Meet Kiki Dee

Back in January of this year, I started fostering a sweet little cattle dog named Kiki Dee. Well, one thing led to another, and suddenly we found ourselves adopting her. Adopting a foster dog is known as a 'foster fail,' because the overall goal of fostering is to keep an animal with you until it's well enough or ready to go to its forever home. The foster home ideally is not the forever home, for multiple reasons. Adopting a dog you're fostering takes up the place of what could be an opening for another foster dog. Apparently I'm really bad at fostering, since the last two dogs I've fostered I've ended up adopting.

So sad and timid on her first day with us

Here's a little back story on Kiki Dee. Kiki was found roaming around the desert on the Navajo reservation with her 8 puppies. She was originally swept up by a puppy rescue that goes out to the local reservations on a regular basis looking for puppies. The reservations out here are rough places to be a dog, particularly a puppy. There's very little access to food or water, it's hot, there are lots of other animals fighting for resources, and there are so so many dogs. Too many dogs.

Pouting in the kitchen on her first day with us

I remember when we first moved out to Flagstaff, people would comment about how amazing their rez dogs were...that's what people call dogs obtained from the reservation...rez dogs. They're about any combination off mutt you could imagine, the vast majority being medium-sized and looking like either shepherd mixes or cattle dog mixes. When I asked about how one goes about getting a rez dog, most often the response was, "you just go out there and get one...they're everywhere. If they don't have a collar on, they're fair game." Which to me with my Midwestern mindset, sounded like stealing. What I later learned is that most dogs roaming around out on the reservation don't necessarily belong to anyone in particular. Most of the time if a dog does belong to someone, it has a collar on, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. Knowing my luck, I'd find myself out on the reservation stealing a dog that actually belonged to someone and having to answer to the reservation cops about it; that's a situation I'd really rather avoid.

My fuzz butts!

It is true though, that there are dogs everywhere out there. Every time we drive through the reservation, there are always multiple dogs loitering around at the gas stations, digging through the trash, many of which are obviously nursing puppies, judging by their swollen mammaries (sorry, I don't know what those are called on a dog...teats? udders?). Some of them would approach us, but most of them keep their distance. There's also a fair number of them lying dead along the side of the road, which always makes me so sad. Kiki and her pups were some of the lucky ones, fortunate enough to be spotted and taken up by the puppy rescue.

Kiki on the day she was picked up by the puppy rescue

The pictures of Kiki on her day of rescue are heart breaking...she's emaciated, all her ribs are showing, she has an obvious deformity to her left hind leg, and she's got scars all over her face. I can't imagine the number of times she had to defend herself or her puppies to receive all those scars. It's hard to say how old she is, how many litters she'd had prior to this one, how long she'd been alone, and if she had ever belonged to anyone. Given her incredibly sweet demeanor, I'd have to think that she'd at least had some contact with humans, but it's hard to say. Perhaps she was just a good-natured dog and a mix of breeds that are drawn towards people. Or maybe she's just very trusting. So she and her puppies got picked up by the puppy rescue, where they were then transported to a holding area prior to being brought to Flagstaff. There were 21 puppies total in one pen, along with Kiki, so she took it upon herself to nurse all of them. Super mom alert! The puppy rescue then contacted the Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue, which operates out of Flagstaff, and Kiki started her journey to being adopted into her forever home.

Kiki and some of the 21 puppies

Kiki was taken in with another cattle dog, a red heeler that they named Elton John. For those who don't know, (I didn't) Kiki Dee was a singer who sang "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with Elton John. Since Kiki and Elton entered the rescue at the same time, it makes sense that they were named as they were. Having worked in a busy animal rescue in the past, it can be quite challenging to come up with new and interesting names for the dogs coming through. Litters of puppies typically have names that all start with the same letter, or are named after national parks, after famous actors and actresses, or after streets or restaurants in the town they were found. It keeps them from all having the same name, really, as inspiration can sometimes run low when you've got a high volume of intakes. My first rescue/foster fail was named Lady P, the P being for Plainview, which is the town in Minnesota where she was found. I eventually took to calling her Ladybird, and that name fit her quite well. Most of the time, it's quite easy to change a dog's name, especially if they're in a traditional shelter and not a foster home, as shelter dogs don't have as much one-on-one human interactions where you're saying their name over and over again. Even a foster dog's name can be easy to change. I elected to keep Kiki's name because she already responded to it, and because I thought it was kind of cute. It also met the requirements of a double-syllable word that ends with the "ee" sound, which I've read is the ideal combination for a dog name.

