A morning pre-breakfast walk with Millie: if you enjoy the light, the quiet, the freshness of an early stroll, then today's Millie walk is near perfect. Cool but not cold. Weekend peace. The smell of spring. I almost always take Millie to an empty lot just two blocks west of us. It's grassy and offers plenty of sniffing opportunities. She likes it and I do too. We circle it, crisscrossing the field until she is satisfied.
Well, this is what we did in the past. Since last night, the field is off limits. We have been fiercely warned to stay off. Why? For whatever reason, it is now the home of a family of Killdeer birds. Two adults and at least four or five baby birds, darting back and forth. if we get anywhere near the grass, the adults swoop up and down, trilling as only this bird can trill -- they're called killdeer because the sound they make sounds like a piercing shout "kildeeeee!" Bird people sometimes call them the noisy plover. I had my phone with me and I managed a really not good photo of them. The little chicks blend with the dandelion puffs, the big birds move ever so quickly, and in the meantime Millie is pulling to go on her usual trot through the field, wondering what the heck is going on. So, a lousy photo, but I like it anyway, for the joy of listening to and watching this family that somehow has managed to escape predators and eager dogs alike.
(one mama, two babies, lots of dandelion puffs)
It's only in the 50sF (about 12C), but I take my breakfast outside anyway. I'm tired of waiting for a warmer day.
Millie agrees.
As for Millie's health -- are we on an upswing? Well, that depends what you would call an upswing. Did she eat this morning? She did not. Did she throw up the water she drank? Yes she did. Is she bouncy? Initially yes...
(combed and lookin' good... for a few minutes anyway!)
.. but now in deep sleep. Did I call the vet? Yes I did. Have we any clarity of why this pup is perpetually struggling with digestion? We do not. Might it be nothing to worry about? Yes it might. Am I worried? Not yet.
The young family is itching to go to the downtown farmers market. I agree to meet them there. I thought I might scooter over, but frankly, it's just a bit to chilly for a ride in the open air. But unexpectedly, the sun comes out and suddenly it is one glorious day! And the market is not too crowded because it's Graduation Weekend and much of Madison is preoccupied with that event.
I get there early and do my own quick shopping. Tulips, honey, and tomato plants. The tomatoes are an impulse purchase and considering Ed's plantings, a bit silly. But, he starts his seedlings late and they take a while to develop and I am interested in doing this as much for the kids as for myself. I dont have the space for it in the ground, but I figure a few big pots would carry them through spring and once I move, I can put them, pots and all, in the Steffi garden space.
(gorgeous tulips!)
(granddaughter, helping)
Once the three kids plus mommy show up, I focus less on the market and more on their antics.
Which are sweet...
Exfiltrating...
Special.
Delightful.
Snowdrop says what we're all thinking -- May really is the most beautiful month!
They eat a picnic lunch...
And then we split up again -- I have a two hour meter parking and besides, Millie was bereft when I left her at home. I need to reassure her that life as she knows it has not come to an end!
In the afternoon I have two imperatives: pick up some soil for the tomatoes at the farmette, and give Millie a good run in the small dog park.
From the park to the farmette.. So beautiful in May!
I work in some weeding while Millie rests on the red chair, watching.
(she's on my lap here, trying to figure out if Pancake the feral cat is friend or foe.. A piece of advice Millie -- he's not friend material, though Ed would claim otherwise)
In the evening, Ed comes over for supper and a few shows that are favorites from way back. Millie seems happy and healthy once more. May it last!
with so much love...
