Winter Woods Moving Into Spring

 I love the winter woods.  Of course spring and fall are spectacular, but the winter has a special charm.  The woods are surprisingly green.  We have holly,  evergreens, lots of winter ferns, and acres of creeping cedar.  And one of my favorite winter "greens" is the moss that has taken over many of our trails.  It doesn't seem to mind be trampled.

This year we had a bit more snow than usual.  And while that can make life difficult in a climate that rarely gets snow, it also gives us play (sledding!) and a special beauty in the woods.  It's lovely to be the first person on a snowy morning tramping the pristine snow (or almost pristine, because my dog is usually leading the way).

A special favorite of mine is the beauty of the beech trees in winter.  The lovely parchment leaves hang on to the trees, and the abundance of beech in our woods fills the landscape with beige, brown and gold.  These leaves are especially brilliant on a dark day, just after a rain, when the tree bark is wet and dark, and the leaves shine against the dark sky.  I've always wanted to paint this, but so far, I just keep taking photos!

 

I felt both joy and sadness last week when I saw the first trout lilies.  They are the first wildflower of spring, so brave and bright.  I know when I see the trout lilies that every week, and sometimes every day, I will see another spring wildflower.  Soon the beech leaves will be replaced by brilliant spring green across the landscape.  Both are lovely in their way.  Today I saw the first trillium -- the stunning toadstool trillium.  I usually think of them as coming out in early April.  I'm not sure if they are early, but maybe they were tired of snow and ice and poked up as soon as we had that weird 85 degree day this week!  Anyway, the winter woods are passing the torch to spring, and, while I feel restful and awed by our winter woods, I know it is time to be energized by the wildflowers, and move along with them into the next chapter. Happy spring!

My Favorite Photos from 2025

I’m usually taking photos everywhere I go, for myself, and to use for our community website or newsletter. I want to display a few of my favorites. You may have seen some of these in one of our publications. However many others are taken purely for my own enjoyment. So to follow are some of my favorites, and a little description of the stories behind them. Hope you enjoy!

Channele, one of our newest members, creates extraordinary textiles. Along with her weaving, I was particularly drawn to her hand braided rugs scattered throughout her home. Her eye for color creates gorgeous combinations, colors blending and playing off of each others. 

 

The night-blooming cereus is a type of cactus known for its spectacular, white flowers (about 10” wide) that open at dusk and wilt by dawn. Blooming for one night only, it has earned the nickname “Queen of the Night”. This plant was grown from a cutting my parents gave me years ago. Often they would throw rowdy night-blooming cereus parties for their friend to witness this grand opening!

Back in March, the community had a going away party for Choetso, a beloved member leaving for a Monastic Training Program in Oregon. Because her monasty traditionally wore burgundy, we all incorporated this color into our choice of clothes, table settings, and food preparation. Many of us even went so far as to paint our fingernails, which explains why we’re all showing off our hands! 

 

One of my favorite summertime pastime is sitting at surf’s edge, waiting for the tide to come in at Sunset Beach in North Carolina. There are many spectacular beaches within three to four hours of Elderberry. I believe Sunset Beach is the most magical place for me on hot summer days!

 

Donna and I spent a day at the Eno Festival, an annual folk and arts festival started in 1980 by the Eno River Association. As we were wandering through the many vendors and booths, we came upon a bubble machine. I loved seeing Donna surrounded by iridescent spheres, and catching her delighted smile!

 

 During this year’s St. Patricks Day Celebrations, Jeff and Anne posed for their photo, inspired by their t-shirt, “Kiss me I’m German”!

 

 One of our many community potluck dinners — so much delicious food to choose from! I’ve been know to eat so much that I take my desserts home for the next day. Oh yes, let me mention, we have another entire table just for desserts!

This past year, the Hive Committee took on the task of reconfiguring how we use different rooms and spaces in the Hive. One of the tasks was to find new tables and chairs that could be easily moved and reconfigured for different events. After much research, a small group of us took a road trip to explore a used chair warehouse about two hours away. Tom (along with Tiki) and I had to literally climb over chairs to investigate anything that looked interesting! 

Repair Cafes happen everywhere. We’re fortunate to have many skilled and talented folks here who offer their experience to help keep broken items out of land fills. I was amused about how many helpers were clustering around this one project!

This past summer several of us visited Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary, in Rougemont. For the past ten years, Alesja and Alex, along with a large team of volunteers, rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals who have been surrendered, abandoned or exploited. Alesja told heartfelt stories about so many of the animals living on this amazing sanctuary. I’ve always been fascinated by pigs, from stories of my dad would tell about growing up poor, and befriending the pig meant to feed the family. So I took some time to make friends with this very large pig!!!

Goodnight happens rain or shine! It’s an opportunity for everyone, including canines, to say hello, and catch up! You never know what topics might be discussed! 

I have a beautiful stretch of woods directly behind my home. I have spent much time tending this little piece of Elderberry. When I first moved in, there was construction debris, poison ivy, greenbriar, honeysuckle, as well as trash from the old homestead (long before we had the luxury of weekly trash pick up, country folks would simply create piles of trash in the woods near their homes). I have loved watching the seasons change, and the bird life that comes to my bird baths outside my window. It seem every home at Elderberry has some unique setting, and probably everyone might feel their location is the best!

 

Solstice is a yearly event, established years ago by Vonda and Cecil when they lived in their old farmhouse at Potluck Community Farm just across the field behind our homes. A cooking party, usually with an ethic theme, is prepared with several courses, designed to keep the revelers awake throughout the night to greet the sun. Luminaries are set out along the paths to welcome everyone! For years, this was my favorite party, when I could stay awake past midnight. Now I attend for a time, leave early to watch the huge bonfire, and head back home to bed at a “reasonable”hour!