Cooper and Kiki...not quite a cuddle

When we first got Kiki as a foster, she had recently had surgery to repair her dislocated hip on her left hind leg. Unfortunately the joint was unable to be salvaged, as it had been dislocated for too long with too much damage, so an FHO (femoral head ostectomy) was performed. An FHO is the removal of the femoral head and neck; this removes the ball of the ball-and-socket joint, leaving just an empty socket. The muscles of the leg will initially hold the femur in place and over time, scar tissue will form between the hip socket and the femur to provide cushioning that is referred to as a 'false joint.' Although this joint is anatomically very different from a normal hip joint, it provides her pain-free mobility. She was undergoing physical therapy once a week to strengthen the false joint when she came to us. When we first got her, she would occasionally run around on three legs, holding up her left rear leg when she wanted to get somewhere quickly. I'm not sure if it was still painful from the surgery or if it felt weird to her and she didn't trust it. She definitely had a pretty obvious sashay when we first got her, but if you were to see her now, not knowing about the modified joint, it would be difficult to tell that there is anything different about her at all. She moves normally, although every now and then there's a hitch in her step that you wouldn't see in a dog with two normal hip joints. The hip definitely does slow her down sometimes, and she does better on hikes across flat ground where she doesn't have to jump up on rocks or do technical traverses. Despite all that, she's always ready and willing to get outside for a trek in the woods or a jaunt around the neighborhood. 

Trekking with Simon last winter

I can't quite say enough about how much Kiki has been a positive addition to our lives. It's interesting to me how sweet and trusting Kiki is, given the very real possibility that her interactions with humans prior to being picked up by the rescue had been limited at best, if at all. She loves all manner of humans, including children, and pretty much all animals. I trust her completely around anyone. She has a pretty decent prey drive, however, with squirrels being her primary obsession. I don't know that she would kill a squirrel given the chance that she was actually able to catch one, and I'm glad I haven't yet had to have that experience. When we go out for walks in the woods, it's hard for me to break her focus when she's on the trail of a squirrel or any other ground dwelling creature. It's something that we're still working on, as she'll take off and be out of sight, completely ignoring my attempts to call her back. It's not a safe situation for her to be so singularly focused, as she might get too far away from me and become lost, she might encounter an animal who doesn't appreciate her curiosity, or even get herself into an unsafe situation with another human or animal who might feel threatened by her presence. I was particularly concerned on a couple occasions when she took off after some deer in the woods, knowing that most of the time deer will run and can very easily outrun her, but if in a situation where they feel the need to defend themselves or their babies, deer will absolutely stomp a dog to death, as will domestic livestock, which I'm sure she would also be happy to chase if given the opportunity. We did have her around my cousin's horses once and she paid them little mind, but if they had started to run the situation might have been different.

Too cool for school

She's an incredibly goofy and quirky dog, and given the fact that she's definitely got cattle dog in her, that doesn't come as a surprise. Cattle dogs are quite quirky, and typically bond with one person and one person only. Sometimes they'll bond with an entire family, but they usually bond with one family member more strongly than the others. Kiki has definitely bonded strongly with both Simon and I, but Simon is the person that is her primary bond. She doesn't herd us around the house too much, which some cattle dogs will do, but she does nip at our lower legs and thighs when she's excited or trying to get our attention. Every now and then she gets me in the back of the arm...it's funny how good she is at using those tiny little front teeth of hers, and that she's gentle enough to not hurt me, but assertive enough to apply just enough pressure to relay her intentions. She adorably does the cattle dog lean, at times leaning so forcefully that she nearly tips either herself or one of us over. For a cattle dog, I find Kiki to be incredibly social, as she wants to greet and interact with every person and animal she comes into contact with. Most cattle dogs I see are very aloof when it comes to interacting with anyone who isn't their person, and most of them I've encountered haven't exactly been dog friendly either. I'm glad that she's social, as I think aloof dogs can sometimes make people feel uncomfortable, particularly if they're not familiar with the personality traits of cattle dog breeds. She's incredibly playful, and while she's still a little awkward playing with our friends' dogs, she still tries. She loves her squeaky toys, but will only play with them in the house, although she tries to carry them outside and leave them out there all the time. Not sure what that's about. The cutest thing ever is when she snuggles and sleeps with her toys. It just melts my heart to see this dog that no one wanted, resting so comfortably in a home with her toys and people who love her.

