tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49050104590772322252012-02-02T12:11:55.029-07:00A blog about my mountain biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, and dog adventures in the Front Range of Colorado Rockies. I explore the natural wonders of the Front Range through these adventures.KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.comBlogger9391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-25131868158567370482012-02-01T18:02:00.003-07:002012-02-01T18:12:11.091-07:00

Sunrise K stands strong at sunrise R, the eternal puppy The Guppies during a playdate with R

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-87378732578587827242012-01-31T18:54:00.040-07:002012-01-31T19:06:04.043-07:00

Regardless of what the day holds, K and I always try to start it with a sunrise outing on our trails. I especially treasure it on days when the rest of the day looks ominous. K glowed red this morning at sunrise. As we stood atop a ridge, I knew that I'd forever remember my sunrises with K. Today's plans included a visit to the canine cancer center to figure out why K has an oozing wound over the

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-861439158558811912012-01-30T19:20:00.001-07:002012-01-30T19:46:59.011-07:00

K and I witnessed sunrise this morning, a highlight of any day. I've been quite concerned about her "radiation burn" on her front left leg. You can see in the photo below that it's not a lot worse than yesterday, and she was behaving as if it didn't hurt her. A "bow" is a behavior that K likes to do whenever a camera is pointed at her. So, this bow was her idea... We wandered around in the forest

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-11872883970838983702012-01-29T19:45:00.000-07:002012-01-29T19:45:42.613-07:00

K seems like she's feeling tired but isn't having any intense side effects from her chemo treatment. However, her radiation burn, from the stereotactic radiation treatment 3 weeks ago, has become a sore subject. We're keeping her leg covered with a sock at home, and my fingers are crossed that it doesn't get infected when her white blood cell count almost inevitably drops after this chemo

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-59879685514580839592012-01-28T18:28:00.001-07:002012-01-28T18:31:54.079-07:00

K and I sneaked in a short hike yesterday morning before her chemotherapy today. We saw a spectacular, but a little ominous, sunrise. A mild snow storm was heading our way, as you can tell from the clouds. We climbed up even higher to get a clearer view of the eastern horizon. We sat in the cold wind, snuggled together, watching the light show. The sun never really came out so K wasn't bathed in

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-28908347361870517192012-01-26T19:55:00.000-07:002012-01-26T19:56:18.806-07:00

K and I especially relished our time together today. We started the day in the glow of the intense sunrise light. Tomorrow is the second of K's six chemotherapy treatments. We are told that some dogs have tough side effects with these carboplatin treatments. So far, K's only bad side effect was a brief dip in her neutrophil count, requiring her to take antibiotics for a week. I'm so glad that

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-44087494712056427532012-01-25T18:50:00.000-07:002012-01-25T18:51:52.755-07:00

Each romp with K is a miraculous gift.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-12901959922841924732012-01-24T19:09:00.000-07:002012-01-24T19:16:48.465-07:00

There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein. When I look around me, the whole world is a miracle. The mountains, the sky, the trees, the bears, and our dogs. I hope that a miracle is underway in this aspen grove. My friends and I spread huge number of columbine seeds in our forest last fall, including in this

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-31371515635151997382012-01-23T18:45:00.006-07:002012-01-23T18:55:04.012-07:00

K and I started our morning hike early enough to see the mountains bathed in the light of the rising sun. I have to admit that, since K's cancer diagnosis, I've had trouble dragging myself out of bed early enough for sunrise, probably due to the blues. Seizing this morning was an inspiration - I enjoyed it so much! We also witnessed the sunrise itself. It was so quiet and peaceful without much

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-83154941427271179402012-01-22T19:30:00.003-07:002012-01-22T20:03:08.221-07:00

At the end of 2011, before K's cancer diagnosis, I made a calendar of my favorite 2011 photos of her. I thought that I'd share them with you. I've included a short story about where the photo was taken and why it was significant to me. The photos are not necessarily my best photos, purely in terms of their artistic features. Rather, they're the photos that mean the most to me for sentimental

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-59270343994569748782012-01-21T18:36:00.002-07:002012-01-21T18:45:08.376-07:00

I want to pause to say thank you all of you who have been so supportive over this past month. We are grateful.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-84599061891032593312012-01-20T18:25:00.003-07:002012-01-20T18:32:40.774-07:00

K and I arrived up high a little after sunrise today but it was still beautiful. The wind had calmed a bit - it no longer sounded as if I was standing next to a jet engine but it still flapped K's ears as she stood still. After a disquieting day yesterday, K and I had a soothing walk, just wandering a high meadow, looking for animal tracks, relaxing, and playing. We had no particular goal in mind

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-29479426768781843982012-01-19T19:55:00.001-07:002012-01-19T19:59:49.564-07:00

