A Good Ski Day...

Although the trails were a bit icy today, all in all, it was a good day. Well... I could have wished for less crowds. It was the last day of school vacation this week for many, so it was unusually crowded. This is a photo of Mt. Snow taken at the top of one of the trails. We're expecting 8-10 inches of snow tonight, so that will definitely help... Happy Pre-New Year's Eve Day...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

EVERYONE!

more later...

Countdown to Christmas...

Three days before Christmas... I've decided to decorate my tree with all handmade items that my mother made. Since she passed away a few years ago, it's a nice tribute to her amazing talent and warm heart. I miss her. Since moving to Vermont, my lifestyle has merged into a slow, peaceful pace. It suits me... When I look out the window, all I see are snow covered evergreens, stonewalls and winter birds flocking around the bird feeder. I made a path through the woods and along the brook where I take my dogs for their daily exercise.

I'm very fortunate to have Christmas week off from work. I'll spend a few days in CT visiting my brother and hope to get a couple days of downhill skiing in when I get home. I've always enjoyed having time off around this holiday.

I had a great Christmas get-together with my friends a few nights ago. I have such a wonderful group of friends--I'm very blessed. They're a lot of fun, and it fills the void of not having a family of my own, especially since my parents passed away.

My biggest wish this season is for everyone to wake up one morning with a feeling of love, compassion and respect for all living things.... to open up their eyes and heart and be aware of what they can do to help the helpless--those that can't speak or make decisions for themselves.... to take responsibility and provide loving care for those they are in possession of. Why does this sound so simple yet so unattainable? I pray for this every day...

Winter in Vermont 2007

We are in the midst of a Noreaster in the early part of winter. I think we've had more snow so far this year than the whole season last year. It reminds me of an old-fashioned winter when I was growing up with snow drifts reaching the tops of the doors and windows. I can picture all the neighborhood kids running outdoors with their sleds and sliding right down the middle of the streets. With our dogs racing behind us, we had no fear of traffic (or injuries) back then. We slid til our legs turned to rubber and then all got together at someone's house for hot chocolate.

I still have dogs, but instead of sledding, we go for walks in the woods or out in the cornfield down near the CT River. We tend to walk off the beaten path, so we are always foraging our own paths or clearing our way through bushes and trees. This is where I feel the most joy and appreciate nature for its beauty and peacefulness. It renews my spirit and gives me a feeling of amazement and respect when I am at one with nature. This is also where I meditate and pray for the respect of all living things. Most of our walks tend to gravitate near some type of water--either ponds, rivers, brooks, etc. The first photo above is my dog, Deeg, a Chow mix and a big, cuddly teddy bear...

I feel bad for people who never experience this--it must leave such a void in one's life. I don't think it matters where you live. I believe people can find special places in the city as well--I just think it's harder because most people are prone to getting caught up in the hussle and bussle and fast pace of city life vs. rural life.

Talk about getting off the beaten path!!

This is a photo of Zoey--a precious, sweet, 3-legged dog. Even though I'm just "Auntie Beeg", I love Zoey as if she were my own.