another beautiful day out there.

 cruised over to Cheney Lake in the evening and got lucky with the light.  really beautiful out. 

 these are a few from last weeks Monday walk.  we had another walk again today.  off to a great start so far.  easy when the weather is good.

 decided i will try and put the note back up between the new cabinets when we get to that point.  seems fitting that the note should stay in there...unless i find a body then that will alter that plan, right?

 did manage to get another cabinet down.  these suckers are big and pretty heavy. happy i have so far not injured myself or the house.  also bought a little jig saw so i can cut a hole and make sure I'm not gonna ram anything I'm not supposed to ram....also check for that dead body. 

 also began to get Skelly in to a new scene.  he's been in the summer flamingo for several months now and it was time...his summer shirt is currently in the laundry...yes i am doing laundry for a skeleton.  at least i do not have to worry about skid marks with Skelly, he's great that way.

 you will have to wait until i finish the scene.  :-) 

 i drove out to Potters Marsh as well.  watched the pair of swans for a bit but they are mostly just very busy eating so not exciting for photo's. 

 then i opted to hit the boardwalk . haven't done that all summer.  the coho's are running up the creek there.

 there was a guy up here for a few months with his wife who has a job assignment.  as we watched the fish he asked me some fish questions. i  had noted that a pair of biologists were actually headed our way and i thought they would have much better answers. sure enough, they were both biologists for fish and game and were very nice and seemed to enjoy teaching us about the salmon while they did their counts.

 these pics here are in Talkeetna.  i discovered the great little trail system.  i figured they had one and had heard such but hadn't found them.  now i have.  great open trails with several lakes. perfect for the pups and i.  in the winter they are cross country ski trails.

 so the dogs and i stretched our legs and had a nice walk.  we were on our way to Byers Lake. 

 i think this is otter lake.

 there are also xy and z lakes.

 still some mushrooms out there, much is quickly getting covered over by the leaves falling.

 fall flies past...but we enjoy it as much as we can while it's here.

 i head back to work again tomorrow for 3 then hopefully i can try for some good walks on my next stretch off, see what i can see out there.

 Anderson Cooper was on his show defending photo's posted of him by Donny Jr.  it was the epitome of fake news...the thing they accuse others of.  the photo he posted was actually from another storm like 10 years ago and the cameraman passed away last year

 things seem to be ramping up a bit with the supreme court stuff.  the woman had hoped to be anonymous though i really think that was going to be impossible.  so she has come out and spoken out.  the guy was a teenager and apparently drunk to the point he may or may not even recall the events really.  that is no excuse of course.

 as i said yesterday, society wants to give boys a pass on this sort of behavior as teens...i mean it wasn't rape was it and boys will be boys won't they and we don't want to ruin his life over this...how will he eventually be able to support a family if his reputation is ruined or he has to do jail time over this.  they say like 1:4 girls have been molested and someone is doing the deed. 

 this is a map of the hiking trails out there.

 these are in Talkeetna.  i hadn't been there all summer so felt i wanted to pop in for a bit and grab a slice of pizza.

 always love all the painted moose all around town out there.  the feline mayor had gone home for the night. 

 the little town gets pretty packed in the summers. liked this motorcycle.

 their float plane lake...well one anyway..any lake is a float plane lake.  this may just be a lodge.

 settling in to Byers Lake Cabin #1

 liked the burls on front.  we weren't sure they were stable enough for sitting on, but i did use it as a table to cook on.

 that first night i was alone out there.  i didn't stay up late...we didn't the next night either.  it is a bit dark inside the cabin so it was a great excuse to crash. the dogs did wake up me a few times being guard dogs...such good protectors.

 this woman who is making these accusations of Kavenaugh is being berated on social media sites, i wouldn't be surprised if she receives death  threats.  i just really doubt anyone would submit themselves to the cruelty out there in the internet if they were outright lying about something like this.  Orin Hatch said something about her being mistaken, cause he's such a great guy.  people do stupid things as teenagers...but the truth is those things sometimes come back to roost even if society gave you a pass years ago. 

