Ten years ago. . . . . . . . .

Ten years ago, in January 2013, I was heading toward Antarctica. Some of you were already blog friends and followed that amazing journey as, dressed in many warm/waterproof layers, and often sporting a red nose, I sailed to the "end of the world" aboard an expedition ship with 120 excited passengers and a fabulous crew. Shipboard life was not new as I had already sailed the sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand and Australia in 2011 on another ship, and then traveled by that same ship to the Kimberley region of Western Australia in 2012. I had earned my sea legs, learned how to fend off seasickness, and become an adventurer rather late in life!  Other expeditions followed where being at sea for long periods became the most exciting times of my life.

This year January is following a December that was a month of joy and sadness. I'm not doing much here in blog land as my mind is still so busy with other things. My daily routine feels different. The weather is changeable from below freezing nights to a balmy 70F today. Brilliant green bluebell leaves are poking through the ground. Will the deer nibble them, will the cold nights freeze them? The garden looks sad and uncared for at this time of year. Thoughts of spring are mostly of hard work waiting out there to get plants and shrubs back to growing and blooming, and general cleaning and tidying up. 

In all honesty, I would like to be back in Antarctica. Any thoughts of green gardens and all the work they entail, would be struck from my mind as I once again sailed silently between mile long icebergs, viewing whales, seals and delightful penguins. Boarding Zodiacs to go ashore was a daily ritual I really loved. You do know I hope that Antarctica is not all white!  Blues of every shade are a feast for the eyes. . . . . you don't even miss the greens!

If you have the opportunity to go, do it, you won't be sorry!

Brrrrrrr!!!!

is for

AMERICA and ANTARCTICA

Female Eastern bluebird this morning on the fig tree.

She looks cold and almost grey - I feel a lot like that also.

I'm not outside despite the sunny day - just too cold.

Not complaining though as it's just warmed up above freezing here.

 I was just advised the US mid-west is

 much colder than Antarctica. Chicago-area residents' teeth will

chatter today if they head outside in -15F temperature. 

They could head to Priestley Glacier, Antarctica where it will reach

 a balmy 6F today!!!

Me on a sunny 33F morning in Antarctica - January 2013

Stay warm and safe all my mid-west friends. . . . . . I still have the overly

 padded 'make you look fat', Canada Goose down jacket and cold

 weather gear. . . . . .if you want to borrow!

Scribble Picnic ~ EXPLORATION

Our creative host Michael has resurrected SCRIBBLE PICNIC following a busy

 summer when we took a break. I've missed you all and hope you are ready to
share your fantastic art again.

Here's my story and art piece for this week's theme - EXPLORATION.

In January 2013 I took a trip to explore the bottom of the world. 

My first thoughts were probably the same as what most people think. 

Why on earth would you want to go there?

Because my best friend Paula invited me to celebrate 

our 50 years of friendship on an Antarctic expedition. 
We followed British polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's
 amazing January 1915 journey.

Isn't it all just white ice and snow?  

No, definitely not - think every shade of blue, green, and turquoise.

Isn't it freezing cold? 

In January it was summertime - temperatures were comfortable

 around 40F with light snow now and then.

Remember, no bad weather, just the wrong clothes. 

Travel always requires that you be prepared.

What is there to see? 

Icebergs, some over 2 miles long. Cobalt blue ice.

Hundreds of thousands of adorable penguins, stately black and
 white adults, and fluffy brown juveniles who will waddle up to you
 and peck your rubber boots.

Seals so fat and huge they make one actually feel petite.
Giant birds such as petrels and albatross flying overhead.

Barnacle covered whales spyhopping next to your Zodiac boat, 
 making eye contact - such a thrilling moment.

 It's too far away! 

Maybe not an afternoon sail, but two plus weeks on a fabulous 

expedition ship being waited on, fed well, talking to interesting people from 
around the world, and seeing incredible wildlife is fabulous, even in heavy swells.
OK, I admit crossing the infamous Drake Passage was more than swells!

Surely it's awfully dangerous!

Much in life is dangerous - driving in traffic, crossing the street,

eating contaminated lettuce, being robbed or worse in your own

comfy neighborhood. . . . . . and much more! 
Why pass up the chance of a life-changing, awesome adventure, breathing
 the cleanest air on the planet and sailing through the purest water, all because
 it's a little dangerous!

If interested in seeing more of my exploration of the Southern Ocean, 
Falkland Islands, South Georgia Island and the Antarctica Peninsula, go HERE.

Meanwhile, consider joining us here at Scribble Picnic where you don't have to 
be 'an artist' (I'm not), but you can create something special to share with a lovely
 group of people from around the world.
Go HERE to read the FAQ's for the art co-op, then sign up and
join in. Hope to see you at the 'picnic' soon.

