Fall, do you See what I See?

Fall is probably at the top of my list for favorite time of the year.

Everything is fresh.
The air is cooler with the nights becoming a little bit longer hosting skies that begin the dance of the Aurora Borealis.

A smell that is different.
Cleaner?
Fresh, crisp, alive. 
Drying leaves, wet earth and warm apples fresh from the tree

There is a look that is... well, it looks... hmmm... the only way I can think of describing what I think of the way fall looks is to imagine a young boy fresh from crawling out from under a large pile of leaves.  Cheeks red from the cool air, eyes sparkling with excitement after the leap into the soft yet crunchy bed that was laid out before him.  A trusty canine friend running in circles around the boy, who is wearing a big woolie sweater with matching mittens and hat, tail wagging in anticipation for the next run.

Trees not quite bare but empty enough to let the fall sunlight come through, reflecting the light of the yellow and orange leaves that are still hanging on, reaching out for the last warm rays of sunshine.

Sounds change this time of year also.  The leaves dance wildly bumping into each other as they work hard to hang on for just one more day.  A sing song of leaf toe tapping which comes to a climax when they flutter down to the ground sending out one last hurrah with a little slap as they finally make contact.
Geese saying their farewell for another year and Chickadees coming together for a choir of melodies echoed by the crows that have shown up to sit on the tree tops are just a small sampling of the fall music that surrounds me every day.

The quiet laid back sounds of summer ever so slowly are drowned out by fall, the birds, the leaves all brought to life by the winds.  A ruckus of sound that builds up only to be silenced after the first fall of snow.

This time of year also has taste.
No, I don't bend down and lick the ground or the trees.  But I do LOVE the taste of pumpkin pie which I seem to only eat this time of the year.

The dogs also love this time of year.  They are full of energy and craziness that is only subdued by a good run behind a scooter. 

And who doesn't like a run in the cool mornings that we now wake up to?

A Life With Purpose

Life began for this little fella as it does for any, one full of hope.
Dreams for a life of joy and happiness.

Parents Richard and Betty James could never have imagined the success their child would obtain.  All from dropping tension springs.
His name?
Slinky

Do you have the tune from the 1960's commercial running through your head now?
"What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs and makes a slinkity sound?
A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing!
Everyone knows it's Slinky."

You're welcome

 Slinky found a home here in my house when my mom gave it to me as a gift. 
About a month ago.
It makes plenty sense if you know me.
Something to maybe share with the kids I work with.

What fun!  A great place for Slinky, joy, happiness, someone to play with him.
A toys perfect life.

Sadly this was not the ending to be for our dear little friend. 
Instead he met his demise amongst my two youngest pups Elly and Rigby.

Slinky in his prime

 

 Poor, poor Slinky

 



Tug o' War was the game played best with Slinky

 

 

Elly loved playing with Slinky

 

 Chewing on Slinky

 

Watching the springs bounce as she chewed

 

 Playing while resting your head on the arm of a couch creates the need for a nap

 

This Slinky no longer makes a Slinkity sound, but you can't say it's life was without purpose... I have two very happy pups.







Thanksgiving Weekends

Sitting outside with the dogs on a 'crisp' fall afternoon.

Yellow and orange leaves that lay around the yard dance in little circles as the breeze that rushes through kissing my cheeks sings it's song of shorter days and cooler nights.

I feel very much alive surrounded by my wonderful fur kids who each come to me to give little wet kisses on my chin and rub themselves against my legs looking for a cuddle, sharing their love.  I smell the air which reminds me of pumpkin pies and childhood visions of being  buried in piles of dry brittle leaves.
I also feel that scratchy sore throat feeling of the onset of a cold.

*sigh*

I hate colds.  Was really hoping to avoid one.  I rarely get them.

As I sit here I think to myself, "that's okay this fresh air will do it wonders" when, Whomp! I am struck with an incredibly clear memory of a Thanksgiving weekend 37 years ago.

Grade 6 and Mr. Thompson standing over my desk telling me that he did not agree that I should be allowed to go camping as I was too sick with a cold to do anything but lay around cuddled under a blanket.  He was so believing of this that he wrote a note home to my mother.
Sorry Mr. Thompson but I had been looking forward to this weekend which consisted of just me and my Nana and Grandad in their little blue and white trailer.

It was my alone time with them and I was so excited to be going.
It was glorious.  So much so that my memories are so very vivid.

Camping amongst the falling leaves of yellows, oranges and reds and the cold crisp air very much like today.  Wearing a big woolly sweater and rubber boots as I played in the surrounding woods.  Sitting around the fire with sing songs.
A gather of my grandparents friends as we pot luck a turkey dinner. Picnic tables lined up in one long row covered in checkered plastic table coverings.  Blue melamine dishes.

Forgetting about my cold.

Feeling warm and loved and special.

I miss my grandparents deeply.
What I wouldn't give to be transported back to this time even for just 1 day.

I suppose I have been.
It is what I am most thankful for right now.

Thankful for the memories that I have been left with.  Memories that I hold close to my heart

You Gotta Love Huskies

When they are shedding you REALLY have to love your husky!

My Penny decided to wait until fall to lose last years winter coat.. and although this picture doesn't do it justice she looks so scraggly.

Walking through the house tufts of hair are left behind as though she is leaving a trail to follow back the way she came. 