Snuggling with her toy

When we first got her, I wasn't too sure about allowing her in our bed, since for the past few years we've just had Cooper in the bed, and sometimes, despite his size, he gets in the way, hogs the blankets, etc. For the first week or so after we got Kiki, she would come into the bedroom but wouldn't come up on the bed. She would peer over the edge of it at us, willing us to get out of the bed and interact with her. Truth be told, I love having dogs in the bed with me. As long as I can remember, I've always had dogs in my bed. Simon would rather have no dogs in the bed; in fact, he would honestly prefer that we not have any dogs at all, not because he doesn't like them but because they complicate our lifestyle. Dogs are such an important part of my life and are so good for my mental and emotional well-being, and he's accepted that, which I appreciate. I adore having Kiki in the bed. She's such a snuggler, and she loves cuddling in between us, snuggling against Simon while reaching out a paw to rest on me; she even grips with her toes, giving me a gentle squeeze. She loves physical interaction, and I love that about her. My pug Brie was a champion snuggler, and I've missed having a snuggly dog, as Cooper doesn't care to snuggle, preferring proximity but not touching. Sometimes Kiki and I will lay in bed together, she with her head on Simon's pillow, and just look at each other while I pet her. I know that makes me sound like a crazy dog lady (owning it), but I just love and appreciate her so much.

Holding hands in bed

It's still so amazing to me that a dog who had been so neglected can be so sweet. I can touch her anywhere, including her paws, which most dogs loathe; it just goes to show the trust she has in us by allowing us to touch her face, her tail, her ears, her belly, and her feet. She sits calmly and quietly while I trim her nails, something I've never been able to do with any of my other dogs. It's been interesting to see the progression of her confidence and trust versus the progression of my previous cattle dog, Lady. Lady had clearly been not just neglected, but also abused, and most definitely by a man. In the beginning she would try to hide from men, and if she felt cornered or not able to get away, she would get defensive. She nipped my brother Mike the first day I brought her home. Not hard enough to break the skin, but enough to let him know that she was not comfortable with him being near her. It took quite a while for Lady to be okay with men, and I think having her in my family home for the summer between my junior and senior years of college with frequent exposure to my dad and both my brothers started her on the path towards trusting men. Durning my senior year of college, I lived with 5 other girls, most of whom had boyfriends who visited quite regularly, who were all very kind and patient with her. Those interactions further encouraged her trust of men, and by the end of my first year with her, I'd say she was pretty trusting of most men, even those she hadn't met before. Kiki has had a much easier adjustment to becoming a member of our family, but I'm thankful that I had those experiences with Lady to give me some experience on welcoming a rescued pet into our home.

Beer:30 on the Humphreys Peak trail

Almost a year ago now, Kiki came to us very timid, shy, and little bit broken. Fast forward to now and it's like she's always been here. Even the grumpy old man has accepted the fact that she's here to stay, although he still keeps his interactions with her to a minimum. She fits in perfectly and I'm so incredibly thankful to have her in my life. She makes me happy everyday, and I can't imagine our home without her.

One of my favorite photos of her from last winter

Final thoughts: People choose their pets for all sorts of reasons, and while I'm not a rescue elitest, I do feel adopting an unwanted pet such a great way to go, even if there is a specific breed you're looking for. There are so many breed-specific rescues out there, with most of their dogs (even puppies!) in foster homes getting love, attention, care and training. Saving a life adds another dimension of love to your relationship with your dog, and it's almost as if they know they've been rescued.

This is 40

This is 40

A couple of weeks ago, I turned 40. It wasn't scary, it wasn't traumatizing, it wasn't invigorating...truth be told, it felt like just another day. Society has taught me that 40 is supposed to be monumental in some way, but I just didn't feel it. However, given that society expects some sort of reaction to entering this decade, I'll take the time to write a little bit about what turning 40 feels like for me.

My birthday was actually very low key. My friend Ellen, her husband Fred and their two very adorable girls flew out from Minnesota to spend my birthday weekend in Flagstaff. The first night they were here, my birthday, pretty much everyone was in bed by 7:30pm...hahaha! We then spent a couple days here in Flagstaff, and ended the trip with a day in Jerome. We made birthday cupcakes and just enjoyed each others' company. It was a great visit and a wonderful way to spend my birthday.

