Deer tracks and skiing: When we went for our "before breakfast" walk this morning I decided I should take my camera along as the sun is shining and the temperatures have warmed up. I was talking about deer tracks the other day so decided to show you these tracks from on the golf course and in the yard west of the golf course. Greg was telling the story that apparently the does (females) and the young ones are smart enough in the fall to eat enough to make up for what shortages there might be over winter. Hmmm. Wondering what's on the minds of the men (I mean males).

I also heard that in the cemetary on the north side of town there are typically four deer over-nighting. And now that it has started to melt a tiny bit, deer can be seen in double digit numbers in the fields scrounging for food.

Diane was asking if we can ski on the driveway - pretty much so - though skating might have worked better. Now that it's warming up the snow could disappear quickly but I thought I'd show these "ski jumps" from our yard. I've put my glove in the two pictures so you get some idea of the size of these "steps". Greg worked to try to clear the path to the back where we take our compost and we also take the dog to do his wet job. Because the garage is beside this path and the snow drips off the roof AND when the temps are below zero and it freezes the path can be treacherous, Greg tried to remove a greater chunk of the snow. Perfect for jumping, I think.

Life is Good : part 3 or 526,197,378 depending on how I look at it. I've come to the realization that I cannot agonize over what Julia Cameron or anyone is suggesting I do. For the moment I don't feel comfortable with the group with whom I am studying the Artist's Way but I think I've already figured out that I can't let that get in the way of my every day progress, journey. Though I've not previously studied Julia, I seem quite familiar with what she suggests. I know from people that have previously worked with me that I can go to very uncomfortable places in my mind. I typically need the assistance of one of these helpers when I go anywhere near that place. Along the way I've also learned ways of helping myself to get past the difficult place until they are beside to help me through, to help ground me, to put their foot on my foot if necessary to help me find that place where I can feel more secure. I feel good this morning about my journey. I feel good about how I am, almost unknown to myself typically, helping others. I feel good about the group of people at knitting. Though I'm not usually at peace with larger groups of people I am getting to know some of these people better. Jamie intrigues me. She is young. She is part of a cooperative on the internet. She is looking for fabric, of the best kind for making diapers. She is knitting pants for over her babies diapers. She is committed to what she believes. I like to listen to her talk. I like to prompt her to tell us more about what she knows, what she is doing.

And the days are getting longer with more opportunity for natural sunlight. Billy Boy pooch and I found deer tracks right up to our yard this morning. The poor deer are having difficulty finding food this winter. We live close to the golf course which is on the outside edges, nearly, of our tiny City. We often were seeing the tracks when we went for our morning walks but today they are right up to our yard. I can't tell if they have come into the yard because of too many other human kinds of tracks but I am thrilled. Deer are wonderful. Sometimes in the summer we catch the scent of skunk close by. That I could do without.

Yes, life is good, provided I take moments to stop to think about it.

Angels be with you.