🌨winter🌨

I think somehow, I have become a winter child. This is suprising to me. When I was a child I liked sledding, riding my horse, walks in the snow but I didnt like being cold. 

Spring, summer and fall were my favorites. 

Now, this year, I have craved the cold, frost, and snow. It is totally weird and I am not sure why. 

I love the beauty of it. The quiet. The white blanket that covers, quiets, and rests.

Maybe it is my age? Maybe it is the perfection covering the messyness and struggles of life? Maybe it is the discovery of beauty in the smallest and temporary things. 

Whatever the reason I am savoring it this year until it is gone.

I love the start of the New Year. New slate, fresh start, everyone likes something brand new right?

I know a lot of people don't give much credence to new years resolutions, but i think reviewing where you have been and outlining some basic goals is healthy.

One of mine this year is ridding out (PA slang for sure!), minimizing and getting organized by cleaning out one drawer, cubby, cupboard or closet a day. Starting with the Christmas decoration bins. We successfully completed that one this morning!

Then I rewarded the pups and I with some fresh air. It has been down around 0 and the single digits most days but today it got to 19*. We were so happy to take advantage of the sunshine and out we went!

Loved the fresh air!

Another move home and then gone again!

After graduation my middle son moved home for just a bit. It was so great to have him with us, even for a little while before he started his new job and moved into his new place.

We really didn't exciting things, just day to day. But you know that just made it even more bittersweet. One of my most favorite pictures was of him and his dad sitting out under the shade tree after they had finished planting the garden.

A walk on the bike trail...

enjoying the visit to the lake...

Treasured memories for sure.

Sunday's Walk in the Park

Compared to Friday and Saturday, yesterday's weather could be considered "balmy"! The temperature got up over 40, the sun was shining and the snow was starting to melt. It melted enough by the river that the hounds and I were able to take a nice leisurely stroll in the afternoon.

I still had to wear my winter coat but I could feel the sun's warmth through it and the Bassets must have enjoyed it too, even plunging in the deeper snow for some scent or other that attracted them.

If you look at the top of the picture you can see that I couldn't let them follow the scent or they would be going over the bank into the river!

With the sun's warmth came the sound of giant icicles crashing down all along the rock face. You can make out some smaller ones still hanging there.

After our walk, the hounds waited in the car while I got a few groceries, and for being so patient I treated them to a bag of beef basted biscuits and the little treats that look like t-bones steaks (not all at once!). And then we came home and snuggled.

I love Sunday's like this!

Beach Hounds

The weather was sunny and beautiful on Saturday so the hounds and I thought we would take advantage of it by going to the Erie Peninsula.

If you have read many of my posts, you know that we like it best if the hounds can go off leash. Honey Dew and Sampson are very obedient and come back to me when called.

Of course one of the mandates is that dogs be leashed on the Peninsula even in the off-season...but no one said that I actually had to hold the leash, just be in control of the dogs, and as the beach was deserted I thought I would risk if for a a little while.

Sampson and HoneyDew posing for the camera before I let them run and explore.

So many sounds, sights and best of all new smells to explore! Which way to go first?

Evidently this scent was interesting...I was really hoping the hounds would not pick up a dead fish anywhere! Or worse, roll in one!

A moment before I snapped this photo, Sampson was facing me with strings of drool hanging from his mouth and sand particles clinging to it, evidently he didn't want you to see that cause he whipped right around and started shaking it off only to wrap it up around his nose! Too funny!

I love how the waves come in and make little pools. The sun and breeze was invigorating. I think we walked for about two hours along the beaches and part of the walking/bike path.

Just hanging out and enjoying the view.

There was room enough for me on the bench too, and I did share it for awhile with Sampson half on my lap.

Smile for the camera!

Honey Dew was more interested in bird watching then my attempts with the camera.

This is one of my favorite pictures! I brought the smooth rocks and fresh water clam shell home with me so that I could remember a great day shared with my two best pals. I am sure that you recognize the paw prints but can you guess what the long swish marks are?

"Basset Happy Ears and Happy Feet"

Early Spring Riverwalk-DOT Post

 Finally the snow has melted and we are able to get out of the house for some nice walkies! It is so good to smell the ground again. It is still chilly but we are anxious to sniff out any p-mail we can find!

 Just look at my younger brother... he is so excited to be out and about he has drool wrapped up around his nose. Can't take him anywhere... but as long as he keeps his distance, no one will know we are related. You know just in case I run into any good looking golden retreivers...

Arrroooweee the river sure is high! Momma dog does not let us go near there. She yells "leave it" and "come" , you don't have to tell me twice. That is scary out there.

Arrrooooweee what have we here! If we were in a contest right now, someone sure would have won the award for 'fetch it'. A little extreme though don't you think?

Birds are out!

All kinds of 'em. This one is a bit shy!

It didn't want to play with us, no matter how many times we barked and howled at it, it kept going the other way!

Momma says the buds are pretty... if she says so...

I would rather look for rabbits, or deer, or bear.

Sampson's such a show off... telling me to hurry up and calling me slow poke!

But as you can see I am right behind him... he just has longer legs then me.

Whew what a great walk, that tired me out!

Time to take our basset bums back to the car for some snackies and a nice nap!

Happy DOT's Everyone!

HoneyDew "Don't Disturb" Basset

Loving the Fall Colors-DOT Post

Fall is my favorite time of year. I love almost everything about it (except archery of course!), the scent in the air, all the colors, the leaves swirling around as they fall, the brisk air, the rustling leaves as you walk. And evidently the hounds feel the same as I do.

HoneyDew gets quite peppy in the fall, running, sniffing, she has lots of energy after being sluggish from the summer heat. She can walk for hours going in one direction. If we turn around to retrace our steps, she becomes quite obstinate, passive aggressive even! Can you imagine pushing, prodding, carrying a basset that weighs 64 pounds when she decides she does not want to move?

Sampson just becomes the Giant Idiot. Bone Headed even! He does the stupidest things. Running full on at HoneyDew and literally bowling her over. Barking at falling leaves. Chasing squirrels into a briar patch, without an escape plan and then looking pitifully at me like "heh, I am kind of stuck here, what aren't you going to help get me out?"

Me: Nope you were having fun getting in there you can have fun getting out!

He especially loved the mud holes that were camoflaged with leaves. You know *gallop, gallop, gallop, splosh, slip, slide = underbelly full of mud and leaves! Then the stiff legg walk trying to get the crackling leaves and sticking mud off of him.

Me: You better hope that falls off before we get back to the car!

A couple final scenic shots of our walk.

Wherever your trails and tails take you, have a happy DOT!