Geese Galore

 We have had SO MANY geese lately!  Usually they're long gone by now, but these guys are sticking around and taking advantage of the open waters.   I'll take it... it's a beautiful view!

November 24th:

November 27th

As long as this lake is open, these geese are going to stick around.

The First Snow: Oct 27

For documentation's sake...  My office view:

October Dog Walk Challenge

At the end of September, I signed us up for the St. Jude's 31-Mile Dog Walk.  Start date: October 1.  End date: October 31.  

October weather here can be quite tricky.  We had about 50% that was great.  The other half, not so much, but we ventured out quite a bit anyway, me donning gloves, warm hats, scarves, and heavier jackets.  

We raised some money for an amazing charitable cause.  It wasn't a ton, but every bit helps.  And, it made Jango happy to get out of the house and it gave me an extra few steps to keep the ol joints working.

Sometimes Ramsey accompanied Jango and me.... sometimes he didn't. 

No matter the day, we always had beautiful scenic views.

In the end, we had feelings of great satisfaction and accomplishment.  

And, Jango earned a free dog leash.

October Rainbows

 After supper, Jango and I went for one of our walks on the trail.  The sky was amazing, but also very strange.  The fall colors were crisp and warm. 

The clouds hung low and surrounded us like a warm hug

On our way back, heading East, we noticed a double rainbow in the distance (it did not photograph).  By the time we got home, it was a breathtaking site.  The boys were outside and had been watching the sky from the dock, while fishing.   

I don't recall the last time I'd seen a rainbow in October.   Gorgeousness!

Time to Put the Boat Away

 Oh, tis a sad day that we'd been prolonging.  We were one of the last to get the boat off the dock this year (seems we end up in this situation quite frequently).   Though it was nice much of October, it was also kind of a bear, with rain and wind at times.   Yes, it was definitely the day we needed to roll off the lift canopy and get the boat off the lift and put into storage.  Boooooo!!!

Chillin' in October

 The days have been so amazing lately that it was hard to tolerate indoors!  After school and work, we've been outside, enjoying the fresh Indian Summer(esque) weather while it lasts.

I never want to jinx anything, but wondering how much longer this gorgeousness is going to last?!?

After walks, we could be found lounging and swinging on the play set.

We found that our poor tree down by the lake had been chomped quite heavily by resident beavers.  Poor tree!    

Ramsey may need to help out and utilize his new-found wood chopping/splitting abilities.  Maybe this will be a winter project. !?!?

I Cherish Our Walks

 I cherish my time with Ramsey.  I cherish our pre-bedtime conversations, our chats in the car, and our walks or hikes on the trail by our house.   I will cherish these moments forever.   And, for now, I cherish the fact that, though Ramsey is 9, he still grabs my hand while we're walking (every.. single.. time).  🥰

Tonight was a gorgeous evening.  It had cooled down from a muggy 90°, so we took Jango and went for an after-supper trek.

I watched Ramsey and Jango play chase, thinking what a glorious time this was and reveling in how much fun they were having.   Ramsey laughed and laughed.  My heart smiled.

Ramsey asked me if I wanted to take different trails (mowed areas vs the gravel path) this time.  We hadn't done that much.  Typically we stick to the main trail.

Then, he asked me if I wanted to lay down on the grass and watch the clouds.  We hadn't done that for such a long time.  Again, my heart was happy for the new perspective of this sweet boy.   One of the clouds he saw was of a "machine gunner".  ha!   Admittedly, I didn't quite see that image. 

After venturing farther on the regular trail, we found some giant airy dandelion-like puffs.  It was time to make a wish.  The puff was so large that Ramsey said he made about six wishes!  Sweet boy, I hope they all come true.

We decided to take yet another never-before-traveled path.  After a few moments, I heard something. 

 Then, we saw her; a beautiful white-tailed doe.  I couldn't get a close picture of her.  She stood there for a few seconds before bounding away.  

When we returned home, he asked me to play with him on his play set.  It was 8:00 and getting dark -  typically the time when Ramsey starts getting ready for bed.  I couldn't help but agree and enjoy the [late] summer evening.  

Before coming inside, we picked a few more normal-sized dandelion puffs.  They were one blow/wish heads.  Ramsey wished something kind for one of his friends.  And, my heart smiled yet again.  I hope his heart always finds beautiful ways to help and think about others.

Though this was just about an hour of our day, it was the most precious hour I'd had by far.  Yes, I am cherishing these times.  May they not fly by so quickly.

One With Nature

Time to get outside and move.... to destress.... just me, my dog, some ear pods, sunshine, and one helluva view.  

This is where I find peace. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Sunset Stroll

 Yes, yes, another blog post about our walks.  I can't help it.  They're enjoyable, sometimes euphoric, and we seem to find something new every time we venture out!

Ramsey has fun, the dog gets exercise (runs like a madman), and I find peace and solace after hectic days, hunched over a desk.

Finding the calm is imperative to one's well-being. 

It's a little piece of heaven.