Back to October...and Rio's last big walk. :-(

 variety so i'll toss in some pics i have shared from October.  it's always a great time to go moose-spotting in Powerline Pass.  this day i got fairly lucky and enjoyed a fun moose show.

 Blossom joined me that day as she always seems to enjoy the spectator sport of moose watching as well.

 just two nights of work.  2 off now and then back for three.  it looks like i am on many weekends this month.  not sure what i was thinking on the schedule this month.

 both nights i was in the adult icu and i had the same patients both nights.  kept pretty busy the first night.  i don't always have a poop filled night, but it is part of life working in the hospital some times.  i'm pretty immune to it at work.  would be a totally different story if i was outside work though..

 i've worked in poop my entire adult life.  cat, dog, human, rhino, snake, bird...you name it i've cleaned it up.  i often tell my patients who find themselves in the embarrassing position of needing assistance with such matters that i am proudly an expert in all manners poop.  this seems to calm them as i laugh and chat about all the various species of poops that i have been involved with.

 Blossom seemed to have a bit of a time of it the last few as well..so there is always that as well.  if i'm not cleaning up shit, i guess i'm shitting myself.  nursing is not a glamour job that is for sure.  as they say though, everybody poops.

 i will be the last one to clean up that poor patients poop from her bum anyway.  necrotic bowels..a big mess apparently.  she will now poop in a bag.  we are all pretty miserable when our guts aren't right.  it's often funny to me that they can saw open your chest and a few days later folks are often just on little oral pain meds...that stomach stuff though, is pretty dang miserable.  we laugh at poop and get grossed out by it, but if your plumbing isn't working...you are in misery!!

 been watching bits of "an idiot abroad".  the guy wasn't too thrilled with the title.  he actually just seems to go along with more than you would expect him to.  he does put his foot down on occasion as i'm sure he's away this is really all for his friends entertainment.  his friend is the producer of the show i think. i actually find him sort of a cruel and annoying guy.

 the idiot, Carl, is probably in some ways a bit like me.  a homebody at heart.  he's traveling but he'd be just as happy reading about many of these things from the comfort of home.  he seems a bit of an introvert and his producer friend is the extrovert.  really it's a show that gets ratings making fun of the introverts of the world.

 the guy does get to some cool places but his friend tortures him by sticking him in pretty annoying and disgusting situations just to watch him squirm.  the idiot does keep returning for more so he must be getting enough out of it.  he is affable enough despite being irritated, grossed out and anxious.

 i would have to agree with him that some of the places are just too loud for too long.  i prefer to be able to at least escape to some quiet place at some point.  the only place he seemed to really like was Mexico.  he seemed fairly miserable through much of it, but in the end he said it was his favorite so far.

 he liked that the people had no fear of death, they seemed to just live.  the women, he noted, ate what they wanted and didn't worry about putting on pounds.  he liked that. we do tend to have an obsession with weight and appearance.  at some point you do have to let some of it go or just be kind of nuts or down on yourself all the time.

 these are males seeking female companionship.

 they are not shy about their interest

 part of me likes to travel. i like being new places and taking pictures.  i hate the stress of prepping in many ways.  the actual flying, the time and exhaustion of travel.  there is much to see in Alaska so i'm pretty happy with these shorter, often more involved hops to see remote Alaska than the idea of flying hours and hours to reach a destination

 i need to pick some dates for treks this summer.  i've always wanted to go to Hallo Bay to see the bears there.  less crowded.  more like Glamping i think which would be nice.  i've got the cabin for Spencer Glacier so will finally get there.  also want to finally get to Kennicott Mine.  need to get a few paddles in this year to make up for no paddles this past summer.

 excuse me...my name is  Moose and i'd like to get to know you  better!

 the pass can be packed with moose in October.

 she is being so coy.

 we did get out walking every day.  bog and hood walks past two days.  still up late and sleeping in late.  tomorrow is Monday walk so i'll need to set the alarm and get myself moving in the morning.  not sure if anyone will come. kids are still out of school.

 this guy was not giving up on this gal

 then he really took it to another level.  not sure what this means in moose

 have looked up several labradoodle breeders.  need to look for Blossoms breeder from 10 years ago.  in state.  would rather not spend thousands of dollars and i'm not keen on shipping a dog.  we shall see.  i also look at rescues.  i wouldn't be opposed to another mastiff.  i suspect when the right situation comes up i'll know it.

 in the meantime i'd really like to get some stuff done on the house and get a dog door in.  that may be a good way to go.  train them for the dog door for when i'm at work.

 it would almost be nice to look at a deck  off these upstairs rooms and put a door in the guest room....dog door there then the dogs could just go out there? always thinking but eventually i'll need to get it together and get some estimates on Kitchens or bedrooms or what have you.

