It's Almost Over

This has been the strangest and most boring Winters. Besides a few pretty snowy days here and there, we've had just cold and yuck. We had a gorgeous snowy day two days ago and then rain hit.
It's now slush and ice and just crap. The roads are horrible and it's just, well..blech.

No real sledding yet this Winter. Not sure what January and February will bring just yet, but it'd be nice to have some nice snowy sledding/skiing kind of days.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve. If I had my choice I'd stay in and watch some kind of marathon on TV, but instead I'll be at a neighbors party. Only benefit I see really is that I can walk home. No driving and close to home. woohoo.

That's really all I've got. Have fun and be safe tomorrow night :)

Snowy Eve

Woke up to beautiful snow this morning which continued throughout the day. Turns out we will have a snowy white Christmas :)

Baking was done and football was watched and now it's time to start A Christmas Story marathon.

Crash wasn't even close to being agreeable for his Christmas photo this year, so I had to bribe him. That's one less cookie in his stocking ;)

Merry Christmas, everyone :)

Eve of the Eve

Over two months since I've been here. As you can see, not a whole lot to tell really.

Couple of days until Christmas. A pretty mild Winter so far. Although I don't have much exciting to tell, it feels like December just flew by. I just got that tree the other day, right?

Everything is just so routine these days. Still have Riley a couple of days a week. Seems like he changes every visit and becomes more challenging. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes not so much. All part of watching a toddler I'm guessing.
Two days a week is still enough for me I think.
Still haven't replaced my car although it is looking like this next few months I will. We recently had a new hay barn built. New place for hay, new place for the horses to hang out. They seem to like it. I can't park my new car in it though ;)

I can't say I've picked up the camera a whole lot except with Riley and with bear season. I don't get out as much for the eagles or sunsets since I lost my car. Not really a good reason, I guess, except the truck is just not as easy to get around in when you're doing a lot of quick stops and u-turns.
I don't know how many years I've said I'm going to go to the Eagle Watch in Idaho and still haven't made it. One day....

Pretty much gave up on vegetable gardening. Just not meant to be and too much effort and disappointment. I filled the whole garden with flowers.
I was actually excited about finally being able to garden in a fenced yard that deer couldn't get into, only to find Crash likes to eat flowers and lay on them. heh. That would be that 'Leesa's Law' we've talked about before. It's common here. Seriously.

I don't really know what's in store for the new year. Probably a lot of the same. Hopefully I'll get outta here sometimes. I get too settled and comfortable and talk myself out of it most of the time, we'll see.

Still awake? I'm impressed.

It's Cool

We moved into Fall, which I have to say I'm ready. It's been raining past few days, we definitely needed that. Cooler grey days remind me of stews and hot chocolate and fires in the fireplace. Time to pull out the sweats, sweaters, and boots. My favorite time. Well..close...I still love my snowy weather.

The 'old timers' as they say around here, claim we'll have a harsh Winter, but I think they say that every year. Not enough to talk about in this small town :)

The bear are still around, but once again only showing up at dusk or dark. Not sure I'll get any more photos before they're gone for the season. The gardens are slowly wilting and the tomatoes are still green. I guess it's relish again this year.

Chopped about 8 inches of hair off recently. It's a bit shocking since it's been long for SO long...but it will all be back by Spring.

Gosh..I guess that's about it. I hate to repeat myself, but just not much exciting around here lately. We do have some family drama that's wearing on me and I just want it all over. I don't like drama and I'm pretty good at keeping my life drama free...so me not happy about it. But like anything else, it will pass.

I seriously need to get that camera out more often.

That's that.

It's all Cool

It's starting to cool down some.. so so ready for it. We finally had some much needed rain last night that made for a gorgeous day today. It involved some lightning, but I didn't see any smoke today :)

The big lens is back and just in time for a few guys to show up in the yard. The bucks are around and a huge black bear showed up today. It's been awhile since I've seen a daylight visitor.





Little dusting of snow in Glacier National Park this morning. I'm ready :)

My Rare Visitor

Photo-Less

Hmm.. not letting me post photos. Not cool.

Not a whole lot to report here. It's still hot. Lots of different fires here and there. I hate that about Summer. No rain in I don't know how long. We need some rain.

Saw a hummingbird moth yesterday, I think I've seen two in the daylight in 8 years. I got some great photos, although blogger's not letting me share today.

The giant lens is out for repair, so no full moons, no bear for a bit. It's amazing how much use that lens gets.

I'm ready for Fall. Have I mentioned that?

My Blahhhhg.

Several times a week I'll stop and think, "I should put this on my blog", or "I should blog about this", and then I forget. I've lost that routine of pulling up this dusty blog and saying a few words or sharing photos.

I've been so slack on the photos. All I see as I scroll through my photos are Riley or the occasional bear in the yard. Those days of bugs and butterflies, sunsets and spiderwebs have wandered off. Not sure why.
I think some days I stop and tell myself, "you've taken/posted a million photos just like that, why more?". I need to get past that. I need that spark again.

We've had a really hot Summer for us. The inner Texan in me laughs when I say that, when anything above 80 here is yucky and I'm turning the AC on..but it is what it is. Anything above 80 here is hot. Period. No rain lately which of course increases our fire hazards. I've heard of a few but nothing major yet. Thank goodness for evenings in the 50's.

The bear have all gone up high to eat huckleberries. The fawns are scarce for some reason...could be the mountain lions. It's so dry and so dusty you really don't want to be outside until around 9pm or later.

Full moon tonight and my lens is out for repair. I'll just sit and watch it rise and enjoy the cool breeze.

Bear Activity

Thank goodness for a 500mm lens...

Summer...what?

There's a full moon tonight, as I sit here and type on this cloudy night. Yes.. cloudy. I think my last few full moons have been in clouds. Naturally.

