Walking the dogs

Every day the dogs (Bliss and Spirit) and I go for several walks, sometimes they are only brief ones around the property so they can take care of their morning ablutions for example. Other times they can last for an hour or more.

We often go for our walks of late into a wood lot nearby. I drive up, though soon I'm going to be walking with the dogs. I have to take the car with the dogs inside to get the dogs across the Invisible Fence line. They will NOT cross it otherwise. I have tried many times to get them to walk across without their collars but with regular leashes on. No dice.

Usually these two get to the wood lot and off they go. There are so many traces of wild animals, and sometimes I see rabbits or squirrels, turkeys, grouse, ravens, crows, jays and other birds, that the dogs just love to follow scents. I see deer tracks, coyote tracks and in winter sometimes the funny trough made in the snow by porcupine. They've only each had one run-in with that prickly animal thank goodness.

Sorry - Bliss has had two. (He's the blonde - wouldn't you know?)

Anyway, this time I had my camera with me and much to my surprise they were tired. They ran off right away, but came running back to me and Bliss stood panting. So I got some video which I thought you might enjoy - or laugh at. These two big dogs, worn out, perhaps by a squirrel? or a turkey - always a great chase because those big birds eventually fly.

But the woods is so pretty this year with its yellows and golds. The wind, which you can hear if you turn up the sound, is roaring in the trees. We walked slowly that day and not for long. But that was the exception.

I am so fortunate to be able to walk with the dogs in this beautiful area of the province. Great neighbours, fabulous vistas, recently and specially that day pretty good weather... all make for a happy time. Hope you too are enjoying a wonderful bit of weather wherever you are - and if you have a dog or two, or three - that you're able to enjoy their company and the outdoors as much as I enjoy mine.

Dark rainy fall days

From the top of Blue Mountain just near the ski hills, I paused to take this picture. The sky threatened, black and forbidding. The day was cold and wet and the visibility of the islands in the background on the left and the other side of Nottawasaga Bay on the right hand side arrested my attention. I had to pull over and take a long look.

Until Thanksgiving, two weeks ago, the weather had been beautiful, balmy even. A true Indian summer. Since then the cold has set in with high winds and tons of rain. Even when the sun does peek through it seems a watery pale light, not the robust warm and welcoming heat of the previous weeks.

I miss the sun - it makes it so much more pleasant to dig in the bulbs for spring or transplant perennials that need to be moved. Even walk the dogs. The sleet does not endear the outdoors to me these days.

But we go out anyway. Dogs seem to insist on that. And once outside, it makes me feel good even though the days get shorter and darker.

By Christmas which is really only a couple of months away now, the days will once again begin to get longer and the snow will make everything seem brighter... this is the time for preparation for the snow. At least this year I might get all the chores done... the weather seems to make me want to do them quickly and without any fooling around.

Hope you are also getting some time to get your outdoor chores finished off so you too can enjoy the next season.