Down In The Valley

A Sunday evening stroll into the village for a night of pure Vermont musical brilliance.

A remarkable show

Phantom Music Series is serving up an impressive lineup of musicians from Vermont and beyond and right here in our very own valley.
Make it a date, you deserve it!

Just Ducky

I had a dragging my feet kind of wander in the woods today. How come? Well, last week my best friend alerted me our much-anticipated hatching of my the Robin Moth would not transpire and on my way into the woods I stopped and examined the empty chrysalis. That's how come.

"I hope you enjoyed your jolly green giant of a snack... Whoeveryouare." 

No Body Home

So there I am in the middle of the woods and out of nowhere (or so it seemed) this big bodied bird flew right over my head landing high in a tree top. I was certain it was an owl until he reached his perch and I recognized it was a duck. 

That's him.

I zoom in to get a better look.

Oh my, this is not just any old duck. 

Welcome to the neighborhood Mr. Wood Duck. He is some kind of marvelous, don't you think?

Thank you, Momma Nature for putting the spring back in my step.

And this new little point and shoot, looks like we are going to be close friends.

Seasons Come

And seasons go.

Isn't that one of Vermont's specialties?

The snow has left my yard and most of the low level hills that border my home.  Peepers and Wood frogs sing an almost deafening chorus of amphibian lust competing with bird songs and the joyful shouts of little league supporters (heybattabatta) wafting up from Couples Field. The air is almost warm and the sun is doing its best.

An early spring wandering in the forest today rewarded me with the delightful discovery of a favorite wild edible. Last year was our introduction to this native vegetable and I am thrilled to have found a patch so close to home. I select only a handful for supper tonight.

Wild leeks/ramps ~ Allium Tricoccum

Oh summer... the anticipation is something fierce and spring is just what I need to tide me over.

And Spring arose on the garden fair, 

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast

Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~ An excerpt from “The Sensitive Plant” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Off in search of something good ~ have a happy spring.

A Gem of a Day

With plenty of snow in the higher elevations and sunny warm days ahead, conditions are setting up for some delightful spring skiing. The Revolution trail, just west of the Blueberry Lake overflow, was perfect for a quick middle of the day ski break with my husband and daughter.

It won't last long and before we know it bikes will be replacing our skis.

Oh yeah... Spring and Summer are on their way.