As I sit here this morning in the dark gloom listening to the rain coming down outside I am thinking of what to do on another rather boring day inside with the menagerie. How many pieces of paper can I print out on the printer to keep Sam occupied? He loves to watch the paper come out!

where does that paper come from?

The dogs are disgusted too. Just look at the expression on Bella’s face.

mom, make it stop raining!

My neighbor has invited me to go and see baby lambs this morning but right now I am thinking that isn’t such a great idea to stand in a wet mucky pen in the pouring rain not even being able to take photos. What a wimp I am! And, I do need to run out to the grocery store, yet another thing not to look forward to on a rainy day. But, it will give the dogs an outing and maybe it will help to relieve the boredom a bit.

So, I thought I’d see if anyone can guess what these images are. Hint—can probably be found in most households. I know, not much of a hint but I don’t want to give too much away! (Hubby Rick you are not allowed to guess because you might be able to figure it out!)

And yet another strange photo from the other night. This one is easy.

I know, I know. I’m strange. I see patterns and odd things and I grab the camera. I can’t seem to help myself!

I can put up with a few days of rain and gray gloom if my prize at the end of the week is temperatures in the mid 70’s with SUNSHINE. I think I feel a Mia weekend coming on! Oh yeah ...

Spring is definitely arriving in my front yard. The maple trees are the brave ones—they are always first. Their furry buds look so pretty lit golden by the late afternoon sun.

Up close and personal they look entirely different, like some exotic flower.

The forsythia hedge is not going to be left behind. Its buds are expectantly waiting to burst open in their full cheery yellow glory.

Small bushes are starting to unfurl their first new leaves.

And since I don’t have any crocus, I had to go outside of my own yard and into those of my neighbors. This pretty grouping is from Luke’s yard.

And these are from Luke’s next-door neighbor. He has a nice cheery row planted against his stone wall.

Even though our temperature is not anything to brag about this weekend (23 degrees right now, heading to low 40’s by midday) I know that warmer weather is on its way. At least today it’s sunny and not rainy like it has been this past week. We’ll be thankful for seat heaters when we take Mia out for a spin today!

And here is a link to our gallery so you can watch a slow motion clip of the falls:
http://gallery.me.com/bmtndog#100324

Enjoy!

Certainly by now you’ve heard of the record flooding New Jersey experienced this past week after our torrential rainfall. Something every good New Jerseyian (or is that Jerseyite?) does at times of record rainfall is head to the Great Falls in Paterson.  So when neighbor Kim proposed a field trip yesterday, I was more than game. It was a beautiful day for a change, sunny and mid 60’s.

The Passaic River falls 77 feet, making the Great Falls the second highest falls on the East Coast. Second only to the mighty Niagara Falls!

The river (we think) crested on Tuesday, but on Wednesday it was still pretty angry! With a mighty roar it thundered over the rocky cliffs.

We decided to walk over and go across the bridge for different views.

The river before it reaches the cliffs.

On the opposite side of where we were, with some of Paterson’s old factories in the background.

Just before crossing over the bridge there was a beautiful rainbow in the mist. I tried several different angles and shots.

On the bridge! Pretty scary! (Doubling up on rainbows.) The mist coming off the falls was just like being in the rain. We were drenched by the time we got to the other side.

On the other side of the falls there was this little observation point where you were ever so close to the falls. Motion sickness alert! It was mesmerizing watching all the water coming straight at you. It made me feel very unbalanced.

The following photos were taken from that vantage point in each direction. First photo is looking to the right. Middle photo is looking straight out at the water, and final photo is looking left and to the main section of the falls.

We walked around to view them from the back.

And back on the bridge again.

They surely were a sight that I might never see again.

P.S. Video to come!

P.P S. Since it was St. Patrick’s Day when we went, we tried to find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but did not succeed.

Daffodils breaking ground today.

Lots to say. Just no words. In case anyone was worried about us with all the press about flooding in New Jersey and, more particularly, Wayne (where Rick works) we are safe, sound and dry. The same can’t be said for our neighbors, or those “down the mountain” from us. Let me just say that it’s mostly downhill from our house to the Atlantic Ocean. Wayne is at the confluence of three rivers, plus they are really low in elevation. Rick had an interesting drive in to work today taking alternate routes as many roads were closed due to flooding and downed trees.
Anyway ...

The heavens opened up and we got 3.5 inches of rain from Friday night into Sunday noon-ish. Add into that the melting snowpack we had from almost two weeks earlier and you have saturated ground and water with nowhere to go. Our yard is smooshy and gooshy. The dogs don’t even want to be out and laying on that damp junk. Who would? Trust me; it’s gross.

The skunk cabbage seems to be in its element though. Mother Earth is stirring. We can only hope she doesn’t drown as it’s still raining a little.

I promise, much more to come.