Tenacity. . . . . . . . . .

~ Jordan Lake at dusk - January 2018 ~

We've had two days of soaking rain and leaden skies. The chilling wind 
brought down the last of the clinging leaves, flinging them across the
 sleeping lawn in a tenacious last-ditch effort to bring winter to its knees.

Today - the deepest 'Carolina Blue' sky ever? Maybe.
A beautiful backdrop to the bare trees.

Winter garden chores. . . . . . . . . .

The sky early this morning.

The week has started well here - the new plumber we are using arrived on time

 at 8 AM to fix shower and sink problems. All flowing well now and perhaps we can

 get on with other waiting house projects on the long list. 

Potting shed in January ice storm. 

The temperature will reach the mid-60's today, even warmer tomorrow!

We plan some garden work, mostly trimming shrubs as it's that time of year for 

such jobs here in the southeast.  We may still have cold weather of course,

no way is Winter over, but having a warm break with a chance to work outside 

in comfort is a huge plus.

 The potting shed does NOT look tidy and clean like this at present!

Today might be perfect for donning gloves and a cozy sweatshirt 

and getting out there. . . . . . so that's it for now!

Beach, blue skies, blessings. . . . . . . . . .

 As soon as we checked into the hotel today I was on the balcony, tenth floor, 

taking photos as the brown pelicans did their usual 'fly by' to welcome us!

The weather is close to perfect for late November, around 70F all afternoon, 

great for boardwalk strolls and watching children making sandcastles, some

 even swimming in the blue Atlantic Ocean!

Tonight we watched the lighting of the Christmas decorations around the lake

and along the ocean board walk, still comfortably warm, only a sweater 

required, many people in shorts and T-shirts.

This is late Autumn in the southeast, and we are grateful we live here in

 beautiful North Carolina.

Campus walking. . . . . . .

Just a few weeks back, while the rush of Christmas was still just a thought

and the majority of college students were still home for Thanksgiving, we

 enjoyed a pleasant afternoon walk around the quiet and peaceful campus of

 a local women's college.

Coming here over the years since moving to Raleigh in 1977, this campus has

 evolved from a small school to a busy college covering many acres, with new

 buildings and a large sports complex. Rolling land we walked on for many

 years is no longer there, but thankfully this small area near the original buildings

 around the pond remains as it has always been - a watering place for birds,

old established trees, unusual plants, and always colorful in Autumn as seen

 here in a last blaze of fire under the Carolina blue sky.

We also walk around the track at a nearby middle school close to home. 

That feels like real exercise but it's nowhere near as pretty as places such as this.

Do you have special places to walk in your neighborhood?

Thick fog here this morning. No walking planned for today, except for running
 a few errands later. Meanwhile, this morning I'll be completing the Christmas
 decorating around the cottage. That's exercise enough!