Month: January 2024

In Memory of Meddlin’ Kate

/ doubledacres / 7 Comments

“Having a dog will bless you with many of the happiest days of your life, and one of the worst.” Unknown

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.“

Agnes Sligh Turnbull

                        

They grieve, have feelings, listen, can fill a house with joy and give unconditional love. Yes, there are some dogs that have behavioral issues but there are people that do too. They aren’t perfect.

Kate was my ride dog, and we were basically together 24/7. She wasn’t just a dog, no, she was a family member. I have very fond memories with Kate. No one can take those memories away from me.

Meddlin’ Kate 1/1/2011 – 1/25/2020

Approaching One Year

/ doubledacres / 13 Comments

Marriage is a journey where two imperfect individuals create a perfect bond. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”

Mignon McLaughlin

My wife and I were reunited at our fiftieth-class reunion, June 4, 2022. We said our vows January 31, 2023. Yes, I am a little early, but then again, we aren’t guaranteed anything in life so I thought I would begin the celebration early. My darling wife has a big heart, and I always kid her that if she got carjacked, she would run alongside the car asking them if they had enough gas money. She is kind, loving and puts up with me. I still can’t get her to eat possum, but there is still time.

The love of my life. Now after posting these pics, pardon me while I disappear somewhere in Siberia until it is safe to come out.

We lived 8 months in a 31-foot camper working as Campground Hosts in the Silver Mines Recreation Area, and we are still speaking to each other. Now that says something about our relationship. I am a lucky man. Evelyn, I know I am a little early, but Happy Anniversary and we have only begun.

Brrrr….Baby It’s Cold Outside!!

/ doubledacres / 4 Comments

Wow! Just wow. Once upon a time we were visited by warmer than normal temperatures day after day, even though it was officially winter. In the back of my mind, I knew we would pay for that nice weather. Then! Then it finally happened, and it wasn’t pretty. No sir ladies and gentlemen it wasn’t. We were enjoying highs in the 40s and 50s with lows in the upper 30s.

Quickly our highs went to highs of low 20s to single digits and lows from 5 to -10 with strong winds and the snow arrived. Accumulations were never above 5 inches. For the record I am one of those crazy people who love snow and the colder temperatures, but in my old age the cold air seems to have a bit more bite to it, then it used too. 

I did manage to get out a couple of times to hike. The first one was to Elephant Rocks State Park. When I headed out it was a balmy 22 degrees and by the time, I got back to the truck it was 18 degrees with a 20 mph Northwest wind. No snow on the ground but I did manage to get a few shots and one very interesting one. I called them “dirtcicles”. They originated from underneath the ground and formed icecicles with dirt at the very top. Picture below.

I also got a couple of other pics.

Then I really went off the deep end and decided to take a brisk hike up Hughes Mountain. That was my first mistake. When I got out of the truck it was a warm 8 degrees and a dusting of snow on the ground. Just enough to make walking challenging. Well against my better judgement I started up the trail. I soon ran into a section covered in ice. With some creative hiking I managed to get about halfway up and took a couple of pics overlooking the valley below. The first pic on my post was one of them. Now with the next two you will know how the valley looks at 8 degrees. I know deep down you really want to know, LOL.

Now it was time to head back. Apparently, my creative hiking had went somewhere warmer, because all of a sudden, my feet went out from underneath me, and I was headed downhill rather quickly. I’m sure it wasn’t a pretty sight to behold, and I’m sure if anybody heard my screams, they thought I was being attacked by a mountain lion. Gary Fultz, just how hard are you laughing right now? I finally came to a stop. I finally arrived home safe and sound.

Now what does this photographer do when he can’t get out? He hones his photography skills by taking pictures of birds. Lots of pictures. I will only bore you with a couple.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my post. You are very much appreciated.

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