Saturday, December 18, 2010

Early Winter at Lake Ontario

I crashed mentally yesterday.  All the stress of the last weeks at the track, then the sudden letdown, made me feel kind of lost.  So, I decided I had to get out of my funk, and I took myself down to the lake.  I had just gotten some new L. L. Bean boots for winter, and I wanted to try them out.  They worked wonderfully, and kept my feet warm and cozy all the time I was tromping through the snow.  Aren't they spiffy?
The lake just plain looked cold as I walked towards it.

I had a bit of a spill on the way down the incline.  I guess I was too confident with my new boots on, and I slipped on some ice and fell, right on my keester.  First thing I did was look around to see if anyone had seen me.  Not a soul in sight, good!  Now to get up.  There was a bench about ten feet away from me, but I didn't want to crawl over there to use it, if I didn't have to.  So, I got on my hands and knees and kind of inchwormed my way up.  I'm glad no one was around, because I must have been a sight, but, I did it!  All that was left of my fall was the spot in the snow.
Yup, that's pretty icy under there.
The original plan had been to walk out on the pier.  A good close look, however, told me that wouldn't be the best of ideas.

Smart decision, don't you think?
I wasn't totally alone, by the way.  Much to my surprise, the Mallard ducks were still there.  I don't know why, and I told them in no uncertain terms to get themselves South.  They paid absolutely no attention to me.


My teeth are chattering just looking at them.  How can they stand to be in that cold water so long?  I would think their little feet would be frozen stiff.  Heck, the water was so cold it had "ice cubes" floating in it.
Luckily, I'm smarter than the average duck, and I decided, after my nose started to chill, that it was time for me to leave.  Up the hill I went, back to the car with its nice warm heater.
That walk did the trick, though.  I felt much less mopey and lost, after I got myself out doing something.

17 comments:

Lori Skoog said...

That pier is pretty dramatic! No way, would I venture out there. I like your new header...tis the season for such things.

Tina said...

Wow that sure looks cold to me...I bet you got home and had something nice and hot and comforting to drink...I just love this weather even so I am not much for cold lol.

GLORIA'S STORY said...

That last picture on your blog of the hill is just beautiful to look at, so peaceful and I bet quite. I really like that picture.

Sharon said...

All the walking you have been doing has strengthened your legs, making it possible for you to get up! Me - I gotta crawl. If someone had seen you take a spill, I wonder what they would do? Help you up, ask if you were ok, or laugh?

Good idea, not going out on that scary looking pier, they could be dragging out a body.... next Spring. Do you ever tell anyone, when you are going for a walk?

Glad your mood is going up!

TexWisGirl said...

Wow! That's a lot of ice! And snow! And cold!! Glad your spill was only self-embarrassing and not more hurtful for pride or body! :)

Judith said...

A good brisk walk in the fresh air is an excellent mood-lifter. Especially in winter - it's so nice when you get home again! Cool boots! I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself when you landed on your butt.

Inger said...

I just read the last three posts that I had missed. That squirrel among the birds is wonderful, your cats are so adorable, and I envy you the walk in the cold snow. I also love your new header photo. The snow looks like a small animal sitting on a branch. Here it is raining, and raining, and supposed to rain through Wednesday. Wonder if I will have anything left of my road.--Inger

Jim said...

Louise, you MUST get those spikey things that wrap over and under your boots! We never know where that ice is under that thin layer of snow.
Wonderful place to see....Lake Ontario. You are so fortunate to have it nearby.
Great photos too! I always feel that I am right there with you.
Jim

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Along with a busy week, and problems with blogger, (that I still don't have sorted out) I've not been able to stop by and read your posts--You have certainly had your fill of snow! Your pictures today remind me of when my husband and I used to go up to Manitowoc Wisconsin in the winter and look at Lake Michigan--It was brutally cold, but amazing to see at the same time. You've got nice boots for this year and next year and the year after!! :-)) Enjoy your weekend, and your birds too--I forgot to fill the feeders yesterday, but I think the extra food today made up for it!

Upupaepops said...

yak trax, you need some Yak Trax to go with your new boots


Did you see the picture on the web , yesterday , of the lighthouse on Lake Erie frosted like a chrsitmas fantasy in ICEing?

My Mind's Eye said...

Hi Louise....
First things first....LOVE THE BOOTS...I'm a shoe freak anyway...
Oh my stars I'm so sorry you slipped but so glad you are ok...I expect you had on enough layers of clothes to mostly protect you....that being said....I'm sorry but I was LOL at the image of you looking to see who saw you and of you trying to get to the bench. Thanks for the smiles you know when we can no longer laugh at ourselves we are in sad shape!!! Well done. Gorgeous pictures too!!!
Hugs Madi and Mom (Cecilia)

Terry said...

Holy Cow! Very dramatic photos of the pier, I love them! Glad you weren't hurt when you took a spill.

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

W.O.W!!!!!! That pier looked incredible! And scary! Good thing you didn't try out THAT adventure! Eeek!
Sure was pretty out there, though. I never hike in the snow without my trekking poles anymore. My luck, if I fell, I'd break something. Too risky.
Nice boots.
Silly ducks. Amazing that they can be so well insulated against the cold. And I have no idea how their feet don't freeze solid. They have to have blood vessels in their feet, right? But how can they keep blood traveling to their feet and back to their hearts safely? Ducks....a wonder of nature!

~Lisa

Sandra said...

After a fall, I would also always check if anyone saw me first, and just after knowing it didn't I would check for "damages". If somebody did see me I would have gotten up much sooner than if there was nobody there:)

That pier looks almost menacing. Still very beautiful though.

Louise said...

The stupidest thing, Lisa, is that I just got new trekking poles. They were still in the box when I went out of the door. They're not any more, however. They're all set up and waiting for me, the next time I head out.

barefootheart said...

Wow, the lake looks cooooold! I'm glad your slip wasn't too serious. Take care.

Anonymous said...

I keep telling my Irish friends that they do NOT know cold!!! But, of course, you are prepared for it, they are definitely NOT! Thanks for the blog, Gaye!! Cheers, Di