Monday walks...ice and moose!!

 as you can see we are still waiting for snow to arrive.  great ice year though!! we just about walked right past this mama moose and her two baby moose....i knew they were near, Rio had alerted me.

 yes, Rio decided to join us today.  nice to have her out there and her nose.  i was slow, but rio was slower.  so not a speedy or long walk.  it was beautiful out as you can see though and so we all enjoyed it i think.

 wasn't walking alone which was fabulous!!  MT and TO were both there.  we had a nice crew for Kaladi's as well.  thank you Speedy and Syd for the tasty turkey cupcakes!1

 still have to get details but my surgery is scheduled for Dec 16th.  everyone gets busy this time of year. deductibles are met.  so i'll have to let work know the dates.  Hopeful, it's more minor and i can be back to work sooner than later,but better to get it fixed and be able to work more efficiently.

 there are definitely some downsides to getting older.  thankfully there is medicine and i'm hoping that is a good thing...meaning i hope all goes well and i have a good outcome.

 the dogs had a lovely time zipping around the ponds/lake/tarns.  never know what to call them.

 the forecast said something about snow, but the blue skies proved that prediction incorrect.

 winter brings super long shadows which i always think are pretty fun.

 we had to play with our long shadows out there.  we are all so skinny!!

 Blossom is no doubt sore from chasing her toy out on the ice.  she looked pretty dang happy.

 let Rio off for a few minutes but then her confidence led her further than i was comfortable with and i collected her back on her leash

 she enjoyed her free time though i think. frozen lakes are great for Rio...no obstacles for her to run into.

 no signs of any thin areas.  for sure some skate tracks.  such a great ice skate/kick sled year!!

 selfie...not my best

 tried to run a few errands.  not sure i got as much accomplished as hoped, but slowly a few things get checked off the list.

 my most important goal was getting the surgery scheduled.  didn't want to put it off any longer than i had to.  not that i'm excited to get a procedure done but i am excited to get healing and get back to a more active life.  want to kick it up a notch and get this body back in shape...

 Rio wore her coat of many colors....it always makes me smile when she wears it.

 it's so her, don't you think?  haha!!

 couldn't think of anything to eat for dinner tonight. snacked instead.  several friends have volunteered to help out after surgery so that should make it all a bit easier.  will have to get a few bags of ice on hand for the cryocuff.  should clear out the freezer, probably due for a clean out anyway.

 thought this was cute of MT with her pups.

 should have gotten out my better camera but some days i just stick to a point and shoot for ease of it all.  a bit colder out today.

 watched, "the red violin" tonight.  haven't seen it for ages..so long that i barely remembered how it went and so it was like seeing it all over again. it is a good flick.  not sure if there ever was a red violin, but it is a good story anyway.

 thought this was cute of Blossom with her long shadow from the day.

 more goofing around with shadows.

 attempts to write WALRUS ROCK in the ice.  not my best but WARIS is always in my mind and this is just a way to put it out there.

 finished up the note for our governor elect.  so i'll try and get that mailed off and post a copy for others to copy/paste and send to him and Mallot.  just want them to know we want the walrus protected and watched over.

 a few scenes from the second and smaller pond.

 a small crack....nothing to worry about

 wonder how thick the ice is at Portage Lake....anyone checked it out?  perhaps after my dentist appointment i'll drive that way.  drives are always nice anyway.  my appointment is fairly early.

 changing dentists.  i always feel so guilty...like it's a loyalty thing, but it's really just business and i was ready to move elsewhere.  not sure exactly why.  just when i knew i had stuff that needed to be done i felt like it was a sign to change.  hopefully, there are no bad feelings and i enjoy the new place more.

 can't go back to the old one now....

 just wasn't totally happy with the work.  i'm not the best at being demanding or particular when it comes to my own care...which is silly.  i think as i get a bit older i am more apt to just forget about pleasing people and request what i want/need.

 time to head back to the cars.  here is mama moose with one of her babies in the background.

thankful for...solid ice and being able to walk on water, my heated throw from costco, that Rio joined us out there walking today, such a treat!! good night!!