Cracker Jacks Box

K had a great day yesterday, despite what is scorching heat for us mountain dwellers. In the morning, we made it to Hug Hill, a big accomplishment for K these days. I like this photo with the mountains and a flying bird behind K.

In the evening, we took a relaxing but still hot sunset hike. K glowed as she ran in the meadow.

And, she glowed happily as I put her on a "pedestal". It was one of those days when I dared to hope - maybe, just maybe, the latest chemotherapy drug is slowing her disease. Our regular vets seem very surprised that K is still hiking based on the state of her lungs, which is why the tiny bit of hope that the new drugs are working appeared in my heart.

But, as all of you know who have been through a journey like this one, hope is scary when a person has started the process of accepting the inevitable ending. Indeed, that tiny bit of hope made it harder for me when K seemed sluggish and tired today.

When it was time to get out of bed this morning, she didn't look thrilled.

When K remembered that breakfast follows getting out of bed, her attitude improved immensely. Then, we had a nice lazy walk, with both of us moving slowly. I know that the heat is finally really getting to me. Perhaps that's what is bothering K as well.

I dragged myself through my day, feeling tired, hot, and sad. I usually love my mountain bike ride - but not today. Then, I found some funny photos on a wildlife camera close to the house. A curious bobcat decided that it was time to check out the funny glowing box on the tree.

First, he walked directly at it with his eyes fixed on it. It's in black and white because the world was getting dark at the time when he visited.

The camera is mounted a little higher than his head so the first view was of his ears. Look at the tiny tuft sticking up out of the tip of his left ear!

Then, he must have put his paws on the tree to get a better look. I bursted out laughing when I saw this one. I love our kitties.

Wildlife cameras remind me of Cracker Jacks Boxes. Remember the surprise toys in the bottom of those boxes? Checking a wildlife camera reminds me of my childhood excitement over the toy in the Cracker Jacks box. When I check the photos, sometimes I find something that really makes me smile!