How could a day that started so beautifully ending feeling so rough? K isn't giving up on life - she's enjoying every moment despite the grim prognoses that I can't seem to avoid hearing. She makes me smile when she wriggles with joy during our time together out in nature. She is as strong as the wind that has been blowing through our world for the past few days. Can you see the wind buffeting

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-25674339449873268942012-01-18T16:01:00.005-07:002012-01-18T16:12:24.494-07:00

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-67459819927505183792012-01-17T18:55:00.002-07:002012-01-17T19:16:49.596-07:00

Living with K's cancer is turning out to be a heart-wrenching balancing act between letting her live joyfully and protecting her from getting hurt. On our morning hike today, K was bursting with playful energy. K's happiness was in direct contrast to the horrific weather. It was 2°F and the wind blasted out of the west at unthinkable speeds carrying freshly fallen snow crystals in its gusts. K

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-78030569152951729032012-01-16T17:30:00.003-07:002012-01-16T17:39:52.875-07:00

A peaceful start to the day... A joyful hike with my K... Her love of life burst forth... And her dignity captured my heart, yet again... K is showing me how to live, regardless of circumstances, just as she's always done.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-25889531127164199992012-01-15T19:00:00.001-07:002012-01-15T19:09:44.089-07:00

The furious wind storm that has gone on for days has almost stripped the exposed meadows of snow. I think that the snow must have landed someplace thousands of miles east of us based on the fury of the wind. Perhaps it has landed on some of you who have a dearth of snow this year! The atmospheric snowblower has made snowbiking easier in some places. Today, I headed out on my snow bike, feeling a

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-40324382150624814652012-01-14T18:50:00.004-07:002012-01-14T20:59:47.635-07:00

Yesterday, at the vet hospital, another dog guardian was sitting in the waiting room while K and I waited for her blood test results, a required step in our journey. K is a "people-loving dog" who had worked her magic on the other person, first making eye contact, then wagging, then making monkey noises, and finally luring the woman into petting her. After a while, the vet came out and sat next

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-36431302296739282482012-01-13T19:30:00.000-07:002012-01-13T19:31:02.577-07:00

Two years ago today, I had three discs removed from my neck, and those joints were fused. At this time of the evening two years ago, I was resting in a hospital bed. My surgeon thought that I might need another spine surgery as soon as a year after that one. Here I am, two years later, and no additional fusions have happened yet! Today, despite a maelstrom of furious wind that whipped snow and

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-7308748678814616602012-01-12T18:50:00.005-07:002012-01-12T18:59:41.261-07:00

K is flourishing despite her chemotherapy. None of the side effects have yet hit K. Tomorrow, she gets her white blood cell count measured, checking to be sure that her bone marrow wasn't suppressed too much by her first round of chemo. She didn't care about that today - she wanted to romp! Despite my attempts to slow her down, K galloped through the snow at every opportunity. She was an

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-77588679081209269782012-01-11T17:58:00.001-07:002012-01-11T17:58:51.186-07:00

Yesterday: Last night: This morning: This evening:

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-31624132833277765392012-01-10T19:30:00.000-07:002012-01-10T19:33:36.185-07:00

My inspiration... Today was supposed to be the start of the hardest phase of side effects of chemotherapy. Despite that prediction, K and I had a fun hike on the trails this morning. It was warm, above freezing, and we heard chickadees singing their spring songs. We saw a Bald Eagle soaring over our heads. And, we saw lots of tracks of deer who are eking out an existence in our snow-bound world.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-67961085551676737832012-01-09T19:30:00.003-07:002012-01-09T19:32:30.686-07:00

K and I are bowing down in thanks that she's feeling so good. I'm spending our hikes trying to slow her down because she feels so good. So far, it feels as if we made a good decision to treat K's cancer. She is relatively young, and she's incredibly fit from running along side my mountain bike every day for most of her life. At least partly thanks to her strength, she's handling the treatment

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-54971381212994923072012-01-08T17:55:00.000-07:002012-01-08T17:58:39.668-07:00

From my first moments of wakefulness this morning, I knew that K was bouncing back. We headed out for a hike in the fresh fluffy snow and intense sunshine, and she sparkled with happiness. Look at those happy eyes! Yesterday, she trudged along next to me. Today, she explored and even ran a little bit. She dug for treasures hidden under the snow. It was a good day in our new journey. That's the

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-28578041135348772132012-01-07T18:30:00.007-07:002012-01-07T18:44:11.906-07:00

I took this photo during a short trail walk with K yesterday evening. The moon feels like it holds special meaning, especially in the winter when its light reflects off the snow so brightly that I can even see my "moon shadow". Last night's moon reminded me of a photo that I took of K earlier this year with the full moon below her. I wished that I could have taken a photo of K with the moon

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-73757282202071204832012-01-06T17:34:00.001-07:002012-01-06T20:02:46.552-07:00

K is home and feeling good. Three days of general anaesthesia, stereotactic radiation, and one round of chemotherapy - and K still seems happy-go-lucky. We took a short walk under pink clouds in a world tinted purple by the sky this evening. She still wore her "hospital ID collar" which you can see over her regular collar. She also wore a special bandana, saying "Hug me. I had radiation therapy."

