Snow

It snowed on Saturday, bringing happy cheers to skiers and snowboarders.
Cars driving past the house were sliding from side to side so I remained indoors.

It was a good time to play with the new camera.

The new windows upstairs are frozen shut--perhaps not such a bargain after all--and I miss leaning way out to get a better shot.

January Garden

This is the trellis garden last summer, full of transient horseradish and any other greenery brave enough to fight their way in..

Here it is today, having a winter rest.

So what is this? Well, on top of the shed is the retired bird house with its roof hanging ajar.

The raised beds are waiting out the season and those bags, ah those bags. they are stuffed full of mulch and waiting for the moment when they come into play.

In a perfect world I would have stored them in the shed but (a) they're too heavy to move around and (b) I lost interest in moving them.

I like seeing them each day when I look out the window; they're ready for that moment when the bed is popping up shoots and  need a little protection from the sun.

And we all know that if company is coming and you want to put on a good garden face, a spreading of mulch will hide a multitude of garden sins.

In my younger days I would have hauled mulch back from the woods but now I buy it in bags.

Just as long as it gets the job done....

Kwan Yin

This is Kwan Yin, considered to be the goddess of women everywhere. This is the Thai version, a gift from my sweet daughter-in law Aw  and in her country the goddess is called Kuon Eim.

The story varies with each culture but in all she has the deepest love and compassion and would sacrifice herself for others.

When Aw's English gets a tad more advanced, I will learn her version of this goddess's powers. There is a place for incense sticks (you must only burn three, says Aw).

The jar in her hand is for  pure water and the green stalk is a willow branch.

Aw and I learn from one another; I tell her about the gods worshipped here and she tells me more of her Buddhist gods.

In the meantime each morning I greet this special porcelain lady when I come downstairs and I feel stronger in her care.