“One doesn’t stop seeing. One doesn’t stop framing. It doesn’t turn off and turn on. It’s on all the time.” — Annie Leibovitz

Thank you for all the new views and likes from last week, it helps keep me inspired.

Sunday, 01/11/2026: Posted photo — Christmas Flowers.

Christmas flowers like the Poinsettia symbolize good cheer, purity, luck, and magic. The colors of the flower are traditionally white and red. The colors and meanings of the flowers are based on Christian tradition or ancient folklore.

This arrangement was in front of the altar in our church. The arrangement was still there since today the last day of the Christmas season. It is also the first Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Monday, 01/12/2026: Posted photo — Polar Express.

Wachusett Mountain ski area finally opened its new Polar Express detachable high-speed six-pack lift. The lift replaced the ski area’s 30 year-old Polar Express Quad. It has been open for a few weeks now and every time that I have hiked past it, it seems to be stopped. Last night it stopped for a few minutes with some skiers just feet from the exit at the summit. Maybe it is still breaking in or maybe it is a safety feature for people getting on the lift at the base. I do not wish to speculate.

The Polar Express is named after Polar Beverages in Worcester. The family that runs the ski area also owns Polar Beverages. I know of the family since one of their sons was a year ahead of me in high school many years ago. As I grew up in Worcester, we would go to the factory and get the glass bottles that were mislabeled. With six brothers, my family had to look for bargains any place it could. We would go there weekly, return the old bottles, and they get our new supplies. I liked their birch beer, grapefruit dry, orange dry, and ginger ale. I still purchase these flavors today because they remind me of my childhood.

Tuesday, 01/13/2026: Posted photo — Abstract.

It has been a while since I last took an abstract photo. This is something that I saw when shopping tonight. Does anyone know what it is?

Wednesday, 01/14/2026: Posted photo — Napkin Pattern.

A few years ago, we stopped using paper napkins at our house. My wife made cloth napkins out of different scrap fabrics. We have different size napkins, depending on their intended use. I like some fabric more than others based on the way they feel and the efficiency of cleaning up. This is one of the patterns.

Thursday, 01/15/2026: Posted photo — Hot Coals.

It will be a chilly night. The temperatures are expected to be in the low teens, about 15 degrees F cooler than today. We have a good base of coal in our wood stove. When I saw the coals and took this photo, I thought about sharing the color of fire.

Typical Fire Colors and Temperatures:

• Red: Cooler, around 1000°F (540°C).
• Orange: Hotter, around 2000°F (1090°C).
• Yellow/White: Very hot, nearing 2700°F (1500°C) and above, where white is dazzling and hottest.
• Blue: The hottest, seen in efficient flames like gas stoves (3000°F+ / 1650°C+) where complete combustion occurs.

Friday, 01/16/2026: Post photo — Boiling Water.

We have an electric kettle for boiling water. When the water is heating up, blue LED lights are on making the boiling water look interesting. I was boiling water this morning for my oatmeal and took a photo of the boiling water just in case I do not have time to take a usable photo later in the day.

Saturday, 01/17/2026: Post photo — New Fresh Snow.

Snow is falling today. Most of the previous snow has melted and it is great to see the ground and the trees covered in snow again this winter.

Today’s snow is giving me inspiration to post a local winter hike. It has been a few years since I led a local winter hike for the AMC. I do lead a hike every Monday, year-round, so I do lead winter hikes. Local hikes are offered in Massachusetts, that are 8 miles or less in length and a total elevation gain not to exceed 1,000 feet. Winter hikes are hikes in the time between December 1 and March 31.

I have led an up-country winter hike already this season. Up-country hikes are defined as hikes offered within the state of Massachusetts that are over 8 miles in length or over 1000 feet of elevation gain or any hike offered outside the state of Massachusetts

That is all for now. Until next week, be safe.

“Sumens imagines consolateur et inspirat me. Pulchritudinem mundi video per camera mean.”

“Quod scripsi, scripsi. Ingeniarius sum, non scriptor.”

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