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-92126344024566429552012-01-05T18:00:00.000-07:002012-01-05T18:03:47.827-07:00

K had another good day of treatment. She came through her anaesthesia and steriotactic radiation therapy fine today. Tomorrow holds the final radiation treatment and the first round of chemotherapy. I'm a bit scared of the chemotherapy because of the side effects. Hopefully, K will tolerate it without too much trouble. Today was very warm and felt like springtime. I found myself having my

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-21386522005857908722012-01-04T19:15:00.010-07:002012-01-04T19:22:46.532-07:00

Our K is doing fine after her first day of radiation. She seems perky and happy tonight. Two more days to go... And, we just learned that she'll get her first infusion of chemotherapy drugs on Friday. R continues to keep all of us amused during this stressful time. I took this photo while he and I romped on the trails today. He thought that standing still and balancing a treat on his nose, right

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-60776840888144214822012-01-03T17:55:00.007-07:002012-01-03T18:01:34.195-07:00

Another surreal start to the day, snowshoe hiking with K by my side. Bare aspen trees with the sunrise colors behind them. We are so lucky to live in such a peaceful and beautiful place. And, the sunrise itself. Tomorrow is a big day in our fight with osteosarcoma. K starts her stereotactic radiation treatments to kill the bone tumors. The veterinary oncologists will put her under general

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-83561723389235281002012-01-02T18:40:00.000-07:002012-01-02T18:47:49.271-07:00

We are seizing these days with K. She'll spend most of Wednesday through Friday in the hospital receiving her radiation treatments so this peaceful interlude feels like a vacation. Our pack saw the lingering remnants of the sunset last night. And, then this morning, for the first time since K's osteosarcoma diagnosis, I shook off my sadness enough to get onto our trails in time for sunrise. We

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-82850415176033271332012-01-01T16:00:00.000-07:002012-01-01T16:05:32.675-07:00

I woke up feeling low... very low. I plodded out of our clearing with my awkward big snowshoes on (they're a necessity, rather than a fun thing, with the bottomless snow drifts that currently cover our trails). I brooded and wished that I could rewind our lives by more than a week. I released K from her leash, and I watched her trot ahead of me with a bounce in her step. She peeked back at me

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-25264897310025621462011-12-31T19:00:00.004-07:002011-12-31T19:08:35.770-07:00

This morning, we all lay in bed for a long time, listening to the howling wind, watching the horizontal snow, and hugging with our K. As I ate breakfast, one thought kept going through my head - "Damn the rules". The "rules" include keeping K quiet so that she isn't at risk of breaking the bone with the biggest tumor. However, her bones aren't ever going to get stronger. The radiation will

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-85691994047392002272011-12-30T17:00:00.000-07:002011-12-30T17:09:14.131-07:00

K was at the hospital early, ready for her surgery. After K was asleep, the surgeon did one last xray to decide exactly where to make her cuts so she could be sure of "clean margins". Unfortunately, the evil C was a step ahead of us. The new x-ray shows that it was now attacking both bones above the wrist in K's forelimb (the ulna and radius). That simple fact cancelled the scheduled surgery

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com80tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-84482809211331869202011-12-29T18:09:00.020-07:002011-12-29T18:18:18.820-07:00

K is having surgery tomorrow to remove the bone containing the osteosarcoma tumor. She had two tests today to find out if she had any big tumors anyplace else in her body, and they were clean. That information puts her in the category of osteosarcoma dogs who can have their lives extended by surgically removing the primary bone tumor and receiving chemotherapy. About 50% of dogs with

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-60879995493536004932011-12-28T18:59:00.001-07:002011-12-28T19:02:55.384-07:00

This will be a very short update because I am exhausted and shattered after this day. Today, the oncologist did a biopsy that showed that the tumor in K's ulna (a forelimb bone) is osteosarcoma. Tomorrow, she'll have more tests to see if it has spread beyond her ulna. If it has not spread, we will get cutting-edge treatment for her with the hope of extending her life. That treatment will probably

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com78tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-42750039918543029232011-12-27T18:50:00.009-07:002011-12-27T19:01:41.857-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day. Today, I needed some time with my K, off by ourselves in the beautiful mountains. So, we cheated and walked a bit further than our vet told us was okay (but I kept K on leash, as instructed). I decided to cheat because I knew that it might be K's last hike as a four-legged dog. We went up to our sunrise/sunset viewpoint and sat on our favorite lichen-covered boulder with

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com67tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-16225807160805969812011-12-26T17:08:00.000-07:002011-12-26T17:08:16.539-07:00

I thank every single one of you who sent me your good wishes after my last post. I've been spending my time with my family over the holiday and now educating myself about bone cancer and amputations so that I'm informed at our appointment on Wednesday. K can't walk far but I captured one nice photo of her on a tiny walk in our driveway. She doesn't seem to know that anything's wrong - except

