Category: Pets

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Late Spring evening

One week of Spring left.

Sunset, as we approach the Summer solstice, is 9:40ish. There is light in the sky until after 10:00 p.m. Sunrise is 5:30 a.m. The days are long and the nights are short.

We are having a very typical Montana June with cool temperatures, off and on rain, overcast alternating with sun breaks. When the sun does break, the light is typically a photographer’s dream light: crystal clear, excellent contrast and a vividness to every color. It doesn’t hurt that with the rain, the fields and yards and woods glow with a green that looks like it came out of the Crayola box. Ditto the blue of the sky and white of the clouds.

Bear and I walked the loop, just after 8:00 p.m.

The sun lit the valley tree tops as dark clouds skirted the mountain tops. It was quiet. Crickets chirped, a light breeze stirred the air, a few birds sang, our footsteps and thoughts…softly accompanied us…

Late Spring evening.

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Montana in June

Monday afternoon my S.A.M.E. radio alarm went off and the monotone voice of the NOAA meteorologist read the forecast which included a severe thunderstorm watch. Although the scene in the photo looks benign, the air was unusually heavy with humidity and it was very still and quiet.

Bear was on afternoon rounds, I was in my chair…I checked the weather map.

Bear laughed, I laughed…we laugh at the weather forecast and enjoyed the afternoon.

Bob is the family pessimist…

He wasn’t so sure we should be laughing…

It darkened, thunder rumbled, a little rain fell but none of the storms came close.

But yesterday afternoon, Tuesday – it rained and it has been raining since. And it is supposed to rain through tomorrow afternoon. Montana in June.

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Our week end

The week end. I alternated between chores and general laziness.

The grass got mowed on Saturday and hopefully we will get the forecast rain this week as the grass looks barely greenish and it is early in the year for it to not be GREEN!

A mowing incident from two weeks ago…I don’t know what broke the rear “door” but thankfully whatever it was zipped by me or dropped inside and only the pieces of the door flew out. At any rate, no damage to me. But another chore today was to hunt up a replacement door which I did. And also a new blade and both are on their way. Meantime I have to mow with the catcher on, which means emptying the catcher (vs mulching/recycling) – a minor annoyance but an annoyance. There should be some happy mice and voles as the catch piles in the woods make lovely critter condos…

The time was right to rake pine needles off the driveway so that was accomplished. Not the entire driveway, thankfully. There are 3 trees near the garage that lose the large needles which are like straw and they refuse to blow away on their own. It went well. As with raking the yard, I did a bit at a time as I was outside with either Bob or Bear and suddenly…all done!

It did cool off, then warmed just a bit today but not so much that Bob did not appreciate the warm air from the dryer. We are due for rain and cooler temperatures which is fine by me.

Bear says ok with him for the cooler temperatures.

Our week end.

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Only 3 more months until Fall

Here at “Heat wimps R us”….some of “us” have already had enough of hot weather!

Yes, I think we’ve had 5 days in the 80’s or at least the near 80’s and we (Bear and I!) are ready for Fall.

Mr. “I love to be outside keeping an eye on my domain”…

…maybe tomorrow…in the morning…when it is cool!

Meanwhile, a nap inside on the nice, cool, kitchen floor.

That leaves Bob on duty…

Stepping up. Watch Cat…only 3 more months until Fall (actually 4 months, but by mid-August I figure we are on the downhill run and I AM an optomist!)

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A year in the life of Bear

Monday, May 14, it was one year. May 14, 2011, Bob and I went in Wild Thing to Spokane, WA to get Bear. ( Bear in the Air ).

We have all learned a lot this past year. Even in the last month, Bear has changed in ways that suggest that he is still adjusting to being part of the Family Summers. I believe that he knows this is his home, that he is well loved and wanted, that Bob is his family. There are days when I see sadness in his eyes…missing his George? missing his first home? But those times are fewer and further between and short-lived.

I speak to Bear of Karl, Zack and Gus. I speak to him of my great love for him and gratitude that he is my dog. I speak to him of George and his first family and that I understand loss. I ask Bear about Karl, Zack and Gus. I tell Bear that he is a first-rate bear dog! I speak to both Bob and Bear about being kind to one another.

This past year is different than anything I imagined it would be. It has been a good year and I am grateful for every moment of it.