Jerome with my wonderful friend, Ellen

 My birthday was a far cry from those Over The Hill parties that I remember my parents and their friends throwing for each other when they started taking turns turning 40. I remember black balloons and streamers, cupcakes with tombstones on them, cards with statements about being one foot in the grave, jokes abounded about the birthday girl or guy being so elderly he or she needed a walker or should start wearing adult diapers. I know people whose age has been a sore spot in the mirror for several years now. They don't like the fact that they're aging, they don't like the way their new age feels both on paper and in their joints, and I just have to wonder at the response they would have to a party thrown for them with tombstones everywhere. Some of them I know for a fact would not be amused, and might even be devastated. I'm not sensitive about my age and I don't know if I'd necessarily appreciate a party like that, but I think I'd be able to find the humor in it. I wonder if my parents or their friends were hurt or upset by the Over The Hill parties. I never thought to ask as I was making jokes about them remembering what it was like to live amongst the dinosaurs.

The thing is, I don't feel like 40 is old at all. I think it's entirely possible that some of my best years are yet to come. My 30's were far better than my 20's, and I'm hoping that my 40's follow that same pattern. Although I can't help but wonder...does being 40 make me middle-aged? Because that kind of sounds old, but 40 is halfway to 80 and I think 80 is a more than an acceptable age to check out of this life, so maybe I am middle aged, but I still don't feel old. I feel like there's so much left of this life to do and see and explore, and given the steps I've taken with my lifestyle and my finances, I'm in a perfect position to pursue those things.

In Alaska with Lindsey, Holly, Mike, and Simon

Despite the wisdom, financial stability, and personal acceptance and well-being that comes with age, there definitely are some drawbacks to aging, I won't deny that. However, I'm taking it head on and one day at a time. Here are some things I've been up to as of late...

How I'm feeling: I continue to gain weight. Having been consistently the same weight for so many years, this is a frustration that I feel a little inept to handle. Let's be honest, I don't really eat all that well, but I'm not a glutton either, and the fact of the matter is that over the years, my diet hasn't really changed all that much. Truthfully, I eat far better now than I used to a decade ago when I was downing Doritos like they were supplements and eating cheese like it was life-giving food from the gods (it isn't?). I need to understand that as I age, my metabolism and hormones are affecting my weight more than they used to, and I need to somehow account for that, but I don't know how. Maybe not eating ice cream at 10pm and then going to bed immediately afterward would be a start...hahaha! Luckily I'm not alone in this regard, as many of my friends are having the same issues as they age. A couple years back, late in the evening on New Year's Eve, a friend texted me "I'm so fucking fat." I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, and I questioned whether or not the text had actually been for me, as there was no preface or followup to it. Not wanting to be a jerk in the event that the text had, in fact, been for me, I responded with kind words of support. I heard nothing back that night and we haven't spoken of it since, and that's all right. Sometimes we have those weak moments where we just need to reach out, air our grievances, and never speak of them again. I get it. I'm there.

Staying informed: I read the news every morning and listen to NPR in the car. Granted, these are not bad things, but they're not exactly fun things either. I struggle to find the balance between wanting to be informed and being absolutely overwhelmed and disgusted by the information I'm given. Sometimes I take a break from all the crap coming out of Washington DC and scroll though a few Buzzfeed articles featuring cat videos or funny things children say. I'm also a huge fan of Tasty videos...I could watch those for hours while internally lamenting the fact that there is no one here to make the recipes and then feed them to me. Keeping my news intake light helps to keep it a little more real, and to let me know that life isn't as bad as the Huffington Post might make it seem (to be honest, Huff Post isn't a reliable source of information for me, it was just the first that came to mind).

Wine tasting with cute babies...a current hobby

What I'm watching: I am in bed by 9pm most nights, and that's typically a late night. Exceptions to this are when I'm elbows deep into an HBO or Netflix series; I can stay awake for hours watching those. While not typically a TV person, there's something about a well-done series that sucks me in every time. I just finished Season 2 of West World and have determined that I need to watch the entire season again, because that series is just too complicated to grasp on one viewing alone. I also watched Season 3 of Stranger Things and cried during the last episode...damn you, Hopper. As a guilty pleasure I also finished Season 3 of Divorce, starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Hayden Church, two actors I greatly admire, and a subject matter that is all too common these days: finding balance in blended households and dealing with all the emotional fallout that comes with the end of a relationship while still attempting to remain civil for the sake of the children. I think it's decently well done, although this is coming from me, who has neither been divorced nor has children, so take that with a grain of salt. Simon and I have just started His Dark Materials, which is a series adaptation of the Golden Compass books. I enjoyed the books and actually really liked the movie that they had made starring Daniel Craig (swoon); I was disappointed that they didn't continue the books as movies, but so far the series seems to be really well done and is expanding on the books in a way a feature length movie never could.