P.S.  For those of you who don't already know, I met up with Michael in

 Fort Collins, Colorado a few weeks back. Despite having followed each

 other's blogs for many, many years, we'd never met in person. 

Although too brief, it was an awesome time, and you can read my
 post on our time together HERE.


I am on my way to Canada - so am a bit late at the picnic!
Also, this hotel room is not the best place for WIFI so may have to 
leave my comments later, sorry!

Scribble Picnic. . . . . . . Bird

There are birds, and then there are BIRDS! 

Watching birds in flight brings much joy, but the flightless
 species are certainly interesting in their own way. . . . . . .and 
they're great to hang out with because they don't fly away! 

My rendition of the King penguin - photo edited to a sketch and colored with
 watercolor pencils.

Some of you may already know that I'm a huge bird lover. Sharing my own (well I like to think they're mine) garden birds keeps me busy. I spend an inordinate amount time at the cottage windows. A camera is usually at the ready to capture my colorful feathered friends nibbling at the feeders, bathing in the bird baths and fountain, building nests in springtime, snuggling down in my withered brown Boston ferns in hanging baskets all winter - I don't have the heart to take them down as the Carolina wrens sleep in them nightly - yes, birds take up much of my time! 

I'm not an official 'bird watcher' but have tagged along with authentic birders who often appear in organized groups on expedition ships, sailing to out of the way places on the planet, especially far off islands and coastlines in search of rare seabirds and such. Their excitement at seeing a new to them bird is fun, and they are happy to share all the facts with we neophytes nearby who can't tell one of those huge ocean going birds from another. 

Hard for me to choose a bird to share for Michael's Scribble Picnic theme today - I have so many special ones. I decided to go with the penguin because fewer people see them their true habitat. Found on the Southern Ocean islands such as HERE on South Georgia Island - one of the most incredible places on earth by the way - where I photographed this magnificent bird, along with many more species of penguins on the actual Antarctic Peninsula. . . . . . . penguins in the thousands are a sight to behold. 

The true South Pole location is the only place to view Emperor penguins, the largest of all - sadly I've not quite made it there and doubt I ever will! 
This is my original photo of the sleek King penguin, second largest to the Emperor penguin  - I'm sure you'll agree he's gorgeous!

Hope you join us at Michael's for this week's Scribble Picnic - I know there will
be some beautiful, perhaps unusual, birds to view.

Lifelines in a storm. . . . . .

I have weathered storms. . . . . .some really big ones at sea, including the infamous Drake Passage, the roughest ocean in the world! You can read my account HERE where I tell about that wild crossing on my return to Ushuaia, South America from Antarctica in 2013. That body of water, which takes two days to cross, is the treacherous stretch of the great Southern Ocean between the tip of South America, Cape Horn, and the northernmost reaches of Antarctica. 

Severe weather warnings such as we are receiving here today, always set my nerves on edge here on land. Over the years I've lived in North Carolina I've experienced numerous hurricanes, tornadoes, tremendous ice storms, 24 inch snow falls, even a small earthquake. In two hurricanes I've been inside the cottage as huge oak trees fell on the roof and demolished my car in the driveway. In two completely unexpected tornadoes, I was close, very close, to where they touched down in nearby neighborhoods causing horrifying death and destruction.

Fingers are crossed for today as a severe storm system impacts the southeast US. So far we are on a watch for damaging winds, heavy rain/hail, and the possibility of tornadoes this afternoon. Praying everyone will remain safe, and that all have a secure place to wait out any severe weather conditions. 

Be back soon with happier things to share hopefully. Weather can be quite stressful, and weather reports such as we are getting today, unnerving to say the least!

The Back Page - my thanks, and my 'WORD' - - - - - - -

Fiona is back in the news. . . . . . .and I just have to show you those other

 'wish list' gifts which actually arrived at the cottage on Christmas Eve. 

For those of you who questioned whether 'my Santa' was named Bob - yes,

 he definitely was!

Thank you Santa Bob, you were extremely generous. I may just do 

the 'wish list' via the blog again next Christmas as it seems to work for

those gift shopping challenged men out there - perhaps you have

one also!

Having recently acquainted you with fab Fiona HERE, and recalling memories

 of my amazing personal experience with Antarctic penguins a few years ago,

 I added this book to my list.

What a delightful true story - I'm about halfway through and loving 

reading about young Englishman Tom Michell's 1975 arrival in

 Buenos Aires, Argentina to teach in a prestigious boarding school. . . . .

then rescuing and adopting a penguin whom he named Juan Salvador.

The story is absurd and wonderful - a classic in the making.

The other books I will tell you about another time - they are waiting

in the wings and I'm anxious to read both.

Yes, the plum colored chunky, very cozy Lou & Grey tunic sweater arrived too.

 I love that it's long, tunic length, so can be worn over just leggings with tall

 or short boots  - perfect comfort and ladylike, important at this advanced age!

