nature

Spring is just around the corner (one week away) here in the Pacific Northwest and as winters go, we’ve had a relatively mild one.

I live in the foothills of the Cascades and we had no measurable snow at all this winter. However, in the past several years we’ve had massive snowfalls. Just a few years ago we had a snow storm that is affectionately referred to a “snowmageddon” by the locals.

There was maybe 2 1/2 feet of snow in 24 hours, but as it blew around town it created huge drifts. At our office, we had the mine our way through 4 1/2 foot snow drift to get to the back door.

On Wednesday, March 11, we had a severe storm with high winds. With trees over 100 feet tall all around us, the wind is a very scary thing. I watch these massive tall trees from the window as they do pirouettes and sway back back-and-forth.

In December during a relatively strong windstorm, but not as strong as this one Wednesday night, we had 120 foot cedar tree fall next to the barn. It missed the barn by a good 10 feet and missed our well head by only 3 feet. We were told had it hit our well, we would have been without water for a while.

Wednesday night many branches came down but thankfully no trees. Not so lucky for some people in other parts of town. One neighborhood had six trees fall over the road. Several people had branches come through their roof.

The downed trees all over the area knocked out power from Bellevue to the pass that kept us without power for nearly 24 hours.

I made a comment yesterday to several people, “I would rather have 3 feet of snow than this wind.”

Well, the good Lord must have heard my grumble because this morning I woke up to 4 inches of wet, sticky snow on the ground and clinging to trees.

I trotted outside in my nightgown with broom in hand to knock the snow off of the ornamental trees in my yard. The weight of the snow had already caused several branches to break. My home security cameras caught me outside with the broom. I look rather small in this vast snowy landscape.

It is still snowing and up to 7 inches of accumulation. Now I’m crossing my fingers that it doesn’t accumulate to 3 feet!

I have always said after a big snowfall that the world looks so beautiful, calm, and peaceful. When I look out over the landscape, it seems that all should be right in the world. Oh if only the snow could bring that to pass.

December 2025 – 120 ft cedar snapped like a twig

December 2025 – that is one long but gone tall tree

I am thankful this today for the awesome beauty in nature. All around the world but especially for the beauty I see every morning when I wake.

In this season I have enjoyed the beautiful changing colors of the trees, gorgeous sunrises over Mt Si and a first dusting of snow on its highest peak.

Often in morning the elk are in my yard or I see them grazing in the fields along my four mile route to work. Several times I’ve seen them crossing in the middle of the Snoqualmie River.

It has been raining for days and on that same route I cross two bridges over the river. It is full and pushing the limits of its banks. To see it meandering through the tree lines banks brings a calm and peace to my heart.

The flowers are gone for the season but the birds still visit my patio. From my kitchen window I can see the Anna hummingbird drinking from the bright yellow blown glass feeder.

Last week a small sparrow splashed about in the deep red bird bath. He seemed so full of joy. I was amazed because it was quite chilly out and I know that was an ice cold bath but he didn’t seem to care.

I hung a suet cake for him only to see it ravenously consumed in a day by the regal deep blue Steller Jays with the prominent black crests. They are lovely but quite the naughty rascals.

A few weeks ago the black bear crossed the lawn looking for food in my trash. Sadly he found nothing here to fatten him up before his long winter nap.

Several times in the past few weeks the rain is interrupted by short sun breaks. When they arrive I am guaranteed to be blessed with a rainbow over the mountain.

I often have my camera ready and get photographs of these awesome events (the 4000+ pictures in my iphone are witness to this). However, when I am driving or when my phone is not around, I do something Josh told me once long ago when he was only five. He said to just blink my eyes and “Take a picture with my heart”

“For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson