretty and it is always a nice surprise to find one blooming in my woods.

Gold morning woods

A cold, clear night gave way to golden sunshine…

in the morning woods.

**(9F this morning at it’s coldest. I think this is the coldest it has been all Winter)

Snow in the woods

A bit of fresh snow this morning.

It was not to last. Even early, it was getting warm. By midday it was the consistency of mashed potatoes. And it was raining.

Since the weekend, there has been notice of a pending high wind warning for late tonight through tomorrow evening. I can’t recall ever seeing this kind of warning so I’m taking it seriously. Although I’ve rarely lost power at this house, today, I made sure every battery for every gadget is charged up. I filled all water containers AND the motorhome water tank. I baked bread and crackers and tortillas. I did laundry. I have plenty of cooked food that just needs to be warmed up and plenty more that can be cooked – on the woodstove. Bob and Bear’s food supply is plentiful. I hope all of this preparedness guarantees that the power stays on :)!

Day of incredible light

I love the woods in fog.

Last night, a wintry mix of rain/sleet/snow left an inch of new slush. As the sun rose and started warming things up…fog.

I also love a beardog in the woods in fog.

A long work day later, Bear and I took a quick trip to town. The sun had been out a few times during the day and as the sun set through heavy clouds to the southwest, it lit clearing skies to the north and northeast.

The ski runs of Big Mountain. The lights on the runs open for night skiing.

Beautiful to see the lights and they always trigger such wonderful memories. I was fortunate to have several night skiing experiences with incredible light: “fairy dust” from the lights on freezing fog, a night when the full moon rose as the sun set in a clear sky…Flathead Valley and Lake below, skiing alone on the lighted runs on perfect snow in the quiet night when even the lifties spoke in near whispers. Magic nights of incredible light and incredible skiing.

The mountains, an old cabin, a farm pond.

Day of incredible light.