BTW, have you tried the new light fleece-lined tights or leggings? 

I bought a pair and find them really great - a good alternative to more restrictive

 skinny pants - totally opaque and lightweight, not too thick, and so soft. 

Mine are by Simply Vera Wang at Kohl's. 

 On the left on my dresser, Dior's beautiful fragrance, Escale à Portofino. 

 It too was on my list, and is now hard to find - most stores have discontinued

 stocking it - but great retailer Nordstrom came through as always, found

 Santa Bob a bottle and shipped it in time. It's a large one and I will have to make

 it last a long time just in case it eventually becomes irreplaceable. 

My first bottle, found on a cruise ship, became my favorite fragrance immediately.

*************

I'm making this my 2015 wrap-up, yes the 'back page'.

I'm so ready for this new year - who knows what it will bring 

for each of us. My biggest hope is for good health for myself

and my loved ones. Hope for a chance to travel somewhere new,

 but hopefully have lots of time at home to do things I enjoy.

I hold great hope for the world to become a more peaceful and 

better place. . . . . .for its people, the animals - wild and domestic - Nature's 

wild and beautiful landscapes, the environment, and especially the oceans.

So, perhaps not unexpected, my 'word' for 2016 has to be HOPE.

Thank you for following my blog through yet another busy year. 

You helped make 2015 a very special time by reading my words,

 complimenting me on my photography, enjoying my travels from your

 'armchair', and then leaving such generous, often funny, always greatly

 appreciated, comments. By doing all that and often more, you then gave

 me the opportunity to 'follow' you, the best friends anyone could ever have.

Coming up soon will be the start of my 8th year of blogging. Yes, I plan to

 continue, using my blog as my creative outlet and my personal journal. 

Although some are quitting their blogs, or moving to other social media

 platforms, I only blog! I love blogging, I love you, I don't want to change a thing.

So, hope to see you here for a long time, you will always be welcomed.

Fall means fashion. . . . . . . .

I'm catching my breath after a very busy weekend.

It's time for a fashion post from these parts!

Here in the southeast the humidity still hangs heavy in 

the air and the temperature has been heating up to around 

80F by noon. Not at all like true Autumn weather, 

but most enjoyable, especially when yesterday we headed 

back to the countryside and pumpkin farm in brilliant sunshine. 

Yes, never fear, I will be sharing more pumpkins in my 

next post, and yes I think you will love them!

I also had a marvelous time at the Fall Festival at

SuzAnna's Antiques at the Vintage Village on Saturday, so 

I'll be sharing that too. Some very special people came to 

town and were treasure hunting with me!

Today is dreary and showery, but that's perfectly OK.

Sweaters and boots have come out of storage and are 

ready to wear any day now!

I love Autumn/Winter clothes. 

I am a cool/cold weather person.

 I love soft pull-on hats and snuggly scarves. I have a 

drawer full of gloves and wrist warmers, and another of 

cuddly ankle to over-the-knee socks. 

I love this lightweight casual sweater for Fall days 

when a woolly sweater is just too heavy for my area. 

I bought this one in both grey and black at H&M - under $20 - 

washable, feels so silky yet cozy and will be great for 

layering as the temperatures drop later.
Leather pants, no way at my age, but I have invested 
in comfortable, classic, black knit ankle pants 
from J.Jill.

I'm picky about footwear. I would really enjoy just 

one new pair of boots for the coming season. 

I have flat riding boots and shorter boots, still in 
great shape, so looking now for a pair of ankle booties 
with a bit of a heel. 

Would love grey leather - these from Cole Hahn 

are my favorite. A bit pricey, but well made, all leather,
 and a classic style that won't date, I'm not into extra 
pointy toes and skyscraper heels. . . .plus they gave a 

$50 discount last week, and free shipping.
When I hear the UPS truck pull up today they will be on board!

I've finished knitting up my skeins of beautiful natural 
wool purchased in the Falkland Islands last year. 
A cozy scarf, very plain and classic in style.
When I wear it on chilly days I'll have happy memories 
of my amazing voyage to Antarctica.

I'd like a new Winter bag, something more 
constructed. I'm so tired of fishing through a soft 
bag and digging through the conglomeration of items piled 
in the bottom . . . just know there's pen or a Ricola 
down there somewhere!
I found one for Summer, soft leather outside but quite 
sturdy with three distinct sections and several smaller 
pockets to organize stuff - and loved it.
Anyone checked the bag section in T.J.Maxx lately?
What happened to discount priced merchandise there?
Many racks of high-priced designer labels now.
Last week the first bag I looked at was marked down 
to $398.00! 
Many others were in the $200-$400 price range, crazy!
Still looking for mine needless to say.

Are you adding anything special or fun to your Autumn/Winter wardrobe this season? 
Do you shop for bargains?