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-3495478064040727112011-12-24T15:30:00.003-07:002011-12-24T21:15:56.073-07:00

Yesterday started out with a beautiful dawn snowshoe hike with my K. We saw the sun kiss the tops of the towering pine trees together.  It was going to be a normal day, including a quick visit to the vet for a routine test. At the visit, I mentioned that K had been limping on her 3-toed paw. The vet started running her hands over K's legs, feeling for any problems. I expected nothing to show up

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com84tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-2861119628120789162011-12-22T17:50:00.001-07:002011-12-22T17:54:57.502-07:00

Yesterday, I decided to heed the weather forecast, and I pulled another wildlife camera off a steep north-facing slope where the black bears live during the summer months. I took one last photo of "Bear Art" on a huge old Aspen tree. I won't see it again until next April when the snowpack melts enough to make it possible to walk the trail. When I woke up this morning and peeked out onto our deck,

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-8784880960903976312011-12-21T14:58:00.002-07:002011-12-21T15:00:04.555-07:00

Alpenglow this morning Power of the Paw A storm sweeping in from the invisible mountains behind K

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-87937514680575831262011-12-20T19:30:00.004-07:002011-12-20T21:21:15.439-07:00

Today's dawn was spectacular, one to savor and remember. I was happy to be alive for it. It painted the whole world purple, and even the hoar frost on the pine trees was tinted purple when I gazed to the west. To the east, the sunrise was gorgeous, hidden behind a "Christmas Tree" lit up in a natural light show. It was about 12°F when K and I rolled out the door.... but it's amazing how that

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-51963644465063787982011-12-19T18:30:00.004-07:002011-12-19T18:34:51.126-07:00

Although I try to start each day with a sunrise ride with K, our rides have recently been pretty short because her 3-toed paw gets sore on the uneven hard snow. But, we always stop for photos at sunrise. After I ride with K, I usually head out for a ride that takes me further afield from our house, following packed trails or 4WD roads. It's odd - I have certain rides that I do only in the

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-19546253933198473922011-12-17T18:31:00.005-07:002011-12-17T18:35:57.661-07:00

A pair of happy dogs explored together in the sunshine. The combination of white snow flying through the air and the golden grass made a gorgeous scene. Dogs don't worry too much about the future or get frazzled about finding the right Christmas present. They just live with gusto - a fine example for all of us. I've been researching my health situation on the internet, and I am struck, yet again,

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-53303382377227893592011-12-15T20:00:00.005-07:002011-12-15T20:04:45.013-07:00

A long day of medical stuff. When the going gets rough, I think of my morning rides with K, and I smile. Things were not *too* rough today. I found a great new doctor who I think will sort out my befuddling situation. Like the oncologist, he is leaning away from thinking that it's lymphoma. Instead, he thinks that it's most likely to be a bad case of sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease that

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-54817612209291777592011-12-14T15:32:00.000-07:002011-12-14T15:32:17.761-07:00

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-51688776827251037542011-12-13T19:25:00.007-07:002011-12-13T21:40:50.685-07:00

Winter is an odd season for a snowbiker because the accessible world shrinks and then grows with each storm. Since we were hit with a trifecta of storms more than a week ago, the snowbiking world is finally expanding again. In the past few days, K and I have ridden many trails that were snowed in last week. We were out for sunrise this morning, and K focused on the mewing of elk calves off in

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-71564650110927677202011-12-12T18:45:00.001-07:002011-12-12T18:48:41.501-07:00

Soaking up quiet times of sunrise and sunset in the mountains keeps me happy. I especially love sharing them with my K. The sunrise behind K made everything glow, including her fur and the snow. Although the world is peaceful as the sun rises, the sun itself is fiery, making K look like a red lab! I like trying new things with my camera, especially in the special light of sunrise. Lately, I've

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-58819019192239413412011-12-11T22:50:00.003-07:002011-12-11T22:52:26.220-07:00

'Tis the season.... Life has become a bit frenzied around here lately. Even K's photos exude a frenzied attitude! But, in the midst of it all, we've found a few serene moments. Even the animals seem to be surviving winter with a peaceful look about them. This big buck remained peaceful despite his nervousness about the camera. I hope that you have had some peaceful times too!

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-78753681946331533512011-12-09T18:16:00.001-07:002011-12-09T18:58:12.175-07:00

Happy romping day!