What I'm reading: I am currently reading a book called Flushed, which was given to me by a friend whose book choices always inspire me. Flushed is all about the history of plumbing starting thousands of years BC up until modern times. The book makes the very accurate point that plumbing is truly what separates the haves from the have nots, given that access to freshwater and reliable removal of wastewater can be the difference between life and death. It's actually a very fascinating read, and it's written with the right amount of humor to keep it interesting. Fun fact: the lead poisoning that caused the demise of the Roman Empire wasn't the lead pipes for plumbing, it was the fact that they were using lead as a sweetener, because apparently lead is sweet, which is also why modern day children eat the paint chips of lead-based paint. Interesting, eh? It's amazing to me the amount of nonfiction I read these days. I still enjoy Stephen King and I just finished The Handmaid's Tale, but I've started to alternate fictional books with non-fictional books. Bonus points given for a really good historical fiction book...those are my favorites.

What I'm wearing: The advent of athleisure (athletic wear worn in a leisure setting) has been about the best thing ever for me this past decade. Although lately I've been less inclined to be a walking billboard for Lululemon; I've been trying to change things up a bit. A friend of mine was recently completely shocked and surprised to see me in jeans. In fact, she commented that she's never seen me in jeans, and we've known each other for over 7 year now. Don't get me wrong, I love my Lululemon and I love the fact that I can gain weight and those high waisted leggings just tuck it all away as if it's not even there, but I don't feel the need to always look like I just came from the gym or the yoga studio (although, if we're to be honest, if you see me out and about, that's usually where I've just come from or will shortly be heading to). I am also enthralled by thrifting. I love that I can add a significant amount of name-brand and unique variety to my wardrobe by spending very little money, particularly if I shop half-priced days at Savers (every Monday) or Goodwill (every other Saturday). To supplement my thrifting, I hold quarterly Naked Lady Parties. What is a Naked Lady Party, you ask? Well, I get together with a bunch of my girlfriends, and we bring all our unwanted clothing and accessories, and have a clothing exchange whilst drinking wine and eating snacks. Free wardrobe additions, camaraderie, and lots of laughs. Some of my favorite wardrobe pieces are those I have pilfered from my Naked Lady Parties. One time my friend Andrew showed up, tried on a cardigan, dropped off his baby, and left. Never a dull moment.

Adventuring in Washington with Jim, Jess, and baby Raegan

Where I'm going: I don't have too many trips on the horizon. Truth be told I'm taking a much-needed break from traveling, which is good for me. It's nice to be home. I recently reorganized the kitchen and bathroom cupboards, trying to make the space more efficient, and I think I did a pretty good job of that. I like organizing things, and the cupboards were something that have needed to be addressed for some time but with so much coming and going over the past few months I couldn't be bothered to tackle it. I have one trip coming up before the end of the year, and I'm super excited about it. I'm going to Seattle in December with a bunch of ladies and we're going to see Brandi Carlile in concert with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, something I've been wanting to do for years. We have one more ticket available if anyone wants to join, hit me up if you're interested! After Seattle there are some potential trips, including but not limited to: Whistler in February, Alaska in the spring, Florida in the spring, Hawaii in March, Phoenix in March (happening), Utah in April, Alaska in July (happening if my time off gets approved), Boston in July, and Minnesota in August (as per usual). I'm sure more potential adventures will pop up in the meantime, but for now I'm just enjoying being home with Simon and my dogs, enjoying my friends here in Flagstaff.

The old man

My dogs: Cooper continues to age, and while it's incredibly sad to think about his imminent demise, I'm prepared for it. I've had 15 wonderful years with him and I'm thankful for each and every one. He still makes me laugh everyday, and his favorite things are still going to bed, napping, and carrots. He is currently pestering me as I write and is refusing to lay in the pet bed that I intentionally placed next to my desk for him; most likely he is wanting me to go lay in bed with him or sit on the couch with him, although he doesn't actually want to snuggle, he just wants me to be in the bed or on the couch near him, but not touching. All in good time little buddy, all in good time. If I were to stand up right now he would inevitably hobble as quickly as possible down the hallway towards the bedroom, making his true intentions crystal clear: it is always bedtime. Always. Kiki continues to be an absolute delight, and I'm so incredibly grateful that she wandered into our lives. She is the sweetest, most wonderful, most caring dog I think I've ever met. She loves nothing more than a walk in the woods or a ride in the car (even though she sometimes pukes in the car...we're working on that). She, unlike Cooper, loves to snuggle. Unfortunately she prefers to snuggle with Simon over me, but when he's not available she's all mine. I've actually started a blog all about her...that'll be coming soon. Truth...I just got up and Cooper ran down the hallway and into the bedroom. So predictable. He's now standing next to my desk again, staring with his tail down, refusing to lie down in his bed that is mere inches from where he's standing. A day in the life, indeed.

