Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas Today and Christmas Past



Christmas 2017



      The day began with snow, and lots of it.  Off to the barn for chores, barn yard critters need to eat. Home for Dog Time, a wintry woods walk, chores again, and dinner with a good friend.  The day went by too quickly, it always seems that way.  Surrounded by my dogs, and wonderful companions: Pearl, Willow Sunshine, Grace and Halo.  Willow n Nash in my heart.



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Christmas Eve 2003 


      Tucked away in the cottage with Willow and Nash, there is snow on the ground, and the rain has been falling all day.  I have been busy making dog biscuits and will go down to Nancy with Nyssa’s tomorrow for dinner around 1:30 PM.  It has been a strange day of wet, fog, mild temps, and very unlike Christmas.  Some time spent  in the rain to prevent water runoff entering cellar.  Successful to some degree, but water is still rising in basement.  My only saving grace will be for the rain to stop. I have my Willow and Nash, my faithful companions. Who watched intently while I baked biscuits and anticipated attention.  Now they lay quietly as I write. 
     We did not go for a long walk or a cross-country ski as wished, rain and darkness prevailed, hopefully tomorrow. This year I am working Christmas.  This of course is a good thing, but my heart misses time with my dogs.  I am gone all day.
      If I did not know any better I would think that spring were on its way.  The mild temperature and wet foggy weather leads to the belief spring is just around the corner.  This of course is not so as cold weather, and snow will eventually make an appearance. I am spoiled by last year’s winter of all powder snow, and no rain.  It was an absolutely perfect winter last year.  The powder snow was great for skiing, time with my dog, bird watching, new car and the feeling of utter contentment. 
One year older, one year gone by and a new to begin, so, the time streams by.
      This year Wendy and her family will come up, along with Ned.  I hope all goes well, and weather is perfect.     Hopefully I will have the cottage in order for when they arrive
       Willow and Nash continue to fill my heart with joy. When I look into Willow's eyes I am transported, elevated, to a whole other realm. With Nash, I feel endearing warmth.  He is my Knight of Wands and Willow is the World. She is my world; they are my world as I am theirs.
        The Christmas cards have been sent to friends and puppy owners and some gifts still need to wrapped, all in good time.  Dribbles of rain drops from the cottage rooftop fill my cellar. The wind is balmy and gentle; all is quiet and wet outside, not a very winter like scene.  Wait a minute, is that cold weather on its way, and did you say three feet of snow?  I think Christmas is on its way. 

 
2002








Saturday, December 16, 2017

Willow n Nash and Me

    


June 2007
Willow 11 years old
Nash 7 years old
 

       Thank you for these wonderful photos, Jane Billings. They are are full of great memories of a special time, and place with two brilliant, beautiful, and amazing souls who enriched my life. 

 


 


Also, a time when I was cutting my own hair.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

looks like the Long Fall has come to an end

   
 

We returned home to NH on Monday, and Tuesday we watched the snow fall, and fall, and fall.  Gone is bare ground, covered with rusty leaves, and barren trees are now seasoned with white.  For  a particular reason I found Fall long, long in a good way,  it seemed to never end. The colors, sounds and smells alluring. Generally there is an eagerness for winter's arrival, but not this year. I clung to Fall . Like in early spring, when the last of snowy ground patches melt away, and winter fades.

 
 
 

 

      The snow marked the beginning of our meandering woods walks. The Girls cavort and gallop with glee in the snow. Their play more frenzied, and wild, as they roll, chase each other, and continue there fevered stump hunting.   Expressions carried a smile from ear to ear.


 





    

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Girls on the Beach, First Trip to CT without Nash

     A sweet trip. This is the first time down to Guilford without Nash. He feels ever present. His foot prints long gone from the sandy beach, but replaced with others.





     Snow falls for first time this winter.  A gentle flurry of three inches. snowflakes covered my lens.  The Girls, elated.  We went to the beach, Chaffinch Island.










      I took two at a time. It's a control thing.  I never know who will be there, we like our beach to ourselves.  Today we certainly did.







     Pearl and Grace full of bounce and vigor. Spot light was on Pearl.  She raced with such glee, it was hard to resist her Joy. 




She left behind her print. Fully of meaning to me, without second thought to her.


There are too many wonders in this world.



Next up - Willow Sunshine and Halo






Willow Sunshine, a feminine version, so much like her dad - Nash
 


Halo  




Comin'





Goin'
 



Sniffin'

  Standin'



 Which way did he go? Which way did he go?


 hmmm, This is kind of interesting.


 Come on Gracie, Grace!


 First snow fall.

Memories of my old boy. He, too, was once a rambunctious boy who raced this beach.