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-61392974311032102512011-12-08T18:10:00.002-07:002011-12-08T18:12:16.346-07:00

The dawning of a new day... I love being outside to witness it. The world feels so wondrous and full of possibilities as the sun rises. Frequently, just after the sun rises, its rays bathe K in warm light. This morning, she first looked dark red in the faint sun. The snowy mountains on the horizon glowed in the sun also. Then, as the sun inched upward, its rays beamed more strongly, making K glow

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-3234256842326491962011-12-07T15:45:00.000-07:002011-12-07T15:47:11.302-07:00

Desert: Home:

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-83764339893601245032011-12-06T19:57:00.000-07:002011-12-06T19:57:10.555-07:00

A bluebird day... much less cold than yesterday and a glorious one to be outside. K was in a romping great mood! She seemed thrilled that she didn't have to wear the evil boots again.  We enjoyed leisurely time in the sun. It's amazing how warm 20°F felt after yesterday's -10°F! The snowbiking is getting easier and easier as the paths get packed down. Of course, K doesn't stick to the paths.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-40648153427978338592011-12-05T19:00:00.001-07:002011-12-05T19:01:34.474-07:00

"-8°F" screamed the outdoor thermometer when I woke up this morning. Can you tell that the world was in a deep freeze based on this photo? You can see K's agility teeter-totter sticking up out of the deep snow. I decided to move slowly while getting ready for K's daily outing in the forest. Surely, if I drank my coffee slowly enough, it would warm up. After sipping slowly for a long time, I

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-89038325823830009462011-12-04T18:40:00.003-07:002011-12-04T21:30:12.858-07:00

Winter has transformed our world in the past few days. It's barely recognizable.We briefly saw blue sky today while K and I snowbiked the trails near my house.  But, then, the clouds leading the next storm changed the ambiance. This evening, it's snowing again. It's beautiful. This series of storms has surprised me. Last winter, nearly every predicted storm fizzled out. So, I ignored the weather

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-52698055063619861082011-12-03T18:20:00.003-07:002011-12-03T18:28:28.400-07:00

We had a surprise big snowfall last night. I was shocked to see what looked like a fresh foot of snow outside our windows this morning. K started our snowshoe hike in 10°F air wearing a hat and neck warmer. She didn't wear them for long. K porpoised through the bottomless snow like a wild puppy. I started our hike still feeling gloomy but K's happy play lifted my spirits skyward. Her joyful

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-20631808437197969202011-12-02T20:15:00.003-07:002011-12-02T20:25:01.798-07:00

I saw my oncologist yesterday. He says that my PET scan showed that some lymph nodes in my chest are hyperactive or "hot" -  a characteristic of cancer cells and abnormal cells. He thinks that it's "probably not lymphoma" but did some blood tests as another check. If those tests are normal, then he'll follow me for the next 6 months to make sure that those lymph nodes and lung nodules don't grow.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-32800392228609531772011-12-01T18:30:00.005-07:002011-12-01T18:38:29.972-07:00

Last week at this time, snowy mountains flickered like an imaginary mirage on the horizon. It was actually a bit hot as K did her yoga and stuck out her tongue simultaneously. Fast forward to today... Look at how much snow accumulated on K's coat in a minute! Her tail was almost buried in snow. We are now in those snowy mountains that were on the horizon last week. It was quite a storm. It's

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-64822900166932844872011-11-30T15:20:00.002-07:002011-11-30T15:25:50.399-07:00

One day in Moab, we were on top of the world in the morning. We were on the valley floor below the cliff for sunset. In the desert, sunset is a magical hour that paints the rock cliffs in mystical purple and gold hues. Magic.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-21000032494688783692011-11-28T18:20:00.006-07:002011-11-28T19:04:01.128-07:00

I never in a million years imagined the warm and wonderful comments that I received yesterday. I'd kept my story quiet for what felt like a long time. I'm so glad that I told it, and that I have such compassionate blog friends. None of us is really alone out here. While I spent a few hours in the hospital today being injected with radioactive glucose and then being scanned, I remembered an

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-27364471565540853932011-11-27T19:10:00.010-07:002011-11-27T19:16:41.080-07:00

Have you ever walked to the edge of a cliff and peeked over the edge, realizing that the desert floor is thousands of feet below you? During my internet break, I visited the desert and noticed how I was drawn to the concept of cliffs, both literally and figuratively. During my blogging break, we decided to escape winter and some unwelcome drama in our lives. It involves a figurative cliff that

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-70456918314852169682011-11-17T19:10:00.001-07:002011-11-17T19:13:36.352-07:00

It's becoming our morning tradition. K and I sprint up the hill to see the sunrise. Some days it's glorious, like a rain of fire from the sky. Regardless of the sky show, I'm happy to be out on the trails with my K. Below was a surreal morning. A wild wind blew off the mountains, and a swirl of clouds hovered to our east. The sun barely shined through, creating a ghostly appearance to our

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-64827980029194748652011-11-16T18:00:00.001-07:002011-11-16T18:01:52.252-07:00

Then, she grew up... Well, not really...

