The natural world, life, and dogs.
When the world is a bit too newsy, and my days too peopley, I head to the mountains and practice some Stoicism, reminding myself: I can’t control external events, only my response to them. Following the dogs, weaving through rock cliffs and trees. My best response? Go outside and absorb the peace and calm of… Continue reading Too Peopley Out There
Several years ago, sharing photos of the rural valley where I live, an acquaintance commented, “It looks…bucolic.” Walking a country road as morning fog lifts. He meant it as a slur. He considers himself cosmopolitan, despite living in…Wyoming. The word bucolic is one I fully embrace, my raison d’etre for moving to Idaho’s mountains fifteen… Continue reading Bucolic
One of the delights of autumn, in addition to the leaves on the deciduous trees and shrubs turning color, is the abundance of bright berries. Like their earlier counterparts, mountain wildflowers, berries on mountain trees and shrubs come in bright colors, tickling not only our eyes but the mouths of the birds, deer, elk and bear who rely upon them as winter approaches.
I have a dog who delights in bouldering. Oxford Dictionary: bouldering (noun) - climbing on large boulders, either for practice or as a sport in its own right. I noticed Conall’s affinity for climbing downed trees and boulders soon after bringing him home as a puppy. I chose Conall and his breeder when she shared… Continue reading Boldly Bouldering
Prepare to follow me down a naturalist’s rabbit hole. Not long after moving to Idaho’s mountains in 2005, I became acquainted with an odd burr that kept attaching to my shoes and socks and to the coats of my two Malamutes when we explored the forest. Local friends told me they were called beggar’s lice.… Continue reading Beggar’s Lice
The plan, starting out, was to run what I call the grand loop, going up one side of the mountain to the summit, dropping off the back side to cruise a sweet three mile stretch of brand-new trail to the other side, then meandering one of two ways back down to the start. Eleven-ish miles… Continue reading Life Skills: Dealing with the Unexpected
I’m in the yard with the dogs, moving a sprinkler and shoveling dog shit over the fence into the field, typical evening chores. Suddenly both boys rush toward the fence at the edge of the yard near the front door, noses to the ground, pouncing. Conall pulls back with that look on his face I’ve… Continue reading Bird Encounters, Part II – July 3-4, 2018
“It’s opener there in the wide, open air.” ~Dr. Seuss July 11, 2016 was an odd and oddly fantastic day for wildlife encounters. The boys and I find fresh snow awaiting us as we start our run on Brundage mountain. Not just a dusting of hail that hasn't melted yet, but snow. Slippery and slushy,… Continue reading Stephen King Deer
The old man walks every day, averaging five or more miles, every season, except when the weather is really bad. He doesn’t walk in the rain. The old man walks in winter of 2017-18, faithful dog at his heels. A little dog – a mini-Aussie – is his steadfast companion. She stays at his heels.… Continue reading An Old Man and His Dog
I spend a lot of time in the forest with just my dogs for companionship. We're out there most mornings, all seasons, for at least an hour, sometimes up to three hours. It's how we begin each day. Sometimes a human friend joins us, but that's rare. A true introvert, I enjoy my solitude and… Continue reading Bored? Hardly.
Wild Sensibility 