Favorite Videos

Absence

I haven't been here in awhile and I miss posting thoughts and stories of what is happening in NEWA.  I have admit though, I've been having such a good time on the property and with friends, that this internet thing just hasn't been as important to me.

We helped some of our neighbors in the past six months at their day job, as they went through the process of selling their business and retiring.  It was a great experience and totally worth the effort.  During this time, they became our next door neighbors.  A great blessing.

Speaking of blessings, I HAVE posted daily blessings to my Facebook page and tried to include a photo or five of the latest wildlife pictures.  I haven't been posting them here because of the upload time and space involved for my little country satellite internet connection.  It's a shame too because I have hundreds of great pictures!

Which brings me to why I am posting today!  I just happen to be in a location that offers high speed wi-fi with unlimited potential for uploading pictures and videos.  So look out, you are going to get bombarded with some awesome (uncut) game camera video.  I can't wait to hear what you have to say and please comment at the bottom of the post.

I have to admit, I know people are reading my blog, but since I never see any comments, it makes it hard to stay enthused about writing.  So I guess this is a plea for something from you that tells me you want more.  If not, I may just fade away and enjoy all of this wildlife myself.

On our timber frame home project., things are progressing slowly.  We do accomplish things, but we are having so much fun enjoying our property and neighborhood, finishing the house doesn't seem all that important.  It's very livable and I have not changed my mind about recommending this type of construction, but we are in no hurry to have a model home 'open house'.

Enjoy the show!  Hopefully more to follow soon.

Wildlife Week

Visitors

The snow is retreating and the wildlife is returning. These are two of the five evening grosbeak that came through the other day.  Then these three skinny bucks just appeared a little while ago.  I am so happy to see them.

Wild Life

I found out on review of the statistical data of the popularity of my blog posts that less talk and more action is key.  I haven't been posting for lack of something to say.  I should have realized that no words are necessary.

2013 In Review

Milestones

It is Christmas Eve day in the year 2013.  I sit here alone because everyone is working and I find myself enjoying the quiet.  I take a lot of pictures during the year and I am thinking that it would be nice to have a record to remember what happened this year.  So why not post some of the highlights to my blog?  It is for me after all.  It's a history of happenings here in NEWA.

Friends come to call

Once again, we've had a wonderful year with the wildlife coming by, friends visiting and acquiring more property to explore and just enjoying the fact that we are so blessed in this life.

Our year hasn't been without disappointments.  Family is ill and family has moved away.  Our prayers include wanting so much to lessen pain for some and to wish much success to others.  We are here such a short time and every moment is a blessing to hold dear and keep close.

Thank you for reading my blog.  I am writing less and showing pictures more, but I am sure that will change as moments of time change for me and my family.

Bridges to New Places

Friends say goodbye

Wildlife

For those of you who are following the progress of our wonderful timber frame home, aside from several outbuildings, the momentum on the house has been slow.  It's not that we aren't busy because that is exactly  what we have been.  I am still waiting for my bathtub and when it is complete it is going to be awesome!  I can't wait to fill it up and take a good soak. We don't always get to have everything the moment that we want it, but isn't enjoying "getting there" a big part of the fun?  Sometimes finances holds us back and sometimes things just come up and take priority.

I am so lucky to be able to live here that I really cannot complain about what isn't finished.  We are very comfortable here.  These 12" walls keep us toasty warm.  We don't use near the firewood that most of our neighbors do.  It was well worth the super insulation we opted to install.

We do have all the materials to get the bathroom upstairs complete, including tile.  We have our upstairs flooring sitting in the garage waiting for time to put it down.  There are projects to do and they will get done. All in good time.  We are definitely comfortable.

So enjoy these pictures.  Some of the wildlife pictures were provided by our neighbors who also love 'hunting' with game cameras.  They are generous to share them with us.  We are also blessed to have them in our lives.  They are wonderful people who have become great friends.

The view from above

On this Christmas Eve day, take time to enjoy what is important in your life.  Whether it is the quiet moment, family, friends, or just the blessing of being alive and healthy, take a moment to thank your Creator for all you have.  Remember that there is always something to be grateful about.  You may want to say a prayer for someone who is suffering pain or loss.

Removing the Past

I am grateful that I am here in NEWA, that I was present when these photos were taken and that I have met and live with some pretty wonderful people. Christmas blessings, I have.  Nothing more is needed.

Thank you for taking the time to spend a little of your day with me in NEWA.  May God bless you all.

Gifts of Family and Friends

Chasing the Big Elk

First Bear Hunt

Building New Bonds

Tribute to the Big Guy

Best Buddies!

Best buddies sharing pictures!

Don't name them Crab Claw!

Amazing Pictures

If you look at the date and time on all but one of the following photos, you will see that they are all taken within a few days from each other.  To view them you will also notice that they are taken with the same camera.  These have to be gifts from God.  Presents that we would not otherwise know.  How wonderful is that?

I cannot take credit for these awesome photos. They were taken on a game camera that my neighbors' David and Brenda have across the street.  We weren't even home at the time and we were surely missing some great wildlife!  

This first buck has been a regular visitor all summer.  We no longer name the bucks because we are not sure that they will survive hunting season.  It's not a good idea to get attached, then see the animal destroyed or missing and know they didn't make it. We have learned to enjoy them while we can and hope for the best.

These two babies have been around all summer.  I have many videos of them and their momma.  This picture  has perfectly captured the two of them in a tender moment.  I so love it when a game camera gives you such a precious photo.

I wonder what these two will grow up to be and if they will continue to grace us with their presence as they grow.  My other neighbor told me she saw them with a cow elk one morning and wondered where their momma was when they wandered off with the elk.

This Mr. Moose has also been hanging around the neighborhood for awhile.  I have caught him on my game cameras a few times.  I love this picture where he looks right into the camera as if to say, 'you want a piece of me?'  Moose are nothing to mess around with.  Many people say they would rather encounter a bear or a cougar than an angry moose.  They are huge creatures and capable of tossing you quite a distance causing major bodily harm.  But they are fun to watch.  Never mess with a momma and her baby though or you'll be asking for it.

 Is this cow elk stretching or did she hear a noise and straining to see what's lurking in the shadows?  It's hard to tell what is on her mind, but all of these animals find this a great stopping point on a well traveled trail.  Usually the female elk are seen in groups.  So this picture poses questions.  Is this a loner or did the rest of the group just pass or are they coming up behind her.  By comparing the pictures on this page you can estimate the size of the critters.

One day my mom and I were driving down Brenda's driveway to bring her something from the store.  My mom had never been into their property before and as we approached the cabin, my mom is looking around and asks me, "is that their dog?"  I turned to where she was looking and beginning to say they don't have a dog when standing not 40 feet from our car was this bear!  He had stopped to see if he could get into a corn feeder and was as surprised to see us and we were to see him.  I said to mom, "uh, no- that's a bear!"  He watched us and we watched him for a few minutes before he ambled on his way.  We believe that this is the same bear.  He doesn't appear very old because of his size, but I wouldn't want to shake hands with him!

This is my favorite of Brenda and David's recent pictures.  It looks like a buck looking into a mirror.  Of course it's two bucks caught perfectly, you can tell by their antlers, but at first glance it really looks like a mirror image.  I think it is an awesome picture.
We have not been home for several weeks, but that is about to change.  I cannot wait to get back and check my cameras.  I won't hope for pictures this good, but I can't wait to discover what was happening while I was away.  More gifts from God, pictures taken when no one is looking.  How cool is that?  Being away sure makes me appreciate what I have at home in NEWA.

P.S.  Make sure you click on the pictures to get a really good look.