This time of year is very hard on me. Even though this winter hasn't been as cold, the lack of sunlight drags me down.

Today, however, I decided to do something about it. I found a new place to walk the dog.

Maggie and I usually walk around the neighborhood. She checks her pee mail and I huff and puff, plump thing that I am. Today though, I decided to check out a forest preserve down the road and go for a nature walk.

Now, I love the woods, but around here, they aren't like the forests back in Alabama, so I didn't have anything to do with them. The trees are shorter and there are no tall southern pines. Actually, there aren't many northern firs around here either, so no greenery in these woods in the winter.

But there were deer.

Maggie and I saw them as we entered the woods. Their heads popped up from behind a rise and they watched us come slowly closer. Finally, they grew alarmed and bounded away with their white tails flashing in the winter woods.

We saw raccoon tracks frozen in the mud of the trail. Maggie sniffed for squirrels. All in all, it was a nice idea. I feel stupid that I haven't tried it before. Walking in those woods was exactly what I needed to get out of my funk.

And, boy did I need it! I haven't felt like blogging or writing in general for a long time and that's not me. Sorry, I have been away so long. I plan on writing regular from here on out.

Last night I made some more slide shows and posted them on YouTube. If you're interested, go check them out.

Smoky Mountains - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5HWhYOxp9I

South Carolina Sunset - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBlGN1EQW9g

Hunting Island Beach, SC - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNRf_2EgmOw

Charleston Harbor/Fort Sumter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW7GxFb5gXc