Sidetracked Charley

With or without our approval changes will come into our lives. As humans we generally do not much like change. We buy houses, establish institutions, go to endless reunions, all to hold on to some stability. But our friends move, some die, houses burn down, pets cross the rainbow bridge before their time. I named this blog when I began it, Sidetracked Charley, because I felt derailed, shoved and forgotten on some side track or lost in a nameless train yard in Elkins, West Virginia. There is a train station there which became famous for the hundreds of lost cars stockpiled there and forgotten. I used to wonder if they would miss a caboose. Then I would plot how I would get it across the country without anyone noticing. They had not noticed it was missing. Sometimes I think where I live is like that Elkins, West Virginia train yard. We are not on our way to any specific destination so who will miss us if we do not show up. We know all the cars around us (except during tourist sea

It really isn't winter. Not winter like the northeast US is having. Not winter like 2006 (but it was a once in 70 year winter). Not the winter it looked like it was going to be in November with 18 inches at one time. January thaw started in December and continues in spite of a small snow yesterday. It was the type of snow I like - here today and gone tomorrow. And more on the mountain than here in the valley. A pretty snow. I confess to rather liking winter. Especially now with the big 4x4 pickup. All my annoying fair weather friends are gone. And with the caller ID I can avoid them calling from Florida to check on the weather. This year they are wasting their money. I have not been snowed in for real once. So I dedicated myself to getting out and about with the camera at least once a week or so. First it was Coyote Creek in search of ice. Found some ice. But mainly just clear blue water. Should have bought the fly rod instead of the camera. Was definitely over dres