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-64388642158197875282011-11-15T20:00:00.002-07:002011-11-15T20:21:43.627-07:00

I've captured rare (for me) photos of the bobcat mother and kitten multiple times this week! They're still frequenting a very snowy north-facing slope where I have a trail camera set up hoping to photograph bears who are heading to their dens. I'm amazed that the bobcat pair is still using the slope. It's SO cold. I hate checking my trail camera there because I get chilled to the bone in the

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-90583384441534315962011-11-14T17:50:00.001-07:002011-11-14T17:57:21.522-07:00

The wind has howled continuously for days now with gusts so fierce that they toppled at least 20 trees across the trails on one of my favorite riding routes. I feel as if the wind has decided to inform us that it's winter and there's no turning back. K made one of her most funny faces ever today when a gust hit her from behind. Her look sums up how many of us feel about the unrelenting wind!

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-15571457470768724102011-11-12T18:25:00.002-07:002011-11-13T15:03:41.506-07:00

I remembered that one of my favorite things in the winter is being outside to see the sun rise. Because my spirit has been flagging recently, K and I have hustled out the door on the past two mornings to experience that magical moment when the sun peeks over the rocky peaks to our east. Usually, I am awed by the quiet at that early hour out in the woods. Alas, that wasn't true this morning. The

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-54106144879960226182011-11-11T13:03:00.000-07:002011-11-11T13:03:50.522-07:00

My malaise was eradicated by a stunning sunset romp. The Labraduo was in fine form. As the sun dipped below the mountains, the cloud bank above us caught on fire. The Duo reflected the amazing sky color. Finally, as day became dusk, the cloud bank turned purple. Sights like this one are why I try to be outside every day during the hours of magic. Any hint of lingering malaise was put to rest

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-68504181956191451802011-11-10T18:15:00.000-07:002011-11-10T18:19:20.073-07:00

K and I rolled out early this morning for a snowbike ride. To our relief, we didn't see any hunters' vehicles parked in the usual places, making me feel more at ease in the forest. We missed actual sunrise but we played in low angle sun at a favorite lookout point. K was full of energy, and I watched her romp in the snow, enjoying her happiness. I took off her orange vest briefly so that I could

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-82891480169133219812011-11-09T19:19:00.000-07:002011-11-09T19:20:33.856-07:00

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-43693102812695153812011-11-07T15:50:00.000-07:002011-11-07T15:59:43.667-07:00

The power of the paws... Churning through the snow... K is my guardian dog and I am her guardian human. Ever since I was part of a search and rescue team with my dog years ago, I view my relationships with my dogs as partnerships. I don't think of myself as a dog "mom" - a dog "sister" describes my view better. K watched over me while I followed bear tracks yesterday, and she plans to do the

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-80351223306530173862011-11-06T14:56:00.004-07:002011-11-06T15:03:08.583-07:00

I'm heading out to track a bear who passed my wildlife camera this morning, going in the direction of many boulder outcroppings that surely have great dens among them. This might be Tiny. He didn't stop and smile for the camera. He seemed like a bear on a mission. Very few things inspire me like following the tracks of my favorite animal - the bear! Since we are many hours behind him and don't

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-15487529355833392102011-11-05T19:45:00.001-06:002011-11-05T19:57:17.116-06:00

I've been needing more inspiration than usual lately due to some unexpected bumps in the curvy trail of life. I realized how much I turn to nature's beauty for inspiration. This is one of my favorite photos from this past autumn. It's a view that I see every day but the clouds, new snow, and leaves made it especially striking about a month ago. More recently, just as a storm was fading, the sun

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-37660653793240503112011-11-04T17:20:00.004-06:002011-11-04T18:45:04.689-06:00

Winter has engulfed our world in the ten days. This is the little trail that connects our clearing to the forest around it. After navigating that snow tunnel on my snowbike, K and I emerged into a more open area, where the deep blue sky and snow-laden pine trees painted a beautiful picture. On the first couple of mornings after our last big snow, K was wired for action. I sensed that she could

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-37986067054704083602011-11-02T17:14:00.000-06:002011-11-02T17:16:41.010-06:00

Before storm Before storm After After After

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-61417672745861033572011-11-01T20:20:00.007-06:002011-11-01T20:25:28.802-06:00

My morning bike ride mimicked the trajectory of my day as a whole. It started with incredible promise. K and I rolled out the door before sunrise. I rode my snowbike with energetic pedal strokes up to the sunrise lookout point. The traction on the snow was excellent, and K and I moved along at a decent clip. We arrived up high to see alpenglow bathing the snowy mountains in a pink and gold hue.

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-75974929796505577312011-10-31T17:27:00.000-06:002011-10-31T17:31:02.065-06:00

Fun with K in the sun and snow! Happy Halloween!

