Various Photos

Virginia trumpet vine

Tessa, one of my clients

Storm front

Northern gannets

Apple Valley Bridge across the Big Thompson River

A couple of puppy clients

Abert's squirrel in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rosie, Tipsi, and the US Government

Let's see....  Rosie is doing much better since her Tuesday morning incident.  The carpet cleaners were at the house most of yesterday afternoon to remove stains.  She astounded me yesterday by walking, on her own, from the back gate to the far corner of the yard, then she wandered around a bit taking in the scents.  After a short rest in the sun, she got up by herself and played "safari" in the spruce boughs for ten minutes, then walked around the garden.  After another rest, she walked back to the gate; I had to turn her around and guide her back to the open area of the yard, but she walked without my assistance.  When it was time to leave, she was only a few feet from the car when her hind legs gave out again.  But she walked inside her house, drank water and then went to her bed.
   Last night, she ate a whole chopped chicken breast that I cooked for her, and she got up and drank water several times without assistance.  We went out back and she cruised around her back yard three times during the two hours I spent with her.  It made me feel good, even though I realize that she is nearing the end of her life cycle...
   I visited Tipsi this morning, and took in the mail from yesterday, as well as today's newspapers.  By the time I had emptied a small can of food in his dish, it was almost gone... and then he attacked the bowl of dry kibble I was putting out.  One would think he hadn't eaten in days - and not since yesterday afternoon.  And I know his Momma hid dry nibbles all over the house for him to find....
   I can't say that I was surprised that Attorney General Jeff Sessions has recused himself from any investigations into contacts between "45", his staff, and Russia.   He needs to resign, however.   -  And, after all the fuss over Hillary Clinton and her e-mails, it's very funny that Governor Michael Pence of Indiana (now the Vice President) used an open, un-secure AOL mail address and server while he was serving as the leader of his state....   Can anyone say "double standard?"

Scrap Metal Sculpture

Nature With Rosie

Rosie and I had a "nature day" this past Friday.  Just a quick reminder that Rosie is an elderly Irish Setter, who, at 14 + years, has out-lived her brother, her parents, and, as of last week, all four of her puppies.  Rosie has problems walking these days - her hind legs have no feeling, thanks to a compressed spinal cord, but once she gets her feet under her, she can keep walking for miles.  But - her left hind paw turns over as she walks, and she scrapes her toes raw, so we avoid walking her on asphalt and concrete surfaces these days.
   Friday, it had gotten a little warmer after snowing, and the roads and sidewalks were snow-packed, so we walked to my sister's instead of driving.  Her toes just slipped on the snow-pack, and didn't abrade, so we footed it.  The amount of small wildlife we saw was amazing.  Several bunnies were along the Garnet spur, and they all went dashing into burrows under a huge juniper bush.  Rosie had to spend a lot of time investigating each and every path.  When we turned onto Topaz, several squirrels chittered at us from one of Bernie's cottonwoods.  As we approached the next home, we were greeted by an eight-point buck and six does.  Rosie whined, but sat quietly and we watched them cross the street in front of us.  We passed lots of small birds singing in the trees, and saw tracks of squirrels, a raccoon, and other dogs in the snow.
   When we reached my sister's home, we went in by the Creek gate, and I took the leash off Rosie's harness.   Her first item of business was following the trail of a single deer that had jumped the gate, and then gone diagonally across the back yard.  The only areas clear of snow were right up against the line of firs trees along the irrigation ditch, so I set my chair up there.  Rosie began playing "safari" - looking for lions and tigers and bears (oh, my!) under the drooping boughs,  She spent about ten minutes doing her reconnaissance mission, and then felt it was safe enough to go wallow in a deep snow drift.  After several back-scratching rolls and wiggles, she heaved a deep sigh, and came back beside me.   She chose a sunny spot on the grass, and stretched out to absorb the sun's rays.
   I sat in the chair and watched the sky, listened to birds, and thought about how nice my life is.  (I was also hoping that it would stay this nice...)  Looking at the sky, I noticed that the lowers clouds were racing from the west to the east, and I watched a jet's contrail get twisted into a double helix before it was totally blown away and apart.  The higher, larger clouds were slowing moving to the northeast, and formed a darker backdrop for the lower, faster clouds.
   I then noticed there were very few birds singing in the back yard, so I started scanning the boles of the firs.  The fifth one I gazed at had a pair of great horned owls, a male and a larger female, near the top branches.  On the other side of the yard, there was the usual gaggle of chickadees, sparrows, juncos, robins, and one rufous-sided towhee.  Then a murder of crows flew over, followed by a few magpies...  All in all, the normal sightings in the Githens Acres neighborhood.
   Rosie and I walked back quietly - she was a little tired, and (I think) starting to get chilly.  I kept on thinking about all of the creatures that I had been allowed to view.  Got Rosie home, and she immediately curled up in her bed, so I threw her coverlet over her.  Then I stepped back out the front door and had a squirrel greet me.  Creatures in life are nice.

