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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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."