Yesterday (Wednesday 9/16), there was some blue sky in the morning !!!!

So we had extra morning outside time: play, teaching, coffee on the front porch, treats, etc., etc. SO nice!!

Shortly, the smoke descended and we resumed inside …

It was a “tail out the bed kind of thing”… I have said that if there is ever a contest for fluffiest tail and bottom … Emmett and Auggie will win, HANDS DOWN !!

Or you know … cover your very private parts with your oh so fluffy tail.

Well, YES!!

So. Bottom line is that Emmett had mange-scabies. And me, also. Auggie ??? But we treated us all.

The GREAT news is that while mange-scabies does transmit to humans (me), it can only live “off the canine” for 72 hours. That means that once the mange-scabies is killed on the canine, the human will be scabies free in 72.

Which proved to be TRUE. Emmett was treated on Wednesday, 9/9. I had no new stuff as of Sunday 9/13.

Per a teleheath with my Dr. on 9/14 we treated me anyway … erroring on the side of precaution. BUT … JOY!!! treatment was easy (lotion head to toe … not greasy and I took my time, but not difficult to apply) and I’ve had no issues.

The protocol is that we do all again in 2 weeks, but … I am so grateful that it is this form of scabies which is canine origin and not long lived off the canine!

I did do another extensive round of vacuum, steam clean, wash bedding, hot dryer for some stuff and 72 hours in plastic bag for some things …

But, Holy COW!

I am over the moon to be free of night time itching, etc. and that Emmett is not itching and Good Grief… despite the discomfort, I am grateful for the education.

so, normal-ish…

Rats … Thursday morning smoky sunrise.

But we go on.

For me, the good news is that there are currently no fires near me.

It is small consolation as I see what is happening in Washington State, Oregon and Northern California: beyond heartbreaking!

No fires near me, but smoke from the incredibly devastated WA/OR/CA fires is making things pretty miserable for Auggie, Emmett and me.

We go out in the morning and then … mostly inside except for what is necessary for Emmett.

Auggie is understandably NOT happy with this scenario.

Emmett is our “ray of sunshine” as he has the joyful, upbeat spirit, in spite of challenging circumstances.

I am somewhere in between. I wish I could help Auggie understand that I keep him in for his health and safety. I am not much happier than Auggie at being inside and dealing with smoke and pandemic and fear for friends in OR, WA and all that are affected by fires.

I try to always be aware that every day is a gift and that there is beauty and joy in the midst of challenging circumstances, but it is difficult to embrace joy when I KNOW so many are suffering.

The best I can do is to take care of me, so that I can take care of Auggie and Emmett and so that we can send care: prayers, $$$ to all who are in such dire circumstances.

Additionally, I pray that as the U.S. moves through this election year … that we vote in people who understand that Climate Change is a CRISIS and that we need to act and act now if we hope to keep Planet Earth a sustainable place for human and animal dwelling.

Time is VERY short.

I wish I had better news.

Yes, again …

Not quite as intensive as last round, but it seems prudent…

I am currently treating what I think is scabies (burrowing mites) with NEEM oil. Itch and visible stuff seems to be responding. I am waiting on a telehealth appointment with my Dr.

Emmett after Bath 1 of 3. Emmett and Auggie had topical scabies medications. Emmett has some additional skin stuff and so medicated shampoo: 3 days of baths and then weekly for 3 weeks.

Fortunately, he is not adverse to the bath routine: sprinkler, suds up … run around, sprinkler, full rinse and then towel dry!

Meanwhile … farmer’s market tomatoes and plums and peaches and more deliciousness to come.

BUT!!!

Smoke has descended.

Air quality is “unhealthy”.

Emmett and I are going out only as necessary. Otherwise we are playing inside games.

Auggie is inside and he is not happy about that, but it is crazy bad air outside, plus I have a horrendous fear of a woods fire start and not being able to find him … so we deal with a grumpy cat!

On the beautiful moments … on my new larger screen TV … YouTube from

Find JOY and Beauty where you can!

