Obi Gets to Visit!!!

Obi-Wan Kenobi, the not quite miniature, long haired dachshund, has been staying with the Gattenby family since October 30. Today, Janet took him to get bathed and trimmed and brought him to see mom. Not putting too many words in this particular post. Love doesn't need them. I will say, however, I am sorry for the devil dog eyes! Jon really does take better photos than his mom! 

It was a short, beautiful visit. I'm glad we broke the rules and let Obi visit mom for a short while. (we are not supposed to have pets in the house we are staying in, but I figured a small dog on a leash after a visit to the groomer would be ok!) Thank you so much, Janet!!!!!!!!!

A look around the neighborhood

 Neighborhood has several definitions. The one I am leaning toward in this particular post is "the area surrounding a particular place, person, or object." (I believe this is from Merriman-Webster) I am fortunate to be in Kenai AND North Kenai these last months. There are truly feasts for the soul in this neighborhood! 

African violets and one of mom's amaryllis stalks. This showy red plant has 4 blossoms, the other plant seems to have less. Although, it might have two stems. We are still waiting for it to finally burst out of the pot into bloom.

 Early in the morning, ok! NOT early. It is about 8 or 9, and I get to move snow. I am fortunate the area I need to shovel is small. The optical illusion sidewalk is odd, but we work it. The walk starts out really wide and then at the end, the sidewalk is not quite 2 and a half feet. By the time mom gets her walker to that portion, she's out in the grassy area!

 I was struck by how haunting this scene was. The playground has changed dramatically. The school walls have not. I was positive I heard echoes of whistles and shouts from the 70's as I stood next to the security fence on this snowy afternoon.

 The Scout Park is always one of my favorite places. The snow has been removed from the parking area (and other areas, too, from the looks of this particular mound!) and I thought it was funny how the bank almost obscured the building behind it!

 The snow has NOT been removed from the park itself. I waded thru the glittery powder to the edge of the bluff and back. It was cold and sparkly! I chose to not sit on dad's bench to watch winter on the inlet.

 The Scout in Erik's park is a bit under dressed for the weather today!

I wanted a photo of how much snow we've gotten. This one struck my fancy. The weight of the world atop a newspaper box! 

 Mum's  house was covered with powder, too! She had asked me to feed the birds. I crinkled my nose and decided to wait.

 I need to remember to wade thru to the vinyl structure and knock it free of snow the next time I am out there.

 The drive had not been plowed yet, that guy came on Sunday afternoon.

 However, a good friend came out and SHOVELED a space in the drive for cars.

 Max was put out someone was home and not dropping any bread treats. I did find paw prints on the front step!

 Not too bad, 20 is a nice temp!

 The boys created this lovely little wood shed (Nana's hut??? It isn't quite as posh as Grandpa's--Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!) and it appears no one will be getting anything out of it unless we shovel it clear!

 The tires are pretty much covered, The moose don't seem to mind. Go over is logical when your legs are a million miles long!

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I'll share more of the world I am in today as I'm able to. Getting out isn't as easy as it is in the summer! 

A Lovely Snowy Day!

I went out to mom's today. It kept snowing and snowing and by the time the afternoon was over, a stunning landscape was left. 

I saw a couple of moose on the way home, It was pretty slick in spots, not bad, but rather lovely! Now, enjoy one of my favorite stories!

Sunshine and Snow

Was able to get out to mom's this last week.  I must admit, Stevie Veal's idea to stand up the yellow tires was absolutely brilliant. I think of this every time I look at the driveway!  

 The yard has tracks from dogs, machines, and people. I love the acreage the lake adds to the places you can wander. Soon, I hope to get myself out there.

 Mittens loved having people at the house for a while. I was also glad to see mom's cactus plants looking as well as they were.

Julie was and is and will continue to be an incredible help in getting mom's place ready for tenancy again. Then, we'll work on her dad's! (laughing!!!)

More snow and sunshine in the yard. It is magical seeing the  yard with the highlights created by winter.

 The start of the sunset in mid afternoon. So glad to have the days getting longer again!

Water and Lights

 These are from December 31. I realise it was a while ago, but I've been sick.

 I went out on New Year's Day Eve to stand on the edge of the bluff over the river. The tide was coming in, ice was riding on the surface, time had not stopped.

 The river didn't care what year it was. The current wasn't changing because people around the Kenai were joining loved ones who had gone before. The water was steadily doing what it had always done. It was incredibly cold outside as I contemplated the lessons the river was sharing. The setting sun of 2016 on the moving surface gave me peace. I do not have a clue what this next year might bring. I don't know what will happen from day to day! Yet, the pattern of lights on the ever changing skin of the Kenai will always remain. The clouds obscured the mountains across the bay, but I knew they were there holding the Inlet in as it ebbs and flows and is. I scampered back to the house with my slightly frozen nose and more than chilled fingers, I was thankful for the steady passage of time. For what it has done and what it will do as it continues to keep to familiar patterns.

Later that evening, I went outside to look at bright explosions in the sky. I managed to finally capture at least one set of lights on trees at an office near here. They are bright green, red, and blue. This is the only one which turned out. 

When the major fireworks started, I ran outside again, in less clothes than I should have. (I had forgotten my insulated skirt, classic to usage in the northern climes!) I didn't walk to the bluff edge, but I thought about it! There were fireworks going off in every direction. Echoes of pops reverberated while I was talking to Steve. I was completely cold and in need of a warm shower when I got back inside. 

And yet, the Kenai River stayed its course and never wavered.