 the rest are from a walk i took with both Blossom and Rio Catalina down to the beach in Kincaid Park.  i was also keeping a lookout for moose there as well.  they are often sited there during the rut as well.

 as it turned out it was Rio's last long walk of her life.

 it was a sunny day . you can see some smoke from Mt Redoubt.  steam i guess.

 not too crowded out there.

 interesting post on facebook group last week...folks working in Saudi Arabia in nursing.  they are not allowed to speak of Christmas at all, can't listen to any Christmas music or in any way celebrate it at all opening.  they could be punished with 1000 lashings or 10 years jail time.  they were hiding in a stock room celebrating a co-workers birthday that happened to fall on the Holiday.

 pretty sad how crazy some of these nations are with their rules.  women can finally vote and run for office.  not sure what, if any, restrictions are included with that new right . they still can't drive a car or travel with out male escort

 a few snowmachiners got caught out in a storm in white out conditions.  one guy, the grandpa made it through after getting separated from the others.  he went back out looking for them.  a big search on Christmas Day and they did finally find the 2  men and the 5 year old child.  one of the men had died though.

 Denali in the background while we chilled on the beach.

 Blossom was still recovering i think from her bout with gastroenteritis.  she seemed to enjoy her day on the beach and chased her toy with vigor it seems.

 wolves have been spotted in California.  it's been almost 100 years since they were last spotted.  they were spotted killing a cow for a meal in Northern California.

 above is my harmless "wolf" okay, so she's a dog.  she does have a killer instinct.  she once accidently injured a bird.  the instinct to chase had taken over and i think she was just as shocked as i was when that bird ended up in her mouth.  she immediately dropped it.

 there have been no repeats.  the birds of Alaska appear to be safe from the likes of Blossom the Labradoodle.

 i've put it off long enough.  i think i may need to actually wear glasses all the time soon.  the print is getting pretty tiny on stuff.  what a drag.  i really keep trying to avoid it. need to at least make an appointment for an eye exam . everyone else in the family has worn glasses for years. i'm the last hold out.

 here is Rio enjoying the sunshine

 looks like there are a few good flicks out there. i really should check them out.  i still have a few netflix movies at the house i need to watch.  some good ones. just need to have the time to sit down and watch 2 hours of movie. seems easier to just watch some 30 min show and fall asleep most days

 enjoying these pics of Rio.  she did really good that day, but i probably overdid it. we did walk slow, but for an 11 year old mastiff it was a big walk.

 article last week i think it was where they got to know the kids in just one high school class room.  a few of our schools are some of the most diverse in the nation.  Anchorage is wonderful that way.  very blended and overall everyone gets along great.  nice that these kids are growing up with the diversity.

 this seems to be the time i catch up o my newspaper reading.  do still enjoy reading a real paper.  could do without all the ads though.  will eventually have to transition to just online reading like most of the population. i'm not the only one still reading papers though.

 Rio decided to take another rest before we headed back up the trail back to the car.  she really did enjoy the sun that day.  Blossom was looking good as well.  tough when the dogs get sick.  breaks your heart really.

 well, i just looked a the time and it's late..that is what one gets for sleeping all day.

 no movies for me tonight.  dog walk Monday.  :-)

grateful for:  A.  this lovely and relaxing last walk with my big girl.  life will never be the same.  B.  lights all over town.  love all the Christmas lights.  C.  sleep.  one can never get enough of it.  :-)  night.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!!

 didn't do much wandering around to neighborhoods looking at lights.  this guy is cute though.  he is at either Bass or Cabella's.  all the dead animals in those stores.  pretty sad to think of how many animals must have died to stock these various shops across our nation.

 slept in as hoped today.  put a turkey in the crock pot and finally made my way with Blossom to the University Lake dog park.  there is a moose chilling there.  i may have gotten a shot off but then the batteries all died on the phone and little camera that i'd taken.  that happens when it gets a wee bit chilly here..under 10F.  so not many photo's today.

 these funky ones below and the bear above are with the app.  of course, i paid a small fee for the app and it said it would be ad free if i did and that more options would open.  so far that doesn't seem to be the case and they want more money to be ad free.  really this is the option i was looking for so i will not be paying more.

 these are pretty fun though.

 chatted with my sister and a few friends, one friend stopped over for a bit and otherwise...a chill day.

 literally chill i guess.

 here i am with Blossom at the dog park.

 lots of bulbs out there.  so festive!!

 a few more artsy shots...

 had to do a walrus.  he looks good

 the rest are from CA.  above is 151 Dumond Dr, Laguna Beach.  this is the beach house my Grandpa built! sadly after Gramps passed away the place was sold.  soon after that i moved away.  what was the point anymore.  they have fixed it up a bit it looks like.  the front deck is new, the garages are both back to being garages.  not sure what they did with the little apartment that was downstairs.  perhaps they made it all fit together and that is the downstairs now . maybe just a guest suite.  the guy popped out on the deck but didn't seem to show any interest in our interest in the place.

 sat up a bit last night watching a few episodes of, "an idiot abroad".  so funny...i was busting up.  i'd guess he is a bit like i would be traveling abroad, but he is incapable of holding in his feelings or expressions.  thankfully, for him, he has that lovely accent so he doesn't get killed.

 i will watch a few more of those on netflix tonight i think.  always good to laugh.

 these are all at Victoria Cove in Laguna Beach.  that is where the beach house is.  we all had a beach day Saturday while i was there.