So.

Both Emmett and I have had an itchy summer.

We (vet and Dr. and me) do not know if they are related.

Auggie is not affected.

Current thinking is that Emmett may have seasonal allergies … he was itchy last summer but not near as bad as this summer … maybe due to age and or the super vegetation in the woods. Apparently, canine allergy stuff tends to spring forth at the 2 year plus stage.

My bites … maybe related hives … ???

Anyway, Emmett had a vet visit today and was treated with some medication which lasts 3-4 weeks which should take us to a hard frost and hopefully, if it IS seasonal, then we recoup until next summer.

Emmett was also treated for a “mange-mite” thing … a very long shot since Auggie has not had symptoms. The mange thing would/should affect all of us.

My bites have decreased a lot and the woods veg is dying and it is getting colder so hopefully my issues will go with the onset of Autumn as well.

Crazy uncomfortable for Emmett and me, but the shot Emmett received is supposed to mitigate his symptoms VERY fast.

The vet visit. With COVID-19 ongoing, I pass Emmett to the vet via a vestibule. I did send an email with all particulars. Then … spoke to Dr. Leslie mid-exam.

When Emmett was handed back to me, the tech … who I know well, said that Emmett was “very brave” this visit. Emmett has been a bit trembly and reticent since COVID-19 meant that I was not with him for exams and treatment. It breaks my heart, but so good to hear that he is doing better. I always tell him: “You are going to be in the good hands of the girls who love you and are glad to see you!” which is TRUE! Everyone from vet Dr. to techs love him and take time.

Still.

Exhausted…

I hear ya bro … the vet is hard…

Chillin’ by me…

So done.

First morning of a short week after a 4.5 day long Labor Day weekend … a weekend during which I completed ALL of the chore tasks on my list and still had time for fun stuff and I started the day feeling SO VERY GOOD and kind of silly and ready to get back into things.

All above was helped by the cool front which cleared the air of smoke and got VERY cool and refreshing and so …

the morning walk:

It was a most beautiful morning!

This is my most favorite time of year: late Summer/early Fall in Northwest Montana = some back and forth between warm-hot and cool-cold and changing colors, changing light and anticipation of lovely, hopefully snowy Winter.

Soups and stews and savory pie things are on my mind as well as cosy clothes, fire in the woodstove, tromping through the woods and watching all of the changing colors.

On the baking front: a riff/mash of Erin Jeanne McDowell’s Black Forest Pie and Banana Cream Pie …

= Banana Split Pie!

And here I go all fan girl … I posted on Instagram and EJM responded:

Piesabilities is my new favorite word!!

I am a pseudo planner.

I make lists, I think I have good ideas… good ideas at the time!

So.

I have had the thought of upgrading my little (18 inch diagonal) bedroom tv.

Then an Amazon (who else) S.A.L.E. and I had a 32 incher on the way.

Yes, I measured and knew my existing “stand” was not enough, but thought I’d see how things looked before making a decision about modifications, wall mount, ???

New TV arrives … it seems HUGE. But it is light and sits on the existing stand combo … but not safely for a long term thing. I went looking at various mounting stuff and finally ordered a stand (that cost nearly as much as the TV :( … )

Right.

Some assembly required. I knew that, but I admit to being a little intimidated when I saw the packs of fittings…

And the instructions…

BUT. I did not reach the age of 65 without having assembled some things!!

My last big item: Kitchen Island

ONWARD!!

I watched a video. I took a deep breath. I reminded myself that I am the daughter of a mechanical engineer…

And I took my time and assembled the stand.

New tv on top … old tv bottom.

I lived with the new setup for 12 hours and decided that it was not right for me…

So … moved the new 32 inch tv and stand to the living room, booting the dinosaur LED/Tube TV to the garage…

Baby is back in the bedroom.

I’m happy.

Good grief… Buy a new TV.

Buy a stand for new TV.

Decide all is kind of a mistake.

Plan C.

Sit with my best boys and be grateful that all works out!