Babs is back. She writes: I returned to winter in northern Michigan this past week. Key West was great, but it’s always good to come home. This is, of course, the Charlevoix Light and as you see it sure is winter now.
I have to admit that looks pretty wintry, Babs, but do not worry. If you peer down between those fierce Ice Dragon’s Teeth you will see . . . water! Deep, blue/green water, just as you would in the summertime. When you think that winter will never end, look deep into that water and think of swimming toward the light, swimming toward . . . Wait, wait, not now!!!
Babs has posted the entire Michigan 2011 Collection on her Blue Heaven1’s Photostream, along with a bunch of photos from her trip to Key West just in case you need something warm to look at. (You could, for example, see what I’m pretty sure is the Cowboy in a chicken suit.) And remember, whenever you need a fix of Babs you can go to the Gallery Babs tab up there at the top of the page. I’ve been up there dusting and tidying up so it’s ready for company.
Torch Lake Views 
Sybil
January 22, 2012
Brrrrrr. It does look cold. Did you put the kettle on ?
Gerry
January 22, 2012
I did. I have a nice new kettle that turns itself off before I can burn the house down. Excellent idea. (It was a gift from Rob the Firefighter and the Lady Alicia.) So far I have made tea, cocoa, and couscous with it.
Dawn
January 22, 2012
Oh can’t wait to go look at her photos!!! This one is extraordinary!
Gerry
January 22, 2012
Nah, just your everyday Babs. We take that sort of thing for granted here in the Township. Mama Nature will make gorgeous scenery, Babs will take photos worthy of it. Hmm. I suppose you could say we’re a bit spoiled. Nahhhh . . .
Heather
January 22, 2012
Glad we can always count on Babs. And the harsh beauty of winter. And the sure return of summer. I think I’ll hold off on that swim!
Gerry
January 22, 2012
I would.
shoreacres
January 22, 2012
I’d not noticed the gallery – so I went and looked. I am now officially undone by the Schooner Festival. I thought I was done fending off sailing impulses until I saw those photos. So surprising, and so beautiful.
Gerry
January 23, 2012
I’m glad you found the Gallery. I need to do something about organizing things around here. Surprises are good, but only if you can get to them.
Joss
January 23, 2012
What a great photo! I’ll be looking everywhere now to find my own dragon’s teeth.
Gerry
January 23, 2012
We have a very good supply at present. I’d be glad to let you have some at a very favorable price.
P.j. grath
January 23, 2012
I saw that green water! The whole shot is very nice, cold or–well, it’s definitely cold, but a great shot.
Gerry
January 23, 2012
My sentiments exactly.
Margie Guyot
January 23, 2012
Nice photos!!!! Did you try blowing into any of the conch shells? I see they’d been cut for “blowing”.
Gerry
January 23, 2012
I will leave it to Babs to answer your question, but I have one for you. How on earth did you know about the cutting for blowing? I suppose it should have occurred to me before. After all, we shape reeds and bamboo and ram’s horns to make music. Why not shells? I suppose I secretly believe that there is a tiny ocean inside shells. I can hear it.
Gail
January 23, 2012
An Ice Dragon’s Teeth photo on the eve of the Chinese Year of the Water Dragon. Very inspired choice for the beginning of 4710.
Gerry
January 23, 2012
I would like to smile serenely and accept credit for inspiration, but it’s just another case of Serendipity. Still, I do not believe in looking a gift dragon in the flame. Now that you’ve made the connection, dragons might just be a theme Around Here for awhile.
Fee
January 23, 2012
I love that picture. Perfect illustration of a northern winter.
Gerry
January 23, 2012
It is, isn’t it. All the main ingredients: fierce ice, deep water, and a dash of red. I don’t know what we’d do Around Here if we didn’t have a good supply of red paint.
dmarks
January 23, 2012
Good picture. Next challenge, should you choose to accept it:
You have photos of some sideways icicles. Try to find some growing up!
Gerry
January 23, 2012
You know what? I do have a stalagmite icicle somewhere. Not sure it grew up–most things in this household never do–but it was reaching. I’ll look for it.
OK I’m back. I found it on an old post, A mountain in a swirl of sand. It’s a little hard to see, but I put a closeup here.
Scott Thomas Photography
January 24, 2012
The splash of red warms up the icy scene.
Gerry
January 24, 2012
Indeed it does. I don’t know if people “always” painted things red Around Here. For all I know it was a fad inspired by cherry marketing. But it seems to suit us, and it is a grace note in winter.
Giiid
February 2, 2012
I wish you would make a book together, you and Babs, you have all what it need to make a wonderful one, artistically inspiring photos and thought-provoking clever words in perfect order. It would be my favorite book, no doubt! I wonder how I can convince you to work on it, you probably have a lot of excuses not to…
Gerry
February 2, 2012
Well, we each have projects going on that take up a lot of time. And then of course I have to tend my livestock. Maybe we will make just one book and sew it together by hand and send it to you. It would be a Collector’s Edition.