While I'm away

I'm away at the moment at a fibre artist retreat

spending time with friends.

Before leaving the pups and I fought our way through my woods for the first time this year.

I felt like Livingston.

Couldn't find my usual paths...so many trees had fallen victim to the winds of winter.

Always so sad to find more dead trees every year

but the dead ones provide nourishment for woodpeckers

and the woodpecker holes provide shelter for somebody.


Addendum 
Mother nature played a not so funny April fools joke on Friday.
As I drove across the province she decided it was time for a snowstorm.
Poor visibility, white-outs and thick snow on icy roads made for a fright-filled drive.
Stopped at Kejimkujik National Park.
Gallant husband Richard decided to come to my rescue knowing that what would normally take him 30 minutes would take an hour at least.
I sat watching snow and ice slowly climb up the windshield.
Park rangers came by and checked up on me several times.
Finally a snowplough drove by with R following behind it!
We talked over our options...
nearly turned back, but it would have been just as bad going backwards as forwards.
I opted to carry on. 
R followed me for a few kilometres and then turned home.
It was a long slow drive....but I made it!
Shared a wonderful weekend with inspirational women.
Glad to be home again but sad to miss precious time with friends.
Holy Mackerel...the addendum is way longer than the original post...sorry!