It is an in and out sunshiny winter day. One of those days when you bundle up extra tight as you step outside because you are in the shade and it's a little windy. Then, when you step out into the bright winter sun, closer to the earth than in the summer, it is actually hot enough to yank the scarf off your neck and put your gloves back in your pocket - that is, until you reach a shady area again....
The street I walk on with my pooches is easy to navigate now - it's no longer an Olympic skating rink. And like it always is, it is silent with the sounds of nature unless an occasional car drives by. A strange phenomenon happened today, though. I was just about in the middle of my walk, at the place I call "straight pines," which are rows and rows of six-story pines lined up as straight as a New York City boulevard.
Anyway, the wind just seemed to be blowing a little, but I kept hearing this rushing noise, very loud, almost like a train. This noise was tempered by a squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek of the trees bending, which either sounded like a very large barn door opening, or Mrs Bates' rocking chair in the movie "Psycho". I couldn't decide. Any way, it was very strange and got me thinking of "Psycho," which family rumor has it, I was taken to inadvertently as a toddler at a drive in. This is probably why I have always been freaked out, yet fascinated, by serial killers.
Now, ironically, I live about 100 miles straight north of where Ed Gein (the man who Psycho is based upon) did his dirty deeds like making lampshades out of his neighbors and doing other nasty things to corpses. That was in Plainfield, WI, and at least once a week I hear a radio commercial promoting the exciting activities and restaurants that the Plainfield Truck Stop has to offer. I have to put my brain in shut-down mode in order to keep driving......
I took this photo from my deck about a month ago and fooled around with editing it. I really like the way it turned out. I certainly have my father's artist eye.
