A Place in the Sun

Sitting at the cafe table in the kitchen looking out the window at the back yard and watching Ranger play with her ball, I noticed Jiggy on the roof of the neighbor's shed next door. This old shed is as dilapidated as they get, rusty nails poking out of the shingle layers, cracked and pealing paint, it's beautiful. Jiggy likes to hang there and catch some rays. Like so...

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The Falmingo and The Arches

Four Arches 1973
Calder Sculpture at the Bank of America Plaza, Los Angeles, CA

Heading downtown to see a movie on Christmas Day (after taking my super spiff new bike out for a ride along the L. A. River) I said to my sweetie that I'd like to see the Alexander Calder public sculpture (above, bathed in beautiful late afternoon light) known as the Four Arches.

Before seeing the one in Chicago this past November (below, bathed in beautiful late afternoon light) known as the Flamingo, I didn't know Los Angeles had one.

Flamingo 1973
Calder Sculpture at the Federal Plaza, Chicago, IL

Christmas photos on Flickr

Chronicles of Ranger To Date

While catching up on the chronicles of a Wyoming woman (and her tomcat) who took in a baby coyote, we were looking at one of the photos of a very young Charlie and his growth from one week to the next. It happens so fast when they are young. They are plump and rolly-poly, then they get all gangly-spindly, then they are magnificent.

So into the photo archives I went to see Ranger's growth spurts. Remembering our road trip from July 2006 as we made the journey through Monument Valley, UT, and finding these four pups that had been tossed out on the side of the highway next to a puddle of mud and a box in the shrubs in 100 degree temps. There was no decision to make, they were coming with us.
July 11,2006 (The day we found them)

July 28, 2006 (Ranger's new home)
She's the sweetest dog, so playful and smart. She fit right in with our other animals making us a family of four cats, two dogs and a tortoise. We found her siblings good homes and still keep tabs on Indy who has a great life with Lisa.

August 16, 2006

November 12, 2006

February 23, 2007

July 11, 2007 (One Year Later)

November 11, 2007

December 23, 2007

She loves her peeps and we love her.

Christmas Stocking

Pretty Dog and a Pine Tree

Who's a pretty dog.

After picking up a couple of items to stow under the Christmas tree for my sweetie I drove through Atwater Village where I came upon this nice pine tree decked out with some very simple jumbo ornaments and backed by some pretty awesome clouds sitting on the Verdugo's.

This Will Only Take a Minute

The weekend is spent. Another work-week is near. I think about it sometimes. The deadlines. The day to day challenges of the job I do. It never lets up, and it takes its toll. I feel like the time I have to take care of my personal needs, my relationship's needs, my animal's needs, is compartmentalized and sectionalized.

Oh I have five minutes to throw the ball Ranger, and I have to get ready for work. I have five minutes to talk to Will about our holiday plans, and the clothes are ready to be taken out of the dryer. While he vacuums I dust, and the dogs just drag in more dirt. But that's life right. We do plenty of interesting things, enjoyable things, relaxing things, amazing things. And even with five minutes here, five minutes there, a lifetime's worth of wonderful moments is assembled into something pretty fantastic, my life.

The flower was taken in Georgetown, SC, during our trip to Mom's for Thanksgiving this year. It was so good to see you Mom. I'm glad you and Lorne are doing so well and that you settled in such a pretty place. I look forward to my retirement with Will and the places we will see and the things we will do.