Falling back

It is “Fall back” time here in the United States: Set the clocks back an hour and change the batteries in smoke and Co2 detectors…DONE!

Here at the Casa Summers we have brand new Co2 detectors. They talk. They say if it is smoke or co2 and they tell us to leave the house for fresh air.

Bear believes. When I tested the new detectors, his ears went back and he came to me and flicked his nose to the door – his signal to go outside.

I think we are in good shape if there is ever a problem.

Meanwhile, “Fall back” day started clear with a moonlit, starry sky, but it has since clouded up and turned into a dark and dreary day. No matter. We have done all errands and are in for the week end.

Falling back.

Friday

Friday.

The color is spectacular! The larch are brilliant gold. You can see a few of them in the above photo.

A week or 10 days ago or so, I pulled the plug on the trip around Montana and to my folks. No news on the propane tank, Bear’s leg was still iffy, work, weather…I needed to take something out of the mix of “what to do”.

Today, Bear and I visited another vet clinic.

Bear’s ACL is torn and he needs surgery. The surgery is called TPLO: Tibia plateau leveling osteotomy. Karl had the same surgery when he was 3. It is major surgery and the success is most dependent on the 12-16 week rehab period post-op.

Bear’s surgery is awaiting scheduling with an orthopedic vet – likely 2-4 weeks hence.

I am so sorry that Bear has to go through this.

BUT…if his outcome is as good as Karl’s, he will have the rest of his life on a good, strong knee.

I am honored and privileged to be part of the process. It is incredibly bonding…at least that was Karl’s and my experience and I expect the same with Bear.

Yes, it is spendy in both $$ and time. The time I gladly give. The $$ I thankfully can supply as well.

This good and loving dog – I hope to see him running and jumping and leaping and spinning.

Surgery in 2-4 weeks, rehab 12-16 weeks – full recovery by late winter/early spring.

Smashing Pumpkins

I think there is a band called Smashing Pumpkins…that’s as much as I know about them.

My mom and I were discussing the difficulty cutting into pumpkins and squash. She mentioned that my Auntie Rachel used to drop them on the sidewalk to break them open.

Huh…

I tried it. Actually, I have tried it 3 times and had success all 3 times.

MAGIC! – maybe I’ve just been lucky, but the 2 pumpkins and 1 winter swash that I pitched onto my walk – they all split right in half.

This gives the whole “cutting up the squash at the risk of life and limb” a much better spin!

From the woods

The property my house sits on – my name on the deed: the woods that are part of that property – they are magic to me.

The woods have light and dark, color, warmth and enveloping love…unexplainable.

I’ve been in this woods at all times of the day and night.

After Karl’s passing, the woods were hard to be in for awhile. He and I…we spent so many days and those last months…nights in the woods. The nights I especially remember as it was winter and dark. But, those times were so special. My memory of those times is warm. And some nights now, when I walk in the woods with Bear, in the dark, I wonder how it was that I did not trip over downfall, or feel fear? How did I feel like I could walk and follow Karl in the late night and very early morning and be ok?

Sometimes, Karl stopped and sat or lay down and so did I. I sat on a stump, or sometimes just lay on my back in the snow on the ground – Karl near and quiet all around us.

I know these woods well. I know the game trails, the crooked trees, the copses. I love these woods and I feel that the woods love me and mine.

From the woods.

**I don’t usually have the house spot lights on when we walk in the morning and night as they actually make it harder to see the ground as well as the night sky. I turn them on for a bit before we go out to alert the wild things, then turn them off for our walk. The morning I took this photo, I accidentally left the front spot on but we were out and Bear wanted to go, so we went. As we walked in the woods, I happened to look toward the house when the crooked tree was blocking the direct path of the spot. It looked so like the woods feels to me that after our walk I went back out with the camera to see if I could capture the way the woods feels in the dark. I’m happy with the result.

Happy Birthday dear Bear

Bear is 8 years old today!

Bob and I are very happy that when he needed a new family, he found his way to ours.

Yes, Bob, you are happy because Bear keeps the wild things away and keeps you safe!

I know it is loud sometimes, but that’s what it takes.

And usually, he is quiet and a good nap companion!

We love you Bear-boy … Happy Birthday dear Bear!