Windy Winter Antics /Awwww, take a walk.

 

 A day off and I can not afford to skip a walkie with the boss.   She demands this of me no matter the weather.  So off we went this morning into gale force winds along the coastline of Washington state.   It was my bright idea. I thought that because it was a little windy that the two of us would enjoy a quiet empty trail... I was right.  We saw only 1 other person because everyone else knows YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE INSANE TO BE OUT THERE!  

This is how it went. I made sure I had the proper gear on, (please see the new, "Dispatches from BFE to the City" adventure series starting at end of this post)and we headed out.  I felt like the wind was literally going to sweep my legs back and I would take off like a kite.  What was the boss thinking of this wind? I looked over at her with her blown inside-out ears.  She had a huge #$%&-eating grin on her face.  Truth is, she really doesn't care as long as she's outside. She is a total outdoor enthusiast and she only puts up with my expletives because she loves me......Nice to be loved. 

Brrrrrrrrrrr.





Sometimes I think I'm not enough of a back woods, thrill seeking mountain adventurer for her.  I'm always huffing and puffing after a 10 mile hike.  She comes home and says, "Ok, what shall we do now?  Come on, at least throw the ball awhile.  PLEEEEASE?"   She never worries about her "do" or chapping her lips or looking cute....She just is what she is and does what she does. 

We put up with each other. It feels kind-of like the odd couple sometimes.

 

 

 

"Who's the cat,(or dog in this case) that won't cop out,

when there is danger all about?

SHAFT!

Right on!

And we can dig it! "

 

-Theme from "Shaft" 

By: Isaac Hayes, the coolest

 

 

 

Dispatches from BFE to the City , episode one

 

Today's topic:

A WINTER GEAR GUIDE FOR IDIOTS

 

presented by: Getting Some Tail Dog Walking Services

 

 

P. Dog and I stood near the cliff, not too close to the edge because we were at least smart enough to know that a gust could blow us over the side.  Sand was blowing up and over the ridge from the beach below. I could see the granules accumulating on P and felt them hit my face.  I unzipped my jacket pocket and slipped the BALACLAVA over my head. No, I did NOT say "Baklava".  A Balaclava is a ski mask.  It is used to protect the face and keep the head warm.  This protective clothing item has a long history with the military and police as either part of a helmet system or concealment of identity.  Mine is polar fleece and I wear it over my entire face, only exposing my eyes.  We walked on to an area with a long straight-away and that's when I saw him.  A guy running towards us. He stopped dead in his tracks and I realized that I was essentially wearing men's clothes and a mask that has a reputation of being worn by criminals during acts of illegal activities.  I shouted to him that I was ok, er a girl just walking my dog and er, a nice person.  As he ran by me, he smiled an awkward smile and I giggled like an silly school girl.  Can't be too careful these days, I guess.  And uh, what in the world was he doing wearing shorts?  Here is what I was wearing:

                                               (sorry girls, this is not a fashion show)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tops: base layer: not cotton.  This is not your mama's long underwear.  It's what the big boys wear.

Short or long sleeve shirt to wear over the top base layer. This can be stripped off if needed.

Wind breaking/water resistant, fleece lined jacket.  For days like today.  Hoods are good.

Bottoms: I'm not going to tell you what type of undies to wear, you figure that out!  Next base layer tights. Mine are fleece lined.  Sometimes I wear them under dresses.  Love them in winter! If you are hiking in the mountains wear shorts over these.  Today I needed rain pants over them, looked like rain.

Socks: light poly socks for wicking away moisture and keeping hiking socks in place. And a good quality hiking sock and water resistant, not too bulky hiking boots....Make sure everything fits right or you will suffer.

Gloves: You will regret it if you forget these!  Fleece for holding the leash.

Did I forget anything? 

Oh, yes.........

 

Tha Balaclava:

 

This is me.  Be careful where you wear these.  I hear they are illegal in France.

 Note: Fleece alone is not good protection agaist wind.  In fact, wind goes right through it. Sometimes you just have to use what you have.  This mask helped against the blowing sand, but then my face got too hot.  This hat better suits lower temperatures.  Also, the quality base layers come in temperature ratings and different weights.  In winter here, I usually use the med. weight ones.

 

 

 

My frozen street in winter 2013.

As I write this, the wind sounds like it is pulling the roof off the house.  Wind at 30-40 mph according to NOAA.  Me thinks it's more than that!  May lose power tonight.  Time to set up the wood stove.