 "and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city, and Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem".  hadn't realized the degree of run on sentences that occur in the Bible.  since it is Christmas i was thinking it was time to reread the St Luke version of the birth of Christ.

 above is the pool at Victoria cove.  i think it was built many years ago but a hole was put in it i believe in the 1950's as polio had become an issue and concerns of spreading polio.  i have no idea if that is actually true but that is the story i recall.

 rarely have i seen it as full as this.  by tide shift it had emptied out

 "to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. and so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. and she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger: because there was no room in the inn. "  every sentence starts with and...it is just one super long run on sentence.

 "and there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the flory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid, and the angel said unto them, Fear not;for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people"

 finally a period!!

 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord, and this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger,and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men".

 this is the tower, which is really the old walkway up the cliff to a home on the hill.  tide was pretty high and it was fun watching the waves crash.  my sister in law was with me.

 i'm reading from the Bible my parents gave me when i turned 8 and was baptized.  of course, i had my records removed from the Mormon church in my late 30's and the last official contact i had with the church was a note revoking my baptism.  so i have been un-baptized.

 "and it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. and they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger, and when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child, "

 not sure how information was transferred in those days.  how far did news travel? how long did it take to pass along messages.  what was the view of "the world" then.  was it still flat?  so many questions.  i always had so many questions...

 "and all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds, but Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart, and the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them"

 never realized how very vague this story was.  what things? how many things did they see and hear? what was said, what was seen?

 "and when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, his name was called, Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb"

 mention of the circumcism seems to have always been left off of the Christmas stories i recall being told.  anyway...i think they did usually stop at that point.  then it gets more detailed as to travels to Jerusalem and such.

 so there it is...the birth.  that is what is celebrated this time of year, though from what i've read, the birth actually took place at a very different time and this date for celebration was probably selected to correlate with the solstice celebration and eventually eclipse it.

 i was always a fan of the sermon on the mount.  haven't done much scripture reading in several years. the words have gotten smaller.

 let us all celebrate.  each in his or her own way.

 taking a walk over to Treasure Cove.  always out to explore!!

 my memories of heading over there as a kid are very different. we did have to wait for a low, low tide. i remember going with my brothers a few times,looking for shells on the beaches.

 my childhood memories seem to be mostly with the two brothers just above me in age.  then i have memories that include my sister and the brother just above her. have thought several times over the last weeks what were memories of my eldest brothers and there are few.  always so odd that we were all only 10 years age difference but our experience was very different.  we were just the kids in the back of the station wagon to the eldest and they were the guys in the front of the station wagon.

 i do have memories of interacting with several of their friends.  i recall Christmas mornings being made to wait for the three eldest to wake up before we could start the morning of Christmas present opening.  we could check out our stockings before they woke up but then we had to wait...teenagers like to sleep in.

 i would have been 9 when the eldest left for a mission.  most of my memories of them seem to be after they had returned and married and had kids.

 i was 13 when the first grandkid was born...i was the baby sitter.

 loads more CA pictures to share and still many from Oct/Nov as well.  i'll just add them in as i'm able.  fun to be able to return and see my nieces and nephews grown up and living happy and productive lives.

 you never have enough time to catch up with everyone...it is a big family

 i better get to bed.  Santa is on the way.  he may just decide to stop by my place.  hehe.

 a few of my elder brothers

 the story of Guns...i really don't know it but the brothers closest in age have called me Guns or B.B.Guns or Snugs (cause that is Guns backwards) or Gunzerelli ( which isn't spoken but is sung out in a rather high pitch) my entire life.  some stories are out there about why that is, not sure really. some say one of the brothers couldn't say "baby" clearly so it came out as BB.  i could imagine Jeff picking up on that and going with it.  he's called me guns a little.  not sure that the eldest two ever called me guns.
it's in my email address, which means some folks think i am a member of the NRA, not.  my brothers do have a habit of calling my name out loudly in public places.  i respond, it was always my name, always what i was called so why wouldn't i respond. it was funny on my brother Tom's last visit up here we were at the local Museum and he called out, "Guns".  a lot of heads turned.  that was the first time i realized that in our new society my nickname could cause trouble.  haha.  Joel is on the Left in the above picture and Ross is on the Right.

off to bed...Merry Christmas.  May it be Merry and full of love and laughter.