http://www.bibliogrind.com On the Rim of a Millstone Tue, 06 May 2008 01:26:56 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Apple Canyon has 13 miles of hiking trails. They wind, dip, climb, stretch and tumble around the lake, giving superb views of the water, some of the fabulous new homes and the old cottages built in the first years when streams still fed the lake to its full 70-foot depth. On ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/04/16/the-hike-of-hikes-sort-of/ The deer know where to live, much like retirees, who flock to the Early Bird specials at the local diner. There is no hunting on Apple Canyon property, but there is just over the farmers' fence. The deer know this. They've figured out how to stay alive over the years since ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/03/18/8-deer-in-sight-and-im-hungry/ I'm not just being optimistic. Temps have risen above freezing over the last few days, and this morning at 8:30 it is already 35 degrees. Out in nature, Spring's arrival touches all the senses. The once knee-deep snow is now to just inches, with many brown patches and green stains of ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/03/13/the-spring-has-sprung/ It's been solidly winter around NW Illinois since late November '07. Tomorrow the temps will begin to climb: 43 ... 45 ... 50 ... 47. I sound like some weather dot com. The snow has been the news in ACL these last few months, so the thaw is good news then, ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/03/10/springtime-on-the-way/ More snow than Chamonix! That is the headline for ACL Winter '08. Thus far, Apple Canyon has had five 6+ inch snowfalls since December '07; and three 8+ inch snowfalls. Plenty of 2-4 inch snowfalls in between, too. This is how winter should be. I love it, dudes & dudettes!!! http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/02/25/and-the-snow-keeps-coming/ It's only February something-or-other, so now buddy Frank decides to finally come out the ACL. Snow's been on the ground for nearly three months, it's quite and peaceful, and he lives only 2 1/2 hours away, so he was quick about getting out for a visit. Not that I want ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/02/16/vice-head-is-here/ In the winter, people want color. It's the snow that does this to us. As beautiful as the white blankets are, resembling clouds, marshmallow cream, cappuccino froth, or someone's idea of Heaven, this beauty is daunting after a while. This is especially so when the sun comes out – the ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/02/08/a-touch-of-color/ Sounds like the title of a porn flick, huh? She should be so lucky! Alas, it's title to the middle of this blizzard under which I sit up in the cozy Apple Canyon chalet. I awoke to the bristling sounds of wind pushing the house left and right. I peeked out ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/02/06/eight-inches-and-counting/ The sun is out today, high white, clean, its radiance a dream—an ocean voyage, softly powerful. When I stand outside I hear the wind rustle the tops of trees, the finger-size branches way up high click together like pick-up-sticks dropped on asphalt. Otherwise it's quiet. And Ra gets ready to settle into ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/01/27/ra-takes-a-trip/ The cold snap has risen, jumping from -9 yesterday morning to 22 today. The sun is out. Hawks patrol the skies. Vermin burrow for roots and nuts. And the novel writing is going well. So I dug out the XC skis, put in contacts, topped my head with my funny ... http://www.bibliogrind.com/2008/01/26/skinny-skiing-at-acl/