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-43734986453854618742011-10-30T15:55:00.014-06:002011-10-30T16:26:39.746-06:00

We had a lethargic black bear come visit our clearing a few nights ago, just after the big snow storm. This is the bear who I've dubbed "Tiny" in the past, based on his humongous stature. Based on the fact that he's not in hibernation yet, I'm assuming that Tiny is a male. Look at his size! He arrived in our clearing, knocked over our bear-proof garbage cans, and then walked to the base of our

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-10065495639832022672011-10-28T17:40:00.012-06:002011-10-28T17:47:51.937-06:00

K and I rode out the door before sunrise this morning onto frozen trails and into the frigid air. I love this time of day, the dawning of a new day, full of promise and plans. The eastern horizon was pink and the forest was light but the sun hadn't peeked over the rocky ridge yet. I kept K in a tight heel for the start of our snowbike ride. The wildlife love dawn as much as I do. Soon, the sun

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-67850856642855127702011-10-27T22:20:00.003-06:002011-10-28T09:11:00.593-06:00

My blog and all my Google privileges were "disabled" today. The problem seems to be fixed but I'd suggest that all of us remember to change our passwords frequently so no one hijacks our accounts. Today in my backyard... As I rode my snowbike with K by my side this morning, the fresh snow glittered all around me. I felt like I was riding through the tunnel of life. I wanted to reach out and

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-12093087176619704442011-10-26T16:40:00.000-06:002011-10-26T16:43:34.338-06:00

Long-Nosed Leopard Lizard in the Colorado Desert Red Fox in my backyard Curious Coyote in my backyard Agile Coyote in my backyard Big Bull Elk in my backyard Doe and male fawn with antler "buttons" in my backyard Yesterday in my backyard Today in my backyard Today in my backyard Superbike, Fatty, comes out of hibernation in my backyard My Backyard

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-17224493270915237212011-10-25T17:50:00.001-06:002011-10-25T17:54:24.703-06:00

Winter is here, at least for the moment. The desert trip from last weekend seems like a distant memory. "They" say that we'll have 10-20" of white stuff on the ground by tomorrow evening. I'll ignore the snow for a moment and, instead, I'll remember the warm sun on my bare arms and legs as I relaxed in the desert. The area where we visited has a maze of beautiful singletrack trails that wend

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-91701325107692391622011-10-24T17:00:00.013-06:002011-10-24T17:32:13.554-06:00

We headed out to the desert for the weekend, to enjoy a couple of last days relaxing in the sun before winter arrives in the form of a snowstorm tomorrow. We arrived at a favorite campsite in the evening, as the sun was setting over the Colorado River. As the sun peacefully sunk below the horizon, the world turned orange and red. After dark, one star rose before all the others and sparkled with

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-52152319366321020532011-10-20T16:50:00.001-06:002011-10-20T16:55:51.969-06:00

As some of you know, K has had more than her share of health issues over the past 18 months that have resulted in a toe amputation and her being on antibiotics for at least half of the 18 months. I'm not complaining - I know that everything could have been far worse. Despite all of the setbacks, K recovered from the toe amputation and has been my mountain biking buddy this year. Her latest issue

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-73210776616150355982011-10-19T17:33:00.001-06:002011-10-19T17:34:53.427-06:00

Morning light on aspens and K Look what we found. It's hunting season here... Autumn's leaf frozen in stream Snowy mountains, yellow aspens, and K 2000' higher:  wintertime Dusk high in the mountains Wide-eyed K

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-74284028585585663912011-10-18T19:30:00.000-06:002011-10-18T19:33:18.229-06:00

K and I were out in the forest for both sunrise and sunset. K and I mountain biked as the sun was rising, and we hiked as the sun was setting. I love being out in the wild as the world transitions between light and darkness, just as it is now transitioning from the wild green growth of summertime to the stark white and blue of the winter sleep. As the sun set, K and I sat in its golden glow. I

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-11310286391535046372011-10-17T19:44:00.000-06:002011-10-17T19:44:36.531-06:00

I had chance to take both halves of the Duo on a mountain bike ride with me. Their voltage was sky-high! We traveled through paths of golden and red leaves, our yellow-brick road to wintertime. During one brief stop, K stood next to me and rested her paw on my cycling-shoe clad foot. Some leaves are still on the trees in the sun-bathed sections of the forests. This brilliant stand of aspens glows

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-85293400972864781362011-10-15T16:25:00.022-06:002011-10-15T16:46:21.535-06:00

I found a tremendous surprise on my wildlife camera that's set up on our property today. First, let me explain why the surprise made me so happy. Some of you know that I've been following the progress of a mother bobcat and her kitten for months. First, I noticed an adult bobcat hunting a very small area with great intensity. The bobcat never seemed to eat her prey where she killed it. Rather,

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-89036734073843623862011-10-14T17:10:00.002-06:002011-10-14T17:14:47.211-06:00

For North Americans, our world is enveloped in darkness for more time each day. The advantage is that I actually see sunrises and sunsets. This morning, the sun had risen above the eastern clouds when K and I arrived atop Hug Hill on our mountain bike ride. And, an airplane appeared to be heading straight for the sun. When K stood in her favorite spot on the pinnacle of our trail network, she was

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-47521076725943946592011-10-13T17:39:00.001-06:002011-10-13T17:54:16.196-06:00

