Happy New Year, friends! Here's hoping 2020 will bring you peace and happiness. Our Christmas seemed to fly by with family filling our house with joy and love. The grands and our children stayed with us for the week. As usual I find it hard to take photos and host our family gatherings.
The so called prelit Christmas tree has now been donated to AMVets. We must decide what we will do for a tree next year. Grayden and I both feel we must get another large tree to hang all the family ornaments. Time will tell.
After all the festivities were over and family members were back in their homes, I started having problems with my spinal stenosis. I don't write of it much here, but this time I was really hurting. After a few days rest I am now feeling much better thankfully!
This darling bluebird was at the feeder this morning. It's so exciting to see him!
Exercise is important for my spinal issues so after a few days of rest Grayden and I were able to walk the Heritage Trail again. It's a delightful walk that always gives beauty and peace to the day. I don't often take my camera, but decided to today. Here are a few shots from our walk this morning.
The brisk walk by the river was lovely this chilly morning.
Rounding the bend into the Canal Path the birdsong and our steps are all we hear.
We notice the mallards swimming in the canal this morning. Often they swim in pairs with their mates.
The geese flew over the pond and landed right beside us.
More ducks floating along the canal as we continue our walk.
I was so hoping that we would see the great blue herons that we saw yesterday when I didn't have my camera. Maybe today they are down river. As we rounded our last bend on the walk we are surprised to see a female blue heron on the grassy green!
This is quite unusual. Hopefully this beauty is okay. They normally are at the water's edge or in the marsh. Grayden looked to the left into the canal and saw this other beauty!
Perhaps there was some grandstanding going on with the two herons. We did see this large male take off down the canal, so hopefully the female feels safe to enter the canal herself.
Enjoying the outdoors in January is a real treat that we are so thankful to do. Being in the sunshine and fresh air is a wonderful way to start the day and the new year.
This is quite unusual. Hopefully this beauty is okay. They normally are at the water's edge or in the marsh. Grayden looked to the left into the canal and saw this other beauty!
Perhaps there was some grandstanding going on with the two herons. We did see this large male take off down the canal, so hopefully the female feels safe to enter the canal herself.
Enjoying the outdoors in January is a real treat that we are so thankful to do. Being in the sunshine and fresh air is a wonderful way to start the day and the new year.
Martha Ellen, I am so sorry that you have been experiencing pain! Happy to know that you are feeling better . . . and are well enough to resume your walks! There was lots to see on today's walk. Even in January, there is beauty to be seen if we're looking.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you had a wonderful time with your dear family visiting during Christmas. The holidays can be tiring, but it is worth it to have our hearts so full!
Happy, healthy New Year to you and Grayden!
You are so kind, dear Cheryl. I hate talking about health issues here and hesitated to do so tonight. Life is full of ups and downs so I wanted to keep it real.
DeleteYes, it's so nice taking walks, even in January viewing the beauty before us!
It sounds like a wonderful time with all your family there.. what a handsome bunch! I enjoyed seeing your plaid tablecloth.. I just took mine off today and put on a light one with pretty designs on it. A new year and all that. I'm glad your pain went away and you got to do your nice long hike. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I have another tablecloth on the dining table now as well. It's fun to change things up in January. ♥
DeleteI am sorry your back issues persist, but I fully empathise, and until someone experiences that level of pain and immobility, understanding how it really is not easy.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you look as if you had a good time with your family over Christmas. I wish I could suggest what to do with your ornaments, for I am faced with the same. A tree is just not practical.
Lovely scenery and wildlife on your walk, you should take your camera more often.
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda fy Ffrind
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Deb, it always takes me by surprise when those back flare ups come. Thank goodness for relief now.
DeleteGrayden always takes his phone on these walks, but that camera does not take the quality pictures our digital does. Since it's larger we hesitate to bring it along every walk. Of course we're usually sorry.
Happy New Year, my friend! xoxo ♥
What a lovely, busy Christmas week. It has to be a thrill to have everyone gathered for that time.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry that the stenosis kicked up and equally glad that you knocked it back down.
As for your future Christmas tree...may I suggest an unlit faux tree. Putting the stringed lights on is not nearly the chore as having the lights fail on a prelit. All the best with your choice. (I ordered mine through Lowes or Home Depot and had it delivered. No extra wrangling at all.)
