Readers, Welcome to my blog (formerly Birds, Blooms, Books, etc). I'm entering a new decade taking on the challenge of moving from Maryland after living there 46 years and learning about my new home here in New England in the Live Free or Die state - New Hampshire. Join me as a write this new chapter of my life.

Monday, February 29, 2016

A Sunday Walk

Columbia, Maryland is a planned community dating back to the 1970s.  It's downtown is centered around Lake Kittamaqundi - a manmade lake.
Sunday was a lovely day so after church we had a slice of pizza at Whole Foods and then walked around the lake.

Here's a view from the Whole Foods eating area.


The symbol of Columbia is the people tree.



The lake was brown from runoff.


Lots of restaurants border the lake on the westside.


Looking toward the east side as a woman tried to photograph the seagulls.


There were some surprising signs of spring.




From the eastside looking west.



Below is the former Rouse Building.  James Rouse was the developer/visionary for Columbia.  Eventually the Rouse Company was bought out by another company or two and headquarters no longer needed in Columbia.  It sat vacant for many years until Whole Foods bought it.


The store occupies one floor and there are other endeavors in the rest of the space.


It was a nice walk and reconnection to Columbia where we lived for 30+years before building this house in the woods.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016

Signs of Spring 2016

I took a walk to the bottom of the driveway on Thursday morning.  

There are signs that Spring is coming!


Down at the bottom of the driveway the snow is melting more slowly but green is appearing where daffodils are pushing up.


The wetlands doesn't get much sun but the snow is retreating there.


Looking from the bottom of the driveway across the wetlands the driveway going up the hill is clear of snow.


The moss and grass are greening.


The ferns stand out in contrast to the drab brown of the earth.


Something is there along the edge of the creek.


First signs of the skunk cabbage.


Here's the same creek looking east as it enters the wetlands.


The woods are filled with young beech trees.  
These trees hold their old leaves until the new ones start appearing.


When the pale beige beech leaves start floating through the air, spring will be here.


Thursday, February 25, 2016

No Takers for the Owl House

In the Fall of 2013 I purchased an owl nesting box. [Read about that here.]

In November I had someone put it up in the sycamore tree that borders our driveway. [Read about that here.] 
I thought it was well sited for owls, but I've had no occupants.


It sits vacant.  Not even evidence of a squirrel taken up residence.


No chance it can be moved.  It will be there until it falls apart and tumbles to the ground.