K and I started our day with a glorious mountain bike ride. It was warm enough for me to wear short sleeves and shorts. Ah, what a treat! K romped through an aspen grove, seeming only slightly subdued despite her infection. We've learned that the bacteria infecting her is actually called MRSI, and it is resistant to all but the most harsh antibiotics. MRSI is closely related to MRSA but is the

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-57662843807405557482011-10-12T17:21:00.000-06:002011-10-12T17:22:14.647-06:00

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-65368420459578709142011-10-11T17:40:00.026-06:002011-10-11T17:52:56.498-06:00

A couple of days ago, we had our first snow. It snowed close to 4" and brought down a carpet of golden aspen leaves still glowing on the snow. Just after that snow, I had a spooky experience that I wrote about two days ago. I was riding my snow mountain bike (Fatback) that has 4" wide tires when I discovered that a mountain lion had walked in my tire tracks very shortly after I made them so he

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-36408201107878979672011-10-10T17:25:00.000-06:002011-10-10T17:25:55.857-06:00

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-6100716689004311612011-10-09T16:25:00.000-06:002011-10-09T16:29:37.782-06:00

On the night before the snow, I captured this photo of K in the setting sun. I love the winter light, especially at sunrise and sunset. Also before the storm, I'm afraid that the rabbit who lived in the boulders behind my house became coyote food. Look closely at the lower left corner of the next photo and see the animal clasped in the coyote's jaws. It almost looks like the coyote is posing for

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-58564826930399583852011-10-08T17:10:00.002-06:002011-10-08T17:13:43.783-06:00

K and I had a glorious mountain bike ride yesterday before the snow storm moved in. We served our punishment, meted out by Benny and Lily, for my close call with hypothermia. It was a two day suspension from mountain bike riding. We served it in dog days. Each dog day is 1/7 of a human day. So, we skipped riding for a few hours and then we were free to romp and roll all over the forest! During

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-9423830666163041452011-10-07T17:30:00.006-06:002011-10-07T19:14:34.585-06:00

A bear walked a trail where I have a wildlife camera early this morning. I'm pretty sure that it's Tiny, a regular on this route. More about her tomorrow. Winter has arrived. Droplets froze onto yellow aspen leaves last night. The snow that nearly froze me yesterday stuck to the alpine terrain but didn't stick at our elevation. Tomorrow, we're supposed to get our first accumulating snow (5-10").

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-74295185109230220022011-10-06T17:55:00.034-06:002011-10-06T19:34:22.201-06:00

This morning, I found photos of a gorgeous coyote on my wildlife camera. His rusty coat almost glowed in yesterday afternoon's light. In the other photos that the camera captured, he looked chubby, with his belly almost bulging! I think that our coyotes have had an excellent summer, leaving them strong and ready for winter. I've never seen them looking so well fed. It was a warm Indian Summer

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-13328684298175300232011-10-05T17:33:00.000-06:002011-10-05T17:33:14.984-06:00

Lead Dog A Lupine Survivor Golden Leaves and Eyes Autumn Rose Leaf Trusty Paws The Future

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-33877811057635113192011-10-04T17:40:00.000-06:002011-10-04T17:42:47.965-06:00

I've suddenly been getting lots of visits from stinkers at my trail cameras. I've never photographed a skunk before the past two months. The one shown below is the classic striped skunk that most of you know. We also have spotted skunks. This is a view that you never want to see in person! Thank goodness that he didn't spray my camera. I've had a stinker of a few days with the news about my

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-39267540725155867672011-10-03T20:05:00.003-06:002011-10-03T20:09:28.533-06:00

Yesterday evening, K and I took a hike in a meadowy area so she could go without her muzzle. The mushrooms that she eats grow in pine forests so I take off the evil muzzle when we're out in the open. I called her, and I captured this photo. I believe that she'd been grazing on something, probably rose hips which are her favorite non-mushroom wild food at this time of year. As we finished our

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-44179208886528273602011-10-02T17:50:00.003-06:002011-10-02T17:59:06.585-06:00

Today is Livestrong Day. I remember the day of its genesis. I was, and still am, an avid bike racing fan because I was a bike racer before my spine degenerated too much for me to race. On that day many years ago, I was teaching a class, and a student hurried into the room, announcing as she arrived that Lance Armstrong had just been diagnosed with cancer. I have to admit that I didn't believe it

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4905010459077232225.post-66498481934778297272011-10-01T16:40:00.006-06:002011-10-01T16:55:07.214-06:00

Do you ever wish that you could freeze time? I often feel that way in the autumn, as the very last wildflowers bloom in the midst of changing leaves. As the leaves change color and hang golden in the cerulean sky, I want to freeze them in place so that they don't fall to the ground. As we have our last warm days of swimming and playing in the mountains for this year, I wish that I had the power

KBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16885661679762446456noreply@blogger.com24