And a

winter sun worshipping skinny feline



Thanks for visiting....

 

The Big Picture: Mountain Love/Winter Muse

Look around you where you walk.  Listening, moving forward, smelling and thinking. Where have you been that allows you to open your senses and be at peace with simply being human?  And what time of year would that happen for you?  

 

The above photo is from a summer hike in the mountains close to where I live.  Pictured here is the time and one of those places for me.

 

On this day in winter, Robert Frost has been gone 50 years. His vision of nature was his own. During his own time.  What will the rest of us leave behind? 

 

As I write this, the clouds lay over our town like a lid closing over us inside an unforgiving grey box. Dark. Undecided if next comes rain, wind or snow. 

 

The cravings begin. 

 For the fire in the wood stove, raging hungrily as a wild starved animal fed continuously with dry cedar, then roaring with delight.
 

For me, it's the smashing color and the remembrance of spring and summer. 

Like the feeling from an instant crush as the clear-eyed saxophone player winks and sends a cool breeze through my opening heart from across a crowded room tinged in blue. 

And I see it now, but only in my mind.
 

I listen and wait for your return.

Yet another winter time muse whispers from the player of imagination.  Freeing my captive boxed-in soul if just for the moment...

Black Cat, halloween,dog,seal and frog prince,

 

P. contemplates life BY the sea......

 

While this fellow contemplates life IN the sea....

 

So,

 

 I asked A. Cat what he thought about dressing pets up in halloween costumes. He replied, "You are asking a black cat about halloween?  First of all, let me point it out that black cats are totally misunderstood on this day. Some people even carry an unnecessary superstition of black pets all year. We are much like any other animal. Some good, some not so good. To judge unfairly is unwise.  To answer your question, if it makes the owners happy, then many pets will put up with a costume for that reason.  From my point of view, I prefer to be in my natural state.  Costumes, collars, etc. only put a damper on my natural activities.  I can't imagine wearing something that tells the world I'm something I'm not.  You see my dignity and this is who I am.  I don't want to pretend I am human. Your various celebrations don't really matter much to me. In fact, they are really boring. But,if there is something good to eat, then maybe I'll be present. Mostly, I'm not interested.  Hope I didn't disappoint you with this answer, but you asked and this cat doesn't always say what you want to hear.  Take it or leave it."  

M.: "That's a very diplomatic answer.  You mean if you had a chance to be a human, even for just a day, you would not be interested?"

A.C.: "Nope.  Here's why. Humans take everything so personal and they don't live in the moment.  Just once try to use only your body language and eyes to communicate your distaste and then move on.  Don't dwell on the complications of your everyday life.  There really is no time for that.  Relax, challenge yourself, have fun, give love, treat pets like pets and not babies,  If something does not work out for you that day, don't beat yourself up.  It's not healthy.  Eat what you need and at the right amount. Eat until you are 80% full.  The Japanese people have got that right. Stay clean. Be curious.  By the way,  I don't believe in that old saying. (Curiosity Killed the Cat)  That's not been my experience." 



M.: "Thanks A. I don't know where I would be without you and our little talks."

A.C.:Well, come here and rub my right cheek and listen to me purr.  Show me your love and then let's get on with the day.  I am soon for a nap."

 

And,

 

In my last post, I photographed a Tree Frog which was caught at a local nursery.  We didn't know what type of frog it was when we released him.  He was placed on a rock in the new pond where I took pictures.  

 

 

He sat there for some time as if not sure where to go.  Finally, he jumped in the water, swam around in there, came out and headed for the nearest tree. 

 

 

Since that time in late august, he was relocated back to the pond area from the greenhouse. Not sure how he got in there.  I've tried to keep an eye out for him, wondering about his welfare. Yesterday, while in the garden near the pond I noticed a frog.  Only this one was brown. 

 

Was it the same guy?

 

 

In summer; waiting before plunge into pond...

 I believe this is the same frog.

Quick Google search says that Tree Frogs DO change color to match their surroundings.
He looks like he is expecting a kiss.  I'll name him "Prince."
Um, I'll get back to you in Spring on that kiss.. Ugh.


PS)

Two views of same barn for my photographer friends.  One day, I'll be good enough to play with the big boys.

And a different angle. With a faint rainbow...

Thanks for visiting.