Yes she is ashamed... not of the mess she leaves behind but of the way she looks.  Her whole life she has been called 'Pretty Penny' and she just doesn't know how to measure up to that name now that she looks like a rag tag.  And before you suggest brushing her... I do... it matters not.  After a grooming as she is walking away you can see chunks of hair poof out magically.

So for now as we wait for Penny to finish her blow we shall live, breath, wear and eat husky hair.

Attending a Sled Dog Seminar

OR
Attending a Meeting with Other Dog Nutty People

OR
10 Things I Learned This Weekend

The Gateway Sled Dog Club (Canadian Challenge) in Prince Albert hosted a Vet Education Seminar aimed at Sled Dogs this weekend.
Prince Albert Saskatchewan, an 8 hour drive North East for us.

A long drive for a 1 day seminar.  A drive of nothing but wide open going on forever fields of wheat.

It was totally worth it.

I was able to meet others who were as invested in their dogs as I was, most of whom had years of experience under their belts.    Ask questions and learn.
I love learning and when it comes to my dogs you can bet I was in my happy place.

Meeting Bart DeMarie and listening to his stories from the Yukon Quest Trail was an hour that could have been all morning for me.  His brother Stefaan shared tons of helpful and very useful information with me as well.

Karen Ramstead was also a presenter this weekend and I was thrilled to be able to meet her.  After following her mushing career for quite a few years it was in a small way almost like meeting a mushing 'rock star' to me.  Karen has been an inspiration for me when it comes to dog sledding as a woman in a largely populated male world.

 

Karen is a wonderful speaker and just like Bart her time speaking was way too short.

 

Ruth Sims was the Vet who spoke of dog sledding injuries and dehydration, what to look for and helping the dog with massage.  There was also talk of what a sled dog should weigh and how to determine the perfect body on the dog... information that interested me greatly as we try ever so hard to get Hubba to lose weight.

 

 

Yes, I learned lots this weekend... which I will sum up in my top 10 list....

 

1.  I have a couple chubby (fat) sled dogs who need to lose a few pounds.

 

2.  Long and mid distance mushers are a very laid back group of people. 

 

3.  That I will most likely find open water and jumble ice on the Yukon River when I'm there

 

4.   I'm VERY excited about my adventure in 2014.

 

5.   I do not like driving through Saskatoon... drivers here in this province are way too aggressive.

     

6.  Saskatchewan nights on the prairies are very dark.

 

7.  Never, NEVER camp beside the loading door of Walmart.

 

8.  Tea made over a camp stove tastes the best..

9.   I LOVE my -50 sleeping bag. Especially with the cold clear night here in Prince Albert.

 

 

10.  Winter can't come fast enough for me.

Mid Life Crisis

You could call my tattoo a mid-life 'little red sports car' if you want.

However it has lots of meaning for me.

I suppose you could call it a mid-life crisis what with the fact that I am turning 50 in less than 2 years, but it is much more than that.

The tattoo itself represents my learning not to care what others think of me. 
I am me and will not/ cannot change who I am.  Either you accept me or you don't, that is your choice not mine.

It represents my dogs, obviously, and even though I used Rigby as the face it is in memory of any dog who has been with me throughout my life.
Family dogs as a child and dogs in my own home as an adult.  Dogs that are no longer here on earth with me, but in my heart, and dogs that cover me in kisses every day.

Rigby's face embodies the focus that he was born with.  An extremely focused dog which is something I dig deep for as I prepare myself mentally and physically for the big race in 2014.
I'm also pretty sure he will be one of three dogs along with me in the Yukon.

This tattoo also represents the dog powered sports that I love so much.  Be it behind the dogs with the belt and my own power of feet, muscle and cardio, or on a scooter, sled or skis... It is the fun and joy I share with my dogs.

Lastly it is all about adventure. 
Adventures that are all about the life we lead, allow ourselves to lead.
Now that I've hit my mid life it is ALL about adventure.  Whether it is going for a tattoo, running dogs in the mountains, attending sprint races, running 5K foot races or taking an incredible job in a middle school, it is all an adventure.

And I'm out to find more! 

What is Summer Vacation

The weather has been amazing this July.
I don't think we've had a summer like this for a very long time.

This is also the first summer in about 7 years that I've not worked... lazy mornings hanging outside with my dogs, coffee in hand.
Cleaning, or rather purging, my house of 'things'
Coffee with good friends.
Lunches with my awesome sister.
Visit with my wonderful mommy.

So far, it's been quiet, laid back and extremely stress free.

I only wish there was water and a beach involved in my daily routine, but alas the prairies are somewhat void of this iconic summer location.

That all said.... I long for the cooler mornings so that my fur kids and I can head out to begin our training.
I'm itching to get them running again.
AND I can hardly wait to be on the runners and skis behind my beautiful babies.

Don't get me wrong.. I love summer as much as any summer lover does.
I just find I get so bored.   As I'm sure my dogs are as well.... nothing to do but lay around and chew on ice blocks of kibble or bones.
There seems to be no purpose to our days.

Unless my purpose is to drink lots of caffeine, have dinners made for the hubby when he gets home (which is a treat for me too.. no more 8pm suppers) and to play with dogs all day long.
If that's not it then I'm having a purposeless summer.

Maybe I'll feel differently in August... the month my son and daughter will be home!!!!