Life@1351 - Part 2

There are many beautiful experiences that make living in the Holland Marsh a pleasure.  Beside all the wonderful people, there are fabulous sights. Here are a few pictures I took on the first day of winter 2010.

(A view from our back yard - sunrise)

It's only a thought, but it seems that the land of the Marsh retains it's heat & moisture longer than other soils we know. First thing in the morning, even now near the end of December, it's not unusual for a fog of some sort, more like gentle mist to float over the land.  This particular morning, the mist had climbed the trees and frozen there to sparkle in the sun.

 
Psalm 147:16 (NIV)

  "He spreads the snow like wool

and scatters the frost like ashes."

Here's a comparison shot. It's not exact, but these give you the idea of a field covered with snow and the same field loaded with carrots ready for the harvest.

OK, it's back to Life@1351 - Part 1

We live in the Holland Marsh (not near it, in it)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Marsh

The soil around here is called Muck http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muck_Crops_Research_Station

Most memorable event: Hurricane Hazel - 1954

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Hazel
2. http://www.hurricanehazel.ca/ssi/about_community.shtml (Scroll down to Holland Marsh)
3. Environment Canada account of Hazel's impact on Holland Marsh  (first photo on that page shows the original Springdale church building and the house next to it in which we now live. Here's a section of that photo) I should add that this photo shows house and church building partially under water!
   
   
   

   
   
   Today we're living in that house!
   
   

   

   
   
   

   
   
   The church facilities were eventually dismantled leaving only the steeple sitting on the ground. 
   
   

   

   (taken Dec 8, 2010 -- notice it's tilting a bit - sinking in the muck)

   
   

    
   

   New ministry centre was opened in 1998.

   
   

   

   (Click on image for larger size)

   
   

   (Panorama redone on Jan 22, 2011)

   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   

   
   

   
   

   

   
   

   
   
   
   

   

   Reformation Day Gathering

    
   
   The parsonage has been expanded over the years, but essentially it's an old and large (expensive to run) house. This is the view of the back.
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

   

   
    A view from our southern deck (that's our trailer in its parking spot), and our closest neighbour's house nestled in the trees).
   
   Looking out the back of the house toward the east and the front toward the west, we see the sun rise, and the sun set. But that's for another post
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

That's right! Snow

Sunset on the First Snow Day

What we're really appreciating with life in the Marsh, are the sun rises and sunsets. I saw this one right out my study window today.