It's easy to get discouraged this time of year as the days shrink and the cold shivers among the trees. It's tempting to stay in by the fire. If you can resist the urge, winter can be a time of dramatic weather and exciting scenes, especially if you are near water. Ice can be magnificent, … Continue reading The Beauty of Winter
Author: notes with coffee
When I'm not watching the world around me I'm an animal lover, naturalist, woodworker and photographer. The order changes daily.
Flying Tutus
This is the time of year when you may notice small bits of fluff floating through the air. This is usually worth a second look. It may be milkweed, or aster seeds, but if you are lucky you might see what looks like a fly wearing a tutu. This tutu wearing insect is actually an … Continue reading Flying Tutus
Glaciers to Gardens
Recently I spent the day as part of the Vermont Master Naturalist Program learning about world history. I don’t mean wars and kings. I mean the movement of continents and glaciers. I mean history where time is measured in eons and eras. We were taught by Craig Heindel, a Vermont hydrogeologist as well as a … Continue reading Glaciers to Gardens
Night Lights in June
Last night I lay in bed smelling the fresh air through my open window. It was a dark night and my eyes were drooping, but I like to look outside before dropping off to assure myself that the outdoors is still there.I glanced out to see the yard was full of sparkles. Fireflies were out … Continue reading Night Lights in June
Happiness Practice – Day 7
I was out of the house before I had a chance to write anything this morning. When I got home I looked back over the day for a particular moment of happiness. I realized it's a different process, thinking about what I enjoyed today, instead of noticing the spark when I felt it. Instead of a … Continue reading Happiness Practice – Day 7
Happiness Practice -Day 6
What makes me happy today, on this gray and miserable day, is the fight between musk and trump. Their temper tantrum gives me hope that things are beginning to fall apart at the top. Let them take their anger and cruelty out on each other, rather than on those who are struggling to make it in … Continue reading Happiness Practice -Day 6
Happiness Practice – Day 5
I woke like the day, gray and grumbly. Chores felt like chores, the kitchen was a mess and yesterday's iris were all dead. With a sigh of one feeling the woes of the world I began cleaning the kitchen, wondering if I would ever find anything to write about. I stuffed clean dishes into the cupboards and dirty … Continue reading Happiness Practice – Day 5
Happiness Practice – Day 4
My photography makes me happy. It gives me an excuse to get outside and a it's particular way of looking at the world. I see things within a frame which allows me to concentrate on color and shapes in a way I might not otherwise. I like the details it brings out. It gets me looking for … Continue reading Happiness Practice – Day 4
Happiness Practice – Day 3
Today was easy. It's Hug Your Cat Day. How wonderful is that? Ironically enough, I was going to write about how it makes me happy to feed my cats first thing in the morning. I'm still half asleep, but they are frantic with hunger, having not eaten a thing since just before bed last night. Their excitement … Continue reading Happiness Practice – Day 3
Happiness Practice – Day 2
The two Bee Balm plants that my sister gave me have grown from scrawny seedlings into bushy plantlets. I planted them next to the garage in a small area I cleared of grass and waterleaf and misc other weeds, It's a small plot, tiny really, just the two plants. But for some reason it makes me … Continue reading Happiness Practice – Day 2
The Nature of Things 