Winter Topographix and a Cool Fort

One of my favorite things about this time of year, this time of weather, is these ice formations.
The thin skin of ice which has formed over flowing water, or water which underneath is still unfrozen, makes the most wonderful designs. An added plus is the sound it makes when you pop it. Almost as much fun as popping down those little "button" things on drink cup lids which mark what is inside...or bubble wrap.

Lux and I just returned from a 2 hour stomp around the neighborhood. Coffee in hand, and apparently on coat and on mittens (slippy roads today) we stormed the area in search of squirrels and crows. There was a mighty stare-down with a huge crow which had a slice of pizza in it's craw. Crow won. Ah, the limitations of a leash.

We also found this really cool "fort". Last night, around dusk, we were strolling this part of the neighborhood and saw this group of about 4 boys, seeming to be around 9-11 years old, and they were busy building this, weaving in the pine boughs and arranging things. I told them how incredibly cool their fort was, and they looked at me as if to say "Stupid Lady, you are not supposed to see this..." I think they perhaps thought they were invisible or something, cause the fort is right on the side of a fence on the road, but I nodded and walked away, taking note to visit this morning and see what they managed to create.

I was really very impressed. They did a great job of making a shelter. With any luck they will be able to hide this from their younger sisters, cause those girls would TOTALLY take the Barbies out there, with tea cups and cookies and ruin the whole testosterone laden effect of Survivor Man. Here in the suburbs, kids still show mad skillz in Nature Play. Made me smile the whole walk home.