My good boy woke came over to get me up at 6:15! Perhaps it's the cooling blanket I added to his bed? He loves it! My pup thinks the wealth of sunshine that pours in during the day is... excessive. The place really heats up unless I open the window or draw the shade. Yesterday I did both and still, it was pleasantly warm for me and probably toasty hot for Henry.
I alternate our morning walk some. Today we go back to the field with the taller grasses.
I was in it for the pretty sunrise colors in the sky. He was in it for the underground critter traffic.
Oh, Henry!
(what, this is what dogs do...)
Breakfast. I listen to NPR stories, including one about fake Christmas trees. Normally I would tune out -- I am such a fan of live ones! But this year I learned that the Edge does not permit real trees. Fire hazard? Mess created in the hallways? I don't really know. So I immediately went on line and purchased a fake one. They were on a good sale back in October. And it appears that this was a wise move, because we are to have a shortage of fake trees this year. Tariffs. The news person asked -- why can't we make fake trees in this country? I'm curious as well. Doesn't seem like rocket science. And I learned that actually most of our fake trees have always been made abroad, because no company here wants to undertake the project. Apparently it's intricate work making up those branches. And recently, people want ones with built in lights. (Not me: I'm not spending $100 more for prestrung branches.) No way are we going to do that here -- says the CEO of a major tree selling company. Bottom line -- they are more expensive this year and there wont be enough to meet the demand, so if you want one, the suggestion is to buy now.
It's obvious that Henry will need a good frolic today. It's much cooler, barely above freezing, but there is plenty of sunshine. I should take him to Prairie Moraine -- the penultimate dog park. I briefly contemplate going for a walk and to the dog park near the farmette, but I'd be stopping at the farmette then (to pick up Ed) and I don't relish pulling Henry back from trying to chase the chickens. Are these hens like squirrels, forever an irresistible temptation? At some point I'll have to address this, but not today. [I watch several YouTube videos on how to deal with a dog who wants to chase chickens. In one, the dog owner trains her pooch to be around chickens, daily, repeatedly, until the dog is bored with the whole thing and learns to look elsewhere for excitement. That can't happen with Henry: our chickens run away at the sight of him. Nor is he at the farmette often enough to get "bored" with the whole chicken caboodle. In another video, the dog actually likes to catch and kill chickens. Is that Henry?? I hope not, but honestly, I can't be sure. Desensitizing seems not to have been the answer for that dog. The owner followed someone's advice and tied a dead chicken to the dog's collar for a few hours. Apparently, that did the trick. The dog never killed a chicken again. Let's see if you can guess why I wont be following that suggestion!]
So, Prairie Morraine it is.
( I can run with abandon??)
(are you coming already??)
(such blue skies...)
(one last romp)
Of course, it's not the only big walk/run for my boy today. Later in the day, just before sunset, I take him to Penni Klein dog park near me. For that last good run, with others, alone.
This is the good side of early sunsets -- you get to witness them as you walk your dog in the late afternoon.
(my beautiful Henry: I know it's what's in the heart that counts, and you've got that covered, but still, to me, you are stunning1)
In the evening, we are doing another family dinner -- I cook at the Edge, but then take the food over to my daughter's house. The dogs play, the kids play, I keep an eye on it all, as well as on the food. The photos are of the kind you take mindlessly, quickly. Kids, building with dominoes, riding a dog...
And eventually we eat...
I sit across the table from my daughter and I think to myself -- this is what family joy looks like. Kids, dogs, and happy faces, all around me.
Henry and I don't linger very long. It's a school night, and besides, I'm trying hard to get to bed at a ridiculously early hour. It worked last night!
with so much love...
