Blog 3 Columns – Masonry

The third week of April was very much another week of winter here on the lake. We were even “iced in” for a while as driving sleet and freezing rain left a thick coating of ice on lakeside windows. Nevertheless, we broke out in sunny smiles when we realized that the Hollinger ice boat was out in the storm, zipping about on the frozen lake!

Wonderful things are beginning to happen as Lady Spring approaches our part of the world. Sun is rising ever more north along the ridge tops. Pussy willows are busy creating their furry little catkins. Goldfinch are putting away their winter coats and looking brighter every day.

This week’s snowstorm made no secret of its presence and we found ourselves quickly buried in more than a foot of lovely white down. Adirondacks that we were hoping to sit in just days ago are once again buried. Feeders have been busy, busy with everyone happily gathered round the laden tables.

Even though the calendar has turned to March, there are ample opportunities to run outside and play in the snow! Skiing is excellent in the mountains, lakes are still frozen and forests beckon for your hiking pleasure. And for added excitement, the sap is running!

These words were written by John Muir in 1901. Spending time outside, being part of the natural world, is perhaps even more of a necessity in our world today. Nature took every opportunity to keep us engaged this past week! First a lovely snowfall, clinging to every branch and twig.

Sunrise reflects on an icy lake which has been inviting skaters and ice boaters out to play. Several warmer days recently have given us all spring fever. Spring fever here on the northern lakes always makes us think about the return of our dear loons.

Snow banks are piled high around the lake. The last snowstorm covered most of the lake, but bottomless black ice shows itself in some windswept areas. There is nothing quite like venturing out on the frozen lake and “walking on water”! The Scotties race about, stopping to roll in windswept snow waves, then charging on in gay, joyous abandon.

Moon has smiled her lovely smile down on us each night, warming our hearts during this frigid cold. Bright sunny days have created blue ice and snow. Looking down from Mt. Sunapee, we can see that even the big lake is now frozen solid. Fern Frost blossoms on windowpanes, creating fantasy worlds of mythical birds, intricate mazes and wild icy seas.

So interesting watching lake ice form. The lake seems to grow tired of movement, becomes still, and silently drifts off to sleep under a silvery mantle. Snow falls, and she snuggles beneath a quilt of snowflake down.

It’s that time of year when it snows! We have had over a foot of fluffy, magical snow this week. All is calm, all is white. The lake is close to freezing. Our loons have flown, the mergansers have left, but large flocks of mallards remain, cruising about, coming ashore to feed on seeds fallen from bird feeders. Snow clings like cotton balls to spiny beech burs high in the trees.

A spectacular Super Moon graced us this week, bringing “the luster of midday” to our night sky. Clouds prevented us from seeing Super Moon rise in full splendor, although she later appeared overhead. The next night Moon rose out of the high forests, clinging to the trees before she gracefully floated on her way.