Oh Winter....

This is the hardest time of the year for us (January/February). Also we are day 33 of a government shutdown. This is the longest in history. That just adds to the seasonal stress. It is a circus that's painful to watch and forced to participate in.

We've had a little snow in Baker but not much. Luckily the mountains have been getting some more regular precipitation.

Bobcat tracks. Nature lesson ~ "Nothing is permanent."
A great reminder as the month drags on haha. I try to find the beauty in the season. But sometimes the lack of light and cold is uninspiring and draining.....

There was one storm system that dumped measurable snow, mostly above 8,000 ft.

Even with the sounds of a bubbling creek, the forest in winter has a beautiful "silence" to it.

Suddenly the quiet is interrupted by a loud force named Jupiter. Dogs don't seem to have gloomy days do they? They are always eager to go and willing to please.

Animals become really energized and happy in the snow......

While Isaac was practicing on his cross-country skis, the rest of us were trying to sled. The snow was so dry we couldn't get a good trail going. But, we found other ways to enjoy the moment.

We ended up changing location later in search of a steeper hill. We stayed until the sun was low in the sky and our noses became cold.

The light was dim as we stood on the hill. But I felt as if my body was plugged into the sun like an electronic device charging from an outlet. This is a role for me in the winter ~  a sun-catcher.