Friday, March 31, 2006
Front Flower Bed
One of my flower beds, ready for planting. Heather & nice stump behind it...Taken 3/28/06
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:52 AM
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Thursday, March 30, 2006
Heather (Close-up)
Heather in my garden.....Taken 3/28/06
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6:48 AM
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Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Pretty In Purple
Violas I planted out a week ago......Taken 3/28/06
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6:57 AM
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Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Nesting Geese
This pair won the battle for the nest......Taken 3/26/05
It appears that she may be laying eggs, either that or just guarding the nest. Yes, that is ice on the pond. The edges have started to melt, and with this warm weather, the ice won't last much longer.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:13 AM
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Monday, March 27, 2006
Thoughts......
Cineraria in the rain......Taken 3/25/06
Usually, I am a very happy, upbeat person. Sometimes, however, I become nostalgic and with that I get a feeling of melancholy. It might be a place, a picture, a song (like yesterday,an old Marty Robbin's classic.) The older I get, the more I realize how fragile life is, how short, how sweet. Maybe it was the rain pounding on the roof; my cat sitting at my feet, looking up at me while purring softly; or the feel of my husbands arms, as he held me close, my protector, my refuge, my love. All the things we have shared together over the years, both happy and sad, both good and bad, knowing nothing is forever, that someday it shall all come crashing down. Yup, it was that song and the rain. Give me a minute as I brush a tear away, tuck the memories of my children into that far away safe place, and become that happy, upbeat person again.
I bought four cineraria the other day, (three blue, one red) and repotted them. I bring them inside at night, it is still too cold. They, and the violas, give my doorway a springtime feel, something I need right now, as I wait patiently for the sun to come back.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:15 AM
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Friday, March 24, 2006
Neighbor's Horses
Percheron draft horse ranch just East of us......Taken 3/23/06
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:25 AM
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Thursday, March 23, 2006
Posing
This is my (used to be) semi feral outdoor cat, Mistrie. She is enjoying the heat and sunshine. It has taken me two years, but I can go outside and she comes up to me, if I put my hand out. I planted three tubs of violas yesterday, she is posing with the posies.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:09 AM
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Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Breezy Point
On top of Breezy Point, St. Joe National Forest.....Taken 6/27
Yes, the wind blows a lot up on Breezy. Years ago, my husband and I sat up here and watched as airplanes dropped retardant on a forest fire, where we had a ring-side seat. We were actually looking in the opposite direction from what this picture was taken, as you have a 360 degree view. In the foreground is beargrass, the trees are alpine fir. I call them ice cream cone trees, because they tend to look like an upsidedown ice cream cone, growing straight and tall, rather than wide. They have a short growing season, as spring comes late to the high country, and winter returns early.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:33 AM
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Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Rock Wall
What does this have to do with Nature Trails, you ask. Well, nothing, really, except the rocks (most of them) were picked on one of our many trips up in the mountains.This is a small portion of the rock wall my husband built behind our free standing wood stove. The rocks were all picked at a switch-back going up to Schweitzer, years ago (except for the two bluish ones at the bottom, they came from Arizona.) There is a lot of mica in them, so they are really pretty. When he built the wall, he made some into shelves, handy for all sorts of things.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:19 AM
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Monday, March 20, 2006
Spring Has Arrived
Another view on our morning walk ...Taken 3/19/06
Today I decided, spring has arrived. It isn't just the fact that tomorrow is the official start, it has more to do with "a feeling." Stepping outside the door, the air smelled of pine and damp earth. The sky was an incredible blue, even the North wind didnt have a bite to it. The crocuses are poking up through the snow by the sidewalk ,and the daphne and heather are about to bloom. Robins are seen everywhere, their song in the morning is so welcome. Yes, spring, welcome back, you have chased away the gray, cold days of winter and brought your sunny smile.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:59 AM
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Friday, March 17, 2006
Grouse Creek
