Another Dip in the Vortex

The experts say the coldest air of the season is on the way!  This is scary because we've already had some cold temperatures, like -15F cold!  Just the other day a water pipe froze.  We had the cabinets open and the faucet dripping, then I forgot and turned it off, and the rest was history.  Thankfully, we got some good advice and got the pipe to thaw without damage, that we know of.

My number one concern is for the roads.  The salt solutions don't work on the roads at these temperatures, so I worry about driving, about my husband driving.  We have stocked up on food.  The gas tank is full.  We put plastic on some of our leaky windows. We caulked some others.  I think we are as ready as we can be. The only thing to do now is wait it out.

This January has been the second snowiest on record, too.  I don't want to break that record!  We actually have had more snow than our usual average snow total for the year.  I know that it is not as cold or snowy as other places, but we are not used to this, so it seems more intense.  I am sure to not forget this winter!

A Winter Hike & Birthday

Icebergs in Lake Michigan?

Someone who knows my love for Lake MIchigan sent me these amazing photos of icebergs reportedly in Lake Michigan.  I say reportedly, because you cannot always believe every thing you are sent in an email.  Even if they turned out not to be in Lake Michigan, they are amazing and worth a post here.  The following text accompanied the pictures.  If I knew who to give credit, I would.  Despite that, enjoy these awesome works of art from the hand of our Creator. 


"Icebergs in Lake Michigan sometimes have stripes, formed by
layers of snow that react to different conditions.

Blue stripes are often created when a crevice in the ice sheet
fills up with melt water and freezes so quickly that no bubbles form.

When an iceberg falls into the lake, a layer of water can
freeze to the underside. If this is rich in algae, it can form a
green stripe.

Brown, black and yellow lines are caused by sediment, picked up
when the ice sheet grinds downhill towards the lake.

Frozen Wave Pixs - Nature is amazing!

 

The water froze the instant the wave broke through the
ice.  That's what it is like in     Lake Michigan   where it is the
coldest weather in decades.  Water freezes the instant
it comes in contact with the air.  The temperature of the
water is already some degrees below freezing. 

Just look at how the wave froze in mid-air!!!  

 





Jenn here, again.  These pictures confirm my long standing belief that there are icebergs in Lake Michigan that never thaw, thus making the lake so cold all summer long! (lol) The main reason I cannot usually get much more than a toe into the water until Labor Day.  But it sure is a pretty lake!  

And alas, these photos have been confirmed to not be of Lake Michigan origins, just as I suspected.  You can read more about it here on Snoopes.com.


A good reminder to always check first if you get an amazing forwarded email! 
 

Is it Wrong?

Forgive me this rambling post.  Indulge me,if you will, as I sort out my thoughts.  I go back and forth on this issue.  Maybe it is this long, cold winter that is stirring my longings, I do not know.  Whatever "it" is, I find myself pondering a change, before it is too late.  

It has always been a dream of mine to live somewhere beautiful.  As an adult, I have always lived in suburbia sprall.  At times, it tires my eyes.  My heart's desire is to look out my window and see God's handiwork, not a trampoline and the neighbor's backyard.  Sometimes when I am at Lake Michigan or looking at a beautiful picture on a blog, I find myself caught up in this desire for beauty to surround me.  I start to wonder why cannot I also live in a beautiful part of this world, if I chose to do so.

Then I feel guilty.  Is this a wrong desire?  Is this being discontent?  I do know that I find myself feeling renewed and  restored in such places.  Sitting on the beach in the sun listening to the rush of the water thrills my soul.  Is it wrong to want to live closer? 

Here is where my desire gets wonky.  Reality is that I live in what I think is a very good place to raise my children as far as community goes.  We have a very good job, parks, friends, a church, family and other joys.  We are mostly safe. We are comfortable. We do live only 3 hours away from our lake and go often. 

I feel foolish.  And really, I do not spend a lot of time worrying or wanting a change. It is just there in the back of my mind.  "If I ever get the opportunity to move somewhere beautiful, I just may jump at the chance!"  (Most likely to discover that home was best of all. )


What do you think?  I'll tell you what I think.  The conflict lies in that this life is not my own.  This world is not my home.  Perhaps, if the LORD wills, one day I may live in a beautiful place or not.  My life's purpose is to glorify my Maker, not myself.  And I need to be content where I am, right now.  Easy to say.  Harder to change my heart.

Garden Update No. 3

I've been wanting to post some updated pictures of our Learning Patch, but it has been so rainy lately, that I've had to put that off. Today, after many days, the sun returned! So, I ventured out with my camera.

Here is the current overview picture of our Learning Patch Garden (TM).

The green beans that we planted in the good soil are growing very well. 

The ones we planted in the ground a little later are not doing so well.  I think it has been too wet and we seem to have several bunnies that like our patch, too.  Next year, we will have a proper raised garden box and all will be well. 

We have a section of dandelion greens growing.  I read this today from Botanical.com,"The young leaves of the Dandelion make an agreeable and wholesome addition to spring salads and are often eaten on the Continent, especially in France."  (I am ahead of my time.) 

The compost is growing!  It's not baking, but it is increasing a lot.  The sun really needs to stay out for a long while. 

We bought some Catnip for our favorite feline.  I will plant it in a bigger pot soon. 

Here's a fun little story.  I let my garlic that I bought to use for cooking get away from me.  I noticed it's little green shoot and decided that if it wanted to grow, I'd stick it in some dirt.  I never expecte it to take off.  Look at it now. 

I think the lettuce needs thinned. 

The pretty yellow flowers are attracting butterflies. 

We were gifted some little Preying Mantis to release into our garden.  I am hoping they have made it.  Time will tell. 

Thank you for taking the time to look at our little learning patch! 

Dune Boy

"Understanding and encouragement are sunshine and water to that frail plant, early ambition."
~Edwin Way Teale, Dune Boy pg. 228

Nature Never Did Betray...

"Nature never did betray...
The heart that loved her, is her privilege
Through all the years of this our life to lead
From joy to joy;for she can so inform
The mind that is with us; so impress
With quietness and beauty; and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues
Rash judgements, nor the sneers of selfish men
Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all
The dreary intercourse of daily life,
Shall ere prevail against us; or disturb
Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings."
~ Edith Holden
The Nature Notes of an Edwardnian Lady