Things We Saw Today

Just as I was leaving the apartment with the dogs, camera and water bottle packed, my friend Tini came around the corner with her little dog Ena on a surprise visit. So we headed out into the woods together, where the sun soaked our faces and there was so much new life growing on the forest floor.

These are called Buschwindröschen in German and are one of the first flowers to open their lovely little faces in March. There are parts of the forest that are absolutely covered in these. Common english names include wood anemone, windflower, thimbleweed, and smell fox. They are such a delight, and give the appearance of a fairy wood.

This tree has a face! I don't know if someone carved it, or if it grew naturally. But it sure has a lot of character. He looks a bit stern, doesn't he?

We almost stepped on this fellow, sunning himself on the rocks. A beautiful coppery gold. It looks like a snake, but is actually a 'blind worm' or 'slow worm,' a limbless lizard. They are quite common here, and completely harmless.

We found these flowering plants growing quite profusely in one specific area of the forest, right nearby the creek. I have never seen it before and hope my friend Gerit will be able to identify it for me. (EDIT: plant has been identified as Cardamine enneaphyllos.) It amazes me how I can walk in these woods every day and still discover new plants each year.

Nature is truly so amazing and diverse.

My husband left on a business trip to Spain today and won't be back until Monday, so I'll be a work-widow for the next few days. I hope you'll keep me company!

xoxo country girl

best friends

It amazes me when I watch Kiki and her little friend Ena interacting with one another; the playfulness and the sheer joy they share when out exploring or indoors wrestling with each other. I've never known two dogs to display so much affection for one another. When you see them together, it's clear that they genuinely like each other. And it's not like with people, where there is small talk and superficiality; with dogs, they let another dog know from the get-go whether they like them or not. There's no being polite. 

So when a bond like this takes places, you know it's a pure bond. You know they jump and chase and sniff together because they really do like one another. It's so innocent and real, and just absolutely beautiful to witness.

doGgy sLUmbeR paRty

The world looks and feels much friendlier today. I am rooted in the belief that all things, even painful things (maybe even especially the painful things) happen for a reason, and am practicing being grateful for the pleasant things in life. Of which I have many.

Kiki's best friend Ena is back! She'll be visiting for a while; exactly how long, no one knows. Could be a week, could be a month. We are always happy to have her. Especially Kiki, who was so happy to see her that she lavished her with kisses and excited yelps. Now, after a small but satisfying meal of sheeps milk, they are dozing in the late afternoon light, probably relieved that the heat is letting up a bit; I know I am. 

We have reserved our room in a lovely bed and breakfast on Cape Cod and are thoroughly looking forward to it. It's going to be a wonderful trip, I just know it. With bike rides, walks on the beach, old white churches, fall foliage, tasty food, and a deep, cozy bed to snuggle up in and stay awake all night in, talking. Believe it or not, after ten years my husband and I still have so many things to tell each other.

For now we've got the We-kend ahead, a time for goofing off and eating all day, taking the dogs for adventures in the forest, and stretching out for mid-day naps under the merciful ceiling fan.

Doggy Nests & Thunder Storms

These pictures give you an idea just how hot it was this afternoon. Both Kiki and her little friend Ena kept stopping along the wheat field to plop into the cool grass and rest. Wish I could have done the same, but I'm a tad more concerned about ticks and ants than these two ladies.

There are black clouds on the horizon, thunder and lightening, so we'll be falling asleep to raindrops on the window, and hopefully a cooler night. As I was sitting here in my chubby white sofa chair, a shattering roll of thunder crashed down and the doggies came running over to me. They climbed all over my lap and laptop, and have now wiggled their way into interesting positions; I have doggy paws and bellies on my neck, against my chest, and stuck in my armpit. It's not comfortable, but it's a heartwarming feeling to be so needed.

Friendship

"The only unsinkable ship is friendship."

Kiki and her little friend Ena have so much fun together. They have all the same hobbies: digging fervently at mouse holes, rolling in smelly dead things with gusto, snapping at flies, chewing on stuffed animals, chasing butterflies, cuddling, and as you see here, romping around in freshly cut hay. Their friendship is so pure and light hearted. It's a wonderful example.

Cooling Off

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months..." -Gertrude Jekyll

What a hot morning! We managed to hike up to my beloved oak tree, and then it was back down the field, past the raspberry canes heavy with green fruits, past the wheat field, down to the river where Kiki dove in without a second of hesitation. It is full of broken boughs and sticks, but this doesn't seem to bother her. Meanwhile her tiny friend Ena, who is visiting for a while, whined and cried, trying to climb a tree trunk where a squirrel had just dashed up into the branches. I tried to explain to her that she's a dog, and dogs can't climb trees, but I don't speak fluent dogish, and I think it may have come out more like "keep jumping, you've almost done it!"