Happy Halloween

Fall Light

Rain was predicted for today but Ma Nature treated us to a morning of brilliant fall light. Life is Good - breakfast on the patio with a camera at ready. The patio cushions were off in anticipation of rain. They made a nice backdrop for the dogs. I snapped these while finishing my coffee.

Koyuk almost always has her paws crossed when resting. Chinook himself was known to do the same thing. 

 Cedar

Trask not happy about looking into the sun or posing for a picture.

 With his thick winter coat, he was happier lying in the shade on the cool cement.

Even though we still have summer weather, the trees are turning and dropping their leaves. 

 Koy Koyuk

 Regal Koyuk

 Trask still squinting in the sun

 "Please, can we end this now?"

 Koyuk

 Cedar

 Team Nookies just before they split to play Chinook tag in the leaves.

Turkey Trot

The forest fire restrictions were finally lifted.  Time to get the logs I had bucked up in the spring. I had not been up in the woods since the loggers completed the thinning. What once was a wheel-rut of a road was now wide enough for passing log trucks. Several new skid roads had been put in. The dogs and I had all sorts of new places to check out.

Thanks to the clear-cut next door and our thinning. we now have a clear view of Spenser's Butte. This old Madrone is the only live tree left in the middle of the clear-cut.

Trask and Koyuk disappeared from a corner of the property we had not been to before.  Cedar stuck with me during our long search for the wayward dogs.  This summer the loggers spotted a bear at a spring. They turned it into a pond for him. It also proved to be a refreshing pool for hot and thirsty Cedar to get a drink and swim in. 

We finally spotted Trask with his usual something being carried in his mouth.

Trask and Koyuk had caught and killed a turkey.  Trask was quite pleased with himself and only relinquished the bird to wash feathers out of his mouth and take a quick swim in the new spring pool.

Trask, Koyuk and I had quite a three-way, tug-of-war with the turkey. After being pulled onto my butt and down the hill, I was able to lasso the bird's legs. I then tied my rope to the quad. Trask hung on until a wing parted from the carcass.

While the dogs were occupied with the wing, I grabbed what was left of the bird and dashed away to a cliff where I tossed it off into a thicket of blackberry bushes. When I returned, little was left of the wing and the dogs were ready to head home.

Last of the Flowers

Ma Nature has decided to bless us with an endless summer.  Flowers that should be dormant, like my rhodys and crocus, have re-bloomed in our unseasonable 80 degree weather. Morning sun, flowers and Chinooks - time to grab the camera and a huge pocket full of treats. Sitting for a picture was not the desired activity for the beautiful morning.

 Already too hot to just sit for the camera.

 Always beautiful Cedar.

 The best three-dog pose I could orchestrate.

 Handsome boy.

 At least she didn't lay down on them.

"OK. Now where is my treat?"

Party Time

This blog is about BrownStone Chinooks but I would be remiss to not include other big events in our lives. Dave, my remarkable husband, retired and had a birthday on the same day.  What better excuse for a party?!  All summer I planned a party with tables dispersed under the fruit trees ending with a spectacular Harvest Moon rising over the pond. We had not had any rain since April. I had to mow at sunrise because of the fire hazard level. I hand-watered daily to keep the gardens fresh. My efforts paid off. The yard and orchard were beautiful. Then, Ma Nature decided that maybe we could use an end to our drought. While we were desperate for rain, it could have been any other day.  I did a last minute, mad scramble to turn the carport and garage into party central.  Several friends came early to help decorate and set up. 
Dave knew I was throwing a party but was totally surprised when over 150 people showed up. He shouldn't have been.  He is so well loved and has done so much as a volunteer for the Yacht Club, Ski Patrol and community.

 Without the boat, truck and motor home, the carport provided cozy shelter.

My sister Linda and her husband really came through for me.  Totally unlike me, they love to clean house and spent the day before and day of the party cleaning everywhere from windows to inside the garage refrigerator.  During the party, Lind took charge of the kitchen.  We had so much food, that everyone went home with baggies of leftovers which she prepared and handed out.
My nieces, Natalie and Emily made this picture collage: Lind mascaraing as Dave; the singing of "Happy Birthday"; decoration; and Natalie (who came down from Portland), Lind (who I didn't know stopped long enough for a picture) and Emily, (who came down from Seattle).

 Some of our wonderful friends.

The Chinooks spent the day in their kennel with huge, meaty bones.  Three dogs underfoot, in close quarters with an abundance of food...I think not.

Up on the Roof

In anticipation of the end of summer, one morning last month, I put away the patio furniture. The dogs assisted by crowding the stairs as I went up and down to the garage attic. To ease my hazardous trips, I opened the door to the roof so the dogs could supervise my work rather than escort. I happened to glance up as I gathered another load of cushions. I threw down my load and grabbed the camera. The dogs were proud of themselves and the light was perfect.

Koyuk

Grandma Cedar and Grandson Trask

 Cedar

 Mom Koyuk and son Trask

Who would have guessed that we would still be having sun with temps in the 80's in the middle of October. All of the patio furniture has been replaced and continues to be enjoyed on the back patio.