only in winter, in the country...

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you...In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself." -Ruth Stout

We are practically snowed in today. No chance of going grocery shopping! It's beautiful; the view from all our windows is breathtaking. Kiki seems to understand that there won't be any more running around outside today and decided to at least inspect the deep snow on the balcony. I am trying to compensate for the lack of outdoor fun by throwing her toys around for her.

more magical snow!

"Nature does nothing uselessly." -Aristotle

We awoke this morning to a world of white, and there was still snow drifting down as we took our walk. It wasn't very long because Kiki's legs and stomach fur were soon covered with big clumps of snow. But it was quiet and magical. Flakes are still coming down and I wonder how deep it will get! I have to go grocery shopping, which will be adventurous. These winter days are most enjoyable when you don't have to get anything done outside the house at all. Then again, there is something to be said for coming back inside, huffing and puffing, dripping wet and cold, to the warmth of your home and your happy dog jumping around to greet you.

...they make our lives whole

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras

Took this photo yesterday at sunset; after playing with this stick for the whole walk together, me throwing and Kiki receiving, I told her we would head back home. She promptly took the stick in her mouth, and carried it the whole way home, tail in the air, a spring in her step. She seemed to thinking, "I'm not losing sight of this thing!" Indeed, we left it in the stairwell and will take it with us on our next walk. 

Today, snow is falling and the ground is frozen and slippery. Still winter!

Hot Milk Sponge Cake

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one." -Jane Howard

I decided it was a shame that the family only got together for holidays and birthdays, and made up my mind to have a family meal once a month. Yesterday, a gorgeous, sunny Sunday, we had them over for a late lunch. I made a simple meal of chicken, rice, and cucumber salad, and for dessert we had a light sponge cake with raspberry sauce. It was a harmonious get together, and after everything was gobbled up we put on our coats and took a walk in the sun drenched, gold brown fields. Angelo pushed his mini stroller, admired a helicopter, stomped in puddles. Everyone seemed very happy to be together, and I think it is the start of a new tradition.

all seasons are beautiful....

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within." -Horace Friess

What a gorgeous day. Blue skies and warm breezes. Ramon and I took a long walk with Kiki in the slushy fields, and through the woods where there was still snow on the ground. There was a group of tiny birds up in the tree tops making noise and picking at the tiny larch cones. 

A Hard Day for Kiki

"The most destructive element in the human mind is fear. Fear creates aggressiveness."

-Dorothy Thompson

I didn't have a chance to take photos of our morning walk: we were attacked by two dogs! The first was a mean, cunning female who actually tried twice to bight Kiki, but I managed to beat her off with the handle of my leash. Then, fifteen minutes later, when my heart had finally stopped pounding, there came the next dog, a big, blundering male who circled us and jumped on us for over five minutes while his owner struggled up the hill, calling his name over and over. It took all my strength to keep these dogs from hurting Kiki, and the only positive thing I could take out of this experience was that I know I am capable of protecting her. 

This photo wasn't taken today, but certainly suits the day perfectly. "Please, don't eat me!" (What her face was actually saying was "Please don't bathe me!")

But what the quote says above is very true. While I was fending for Kiki's safety, all I felt were fear and aggression. I yelled and kicked and hit. And my body is still feeling it, as if it were a poison which enters the system. Yes, now that I think of it, I remember in the movie Apocolypto the elder saying that fear is a contagious disease, and you must do everything in your power to steer clear of it. I wish I were able to protect Kiki, but remain fearless at the same time. For now, I will breath deep, drink my chai coffee, and think calming thoughts.

Jays!

Just a small note to say that I've identified the medium-sized birds I saw today as common Jays. I hope this is correct. Used a wonderful site to find them: www.surfbirds.com, they made it really easy to identify bird sightings!