bitten.

I've always loved stories of vampires. In fact I never missed an episode of the television series Moonlight, and I was crushed and thoroughly disgusted with CBS when they axed that fabulous show. I am a voracious reader, and so how then could I have missed reading the Twilight books by Stephenie Meyer? Thinking back I guess because they were geared towards the teenage crowd so I didn't pay attention. Kacie went to the midnight opening of the movie New Moon in December. She was bitten. She told me how wonderful it was, and then she proceeded to see it three more times, and still I didn't get it.

On a cold Friday night a week or so ago, I went to the couch to relax from the long week, and behold Kacie had just put in the movie Twilight. So, she and I watched the movie, finally. She had been nagging me for weeks to watch it with her. Needless to say, one look was all that it took. I'm bitten. What a phenominal movie. The beautiful imagery of the Pacific Northwest (my favorite part of the country), the story and the way that it is told, all make it a rare gem. It's soooo not just for teenagers, as can be attested by this 48-year old woman. In fact, there is a website out there devoted to ladies like me called "TwilightMoms". The forums are a crazy read, gals my age raving on and on about Edward. Well, he is sexy. Really Sexy. And kind. And very protective of Bella. What's not to love? I've watched it more times since then, and the word that comes to mind to describe this story is WOW. So then, I have to warn all who may decide to view this film: you too shall be bitten.

I told Kacie that we must go to see New Moon, the second movie, even though she'd seen it four times already. Too bad, it is no longer in wide distribution, but Kacie told me that it comes out on DVD at the end of March. The end of March? Too far away. I must know what happens next, and so I have ordered the first three Twilight books from Barnes and Noble. I can't wait to read them. When they arrive I shall put down the Outlander Series that I am so currently engrossed in and dive into the books of Twilight. So much to read and not so much time. Sigh.

Moody Outside

Outside it is moody, I'm guessing it has something to do with the thick fog last night. As I gazed out the window early this morning I discovered the beauty of a sparkling glaze of frost on all things, making the trees and bushes look ghostly in appearance. I opened the living room drapes and saw a murder of crows in the big Maple tree. Grabbing my camera I rushed back to the window only to have them fly away when they heard or saw me and my camera at the window.

Camera in hand, I couldn't let this spookiness get away, Duncan and I sped to the park. The clouds were thick, and the winter sun was desperately trying to poke through.

As Duncan and I walked through the Oak Forest, I felt a little creeped out. I have forever thought that Oak Trees are a little scary looking, but today they almost looked menacing. It was as if they were talking among themselves, and it felt like they were trying to decide what to do with this human intruder and her dog. I was greatly relieved when we emerged from the thickness of the old Oaks.

The forest behind us, we walked the rest of trail, headed for the Jeep when I saw the big Oak tree close to the trail. I couldn't resist shooting some pictures of Oak leaves laced with frost.

Beautiful.

A Glorious Morning

A perfect morning. Duncan and me walking on our favorite trail through the woods and by the lake. The sun shining, the temperature a balmy 23. Snow crunching underfoot, birds singing. A wondrous morning and walk indeed. I am thankful of this little snippet of perfection; this little slice of heaven. It is not often during the cold months that we are able to walk the entire trail at the park and not be shivering cold. I was actually a little warm in my sweatpants, hoodie, light jacket, oh and of course the always on mittens. How marvelous to be out walking without long johns, a big scarf wrapped twice around my neck, hat and two sets of gloves and looking like the Nanook of the North. Freedom for a short time from all the layers of Winter. It was pure bliss.

A cute little black capped chickadee looked down at us from his perch in a tree, and chirping wildly he seemed to say to us "wonderful day isn't it?" My answer was a resounding "It's glorious honey, just glorious."