It's been an interesting Summer so far. If we can call it that. It took forever to even reach temps that felt like Summer. We had a few weeks of 70/80's. The poor gardens are just now starting to look like gardens.
We've had thunderstorms the last few days which is unusual, but nice to have sometimes. I could do without the lightning.

Wildlife has been so-so. I've seen one fawn on the property so far, but no photos. The new fence isn't helping and they're too quick!
I've had several bear, almost daily, and I have one Momma bear with two cubs. As usual they show just as it's getting dark, so photos are slim pickins.

I have been able to just sit on the porch and watch them without her getting too upset. It's a neat thing to watch bear cubs play. They're very curious and play just like puppies. One odd noise and they're both up a tree. One day hopefully I'll get some daytime shots. I love this time of year.

It an odd way it feels like the season is just blowing by and before you know it we'll be in Winter again. Funny, as I type this it's about 59 outside and I have a wall heater on. Go figure.

Can't think of much else new. I guess I should go see if there's a moon out there :)

Time to Mow

No Kiddin'

Well when they say the first day of Summer, they're not kidding.

After weeks of grey/cold/yucky weather, with a snippet of sunshine here and there, we finally have some warm sunny weather.
As of yesterday it finally looks and feels like Summer. My poor gardens looked so happy today. The birds are busy everywhere and I have cats sleeping all over the porch and driveway in all the sunspots :)

We broke out the pool for Riley today and he had a blast.. he's also GROWN since we last used it, so it looks like I'll be getting a bigger one this weekend.

Let's hope I can keep the bear out of it :)

Warmth

This weekend has finally brought some nice weather. We might actually hit 75 today. Now we get to cram a couple weeks worth of needed work into two days.

Trying to get plants in the ground that should have been in weeks ago. We're building a playhouse with swings for Riley, which might actually be done today. The house is finally warm.
I don't ever remember a June where we wanted to build a fire at night. Just crazy.

We get bear practically daily now, mostly at night but some poke around during the day. Crash barks and acts scary, but it doesn't do much. I think they down deep he's a goofball.
Many birds and many frogs, just like I like it. Soon we'll see fawns :)

Multiply This by about Eight...

I have eight feeders up and they're still crowded. I love it.

Stopping By

First daylight visitors.

I've had a few at night, they've only gotten into a few things, nothing to messy. They visited and then went on their way.

Little light o'mine

Sometimes that little bit of light means everything. When you go days on days of grey, rainy, skies... that sunshine changes everything.

I realized a couple of years ago that I suffered from SAD. I could tell each morning by the skies, how my day would go. I never really realized it until I read up on it. How much more productive I was on a sunny day then a rainy day. And I'm not talking just a rainy day here and there, but just days on days, weeks on weeks. Odd thing since I enjoy Winter and snow so much. But the grey/cold/rain...constantly...bleh.

Our Spring this season is so slow coming.. I think even the animals can tell. The hummingbirds are weeks behind and not nearly the amount as usual. We all watch for those patches of blue sky and sunshine. It's almost a gift, if that makes sense.

Of course, I'll be saying different in July & August when I just want the heat to go away. I hear our July & August will be extremely dry and hot. I might have to purchase a second air conditioner. I don't like hot. I am extremely appreciative of the 50 degree nights during the Summer though.

I am ready for warmer days though. The birds, planting flowers, sitting on the new deck with music and good food. Pretty soon the bear will be here, new fawns and new baby ducks.

I'm ready :)

Gettin' There

Very very slowly moving into Spring. It's that time of year you just want it all to begin. The new birds, new flowers, new baby animals...and it just takes it's sweet time.
Raining mostly lately and still going into the 30's at night. I think the last of the snow, on the ground, has melted.

I forget about the blog sometimes. With Facebook now, updating photos and seeing what friends & family are doing, it feels there's no info for the blog. I need to try to remember it more.

Sadly, there's not much new. Soon I'll have plenty of photos and new stories....soon. Our hummingbirds are finally here. And we have green grass! The last couple of full moons were covered by clouds, of course.

It's been just over a year that I started taking care of Riley. Doesn't feel like a year at all. Looking over photos though, he sure has grown. Amazing to think I've made it this long.
We've put up a fence so he can run freely in the front yard. We're going to build a little playground soon too. It won't keep the bear out, but at least it keeps him in. Keeps the dog in too.. major plus. No more chasing loose adventurous dogs.

And that's that. For now . . .

Ketchup

Not a whole lot to blog about these days. We've had a pretty decent Winter although the last few days of single and negative digits haven't been too fun. Today is a gorgeous snowy day. I hear we might get almost two feet. We'll see.

The last few full moons for me have been cloudy nights. But... if you go look at my past shots, they would have looked just like that ;)

Crash absolutely loves the snow, especially fresh new snow, so he will stay out most of the day probably. I don't think he ever gets cold.

blah blah blah

Wow..where did the time go? It's almost been a month since I've been here. It's not like I'm a busy one. heh.

Not sure there's anything new. Weather has gone from gorgeous snow, to below zero temps, to freezing rain and ice, to just rain for days which led to flooding and mess, back to frozen and then more snow. I prefer the plain ol' snow.

Not much photography lately either. The clouds and rain don't do much for me. I did go to a friends house one day to capture the elk above. Every day she has a huge herd come through and rest in her back fields. Closest I've ever been to the elk. Thankfully it was a rare sunny day.
I haven't been on any eagle ventures in awhile. Something I miss. I think since losing my car, I just don't have the same motivation. The trucks aren't that comfortable to me and not nearly as easy to maneuver, quick turns or u-turns etc.

I'm hoping to replace my car in the next couple of months.

I can't say much else is really different around here. Same ol' stuff.