Making magic...

A grandson can make magic with almost anything...Bubbles seem so simple, so transitory...But in the eyes of a young creator, they can be... silver threads, fragile flowers, shining hills,...Magic!

Snow trails...

Twelve inches of snow fell yesterday,

Turning the frozen lake to a meadow of white.

I watched five deer dash across its vast expanse,

Leaving trails, deep prints that pierced the smoothness

And marked their journey to the far shore.

Remembering the fun we had in Chicago together some years ago! How fast those years have passed! Perhaps we'll see Chicago with another special member of the family this year?

A Happy Thanksgiving weekend to all!

Around our lake...with a paddle

A beautiful morning, a still lake, and an eager me...

Tallinn, Estonia, a peek back into history

The palace of Peter the Great, ruler of the Russian Empire & consequently of Estonia, built this pretty palace near the shores of the Baltic Sea. Today it is a museum in the independent country of Estonia. This lovely city was under foreign domination for most of its history. Today it is proudly independent and part of the EU.

Tallinn's Old Town is still surrounded by its medieval walls and fortifications. The old cobblestone streets are preserved, adding atmosphere as well as challenge for those who walk in narrow heeled shoes. The spires of many beautiful churches of different architectural styles add more culture & historical interest to the city as well.

On our last day the sun shone brightly and we enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of Old Town Tallinn. On our first day, we climbed the tower of the distant church n the photo, St. Olav's, all 258 steps. That tower, when first built in 1267, was the tallest building in the world, so they say. It was struck by lightning in the 19th c. and burned down...a verdict from on high? Of course, it was rebuilt, only a bit shorter!

A walk at the edge...(around Bussalp to Grosse Scheidegg)

It was an incredibly beautiful walk...through evergreen forests, across meadows, past sparkling streams and tumbling water courses...Then we walked into the face of the mountains!!! Along the way, we encountered a little wooden shed with a sign, "ALPKASE", fresh cheese from a mountain dairy. Inside the shed were shelves of neatly stacked rounds of cheese, pungent and tempting. A farmer tended the store, selling to interested passerby. Ahh, Switzerland!

From Switzerland with love...

Seeing the mountains again, the sleek, bright snowy silhouette of the Silberhorn, the rugged towering height of the Jungfrau, the deep evergreen forests, the bright green meadows, the summertime extravaganza of flowers in window boxes, gardens, and fields, the strong, healthy people, all outfitted in hiking boots from age 3 to age 93, enjoying the fresh air, the warm sun, the quiet beauties of the place…Wengen welcomes us, and we are very happy to be back.

My mind is flooded with memories of the last time we were here, with Gwynn, David, and Jeffrey, a very happy time all together. Now there’s another in the family, our grandson Dashell. Hopefully, someday he also can share the fun & loveliness of this place with us.