Shopping for a home

So, the bears have started hibernating for the winter. They are much harder to find which leaves me with a lot more time on my hands. I could be spending that time helping young mongrels learn to read and write, but I figure they can handle that on their own. I mean, in many cultures they would already be parents.

So, instead of teaching and tracking, I have opted for a much more useful and obviously exciting way to use my minutes. I am shopping for a house. It only has one major requirement- it has to float. Well, it also has to sail and fit potentially 4 people and 2 dogs.

So far, I have fallen in love with one potential home. It is a Cal 39. The pictures may portray the home as a fixer upper, but it is truly magnificent. The galley is in the perfect place, the head needs a shower, but the husband can do that on his own. The v-berth can be easily divided to fit two young mongrels, each with their own cubby space. And, the best part is the husband can stand upright in it without hitting his head.

Here are some of the pics.

Above is Rossie looking towards the stern. You have to step on the counter to get in.
Below is looking towards the bow, my living room, dining room, and then to potential young mongrels room.

Below is the lovely galley. No, no, it really is lovely.

Here is the deck. It is huge!! And non-slip which is perfect for hound dog and her arthritis.

Surprising Findings, tracking bear

When tracking bear, it is important to remember that there are hundreds of other wildlife opportunities that may arise. You may find a baby kingfisher, having waddled out of its cave. Or you may come across those sweet little tracks made by a passing fox looking for food.
Sometimes, however, you are lucky to enough to find something that everyone dreams about- (by everyone, I mean me and my assistants.)
Yes, the hound dog, using her exquisite nose and waiting for my command (HA!) left our trail of bear to find the next best thing- a deer carcass.
It was perfect, complete with all 4 legs and those fantastic articulating toes. Yes, deer have toes. The head still included furry ears and a sweet little tongue. Ah, the thrill of the hunt.

My assistants and I of course did the only logical thing- we gathered up our prize and brought it back to our lovely home. I know, this dreamy find may produce some jealousy. As I am sure that everyone wishes that they could have a full deer carcass in their front yard. I mean, who wouldn't want to be greeted by the 600lb dead animal when they get home from work. And, although I apologize for rubbing this in, who would not want one particular leg of the beast in their house when they get up in the morning.

Sea Smoke

There are few images more satisfying to me in the morning than sea smoke.



I wake up and look out the window, welcoming each new 10 degree day. The shore is about 200 yards from my bedroom and as I slowly wake up...HA! Wait a second, you guys all know me already so I will rephrase, as I quickly wake up and stare out the window, I always hope for my favorite treat...sea smoke. It is this glorious, steamy looking smoke that floats off the ocean water and gives the illusion that that sea has become a giant hot tub. It is almost hard to believe that it is absolutely frigid out. For a moment I can imagine being in the west, lying in a hot spring, surrounded by cedar and snow, and immersed in toasty warm water.

As I take the dogs out for the morning stroll, I maneuver over the ice that has formed a permanent layer on my walkway (I find it thrilling to have a death trap greet me each morning.) My illusions of hot springs and steam quickly fade. But.... I am left with the most wonderful view.

Broken Camera

Well, Ross and I have officially broken both of our cameras! Yuck! I have a wealth of beautiful photos on the computer but they all seem obsolete. Sure, they are only from a month or so ago, but this digital age deems everything expired within days. I crave instant renewal- newness for the sake of newness. Ahhhhh!