coming along....

 cute decorated bike on the walk today. 

 also spent time on my art projects and getting the tennis balls ready for the trail tomorrow. tonight there was a bit of wind blowing and it was spritzing a bit of rain so i hope the trails are not all icy and gross.  it looks like the forecast is rain tomorrow though, followed by snow the rest of the week.  that is always nice for a layer of ice topped with snow...this leads to more accidents.  also increases avalanche risks.

 we lost a skier the other day to an avalanche.  i guess he was a well known skier in the area, lots of experience.  sometimes you just get unlucky or maybe too confident in your abilities. nature doesn't seem to care about your experience or who you are....when it takes you, it takes you.  always sad. 

 the bench and the decorated tree was near the bike.  it's on a side trail off the University Lake trails.

 pups are always pretty good at photo ops.  they are my dogs.  it is decreed that they will have many photo's of themselves taken.

 stopped at a few stores this evening.  not much shopping this year...did shop at Amazon smile for the gifts i had left tonight so those will be on the way later this week i guess. you can shop amazon smile and put Walrus Advocates of Round Island Sanctuary as your choice to donate too...always appreciated and i know that is a plug.

 stopped at our big used book store, Tidal Wave.  wanted to load the Little Free Library up with some Christmas books for kids and a few classics for others. people do seem to be stopping by even in the winter to exchange books. 

 it was just a matter of time, but a Book of Mormon has made an appearance....don't worry i did not immediately toss it in the recycling bin.  i'm not that cruel. 

 it was kind of bleah outside so the dog park seemed a good choice. the pups love it there!

 pretty tennis balls.

 i think the painting part of my projects for locals is nearly complete.  just finishing touches on my works of art....haha.  hope my friends enjoy these...i think they are fun...and useful!

 the rest are again from August.  don't think i have posted much from September yet.  at least there is a slow down in winter so i can play some catch up and share some more from my summer adventures. i enjoy the reminder of warmth and sunshine as well.

 these are the last from our hike out of Hunter Cabin. 

 so beautiful!

 love hikes where you can see glaciers in the view.  who wouldn't love that?

 Denali shows up to share it's beauty

 amazing how early the fall colors creep in up here.

 several of the memorial to dogs lost...i love cairns anyway.  i have loads of ashes left though so it will be years i suspect before they are all scattered at this rate.  it's kind of nice just carrying a little medicine bottle of my old dogs along on the trails.  we are always together that way.  time does heal wounds a bit and you are left with the wonderful memories of the times you shared.  Blossom would have loved this hike for sure.

 there was already a big cairn at the top so i just added a topper.

 the pups joined in for a shot....

 the lake we will have to hike to next visit.  Ginger was a bit under the weather.

 not a bad view

 also stopped by REi...always a good place to stop.  mostly i was shopping for me though i must admit.  :-) the puppies always seem to have a few gifts under the tree for me on Christmas morning.  last year they were good at unwrapping their gifts...will have to have some stuff for them as well under the tree. 

 i haven't gotten the tree yet...perhaps i will focus on the post office first, then the tree.  fun to have decorations up even though i don't have anyone but me to enjoy them

 i have some more Downton Abby to watch.  i should be almost done with the series....are they gonna make more? i think not. 

 no more green out there. 

 fresh snow will be nice, though the tennis balls disappear in fresh snow more rapidly.

 they are the best control for the pups.  we have classes again tomorrow night.  i did also have to stop and get hot dogs to use as treats for them.  they behave better for good food when i don't have tennis balls.  not sure a tennis ball would work in class...they would be way too excited.

 after our hike, JT and i headed over to Byers lake so the dogs could play in the water. 

 always pretty there as well when the sunshine is out.

 we didn't do the full loop. i was out there in September though so i hiked it then with Libby.

 happy puppies playing in the lake

 hopefully a productive day again tomorrow...hopefully i will be able to say i made it to the post office.

 want to remodel the kitchen...worried to start any projects with the GOP making dramatic changes that will no doubt screw me over tax wise and the iitoo peeving off a crazy dictator who might possibly toss a bomb or two my way.

 the truth will set us free...if we can locate it. 

 did get a glimpse into dating over 70 years...interesting conversation with a patient.  it is not looking good.  nothing like a date shitting their pants.  i'm always amazed at the confidence of some men...i mean if a woman shit her pants on a date she would be mortified...a guy, it's not a given. 

 i recall a patient trying to pick me up while he was both pooping blood and puking and i was cleaning him up...i think i made some stunned comment like, "really? you think you are attractive right now?".  i'm sure i said it nicer but really?  how is that possible? 

 i do recall thinking on some dates when seemingly strange things happened or were said,  that this must have worked on other girls cause clearly these guys repeated some of the same stuff...or maybe they just don't clue in that it doesn't work. asking a woman you just met to come to your remote cabin seems like an invitation to get raped or murdered.  i tend to think in all things...how would the headline would read in this situation...you know, Stupid Girl Goes To Remote Cabin With Virtual Stranger, Found Dead!

 on our way back to Hunter Cabin from Byers lake this guy was on the side of the road.

 hopefully i will turn in soon.  do want to pack up a few calendars since the rest of the gifts will go by Amazon...that will save me shipping costs and hassles. i'm so smart!! i better not speak too soon though, the packages could arrive broken or get stolen or not arrive at all...don't gloat before all is said and done.

thankful for:  A.  the lights and happy decorations of the season  B.  getting stuff done  C.  that bombs are not currently dropping on us...we've had a good run i guess.  it may be our turn again soon, enjoy each day.