The natural world, life, and dogs.
Autumn Leaves It is officially autumn in the northern hemisphere. Lately, running or walking with my dogs through the neighbors’ fields and woods, I find my eyes most drawn to the red leaves of the maple trees. Orange leaves are nice; yellow leaves are okay with the promise of becoming orange, maybe even red. The… Continue reading Seeing Red
In the Northern Hemisphere, March 20th was the spring equinox, the first day of spring. It's also referred to as the vernal equinox, vernal meaning fresh, new. It may have been the first day of spring on the calendar. But not so much where I live, in Vermont. It's still snowing every few days, although… Continue reading Spring Equinox
Finn barks when asking to come inside. Conall carefully clicks a toenail on the glass. That fundamental characteristic of Alaskan Malamutes – their quietness – is why I love them. They are sensitive to noise. They're keen listeners, hearing and interpreting the most subtle sounds. I’ve learned to listen through them, paying attention when they… Continue reading Do Nothing but Listen
If you have a dog, or have simply watched one drink from a bowl, stream or lake, you know how messy that process is. Dogs quickly plunge their tongue into the water and then pull it back up into their mouth, repeatedly, slurping some water with each flick before eventually swallowing. Depending on the dog,… Continue reading Dogs and Fluid Dynamics
It's that time of year again! Wildflower photo bloopers. While my dogs and I are out running or hiking in the forest, I enjoy taking photos of wildflowers and vistas. Conall and Finn patiently wait for me, usually following their noses nearby until I'm ready to start moving again. Most of my photos take mere… Continue reading Dog Photobombs IX – April – May 2021
Selling a house. While attempting to buy a house on the other side of the country before said sale is closed. Stressful! Coordinating the timing of both transactions so that I - and my dogs - don't end up homeless. Hugely stressful! It's crunch time, juggling closing on my sale while searching for something to… Continue reading Stress Buster: Wildflowers
I love the gentle surprises the forest offers me when I'm paying attention. Even better when it's one of my dogs that alerts me to the surprise. When I see something new, unusual, and/or intriguing, I take photos or record video/audio if I can, and back home, start researching to learn more. A couple days… Continue reading A Dusky Grouse Encounter
The morning of May 12th I awoke to the smell of smoke in the air, that pleasant sitting-around-a-campfire smell. At daybreak, I could also see it, hovering over the ground like a thin, dirty-white veil, wrapping my house and everything on the valley slope as it slowly rose to meet the forest. The feature photo… Continue reading Spring in the Forest: Blooms and Burns
My house was listed for sale on Tuesday morning. By Friday afternoon I had accepted an offer. It's enough to make one's head spin. In a good way. The sale is pending. There are a couple of hurdles to be jumped before closing, typical to most home sales (inspection and appraisal). I don't anticipate any… Continue reading Stress and Money
I continue pursuing emerging wildflowers as spring progresses in Idaho's mountains. I'm obsessed. I dream of a quiet man who explains nothing and defends nothing, but only knows where the rarest wildflowers are blooming, and who goes, and finds that he is smiling not by his own will.Wendell Berry A friend, Karen S, recently recommended… Continue reading Point of View
Wild Sensibility 