Friday, February 26, 2010

YouTube - The Coolest Book Ever#at=87

YouTube - The Coolest Book Ever#at=87

While researching for my column this week on Snowmen, I found this awesome video...totally!!

It will make you really think about snowmen and finally give some respect to this snowy anthropomorphic creature!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Searching for the Perfect Snowman....



Last night I stoppped over to pick up Matthew and Jonah, ages 5 and 8. I told them to put on their coats because we were on the search of the perfect Snowman. They were excited, well, so was I, as we drove around through town hunting out the best snowmen. I jumped out of the car a dozen times as we passed snowman after snowman. It has been the perfect week to build and photograph them. So here are a few of our favorite snowman from our small town!


                                      


Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Haiku for yet another winter's day in my small town...

I fill the bird feeders, I walk, I photograph, I tell stories, I write, I drive gingerly to school, to shows, to call dances in this winter wonderland. The snow drifts down daily to remind us that winter holds on and those of us who love it, open the blinds each morning to enjoy the beauty.

Author Rick Bass says that you just have to embrace winter or it will take hold of you and you will be lost within it.

So, poetry to get you through the day, the season....your life? These were taken from my writing journal.

empty streets of ice
longing for summer walkers
all doors frozen shut

bloodlines of winter
run through blue veined lifeless hands-
I'm sleeping til Spring

hunched winter mornings
glittering frosty treetops
canope my soul

The above mentioned book is Winter by Rick Bass.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Young Faces from my Small Town as The Pied Piper came to town!


The Pied Piper of Hamlin

This week end the Missoula Children's Theatre brought to life "The Pied Piper of Hamlin" with local elementary students from Hendry Park Elementary School in my small town.

The theatre came into town much like the old-fashioned circus with excitement, anticipation and with all children wanting some type of acting part to spend time on stage!

The parents and community all participated in this wonderful show and we celebrated these children at the high school auditorium on Saturday. Even the little ones attending went to sleep on Saturday night with dreams of rats and townspeople as they have hopes to be on stage next year.

We thank them for coming to our small town and should you want this wonderful troupe to come to your hometown, call Missoula Children's Theatre, 406-728-1911!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Valentines Walk at Dusk






Pokagon State Park is just a short ten minute drive from my house. It is layered with rocks and hills (compliments of the glacier), lakes and woods. Of man-made priority, there is a great Inn and a first rate toboggan slide, I would guess one of the few wonders of the world.

I love spending late Sunday afternoons meandering on the trails. Valentines Day was no exception as Philip and I enjoyed the blue dusk of late afternoon and shadows of great proportion. Philip stopped to make the heart in the snow on our walk. It was a quiet way to end this sweet day.












Sunday, February 14, 2010

Photos from International Chinese New Year!

Photos tell the whole story!

Picking up corn and almonds with the chopsticks. I lost!



Everything and everyone was red including all the tigers taped on
windows and doors. The Year of the Tiger!


The honored guest, Mengting, receiving her golden coins
at Midnight!




Kathy and Philip just enjoying the great evening!


Deborah McHenry and Mengting enjoying the International Food!
It was a wonderful evening with a house full of friends from the neighborhood and from Trine University. The food was a potluck collection of dishes from around the world and the games were from China and Argentina. At midnight we went outside withour sparklers and released a beautiful biodegradable hot air balloon. It soared with tree tops and late night dancing snowflakes. Welcome the Year of the Tiger!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Evening Snow Storm

The Soldier's Monument
Still walking at night with camera in hand, I had to stop for a short time to photograph the Soldier's Monument in my home town. This is our Civil War monument with all of the names of the men who served from Steuben County. Steuben County had more men serve than any other county in Indiana, when based on percentage of population.
I felt the essence of this winter night, along with the beauty of this monument was the perfect combination for this photo. My editor, Mike, loved it so much he ran it on the front page of the Herald yesterday.
As for today, getting ready for International Chinese night at my house. Everyone welcome. Bring a passing dish (from your homeland or really anything and wear red!)
We welcome in the Year of the Tiger.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Early Evening Photo


Last night Philip and I walked down to the local Greek Pizzeria in town. It is a home-grown restaurant right on the circle and serves the best pizza in town.

It was a beautiful walk with quietness being our companion for our journey. I stopped to do a little photography and took this of my neighbor's house down the street.

We walked the rest of the way home down the middle of the street just enjoying this great beauty. School is off again today! Emergency three for my little town, everyone home!

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Early morning photo of my yard on this Winter Storm in Indiana!!



I woke up early as usual to start my day without a school delay, however, by the time I was ready to go, the cancellations were pouring in to the local radio and TV stations. Everything appears to be shutting down here in the tiptop of Indiana where I call home.

I stepped onto the back porch just to take an early morning shot. I will post during the day if things change dramatically. What a lovely day to write and bake cookies and catch up on reading.

I loved these blizzards when I was a kid, who doesn't??? It is just as great as a grown up, only I don't sleep in. I am up wide-eyed and ready to enjoy this beautiful world out my windows.

Monday, February 08, 2010

An afternoon walk through Pokagon State Park




It was the perfect day to take advantage of the fresh snowfall and hiking at Pokagon State Park, just ten minutes away from my house.
Philip, who lives on the Outer Banks with sea and sand, is visiting for a few days and I thought it would be a great experience for him to share the afternoon with a crisp snow and the winter birds of Indiana. Fred Wooley, the park interpreter, shared the history and lore of the snowshoes and then sent us on our way into the woods for exploring
It was so quiet as we went deeper into the woods listening to the woodpecker hammering away as we shuffled our way across the snow.
If you get up here to Angola, Indiana, go to the State Park and look up Fred or Aaron. They will delight you with their knowledge and share stories as smooth and sweet as falling snow.
Philip will definitely take home memories of the day deepened with the poetry of Frost....
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

Friday, February 05, 2010

Friday's Haiku

I promised my kids at school that I would write one Haiku a day for a year. If you want something to get done, tell children what you are going to do because they never forget. I put the poem up on the board for all the classes every morning. They don't always understand the words, but they do understand the cadance of the language. Here was yesterday's Haiku!

sustaining beauty
rising from earth's cold shadows
winter solitude

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Photo by Colleen Karas/Photography Student


Photo used with permission from Colleen Karas
Tuesday afternoons after I shoo out the kindergarten students and clean up the room a little bit, a handful of fifth and sixth grade students come for after school photography class. There are 14 of them and two teacher/students as well. They quickly take their seats with their gear in hand and patiently, or not so patiently, wait to share their photo journals and photographs with the class.
The class is Shadow and Light of Winter in which we all don the boots and winter woolies as we head out to find beauty in northern Indiana. Their enthusiasm and excellence in the class shatter any misconceptions about today's young people.
Colleen is a friend, colleague and teacher at our school as well. She has a technological brain and has helped me so many times in the past with projects. She also has the side of beauty of which she is just now uncovering. This photo is of her neighbor's driveway last week end. She graciously gave me the permission to print on my blog.
Darkness is descending, I best get my camera and take a photo or two.

A view at dusk..

With camera in hand, I caught the view at dusk from my front porch. I was actually waiting for my ride to line dancing as I was watching the end of day. It was so quiet and peaceful. I hope I was able to catch those feelings in this photo.

As for line dancing, a great evening for dancing with friends and burning a few calories as well.

Spring break in St. Pete...

  Adam and his pups! The late-night flight is full. Everyone is heading out for spring break. Students and teachers, moms and dads, kids and...