Month: September 2013

Gratitude

All this month Faye has been working at the tomato canning plant, 5PM to 3AM every day. No days off, Labour Day was precisely that – labour day.

On weekends we have visited for a while before she goes to work, and I get up when she comes home. During the week though we have hardly seen one another. Faye’s already gone when I get home, and I’m groggy and having to get up less than two hours after she gets home. A wag I worked with in the States would say that this schedule makes for a perfect marriage – we hardly see one another.

I beg to differ. I like seeing, spending time with, my partner.

While I have stepped in to do what has needed to be done during the past few weeks I have been very forcefully reminded of how much Faye contributes to the smooth functioning of our humble home. So often the lawn is mowed, garden tended to, dogs fed, meals prepared, laundry done, and so much more. Sometimes I forget, don’t consider, am unaware of, assume, and don’t say thank you.

Thank you sweetie.

Ghost dog

I took this ghostly image of Achilles last night, as darkness fell. Once again, he was content to stay outside, watching and listening to the world go by. eventually, on his own terms, he scratched at the door, ready to come iin for the night.

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Coming inside

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Each dog has his own way. All three are allowed in the backyard unsupervised unless special conditions prevail. They are independent, certainly do not need minute supervision all of the time.

When each is ready to come in, each has their own way of announcing it. Achilles scratches the door and when it is opened, makes his graceful, slow way in. Both Kendal and Stella bark. Just once. When the door opens, Kendal comes right in, and that is fine. Stella typically (though not always) waits until given the release. Knowing each dogs’ ways makes it easy to set each one up to succeed.

Harvest Dog

Harvest Dog

Achilles is utterly reliable when unsupervised in the backyard. Well, almost utterly reliable. He has been known to dig a time or two.

His digging is invariably related to either getting to cool damp earth on a hot day, or because he hears a varmint excavating below ground level. He does not dig out of boredom or because he needs to give himself a job. He seems to be largely happy to watch the world go by.

Tonight, on Harvest Moon Night, Achilles is content to observe, watch the world go by. I had to use the flash to capture him.

Achilles is outside now. When he’s ready to come in he will scritch at the door.

What a good dog. We are extraordinarily blessed to have him.

Harvest Moon

Harvest Moon

Big and round, coming up on a mild evening. Difficult to capture well

Dinner

 

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This is what I had for dinner the other night. Grilled pork loin fajitas (pork marinated in lime juice and garlic) with grilled onion, topped with avocado and cheddar; baked rice with home-grown jalapenos diced; and grilled jalapeno poppers.  Dessert: Chocolate chipotle pudding cake.

Yum.

 

Dilemma

Dilemma

Well, not really. If it weren’t such a glorious day I would sit inside and watch a baseball game. Though I really do need to Dyson the house.

Cold

Two days ago, 33. Now, 13. It is late summer verging on fall, so of course the weather can change very quickly. It’s fine, keeps me on my toes.

Tonight’s low will probably dip into the single digits. Frost is not impossible if the clouds break early enough. I brought in all of the tender house plants that we want to save and possibly a few more. It’s a little crowded next to the living room window.

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Others are under the Manitoba maple’s canopy where they can gain a little protection from cool descending air.