• About Judith A. Ross

Shifting Gears

Shifting Gears

Tag Archives: Walden woods

An Icy Pause

21 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by judithar321 in environment, health, inspiration, meditation, pets

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

dogwood trees, ice, lady's mantle, lavender, nature, pine trees, Walden woods, winter weather

We woke up earlier this week to an ice-covered world. The dogwood tree outside the bedroom window greeted me looking like a cocktail hostess wrapped in a silvery sheath.

out the window

The glittery theme continued in the garden, where the lady’s mantle posed as a crystal chandelier resting on its side, and the lavender wore translucent stockings.

ladysmantle Lavender on ice

The driveway had a coating that was treacherous, but easily shattered like the best stained glass candy.

Driveway

In the woods, it took us a while to negotiate the trail — why didn’t we remember to dig out our ice cleats?

mananddog1

Still, we walked. We saw tree branches, wrapped in ice, reaching across the path with ET-like fingers.

Fingers1

There was evidence of fairies messing with trees during the night.

tree sculpture tree sculpture2

And shades of Dr. Seuss.

DrSeuss

Pine needles turned into elongated jewels.

holiday best

needles2

It was as if the ice, in coating the plants, the trees, the driveway, and the trail, had also frozen time, and encased us in a cold but protective cocoon. A magic trick.

All too soon the trick was over, and time resumed its normal pace, as the ice quickly melted away.

Next week, I hope to replicate that magic by slowing down and savoring every quiet and not-so-quiet moment with loved ones. I hope you can do the same: take a breath and reflect, before we all gear up for 2013.

I wish all of you safe, happy, holidays, and health and joy in the coming year.

GiftPup

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Karina’s Walk

17 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by judithar321 in environment, friendship, pets, writing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

environment, fairyland, fashion, MomsCleanAirForce, Thoreau's woods, Walden woods, work

When I wasn’t working at the store this week, I was writing a book review and a piece on air pollution.

And then there was that password-protected Father’s Day tribute. Sorry, but I didn’t want to  a.) gross you out with my sentimentality or b.) bore you with cute pictures of my kids, who most of you don’t even know. But husband loved it and that’s what counts.

Just so you don’t think I’m lying about all the busyness, here I am at my retail job. See? Busy, busy, busy.

Anyway, because I didn’t have time to write a post this week, Karina has graciously agreed to give you a tour of “her” woods.

Click on the arrow and she’ll lead you in.

Daily Walk

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by judithar321 in environment, meditation

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

environment, fairyland, MomsCleanAirForce, pets, Walden woods

It’s been a quiet week here. Lots of changes in the wind. Lots of ideas percolating for this blog. One thing I’ve wanted to share for a long time is my daily walk.

Just down the street from my house is a trail that takes me into the town woods — affectionately known as Fairyland.

(For a better view, click on each photo.)

Entrance to Fairyland

It’s not so easy, however, to take photos while keeping tabs on a busy puppy. My husband, Paul, joined us yesterday, leaving my hands free to hold a camera.

Entering the birch grove.

The trail is marked with quotes by Henry David Thoreau, who once wandered these woods.

Thoreau's reflection on the white birch

No wonder, then, that the white birch is so prevalent and characteristic a tree with us and that the seedling birches spring up every year on so many neglected spots, but especially where the surface has been cleared or burned.

And there are other markers and whimsy as we wander down the trail.

Karina communes with the Lorax

And totems big and small left by fellow wanderers.

Bejeweled rock pile

Trail guard

And this large rock pile seen through the trees. From this angle, it reminds me of a snowman in what so far has been an almost snowless winter.  For years it has been knocked down and replaced with amazing regularity. One early morning my dearly departed Hobbes and I came across its maker sitting next to it with his dog. I was too shy to ask him what he was doing.

Old totem at the crossroads.

But my favorite totems are made by Mother Nature.

Cross in the woods

Fairy steps

New needles

Karina and I start every day this way. Thanks for joining us!

All walked out

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