Dicey Icey

After a couple of days of 40 degrees we got rain and then it froze and this is what the sidewalks are like now.  This week the temps are going below zero, at night and single digits during the day.  Walking the sidewalks is going to be challenging for some time, I guess.  Photos show the footprints of people walking just as the slush is turning to ice, oh yeah - and riding a bike.   I am a lover of texture but maybe this is pushing the envelope...

Studio pics

My grandma made the pom-pom kitties up in the corner.

'Radiant Orchid' - love these tights - and this color.  I finally have a name for it.

Spring is coming.

January

Marking January ice and the old home-made loom warped again.  

Just part of the backend of a car that has traveled many winter miles. 

A Chenille-ly Pinwheel-y Scarf

Off the loom and finished.  An Infinity Scarf turned out with luxurious rich texture and deep color.  Imagine soft and cushy around your neck, wrap it once or twice for more warmth.  Once again I am reminded of the sumptuous drape of rayon chenille.

The colors burgundy, black, midnight navy, coral pink, rose pink and sienna.

                

Winter Time

Snow piling up on branches of trees, short days and lit up nights.  There are no dark shadows when snow blankets all outside spaces.   Turn off inside lights and the carpet of snow lights up everything. So bright it seems there's a full moon every night.  Snowflake after magical snowflake cover the earth, so perfect and so beautiful.  

Not at all sure about these colors....

Still not sure about these colors.  When it's finished - I might be able to decide ...

In my imagination I am walking this path, wearing this scarf.  When I was making this warp I kept thinking why am I using these colors.  Colors all around influence what I think and what I see and into the weaving they go.

Night Lights / Winter Bright

Patterned

                                     

Soft

Warm

that LED blue

 I said she should draw something that didn't look like a house with a pointy roof...

and it was good!  by Ava

Going Back

On street corners all over downtown there is art like this.  The building in the background is the old high school.  It has new life as the Washington Pavilion - more about that below.

A foggy, wet day for a walk.  How did I miss all this majesty when I was growing up?

The Carnegie Library now houses government offices.  The building has a rounded backside.  

Window Detail

My dad's alma mater, I can imagine him going through these doors.  The high school building is in use today as an art gallery, orchestra hall and a science center with an IMAX Theatre

A downtown fire station, historical markers tell about the time Teddy Roosevelt came to town to campaign.  There's a tower on the other side - wonder what that was used for?

The Pettigrew Museum

The museum entrance - petrified wood

One of the many Quartzite stairways at Terrace Park.

The rock used for these buildings is native Sioux Quartzite.  I took all this extraordinary architecture in my hometown for granted growing up.  Now, I am proud of this city's historical preservation of these landmark buildings.  Even on a gray day their beauty shines through.

Travels

We decided to head north on the motorcycle.

Books and Expresso in Washburn

I never tire of seeing the colors of autumn, so beautiful all the way up to Lake Superior, Bayfield and Madeline Island and all the way back to LaCrosse.

A riot of color before the grim grays of winter.  Just have to feast on it while it's here.

The Lagoon at Town Park on Madeline Island.  Superior just on the other side of this lagoon was rolling with wind and waves, here was calm and quiet.  

Two guys in a canoe were on their way to go fishing.

A Great Gray Owl

What a site, we were riding our rented bikes down the road to the park he/she landed on a fence post right in front of us --- letting us admire, turning her/his head all ways. 

Off the ferry and ready to head home.