Silver Linings

I love this time of year. It is wonderful to see the snow melting and enjoy sunshine and warmer days. Yes, it is still winter, but spring is just around the corner.

The other day, as I was getting ready to go back to work after lunch, I looked out the kitchen window and saw Blew curled up in the half whiskey barrel planter on the front porch. I guess she was feeling the need to be in dirt. She usually hops right out when I open the door, so I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to capture a couple of pictures of her in the planter.

Blew and I took a drive around Quake and Hebgen Lakes, mostly to see if we could spot the bighorn sheep that congregate near the Slide Inn just below Quake Lake this time of year. We did see about 12 sheep, 8 ewes and 4 rams, but the light was not great for taking pictures, so we just continued on our way. Both Quake and Hebgen were totally frozen over. If the light had been better, I would have stopped to photograph the cross country skiers making their way across Hebgen Lake. A little later on, I did stop and take a couple of pictures of an old, falling down barn. I wonder how much longer it is going to last.

I'm going to have to take this drive during the changing of the seasons and see the difference spring and summer make of this poor, forlorn looking building. Will it look as lost with green grass and flowers growing around it and the sparkling blue of Hebgen Lake glittering in the background as it does in the barrenness of winter? I sincerely hope not. It does remind me that we all go through times in our lives when we feel like we are lost and alone and the world is cold and empty around us.

There is always hope that spring will come. And, it is visible this time of year. The snow begins to look like molten silver in the sunlight. That is my silver lining that reminds me that cold and white will give way to the brilliant yellows of glacier lilies, the vibrant hues of the pink shooting stars, and the wonderful new green of grass that has been waiting for its blanket of white to disappear so that it can grow and be productive once again.

Only another month or two, and these beauties pictured below will be back to gladden our hearts. It's an old picture of mine, but since they are still waiting beneath the snow for their moment to arrive, I'll joyously put a little color on this post.  :)