Saturday, March 10, 2012

Contrasting Winter Worlds

I am blessed to be able to enjoy two different contrasting winter worlds.  It’s been a while since arriving here at our winter home near the Salton Sea in California.  Life is so different in not only how my surroundings look, but also in how my days are filled.

I don’t have internet connection and thought I would be spending more time creating a book from my blog God's Garden of Nature and organizing of photos along with refinishing some furniture. 

After only a couple weeks here my right upper arm and shoulder was in such pain from over use here I couldn’t even take photos or do almost any work at all with my arm let alone extend it out for any computer work for almost 3 weeks.  So all my projects had to be put aside giving me lots of time for long walks every day and line dancing lessons once a week as well as a very busy social life.  We have been hitting all the flea markets and garage sales that are here every Saturday adding more needed items to the house or outside.  My body is finally getting back into shape.

My arm is feeling better and I am now able to extend it out for short periods, but am trying to keep what I do limited.  Hubby was getting tired doing all my work as well as his.  But I do think he has a more understanding just how much I do to keep the house going.  I may have damaged my ligaments in my upper arm and it will take quite a while to mend.  I also believe it’s God’s way of keeping me away from this computer so I spend more time being social and getting exercise by walking and keeping up with my yoga.  But I do feel a blog here was well over due.  I also apologize for not visiting as I don’t have internet connection and once my arm is much better will try and make my rounds to visit everyone one evening thru the local library with their wireless. 

As I haven’t been able to take many photos with my sore arm I have used a couple of photos from years before as I wanted to show contrast in my two different worlds.  So if you see my dog Buster, as you may remember he passed away a few years ago or any other photos you may have previously seen before.

We have had no adventures yet, just sticking close to home which keeps us very busy and taking it a bit easy when it gets too hot.  So let me just show you how my winter home in the desert at the Salton Sea in California contrasts with winters at my home in British Columbia in Canada.

First there is the view from my window at the Salton Sea.  Not of very good job of stitching this photo together.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

The view from my window at our ranch up north.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

My homes are very different.  Yes I had seen my share of snow by the time we left to for the desert.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

We certainly enjoy the outdoors in both places.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

The wildlife may be a bit different, but I still have them right in our yard.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

No matter where I am my eyes are always drawn to reflections in the water.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

Exploring along the waterways at the Salton Sea or our creek at the ranch.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

The nature that surrounds me in both places along with the weather really shows the contrasts.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

How very different are my driveways at both homes. But coming home is always a good feeling in both places.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

 

We are still doing some shovelling only now it is for barnacles that we use for landscaping.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

I hope you enjoyed my winter world in contrast.

I miss you all and would like to say
“you have given me a place to come to that helps me laugh, cry, get inspired, think deeply, spur creativity, learn something, share in our sorrows, our triumphs and learn to be accepting in where life leads us as well as always staying grounded. So often I stray off my path but one of you out there always seems to blog about something to keep me going where I need to go. You are all stch an inspiration to me. I have missed my visits with you dearly without internet.”

Thank you all for being here and being you. As many of our journeys are the climbing of the mountains in our lives, life here below sea level at our winter home sometimes drains me of my energy along with all the work and being in contact with people on a daily basis. I am a bit of a hermit. Yes it is warm and the sun shines every day and I am thankful, but I miss my mountains and solitude even with the snow. I have missed all of you very much this winter and look forward to my regular visits again when I am back on the internet at home in my valley in British Columbia.

Until then may we sit together and share the beautiful sunsets at the Salton Sea.

Photo by Here I Am/Carrie

And have a
Good Morning…   Good Afternoon…  Good Night…
What ever it is to you.

Photo and Words
by
Here I Am/Carrie