Babs Young’s house is perched right on the shore of Torch Lake (on the west side, which the Blue Heaven Crowd will tell you is the best side). This, along with a little vacation in Key West, accounts for her cheerful view of the winter of 2013-2014. On Tuesday she looked out her window as Mama Nature raised the curtain on a nice shiny new day. Babs writes: What an incredible scene it was looking south on Torch Lake with the hoarfrost on the trees and beautiful sun. I think it was -20º outside. What a great winter.
At that very moment I was out freezing my face while Miss Sadie and the Cowboy made a brisk circuit of their favorite morning stops. I am perhaps a wee bit less enthusiastic about the winter. The view, now – that is splendid. I recommend you click on the image to get a nice big version.
And now, because it is a week later and we are having a nice summery day in the 30s, Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I are going for a walk.
Torch Lake Views 
tootlepedal
March 11, 2014
Thank goodness that the temperature has obliged a bit at last.
WOL
March 12, 2014
You have snow, we have dust. Had a mild dust storm today. The sky was only tan colored with some blue. The Bradford pears are blooming, and my sinuses would be having the biggest hissy fit if I wasn’t taking two antihistamines (Zyrtec and Benadryl) and a decongestant. I would have to take issue with someone who associates a temperatures of -20 degrees with “great winter.”
Gerry
March 12, 2014
A dust storm would pretty much terrify me. I’d rather be out in a blizzard. It’s all in what you know you can live through, isn’t it? Blooming pear trees, now, those would be a treat. Give Babs good light and she’s a happy photographer. I’ve never heard her complain about cold – although I have noticed her tail lights receding in a southerly direction each February.
Dawn
March 12, 2014
That is a beautiful shot, especial when made bigger! 🙂 🙂 🙂 We had sun one day too. I think it was not that long ago…but it feels a very long time ago at the moment. Hope you enjoyed your walk!
Gerry
March 12, 2014
I know . . . sometimes when I step out the door swathed in down and YakTrax and find bright light I am startled for a moment. Then my gelid brain slowly produces the thought, “sunshine – I remember sunshine . . . “
loreen niewenhuis
March 13, 2014
Nice photo! Yes, this was a winter for YakTrax. One for the records!
Gerry
March 13, 2014
Indeed. And it is not over yet.
Craig
March 13, 2014
Lovely to see snow that looks like snow (as opposed to snow that looks like dirty masses of oobleck). If the Inuit have scores of words for snow in all its subtle gradations, Detroiters should have dozens of words for the dirty roadside remnants of winter.
Gerry
March 13, 2014
All the Detroiters I’ve been talking to have hundreds of words for this winter, but most of them are not suitable for a family-friendly blog. They are, in fact, precisely what I have to say about it myself. And I don’t even have any oobleck yet.
sybil
March 13, 2014
OK. I did as you instructed and clicked on the picture but the snow wouldn’t go away no matter how much I clicked on it.
Gerry
March 13, 2014
Just for you, click here: Mystic Torch
isathreadsoflife
March 22, 2014
That is a wonderful view indeed, well worth clicking on it as well as on the Mystic Torch. Quite a different landscape ! Both views are much more inviting than my Saturday morning landscape. Rain, wind, cold, neither Ninio-the-Beagle nor me are very tempted to walk to the woods… yet we will be on our way some time soon. Wishing you a lovely weekend, Gerry.
Gerry
March 22, 2014
Thank you Isa. It has started off very well indeed. I hope your walk went well, too.