February - A Look Ahead

Hello, February! We get an extra day allocated to us this year (the 29th), so we better make the most of it! 

The weather in January was downright delightful compared to our typical winter months. Let’s hope that February continues the trend! The daffodils are peeking out of the flowerbeds here at the cottage. Some green stalks are now several inches tall! We should have blooms starting in a couple of weeks. Oh, how I adore my “daffies”! Not only do I love to photograph them, but I always look forward to filling vases and scattering them around our cottage. Such bright blooms of sunshine can’t help but make us smile! 

And I am going to need all the help I can get to smile when I finish up our income tax return this month. I’ve already begun this dreadful task. I readily admit that I’m not thinking charitable thoughts about our 2011 tax bill. Despite overly generous withholdings (at least I thought they were), we will be required to send in an additional amount to the government coffers. This is the heavy price we have to pay (literally) for me picking up the consulting job last year. What gets my goat is that our government wastes a LOT of our hard-earned dollars. But I will count our blessings for the extra income and try to keep the grumbling to a minimum. 

Thank you for your continued interest in the latest Alaska photo series, the Katmai Brown Bears. I am tickled to hear that several of my gal followers call over their menfolk to the computers and have them check out my photos and posts too! Alaska is America’s grandest wilderness, so save up those pennies (if you can) and put this destination on your bucket list! You won’t regret it. During February, you’ll be treated to more bear photos and tales of our Alaska adventure. 

Speaking of bucket lists, hubby and I have been making plans and reservations for more trips this year! Our first jaunt is still in the planning stages, but we will trek up to Indiana in April to visit some of my relatives. Then we will take a few detours and stops on the way back home, meandering through southwest Ohio and middle Kentucky. 

In July, we are confirmed to take a small boat cruise on Alaska’s famed Inside Passage! We took a similar trip way back in 1996, but we didn’t have digital photography equipment back then. So we decided a repeat performance was in order. The scenic beauty and wildlife in this area are incredible. Our particular departure is touted as a photographic voyage and a professional will be on board. (Of course with my hubby, I have a pro with me on every trip!) 

In August, we are confirmed on a Natural Habitat Adventures tour of Glacier National Park (USA) and Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada). I have been itching for many years to visit this part of the mountainous west. It’s hard to believe that it’s finally going to happen! In addition to soaking up the outdoor grandeur, we’re also going to relish staying at the old historic lodges in the two parks. 

I will continue with my consulting job this month (reviewing and writing technical procedures for electric power facilities). My contract was renewed again in January. But I plan to quit and go back to retirement mode in early April. Ah, I can already see the finish line! 

That’s enough rattling on for now. If you have read this far, then you deserve a gold star for your attention span!