2009/2010

01/07/10

Frost flowers, ice ribbons, ice flowers, ice castles, there are many names, are formed when certain, very specific conditions are met.  The ground must be wet and not frozen; the roots of certain plants (there are only about three that form the flowers - ours are wild oregano) must still be active; there must be a fast cold snap that doesn't send the roots packing, but allows for freezing water above ground.  The roots send water into a still active stem which splits in the freezing conditions.  The roots continue to push water out which freezes and curls into these fantastic shapes.  As soon as the sun hits them, they are gone, so we had to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time in the right year.  Wondrous. 
 

Other activities included some firepower testing from the "arsenal of freedom".....	...and some picking and grinning in front of the fireplace.....good times.t
That's my boy!  Joseph and a couple of Duke friends took me with them to the farm in bitter cold weather on January 1st.  It was 4 F one morning, 3 F the next and 33 in the bedroom most mornings!  Brrrrr!	Looking out from the cave.....  What a sky!
We discovered that frozen locust wood will split!	Victory over the recalcitrant species is ever so sweet!
If you're going to cook over the fire, you need cherry.  It makes the best coals.	The old standby, marinated steak with potatoes and onions, Cajun seasoning....
The west valley waterfall in the afternoon sun.....	...and the site of the infamous snowball fight!
A frozen fern.....	...and the horseshoe falls that lead toward the SE corner...
Ice patterns, vertical....	...and horzontal....
The spring....	...and in the harshness of it all, a little contrast in the puttyroot orchid.....