TV, Books and Rosie

I finished watching another episode of Gotham...  the latest episodes are much better than the first two of this season, but I still don't like the reporter, Valerie Vale.  Benedict Samuel was perfectly cast as Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter; and I am truly enjoying his performances.  Poor Penguin!  Finally deciding that he loves Ed Nygma, and then Ed meets a doppelganger of Kris Kringle - Penguin will be crushed, I'm sure...
   Also enjoying The Blacklist this season.  I want to know what happens to Mr Kaplan, since she is chained to the foot of her iron bedframe...  And I just wish they'd find Agnes and get her back to Elizabeth, so other stories will continue...  I have to admit that I don't care who Elizabeth's father really is - Red or Kirk.  I absolutely love James Spader, but the rest of the characters, other than Dembe, are becoming a real drag.
   Just finished reading Boar Island, Winter's Child, and The Obsidian Chamber.  Have started on The Legacy of Gird, then have three more Eight Kingdoms novels ready.  After that, I'll need to visit the library again.  -  I've lived at this address for over a year now, and have received books from every club that I'm a member of.  I was, therefore, quite surprised that my last order was, somehow, sent to my previous address.  I received confirmation that it was delivered, and declared it missing; then actually looked and saw that it had been dropped off at my old address.  Of course the new tenant and the management claim to have never seen the package of books.  I'll have to order them again, and pay for them again, since they were to be Christmas presents...   I can't believe that I was so stupid as to not be certain that my shipping address was correct.  Now I double-check it each time I order anything.
   And I move in with Rosie on Wednesday...  We'll have a blast together, and I'll make certain she's comfortable and happy...   She's such a wonderful girl.

Critters and Rosie

I wish I could take a really good photo of the new moon and evening star hanging over Mount Sanitas right now...  The sky is shades of blue with the black silhouette of the mountain below it, and a few small puffy grey clouds just above the ridge.  It's gorgeous.
   Our temperature got up to 78 degrees this afternoon, but a slight breeze that began at 11 this morning turned into a good wind this afternoon.  It blew all of our balcony furniture over, and one of the glass pendants on one of the wind chimes was broken while beating against the balcony railing.  It was so gusty outside that Nedi went outside, but stayed for less than 60 seconds before heading back in.  The weather this morning was fantastic - wore shorts and a T shirt while out walking Rosie  - and was extremely comfortable.  The cottontail rabbits were chasing each other in weaving patterns from one side of the street to the other, and back again.  I saw more than two dozen of the little critters this morning on my way to Rosie's house from the bus stop.
  Once Rosie and I arrived in my sister's acre-sized back yard we saw even more rabbits, and frightened a young buck away from the apple tree closest to the patio.  There were a few butterflies in the yard, and lots of small birds and squirrels darting about.  Abruptly all the small birds fell silent, as a jay started a warning call.  The squirrels flattened against the tree trunks.  Suddenly there was a great deal of crashing sounds in the top of one of the cottonwoods - I looked up to see a pair of red tailed hawks "playing" in the tree tops and over the back yard.  It was such fun to watch!  One hawk landed on the smallest, top-most branch of one of the fir trees.  The hawk was so large, and the twig so small, that the hawk had to keep adjusting its wings to the bobbing motion of the branch.  And, it seemed to me, that as that bird was concentrating on keeping its balance, the second one deliberately flew into it, chest to chest.  The bird on the branch fell backwards and had to do a loop-the-loop to get securely upright in the air.  It seemed as if I was watching two brother fledglings trying to out-perform the other.  After a 30 minute acrobatic air performance, they left the area, as a flock of magpies came in, screeching and clucking.  The magpies "talked" in low murmurs most of the time, and the other small birds returned to the area.  A few minutes later, the squirrels were all out, chattering to each other...  It seemed magical.  By that time, Rosie was ready to go have her brunch, so we headed back to her house for her meatballs and chicken breast.