A look ahead: Good friends, good food, good beer, good times. That's about all I could wish for myself. That and a camper van, a gas stove, a kitchen island, and a snowy winter so I can continue to slowly get better at skiing. All good things   

Pines On My Mind

Ponderosa Pines with the San Francisco Peaks on the background

Well, I've done it. I've changed my blog name. It's something that I should have done long ago, but just never got around to doing because I thought that it would be this daunting process that would fully expose my ineptitude in all things tech. Turns out I just went into my settings, picked a new name, and hit the Save button. I'm glad no one else had this name already, which I was a little surprised by. Normally I don't see myself as being the first to think of anything creative, as creativity is often times a huge struggle for me.

Sunset through the pines

So, a little back story. I originally came up with the title Eat. Poop. Live. as a play on the book Eat. Pray. Love. I felt that my title represented me pretty well, as I love to eat, I've been known for years as a person who talks far more than she should about poop, and I'm all about getting out there and living your life. Pretty perfect, right? Not so much when you string those words together in a sentence with no other context.

Snow on the Pines

It was just over a year ago that my friend Colton drove to Flagstaff from Arkansas to visit Simon and I. We had a great time tooling around northern Arizona, showing him all that things that we love so much about living out here. It came up at one point that I had a blog. Colton wanted to read it, so I texted him the URL of the blog so he could find it. He texted me back not long after, wanting to make sure that I had actually sent him the right blog address, and that he wasn't going to end up on some site where people were eating poop, live on camera.

Home sweet home, surrounded by Ponderosas

I was horrified. How had I NEVER noticed that? How had I NEVER even thought about it? Seriously...me, the poop talker. To my credit, the subject of anyone eating poop very rarely comes up in my poop musings because that's just gross. No one should be eating poop. However, there is a subculture out there who do, and to each their own, but I was pretty disgusted and embarrassed to be linked to them in any way, shape, or form.

Getting ready to ride into the pines

So yeah...Eat. Poop. Live. had to go. Now that I'm 40 and feel like an actual adult (mostly), it seems like a good time to make the change. I've been thinking about it the last few weeks, and truth be told, it's hard to come up with a short little phrase to describe yourself that is both catchy and representative. Some of my favorite blog titles of blogs that I frequent: Bits of Sunshine, Pinch of Yum, Minimal Effort; to name a few. I feel like each of these blog titles represents their authors or what they're trying to convey in their blogs, and that's something I wanted too.

Rainbows, Ponderosas, Grand Canyon...do I really live here???

So why Pines On My Mind? Well, for starters, I live in the largest Ponderosa Pine forest on the planet. They are everywhere. I see them everyday, I interact with them in some way each and every day; they have become a consistent part of my life, and one that I'm mostly grateful to have. I love being out in the middle of the woods and taking a moment to be quiet, to listen to the sound of the wind through the trees. There's something very unique sounding about wind through pines. On a warm day, if you get close and smell the bark of a Ponderosa on the sunny side, you're met with the faint scent of caramel and vanilla. Sometimes in the summer on really warm days the whole forest smells like that. Some Ponderosas are tall and spindly, some are bushy, some are gnarly...there's a lot of variety in how they look. They are the welcome sign when we are driving up from Phoenix, letting us know that we are almost to 7,000 feet of elevation and are almost home. They can be fragile, in that they grow in rocky soil and sometimes have difficulty putting down deep roots, and are sometimes blown over by the very wind that we enjoy hearing so much. We recently had to have the biggest Ponderosa on our property removed after it blew over in a wind storm. It's sad to look out into the back yard now, seeing the stump; it's all that remains of what used to be a big, beautiful tree. What Ponderosas might lack in a root system they make up for in resilience, surviving wind, forest fires, snow, rain, heat, bugs. There are dead Ponderosa skeletons dotting the forest, looking both spooky and regal at the same time. In the fall and spring the needles that they drop all over everything are the bane of my existence. I didn't think anything could be worse than raking oak leaves. I was mistaken. They're pokey, they're sappy, and they nearly destroy any sort of lawn bag you try to put them in.

Pine viewing from the hammock

These pines...they're a part of me now, and I found it fitting to include them in my blog, which is a part of me that I share with you.