Trees and things

 The arborist has set January 5th and 6th for the removal of our much loved maple tree next to our deck.  It's been a backdrop for many summer photos of reading, sunset watching, dancing and other hi-jinks, but there aren't many photos celebrating its dark winter beauty.  So here are a few taken on one of the shortest and darkest days of the year, about noon --

This picture shows the disease at the base of the trunk, as well as how the bark is peeling off from the tree.  This old maple will be greatly missed.

I have no enthusiasm for a Christmas tree this year, but one of the girl's regular customers has been the recipient of several of my hand made masks this year.  She's 84 and has difficulty breathing through a surgical mask.  She wanted to thank me, and this is how she chose to do it -- a Norfolk Pine decorated for the holidays and a nice box of chocolates.  The ornament at the top of the tree is also shaped like a tree -- it's  personalized with John's name and the dates he lived, a gift from Klaassen's funeral home.  

Unrelated thoughts:  One.  My beloved grandchildren currently refer to me as their "bad-ass grandmother" with the girl loving the phrase "digging deep into her suitcase of bad-assery."  The boy has recently begun to refer to me as "one tough cookie."  (In case you were worried.  Alternately if this news causes concern, they are exaggerating for effect, I believe.)  Two.  I have achieved my annual biking goal plus 17 miles.  Puny goal in normal times, but these aren't normal times now, are they?  And One and Two might be related.   Merry Christmas.

Kirk Park with TJ

 

Early December Beach

 This post gives a different view of the lake from the last one -- these pictures are mostly taken from the level of the beach, except for the first one which was taken from the top of the stairs next to our deck.

Still a bit of foredune between the bench and the edge.
Our beach, below, goes from the second snow fence to the sandbags. 

Looking back at our beach from the sandbags in the earlier photo. I estimate 6 or 7 feet of sand between the shelf and the sea wall.

Pretty much the same photo, but this one shows how odd the light is at this time of year -- on those rare days when we have sun, at least.

I walked down towards Tunnel Park, but didn't want to get my feet wet so didn't go all the way there before turning around.  The stairs to the top of the dune are unreachable in my opinion, though I suppose that depends on the direction you choose.  The footprints prove it's been done -- I imagine from the top down, using the land side park stairs for access.  It was a chilly day for a walk on the beach, but I have the gear, as they say.