Tuesday, December 9, 2008

WINTER ALONG THE NORTH SHORE, and a SUMMER MEMORY


The photo of the bearded warning sign (more “spraycicles”) was taken at Mersea Beach, after that big storm blew itself out. It blew so hard icicles couldn't even hang straight down. I don’t think anyone would risk scrambling over the groyne rocks on that ice! Yesterday was bright and sunny, and the temperature rose a few welcome degrees. Then last night a chilly winter rain moved in. I stuck my head and camera out the patio door this morning to catch the “kwins” (another word I made up, for those pattering raindrop circles) dancing on the table.


The big river stone on the edge of the picture is also from Alberta. It’s one of the few rocks I brought with me that don’t have holes in them. A dear friend of mine gave it to me from her garden when she had to move. She spent so many hours creating the most amazing rock garden, full of interesting plants and stones and homemade hangings and chimes – all delightfully and artfully designed. We each took a souvenir with us to remind us of all the good times we’d had sitting in the sun there, laughing and solving the problems of the world. I took this rock, which had always been a favorite of mine. I call it the Jupiter Rock, because of it’s color and patterns.

I’m sure that neat old house and lovingly tended garden are part of a string of condos by now, and the Jupiter Rock is currently anchoring the patio table against the winter gales; I haven't quite found the perfect summer spot for it here yet, but looking at it this morning in the low winter daylight, I could almost feel the heat of the sun again.

13 comments:

Kat Mortensen said...

Hiya! It's The Hyggecats. Weez very glad to be by the gas fire and not out in the frrreeezin' cold like in yer pitchers.

We gots an award thingy fur your catz on our bloggy. Come fur a visit and pick it up. Okay?

Luv,

GBDR @ 4 Cats Ruffin It!

Sylvia K said...

Remind me to stop whining about the cold in Seattle! I sat shivering in my warm room just looking at that first one! But still, it's beautiful at the same time! I love Jupiter! what a lovely rock! I'm sure you'll find the perfect place for it. Always good to have reminders of good times! Stay warm!

Quiet Paths said...

Ah, how can it be so; such warmth of spirit revealed in words and very icy pictures! I think the cold weather brings that out in certain blogger-types. Here's to insulation and a good camera!

bobbie said...

That is a truly beautiful rock.
I love your curly bearded sign.

Great Grandma Lin said...

ah winter. I traveled north of my home today to visit some friends. It was 37 when I left here and much colder there with ice on the road. Then when I left there to return home it was 37 there and 60 here. Love the warmth of the desert.

Kim said...

Now hear this. I will not complain about my 30 degree weather ever again. I don't know how you handle it!!

Love the rock. I am into rocks too. They can be so pretty and really add character to a garden. Sad but true comment about the condo and the garden.

Shelley said...

Just seeing the icicles blown like that on that sign gave me the shivers! Loved the photos!

me ann my camera said...

From this angle I can see the Red Deer River Valley and the horizon just off beyond. The colours hold the warmth of the prairie.

My patio table is bring held down by a small ceramic turtle crawling across a tortise patterned ashtray made by 'Wade', all of which is full of ice and snow. (Collectors not to worry, it has a crack in it.)

What wonderful angled spraysicles! Your word fits so well.

magiceye said...

love the pictures of spryacicles, kwins and the beautiful rock!

Squirrel said...

woooo that's some bearded sign! I think spraysicles are beautiful. Every year at some point we get an ice storm (just like the movie by ang lee) and while it's magical looking... it's pretty dangerous.

we are going up to sixty degrees today here--but the weatherman promises some very whacky "see-sawing" with the temps this week, not really a good thing.

kwins!


my word verif. is foxyloc -

Anonymous said...

I can't even begin to imagine it being that cold. What an amazing occurrence and an amazing shot of that ice!

Mojo said...

"Possibility of Hazards in Water"
I had to laugh. I think those ice floes would keep me from diving in, hazards or no hazards.

PJ said...

Living in Florida I don't see to much in th e way of ice, and certainly not anything like that sign. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!