Flora and Fauna...

The Ocean Spray is in bloom. It's native here and it looks like a lilac bush but the white flowers are on the ends of the branches, giving it a look of, well, ocean spray. We have lots of it at the edge of the woods and along the driveway. More this year than before, I think. The daffodils and the tulips have nearly finished. The Scotch Broom is in bloom now as well, though we don't have any on our property. It's not native but is prolific. Bright yellow flowers on bushes nearly everywhere. When you fly into Seattle and make the approach over this side of the Sound, you can get a good picture of just how much of the stuff there is. As the weather warms a bit, it will be time to get fuchsias hung on the front porch.

Along with the arrival of Spring flora has come the arrival of the birds. The Goldfinches are returning in increasing numbers and the House Martins have been here for the past two weeks.They are busily making their nest under the eaves of the chimney. They're quite a sight as they take to the sky to collect insects for their dinner. As we were outside last night for one last walk, the woodpeckers could be heard in the woods as they worked well into the evening. Perhaps they're in there creating totem poles. They certainly work hard enough.

I wish I could say that's all the "fauna" that returned this week. The high frequency mouse blasters that I installed last year kept us mouse-free for the season. Nary a one. Then in the wee hours of the morning Thursday I was awakened by crashing sounds downstairs. A quick peek from the stairs didn't reveal much so I returned to bed (John was away) and, just for safe measure, closed my bedroom door. When I awoke, Roosevelt came round the stairway to say good morning, but didn't accompany me downstairs. He didn't even come when called for breakfast. Finally, he began to call me! He kept going to the front door and when I finally followed, I could see it. At the bottom of the stairs there lay a mouse. Probably dead by most assessments, but I have learned that appearances are not always truth. So, no dog to help me out on this one, I retrieved the handy mouse-catching bowl, placed it over the "gift", and finally took it outside where all was thrown into the grass and remained there until the head gardener returned that evening. As they say in crime stories, he's the "cleaner".

We had breakfast with friends yesterday before doing all those weekend things that wait for us all week. John spent time mowing and gardening. I did my regular errands and then took a trip to the quilt shop at Port Gamble. I didn't find the fabric I want, so another trip to another shop is needed. Oh dear (she says, feigning fatigue). We received the life-size statue that honors our dear old hard-headed brown dog. She sits in the lawn/meadow/jungle clearing looking out into the woods as she would do when she was with us. We'll add a tree to shade her. It's unnervingly life-like and although the color is different, the shape is true. I added a collar yesterday. We're not over missing her yet. Maybe we never will be. But, gradually, love replaces and edges out the grief. We're getting there...

Happy Earth Day...

Mother Nature has pulled out all the stops here. It might rain a good deal, but when the sun shines there's no prettier place. Spring has finally and stubbornly come to stay. It is predicted to be the first day above 70 this year with sparkling blue skies, snow on the mountains, green popping out all over, and flowers blooming everywhere. I will add to that today by sowing some wildflowers and John will work in the garden. The shiny red tractor was deemed to need a new battery which was replaced on Tuesday and it has had its first run of the season. It's getting light by 5:30 and sunset is after 8 which makes for less cocooning and more activity.

We took the ferry over to Seattle yesterday and visited the SAM (Seattle Art Museum). They have had a special exhibit of works by Paul Gauguin which ends this month and we enjoyed the narrative by the docent as we walked through each gallery. We had lunch at Pike's Pub where I got a tasty vegan sandwich! It was a lovely day for a field trip and it was the first time we have ventured over on our own without guests. We're determined to take more of these weekend walkabouts this year. Lots to see in this state.

We have been thinking about a way to honor our hardheaded brown dog and the way she blessed our lives. She loved her time up here, always vigilant, always watchful of anything that might intrude on her/our territory. So, we have ordered a life size statue of a Labrador in a sitting pose and will place it outside in her favorite corner of the lawn/meadow/jungle clearing, looking outward into the woods. We'll plant a tree (dogwood, what else) next to her as a way to remind us season after season that her spirit stills abides.

John is back to California this week and I have busy times at work. Spring showers return later this week. But, for today, we will celebrate sunshine...

Comings and Goings...

We found out that our grandbaby will be a grandson. Very exciting news and it sure makes shopping a lot easier! Twenty (ish) weeks to go. Looks like Labor Day weekend could be busy.

John arrived home on Thursday after a rainy week in California. For once, the weather up here was better. It's definitely looking like Spring. Today we planted a few things and John tilled one of the garden beds. The shiny red mower refuses to budge from its cozy place in the shed. A call to the repair person is needed.

Our lovely old girl Zoe said goodbye to us this week. She had grown weak quite quickly and had difficulty even rising from her bed. She refused food and water and we knew she was ready to leave. It was in her eyes. Monday, the Vet came to the house and eased her away to that other place. The weather was simply beautiful and fresh air was coming in through the window. She was loved and she was peaceful. It was the last kind thing we could do for her...

Difficult Days...

It's been a tough few weeks of late. Our hard headed brown dog shows increasing signs of age and the deterioration that comes with that. In her case, she has episodes where she is unable to stand or stay upright. Her back leg(s) seem to give out. When it happens and John is not here, she and I just have to stay put until she seems ready to try to move. Ten minutes seems like a lifetime. When John is here, he can lift her to her bed and try to help her lie down. It's a difficult and worrisome time. We had concluded that it was probably time to say goodbye and wish her well in that other place. We even got as far as signing the papers, paying the fee, and gathering in the lovely room at the Vet's where these things take place. But, after talking with the Vet, we agreed to see how she might fare over the next days. When she's not in the throes of the "episodes", she looks pretty good for a gal of 94.  He is a kind man and he obviously cares for both his patients and their families. And while he would do whatever we thought was best, he was able to help us put some specifics to the "quality of life" issue that predominates our concerns. So, we'll see how the good days: bad days ratio plays out. Yesterday was a bad one. It may be that John and I are not the bravest or hardiest souls in the household. To see her struggle and be helpless to help is heartbreaking. She has more heart than ability these days, but she steadfastly maintains her role in the pack. We want to do right by our lovely girl. If only it were clear what that is....