 hopefully at some point boys will learn to control themselves so that more girls don't have to become victims that have to live with these boys poor choices.  one gets punished for life while the other doesn't get punished at all. the boys in DC aren't in her corner. their agenda, again, is for more important than properly vetting anyone.

 thought today it would be a good topic to write an opinion piece on.  the paper did like my writing and invited me to write again after my walrus pieces. 

 sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword.

 don't know if anyone in these times is really capable of seeing anything but what they already believe to be true.

 sadly, that is just the current state of the nation.

 liked this burl on the base of the tree.  lots of burls around these parts.

 the roof is growing.

 i am going to love having the downstairs more open.  it already looks better.

 salmon in the lake that day as well. kept thinking the pups would see them and give chase, but they didn't .

 some rough looking salmon by the time they hit the lakes.

 these are on our hike around the lake.  we got some great views.

 lots of tiny gnats out there.

 well, i think I'll peek at some photo's before i crash for the night.  season 11 of the "big bang theory" arrived. 

grateful for: A.  fish and game and how generous they were with the info today.  B. healthy salmon habitat C.  luck with the light at Cheney Lake.  D....bonus....getting another cabinet out!!

tree trimming day...with a little Blossom in mind

 it was our annual tree trimming walk on the Monday walk.  we decided to trim it with tennis balls in memory of our tennis ball loving girl Blossom...and then in memory as well of all our beloved pups at the bridge.  TO was so sweet and smart to create these tennis balls with the names of our lost pups on them.  so cool.

 at Kaladi's afterwards everyone had gotten together and put this amazing fleece quilt filled with pictures of Blossom and Rio and the pups as well.  it must have taken a great deal of time and effort...i'm very touched. it is beautiful and will be cherished.

 we had a great crew out there and i think everyone had fun.  we had many tennis balls to decorate with.  i figure the moose see tennis balls all the time out there so should have any issues with these...i mean i'm sure i've left over 100 lost tennis balls out there over the years haha.

 when i got home, i wanted to lay it out properly on the bed so i could really take it all in.  so many pictures..so many are favorites.  mostly each picture is a reminder of an adventure or hike we shared.  so many of them.  she really did have a great life. never long enough but we probably all want our dogs to live forever.  they bring us such joy.

 the puppies approve.  i do as well.  didn't sleep much last night and i soon found myself slumbering on the quilt as well with my puppies.

 of course, i woke with a start thinking i'd missed my alarm and was late for the Monday walk..then quickly realized we had already done the walk .

 a few from the bog.

 beautiful sunset.  it's almost solstice.

 things i had planned on doing have not gotten done today, i debated a late night run to the grocery but i have since decided to  post this and then turn in early.

 plan to sled tomorrow and then i'll have a dinner on Saturday night for friends, like  me, who don't really have a lot of options for places on the holidays.  we can hang together, eat,drink and laugh.  i have a new wine glass that i really should try out...it's festive.

 as we were packing up to leave Kaladi's this older guy was standing there.  he kept saying we'd better not forget the cookies someone had brought or he'd eat them.  whatever.  haha...right.  anyway, as we started to walk out he comes to me and is all, "i wanted to be the first to tell you the good news...Trump is officially going to be POTUS".  i just looked at him and said something like, "oh, you think that is good news"  he then went into full trump rally mode.  talking very loudly, lock her up, she's a crook.... no point reasoning with a cult member.  he really did sound nuts.  we just made our way outside.

 no, i don't think it's good news.  i don't think it's good news for our nation at all.  i don't think it's good news for our democracy, i don't think it's good news for race relations, i don't think it's good news for religious relations, i don't think it's good news for our international relations. i don't think it's good news for our earth, for our walrus for all the other animals.  i don't think it's good news for our economy. i don't think it's good news for kindness.  i don't think it's good news for our constitution, for our rights for our peace.  i don't think it's good news for our growth and scientific research, i don't think it's good news for our education, i don't think it's good news for our military, i don't think it's good news for health....i think you get the point.  i didn't say any of that though. he wasn't going to be capable of comprehending it.

