Sunday, January 29, 2017

Samson and Me


Me: Samson, you're turning into a couch potato.


Samson: What about you? You're here too, aren't you?


Me: What are you doing? You're not gonna kiss me, are you?


Samson: No, just getting ready to sing you a song.


Me: That's a very pretty song, thank you, my boy.


Samson: It was a love song, mommy, cause I love you so very much, my heart sings. Except of course I wish you would have brushed off all the dirt before you took my picture. Now I look like I have a brown chest and my beautiful silvertipped fur is hiding under there for no one to see......











Thursday, January 26, 2017

And The Creek Did Rise



The snow-clad mountain to the right is an old vulcano called Cache Peak and a creek named after it meanders through our properties (if a dry creek can meander, not sure about that).


It goes under the short road that takes me and my neighbor, to the main road in the canyon and our mail boxes. 


I haven't seen any water in this creek since the winter of 2011. Usually, it's just a dry creek bed and look at it now. A small waterfall is created as it goes under the road and comes out the other side.


After I took the pictures, I just stood there and listened to the water as it flowed. "Porlande vatten" it's called in Swedish. (I love it when a not often thought of word from my native tongue comes to mind. It may well have been 50 years since I last thought of that expression.) I couldn't think of the English translation, so I googled it: "Rippling water" comes closest.


I stood there and it was lovely, the sound of the water, sunshine, and snow in the mountains. Moments like that and you know life is good.


I have a night visitor. Actually, I have many but most of them stay under the northern eaves. This must be the early bird, because it stays to the east, where it gets awakened early by the dogs being let out. All puffed up in the cold, it is absolutely adorable.





Tuesday, January 24, 2017

A Cold Winter Morning


I was very tired this morning after a strange night of interrupted sleep, something that rarely happens to me. 


After a day of snow, sleet, and rain it got cold overnight and the last of the snow stuck to the ground. This morning, as the sun rose through the clouds, painted the sky and spread glitter across the snow, I knew I had to take the dogs for a walk.


At the end of our walk, the sun had not yet broken through the clouds, creating a weak light that reminded me of the special Nordic winter light that I grew up with. Of course I hurried into the house and grabbed the camera.


It took but a minute, but when I came back outside the special light was gone, the sun had escaped the clouds and was shining California bright again. I took the last two pictures, went back inside and back to bed. Where I stayed and read and napped until now.

It was a special morning, one where I did more than I thought I wanted to do. And so glad for it.






Saturday, January 21, 2017

We Are Still OK


I've just been feeling a bit down for the past couple of months. 


Part of the grieving process, I imagine, because it isn't like me. Not for that long. Then the new year arrived and I decided it was time for me to find my way back to joy, so I set to work on myself and now I'm feeling much better.


Samson says: Good mommy, and don't forget you always have us. Me and that little thing, look at her out in the wilderness:


Yes, Samson, she's so small and running so fast all over the place. But she's both cautious and fierce, so I let her run, knowing she's having the best life.


My second eye surgery went well, but I have a slight inflammation in that eye, the left eye. It doesn't affect my vision, but I have to continue with the eye drops until the end of this month, then be checked by the local doctor here. Hopefully, I will be fine. 


For the second year in a row, we had a white Christmas here in our mountains. Since then it has rained and snowed a lot in California, and I believe that by now we are out of the long drought. 


I'm so in love with this little girl. 


It snowed yesterday and last night so we went out early and played in it. Snow melts almost immediately here at 4000 feet, creating a huge mess on my road to the main road. Fortunately that road is not long, about an 8th of a mile, I think. But when it's part lake, part muddy mess, it's no fun. 


We play in the snow while we can, 


then we come in and snuggle on the couch. 


Mary made this barn quilt for me for Christmas and I treasure it. I put it on the wood wall to the side of my fireplace and it cheers up a dark corner there. The colors are blue and yellow, not as dark as in the picture. 


Finally, thank you my friends for your emails, cards, and comments. I feel bad that you were wondering how I was doing and I may not have replied. I want to wish you all a very happy new year and I will stay in touch. 






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