The Rhythm of Branches

 
Right now, there's not a lot of easy beauty going on outside. We got a dusting of snow today, but still not enough to have fun on. So I went looking for some trees that were making music in their own way.

First up is an autumn olive. This is not the same tree as the one in A Shadow Revisited (link below). That tree has broken. But this one might be in the running for a new place to find a similar shadow if the snow gets deep.



This apple tree looks like one of those dancers from India with six arms. When I was a kid, some ladies from India came to our school and danced with candles and little metal things that clicked. They only had two arms each, but I was impressed anyway.



The silver maples always seem to have a graceful swoop in their music. Too bad they are such messy trees, and don't even color nicely in the fall. Nice tone, but maybe not an instrument that is pleasant enough to listen to full time.



Another apple tree seems to be trying to dance in a mirror with itself.



Finally, today, I smiled at the jazzy symmetry of the staghorn sumac.



I think I have a package lost in transit, but can't check until the post office opens tomorrow.

In other news: I wrote two chapters and took a walk. On the days I write this many words, I really can't accomplish much else. However, I did get more copies of "Devotions For Hikers" printed and stapled. I was completely out of them. I think I've earned my evening cookie and a chance to read a book.

	See Silver Maple See A Shadow Revisited
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Tea with Cindy

 
Did something today I haven't done for probably 20 years. I was invited to an afternoon tea with a bunch of ladies, and I actually went. This is because it was to have a chance to visit with a member of our writer's critique group, West Side Gang, whom we have not seen for quite a while.

Cindy (on the right) has been battling a serious health issue, and agreed to come to a tea at Seema's house after a therapy session. She told me it was all right to take her picture, and we all think she looks great after all the months of treatments.



We did all the things you would expect. We chatted, we chatted some more. We shared other health stories (never sure this is helpful to someone who is ill, but Cindy seemed to be OK with it). We talked about the arts in general. We talked about writing.

We ate delightful sandwiches and treats provided by Seema (whose picture I did not get, unfortunately), with some really good tea (in my opinion).



Cindy read us a humorous, but true, story she had recently written and we laughed a lot. That's always a good thing.

We probably tired her out too much before her husband picked her up, but hopefully it will be worth it to her for the memories of time with friends.

In other news: I wrote a chapter and maybe, maybe, maybe came up with the missing plot piece that DMS Mistletoe needs to complete the story line. That should make the writing go better.

	See West Side Gang
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First 2018 Christmas Concert

 
I'm going to try to get to a number of Christmas Concerts again this year. They really raise my spirits. Live music is so much more refreshing than recordings. Today was the first presentation of the year by the West Shore Community Choir. They are always great, and this year is no exception. I'll try to get to one more of their performances of the season, and several other events.



I ran into my good friend Betty, and that was wonderful since I don't see her very often any more.

In other news: I wrote two chapters and took a walk.

	See 2017 WSCC Choir
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Opossum Tracks Again

 
Here's the interesting sighting I promised you. On a little frozen wetland along the trail yesterday was a clear line of tracks made by some mid-sized animal. I could not pull the identity of the pattern of the prints out of my brain! Had to come home and look it up.



In my defense, it's been a long time since I've seen clear opossum tracks- about 9 years. Which brings up an interesting question. In 2009 and 2010 I was featuring a lot of wildlife tracks on the blog. It's not that I've lost interest, but those two years seemed to provide a lot of days that were ideal for coaxing animals out into the winter air and a nice palette on which to make the tracks. About all I've seen for the past two winters are rabbit and squirrel tracks. I hope the change is in the conditions for preserving tracks long enough for me to find them, rather than a diminishing number of critters.



At any rate, this two-print pattern with the one track practically wrapped around the other should have triggered a memory for me, even though the prints are in soft slushy snow. The only thing not typical about this is that there is no tail drag mark, but sometimes they manage to keep their tails out of the snow.



That's one of the things about learning tracks...there are SO many different permutations: snow, mud, dust, deep, shallow, animal running, walking, etc.

Anyway, I've now been reminded, and I hope this will sear the pattern into my brain.

In other news: I wrote two chapters! I hope you will see that sentence many more times in the coming days.

	See Clear Opossum Tracks See Obsession or Opportunity?
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Spirit of the Woods Hike - December

 
Today was the monthly hike for the Spirit of the Woods trail club. I was actually able to go on this one. In fact, I was the leader. Not that that's such a big deal. Anyway, 10 people showed up, but we didn't manage a group picture.

Love how the trail just calls to me here.



The youngest and oldest hikers slowed down enough for me to snap a picture.



I love hemlocks. They are among my favorite trees. This clump was looking nice.


And the occasional wise old white pine might have interesting stories to tell.


A stick covered in orange lichen and snow provides a bright spot in the woods.



Finally, you've probably heard of Burl Ives. However, I'd like to introduce you to Burl Eagle. I think he's related to the family in the link below.



And... I have something really neat to show you tomorrow. I'll give it a post of its own.

Miles hiked today: 8.5 in under 3 hours, and I was the last one in (I like to stop and take pictures, eh?)

Hike 100 Challenge is at 95.5 miles. One more little hike to do this month for me.

There is no other news, except that I ate too much.

North Country Trail, Freesoil Trailhead south to 5 Mile Rd and back, 8.5 miles

	See A Tree Full of Eagles
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