#417: The Color Red in Winter

Reason to Be Happy #417:

The Color Red in Winter

Ah, winter in Ohio...  The landscape can be gray and bleak, and folks get prone to the blues and put on their cranky pants. Even though the cold has been relentless, you have to admit the snow is beautiful (and the landscape much prettier with it). And there's nothing more dramatic and stunning than the color red against the snow (and that is not the start to some gory horror story, I promise). Many of my friends are talented photographers, so I gathered some of their shots of gorgeous flashes of red. I hope they cheer you as much as they do me.

 This gorgeous shot is by Scott Ross.

 The next three were taken by my talented writer friend, Erin Gross. (And that's her son, aka Tank, who is among my favorite children on the planet).

 The wreath above, and the final two, were taken by Carol Tierney, whose photos never fail to brighten my days! Thanks, everyone! Please post your own in the comments—I'd love to see more!

#416: Uninterrupted Time to Write

Reason to Be Happy #416:

Uninterrupted Time to Write

This is truly the greatest gift you can give a writer! Back in October, I was so honored to be the John E. Nance Writer-in-Residence at the wonderful Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio. A whole month to immerse myself in my current work-in-progress....ahh...

The wonderful Thurber House.

 I had a great time and was incredibly productive there! And they let me bring Joey Cat with me!

Read my blog about the experience

to get details about the staff, what I worked on, and, of course, the ghosts.

The steps up to my attic apartment.

My "office" on nice autumn days.

My office in the wee hours and late at night.

Joey kept watch.

Joey wandered the halls with his ghost friends.

#415: The way fresh snow crunches under your boots

Reason to Be Happy #415:

The Way Fresh Snow Crunches 

Under Your Boots

Winter comes with a bunch of cool sounds. This one was pointed out on Facebook by my observant friend Cherie Cooper-Darragh and I immediately stole it! There's even that Styrofoam squeak of the snow when it's super duper cold, like it is right now.

#414: Snow Laden Pine Trees

Reason to Be Happy #414:

Snow Laden Pine Trees

 

 I recently asked folks on my Facebook Author Page to list their favorite winter-specific reasons to be happy and I received so many wonderful, beautiful comments! One that really spoke to me was this one from Eva Makstutis.

Snow laden pine trees are a winter sight I never tire of. Snow highlighting the branches of any tree skeleton is gorgeous, but something about that sugar coating on the evergreen boughs is especially striking. These beautiful photos were taken by the talented Carol Tierney. Thanks, Carol!

#413: The way snow sits atop dead coneflowers like those furry Russian hats

Reason to Be Happy #413:

The way snow sits atop dead coneflowers

 like those furry Russian hats

I never prune my perennials until spring. I like to give all the wild creatures a bit of habitat and shelter, plus I love the interesting sculptures the snow makes of them.