Finn

I begin taking care of Finn today, and I'm eager to see what's happening with the boy.  He's a "Golden-Doodle", being a cross between a Golden Retriever and a standard Poodle.  I've taken care of him since he was four months old, and I've watched him grow and mature over the years.  His owners think of him as a clown - and he can be very funny.  I guess I'm weird in that I give him choices of toys and things to do, and it's interesting to watch him think things over and make a decision.  But, now I have a "new" Finn to deal with.
   His owners called me, very upset, because he was involved in an accident.  The vet had to remove five vertebrae from the end of Finn's tail after the accident.  Finn has a food allergy, but otherwise, he's never been ill, sick, or hurt (I'm pretty sure he doesn't remember his neuter).  Finn has always been very out-going and personable, eager to go on walks and out for a drive in the car.  He does patrol his yard, though, and barks ferociously at squirrels and deer on the other side of the fence.   This morning, I was told that, since his accident, his personality has changed.  He doesn't want to go out into the yard without company, and, on walks, once he has relieved himself, he wants to go back home.
   The vet doesn't want him to over-do it, physically, and I can understand why.  I'll take Finn to a follow-up check-up on Thursday at 1:30, and will then relay all information to his owners.  With his tail not yet healed, I can't take him to visit Tessa, because he loves/loved to jump into the koi pond.  Maybe I can take him to visit Rosie and also go over to Kathy and Jim's back yard with him.  Poor boy!  I want to help him regain confidence, and his swagger, again!

Vintage Illustrations

Carousel Animals, Old & New - Photos

Stuff

I was looking at the mountains as I walked back to my apartment this morning, and I realized that I haven't seen the Indian Peaks in a couple of weeks.  I could easily see Boulder's peaks and the Flatirons, I could see Sugarloaf with it's cover of snow, and I could see Mount Audubon - but nothing further away.  There was/is a huge cloud bank a little farther west, which obscured the view.  It was warm yesterday, and the snow has partially melted from the back yard.  The grass looks pretty scruffy, with small tufts sticking up here and there through snow, and a few bare patches.  We might get some rain or snow this afternoon, but then we're supposed to be in the 60s Monday and Tuesday.  That will be very welcome!  I know my kits will be happy to be able to dig in the dirt for a few days - they prefer to use the bathroom outside, but if there's snow on the ground, or the ground is frozen, they hurry back inside to the litter boxes.
  I was all ready for the first Grand Jury meeting last night - it was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and they had said they'd have food and drinks available for us.  Since my food allergies are so weird, I delayed my breakfast and lunch, hoping I wouldn't feel like I was starving by the time we were dismissed.  I also re-read the 60-plus page booklet of instructions.  I took some trash out to the dumpster yesterday afternoon, and I then checked my e-mail - it was 3:30.  There was a message from the court, in screaming caps, that the meeting was cancelled. I responded that I had received the e-mail, and asked if the meetings were frequently cancelled on such short notice.  The reply was, "Yes. Check your e-mails frequently."   I really dislike planning for something and having it cancelled at the last minute...
   My sister Kathy is having her third chemo-therapy treatment today.  Almost all of her hair has fallen out at this point in time, but she's still presenting a sunny, smiling face.  Her biggest complaint is that she has no energy, and she has always been a busy, busy lady.  Not being able to do things is the only item that makes her blue.
   And the "vicious dog" story is still going full strength in Githens Acres.  I have removed myself from the tumult.  The person who has the dog on her property caused a fire storm yesterday by sending out an e-mail that made very little sense, and that ended with her telling people that if they want to walk their dogs on the easement (which she still calls her driveway) and be certain they will be safe, they need to call her and schedule a time.  That has not been taken well...