Enjoy your beautiful walking trail. It seems as if the weather has been pretty mild. Perfect!
Vee, thank you for your thoughts about the tree. I guess I'm from the generation that expects things to last forever! Ha!
DeleteThe weather has been really nice for walking. We enjoy it so much. Have a lovely day, my friend.
So sorry to read about your pain but glad you found a little relief and managed a walk. What a delightful stroll you took us along, stunning views. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorraine. It's lovely to hear from you. We just returned from our walk this morning. We were trying to beat the rain that will be rolling in soon. Happy New Year to you and your family.
DeleteLove that first photo of you and your family! My Christmas deco is put away except for my two trees which are still standing. Sorry you’ve been experiencing pain from your back. Good thing you get relief with some exercise. I enjoyed the photos you took along your walk!
ReplyDeleteLiz, most of my aches and pains are greatly relieved with walks. Your two lovely trees must brighten your home on your snowy days! Happy New Year, my friend.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post with so many amazing photos. I so enjoyed seeing your family pictures. And, how about that walk? I would be ecstatic to have brought home all those amazing photos. I especially love the mallards and herons! Wow! I will be watching for more, even though I don't know how they can get any better!
ReplyDeleteMary, since you are a walker as well, you know how exciting it is to see wildlife when out. This morning we saw the mallards again, but not the herons. I'm so glad we had the camera with us yesterday!
DeleteIt looks like you had a lovely time with your family over Christmas, nice to see your photographs.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you have had recurrent back troubles, but I think you did the wise thing to rest a while ...
What lovely scenery and wildlife on your walk, I'm so pleased you shared these photographs.
My good wishes to you and yours for 2020.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan for your kind thoughts and wishes. I hope you are enjoying a Happy New Year!
DeleteHappy New Year Martha Ellen! That bluebird is the sweetest. And the mallard duck photo looks like a post card. So nice that you took a walk along the river. A wonderful family photo, and I love your plaid table cloth. That caught my eye right away, so pretty. The Heron photo is beautiful with its reflection in the water.
ReplyDeleteI hope the new year is being kind to you so far, Martha Ellen. Looking forward to more of your charming posts this year.
~Sheri
Happy New Year to you and your family, Sheri! We love walking on this trail every day that doesn't rain. It's a wonderful way to start the day. Thank you for your kind comments, my friend.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your stenosis kicking in. Never pleasant, especially not at the holiday. But I'm glad you were able to get out on your walk and then to have the gift of a heron presented. Beautiful in every way. (And so, by the way, is your family!). Happy New Year, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeanie. This stenosis does not like the cold winter weather, but I'm fighting it all the way! Happy New Year, my friend! ♥
DeleteAll your grandsons are young men now! I enjoyed your wildlife photos. I've only seen Bluebirds twice on our property. It was a real treat.
ReplyDeleteOur grandsons have grown up so much this past year, Cathy. Two of them drive cars now. That's shocking to me! I was really shocked to see bluebirds during January.
DeleteI know what you mean about it being hard to take photos when you are hosting a lively event. I had so man failed photo moments but was happy that our DIL snapped away with her I-phone. How nice to have your family for a few days to enjoy. Your grands are handsome young men. Wonderful shot from your walk. I'm hoping to find a good walking spot for Dear and me this year! Happy New Year to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen. I hope you and Dear find a walking place. I tell Grayden daily how much I enjoy the beauty and the solitude of walking hand in hand with him.
DeleteA beautiful walk with you Martha, Your camera takes such beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteYou also have a lovely family, this was a quiet one for us, no children other than our daughter, no grands came, just so busy with life and they live so far away.
I can relate to not being able to take photos while serving,.
Wishing you and your family a most blessed and happy New Year.
Sue
Thank you, Sue for your kind comments. It's lovely to have you stop by for a visit in this new year. I hope you are doing well.
DeleteMartha Ellen, wishing you all the best in the new year. It's nice to see your lovely family around your Christmas table--I'm glad you had such a good visit, and very thankful that the rest has helped your back pain and you are out and walking the trails again! It's been such a warm January here the daffodils are growing.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, it's lovely hearing from you. Happy New Year to you and yours!
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