We live in the best of two worlds. Mountains surround us, and yet they part right where the sun sets over the distant ocean to present us with an everchanging view such as this.

Life is good. We were driving home the other day and there they were ... 25 bald eagles congregated in the neighbor's trees. Wow! We have two in our own tree that entertain us daily, but to see so many all together is simply fascinationg.

The Trumpeter swans must be getting restless too. There are about a thousand of them wintering close by, and yesterday they seemed to be flying every direction. Against the dark winter sky their white backs are like velvet.