Grouse Mountain/Grouse Creek Area...Taken 3/16/06
I took this on our morning walk, about a mile down the road.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:07 AM
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Thursday, March 16, 2006
Flat Tire
Interstate 1-90 just out of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (you can see the lake in the distance)
We ended up stopping in Kellogg, Idaho, and buying new tires and rims for our trailer. Better safe than sorry.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:06 AM
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
What A View
State Line Road, Idaho/Montana Line, St. Joe National Forest...Taken 6/12
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6:26 AM
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Tuesday, March 14, 2006
March Afternoon
Cabinet Mountains (Green Monarachs in distance)....taken 3/12/06
I took the photo about 1/8 mile up the road, looking East. Lovely, sunny afternoon.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:16 AM
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Monday, March 13, 2006
Geese Have Returned
The geese have returned to stake their claim on the nesting box (you can see it behind them)
They are daily visitors, skidding across the ice on the pond. This picture was taken several days ago, before we got our latest big snow.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:15 AM
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Friday, March 10, 2006
Spring Snowstorm
Just off our bedroom deck....taken 3/10/06
We got between 12 and 16 inches of snow in the last two days in a spring snowstorm, not unusal for us really, but a surprise after little snow all winter (except in the mountains.) We got the first 6 inches yesterday, got that cleaned up, and this morning it looked like we hadn't shoveled.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:53 AM
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Thursday, March 09, 2006
Up On Top
On top of Marble Mountain...8/04
Marble Mountain is one of our favorite places. There used to be a fire tower here, long gone, although remnants still remain. From here you can see 365 degrees into Canada, Washington, and Montana. We go here every year, usually have our picnic lunch on the highest point. We use our four wheelers to get as far as we can and then hike up to the top. Rock slabs, like those in the photo, cover the whole mountain and make for some fun and challenging hiking.
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:19 PM
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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Marble Mtn. Mystery
This strange little building is located just below where the fire tower was. We have no idea what it was used for, any ideas? Maybe a place to store canned goods?
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6:34 PM
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Tuesday, March 07, 2006
End Of The Trail
This is where we start hiking up Marble Mountain
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7:29 PM
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Monday, March 06, 2006
Marble Mountain
Panhandle National Forest (St Joe) ...9/09
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7:10 AM
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Friday, March 03, 2006
Another Rack
Antelope
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:41 AM
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Thursday, March 02, 2006
Gun "N" Horn Show
Deer with tree branch through rack
The Bonner County Sportmens Association's motto is Protector of Woods and Wildlife.
Every year, on the first Friday through Sunday of March, my husband and I take part in the BCSA annual Gun and Horn Show, their big money maker. We have taken in the horns since it was moved down to the Fairgrounds, about 20 years ago (from Community Hall.) We spend the full three days there, checking horns in, fixing the displays, talking to the judges, (they come from Spokane) putting out ribbons and plaques, explaining to people "why they didn't win," attaching score sheets, passing the horns back out on Sunday, and cleaning up. We have a lot of Pope and Young (archery) and Boone and Crockett (rifle) horns come through the door. There are a lot of different classes, also; youth, women's, archery, white tail, mule deer, bear, muzzle loader, to name a few. We have about 140 tables of guns and miscellaneous items for sale and anywhere from 120 to 200 horns and racks displayed. Looking for something to do this weekend? Come on down. I recommend Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning; by then we have the winners chosen.
It costs $3.00 to get in (per day), horns must be brought in Friday between 12 noon and 7 P.M.
Saturday Hours: 9 A. M. - 6 P. M.
Sunday Hours: 9 A. M. - 3 P. M.
No charge to have your horns scored. Horns must be left until 3 on Sunday!!!
A few years ago someone brought a display of unusual racks. I took a few pictures, they were amazing.
Toni
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
7:33 AM
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Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Cabinet Mountains
Looking East from our driveway....taken 2/25
Posted by Big Piney Woods Cats at
6:29 AM
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