Little Kids, Big Love

I laughed until I choked yesterday - and I had a good time doing it.  I took Rosie out for her walk a little later than normal because she had an in-home vet treatment.  We strolled regally around the neighborhood, and ended up at Kathy and Jim's back gate.  We entered, and I removed Rosie's harness and leash, and handed her the orange squeak bone that lives in a tree when she's not there.  We walked over to the patio, where I placed Rosie's gear on the picnic table, and I grabbed my chair.  I saw sudden movement inside the house, through the double sliding glass doors.  I had forgotten that Evie was spending the morning with her grandparents.  Evie had spotted Rosie and me, and came at a run to the back door.
   Evie is 17 months old now, and everything goes into her hands and then her mouth.  Kathy followed Evie over to the door and opened them both by about eight inches.  Rosie, standing 6 inches lower than the house floor, immediately shoved her nose inside in hope of finding an edible offering.  She put her nose in Evie's face.  Evie gently placed her hands on either side of  Rosie's nose, opened her mouth wide, stuck her tongue out, and licked Rosie's nose.  A big, wet, juicy tongue lick...   Now Rosie is a full-grown Irish Setter, and she has a big nose.  Rosie looked at me by rolling her eyes; I managed to say, through snorts of laughter, "You're a very good girl, Rosie."  My sister and I looked at one another and again went into gales of laughter.  Evie, meanwhile, gently released Rosie's nose, wrinkled up her nose and eyes, and started giggling, while bouncing up and down.  Rosie eased slowly backward in retreat, leaving the foolish humans grinning and laughing at one another.
   Then, this morning, as I took Rosie out to the street, we ran into a group of six boys from the Waldorf Pre-School; the boys were aged between three and four, and their male teacher was taking them for a hike through the neighborhood.  The boys immediately stopped and asked if they could pet Rosie; I looked at their teacher, got an affirmative nod, and said, "Sure you can."  They made much of her, and she soaked it up.  Then they asked how old she was, and I said, well, you can see she's got white hair on her nose and around her eyes - and that she was 13 years old.  After a few moments, one of the boys asked me, "Do you have teeth?"  When I said yes, they asked me to show them, so I kept my teeth together and raised my lips up and around my teeth.  Then the kids wanted me to take them out of my mouth.  I told them I couldn't - and finally let one little boy try to wiggle and pull my upper teeth out.  They were impressed that I didn't have "fake teeth".  I told them that mine might be a little ugly, but that they were real...  They were asking their teacher all kinds of questions as they left the yard, after giving Rosie more pats and hugs.

A Pearl

Walking back from the bakery this morning, I saw that Mount Audubon and the Indian Peaks are snow covered again; Sugarloaf, however, is brown and green.  We had a high of 65 degrees yesterday and are expecting a high of 42 today, then 50s through Monday.  Is it really December?
   Last week, a woman stopped at the Great Machipongo Clam Shack in Nassawadox, Virginia; she purchased two bags of Atlantic clams and continued to her family gathering in Pennsylvania.  The family steamed the clams, and the woman who had bought them found something hard in one of the clams she ate.  She spit the pearl out, dried it off and placed it in her purse.  When she returned home, she showed the pearl to her husband, and he did a little research.  The clams purchased in Nassawadox were from an aquaculture company, and were littleneck clams that had been grown in Hog Island Bay.  The woman had paid $15 for each of the two bags of clams that she took to Pennsylvania.  The pearl that she almost ate was 4.5 carats, and was lavender in color.  It is an unusual pearl in that it grew in a clam that was raised by aquaculture, that it's size is so large for such a young clam, and for the iridescent purple color.  That $15 bag of clams returned a pearl that's worth $3,000...

   Rosie is a little better, so I'm off to take her on a slow walk and then to sit with her until the vet arrives to give her an acupuncture and laser treatment.  Tomorrow I'll meet two cats that will be new clients...

Various Photos

View of road from top of Trollstigen Pass in Norway

Catnip?

Huppe fasciee

Chrysanthemum

Latte and herd, Assateague Island, Virginia

Boo Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

I moved to Colorado ten years ago.  I moved in with my sister and brother-in-law until I saved up and moved into my own apartment.  When I arrived, I was greeted by two Samoyeds - Suki and Boo.  Suki had already earned her Champion points in the show ring 4 years previously, and Boo was one of the puppies from her only breeding.  Boo was three and received an invitation to attend the Eukanuba National Show in Tampa, Florida that year.  Suki became ill at age 14 - old age problems - and crossed he Rainbow Bridge.  Boo crossed the Rainbow Bridge at 9:45 this morning, due to liver cancer. She was 13.  Both of these girls were big loves.  They will be missed with great intensity....

Boo     4 July 2014

(Starquest Princess Suki's Peek-a-Boo)

Moms & Babies Photos

Bluejay

Caiman

Giraffe

Dog (huskie)

Cat (tabby)

In Loving Memory - Mozzi and The Skipper

My cousin's family lost their dog, Mozzi, at the beginning of the weekend.  The Skipper, a Maine Coon cat, that I cared for for over 7 years left his family on Monday.  Both pets will be missed by their families, and by me.

Mozzi: completely relaxed, and sharing food with James

 The Skipper makes his presence known...

Animals

Four-week-old liliger cub; Dad is a lion, Mom is a lion-tiger cross

Squirrel monkey in Ecuador

A handsome grulla horse

Rock squirrel in Texas

The owner of this dog says she sees Jesus wearing a robe in this view of her dog's bottom... What do you think?