 this will get worse in this upcoming administration.  people who hate the political correct world that has been created.  yes, i agree it can go too far, but the truth is being politically correct is equal to being kind.  not making racist comments, not offending others, not making fun of the handicapped...sure all fun when you are 12 but as adults we should probably avoid it.  not grabbing the other sex you are around without permission....not acceptable either.  still pissed that the supposed party that claims to have God on their side has elected a very unGodlike person.  this idiot was going off and he also said, we will have a Christian in the White House again.  he said, She's not a Christian.  judgement day will be fascinating.  this guy, and so many like him...have no understanding clearly of what Christ taught while he was on the earth.  Drumpf has fooled them all.  he is no shining example of Christianity.  he lied and lied and he's admitted it at his victory rallies.  it was all just to get elected. everything they hate about Hillary is the truth about this guy, but they are still fighting Hillary rather than admitting their error.  still screaming about a person who is no longer a threat in their world.  it's time to move on and really look at this nut job...i just hope he gets booted out before he can do much damage.

 a Russian ambassador was gunned down today, several people were mowed over by a truck driven by a random terrorist no doubt.  Drumpf is a puppet of Putin.  Russia influenced our election and it seems most in GOP want to look the other way on this as well.  did Russia influence the Brexit vote as well.  one must wonder.

 anyway...the day was wonderful except this one Drumpf nympho.  i suspect this sort of thing will happen more and more to "libtards" like me.  their rage will never be satisfied.  they will continue to blame everyone else for everything wrong in their little worlds.  they will never see the truth or seek the truth.  as it all unravels under their new leader they will blame us still.

 we must speak though.  we must not be silent and allow our nation to spiral out of control.  of course, it would help immensely if someone would stop the twitter mad man...take it away.  please.  someone in the GOP get some balls immediately.  don't follow the herd.  speak out.  they must control their candidate or find a way to oust him.  it's on them, it's all on them.  the electoral college went as was expected with just a few exceptions.  come on checks and balances...

 the rest are from our tree trimming.

 the pups did attempt to grab a few low hanging tennis balls.  no success.  we hung em high as it were...hehe.

 my tennis balls...fun since everyone had their own way of making tennis balls into ornaments.

 A joined us again.  our newest Monday walker.  we've been doing it at least since 2005 i think we decided.  people have come and gone.  a few core folks have stuck around all these years and we have really formed a lovely core of friends.  reminds me of books i've read on knitting clubs or sewing clubs.  women always find a way to come together and support each other.

 today was fun...

 TO hangs the beloved puppies tennis ball memorials.  :-)

 little reminders of dogs who have made their way into our hearts

 they are having Monday walks at the bridge together no doubt.

 LS was getting snow down her coat reaching high to get the tree trimmed

 speedy and syd came prepared as well.

 and then came picture time.

 we hit several trees. the place is covered in tennis balls.  hopefully, folks on the trails eventually take them for their dogs to enjoy.

 some have been evacuated from Aleppo.  an orphanage full of little ones was evacuated i read as well so that is small comfort in these times.  the innocent pay the price of terrible leadership.

 another design for the tennis balls.  GT put hers in dog poop bags and tied them up.  not sure i got any of those pics.

 haven't heard from the fish and game crew. i'm hoping we are covered again this year by the Annenberg Foundation and Explore.org.

 i really need to start thinking about next summers holidays.  we do want to get to Iceland for a visit.  T was thinking late June. that could work.

 group pictures..well partial at times. there were quite a few of us out there.

 the pups were running around and now they are sleeping soundly.

 may God keep us all. May we find our way through yet another period of wars and bloodshed.  May we avoid the worst of it.

 i'm happy for my simple life.  nature keeps us all at peace.

 and dogs...gotta love the dogs.  thanks PICU and Monday walk crew for years of fun, friendship, kindness and help in the good times and the rough times.  thanks for this amazing blanket of love.

 time to head to bed.  tomorrow is a new day.  no puppy class tomorrow.  sledding!!  gotta love it

grateful for: A.  sweetest friends who give and give and give.  B. puppies, who bring happiness to our every day  C.  nature, the beauty brings peace to our souls D..bonus...thankful for the season and how most folks are extra kind and generous.