The laden skies are spilling almond sized rain. Their path unaltered by the gusting winds, the heavy drops streak straight down.  Now this the Oregon spring I am used to. Several days of eighty-six degrees in April got everything all confused. Many plants are blooming early only to be bowed over by the wind and rain.

As if Ma Nature can't make up her mind, the sun frequently shines brightly within rain squalls. 

The dogs and I were tired of being housebound...

so during a break in the weather we took a fast, three mile run over the ridge and back. The fields by the back pond were a riot of blooms in the brilliant sunshine. A rainbow seemed to direct our path - but - click - nothing! - I had forgotten that the camera battery was charging in the kitchen.
Before the dogs went in for their baths, I replaced the battery to at least capture post run shots.

It was again pouring rain by the time I got to Koyuk.

Yes, this is the Oregon spring I know and love - well maybe not the smelly, muddy, wet dog part.

Is It Really Still April?

Two days in the high 80's. The dogs and my gardens are wilting.

 The dogs have pretty much drunk the small pond dry.

Maybe Mr and Ms Blue Jay knew this unseasonable heat was coming when they built their nest in a very shaded NE corner of the house. I would think they might like it a bit warmer as the other nesting birds seem to.

Ms Jay was stone silent until the camera flashed. She gave me a mighty scolding as I snuck a peek for eggs.

 The soft landing spot beneath the nest.

The rock garden is in bloom and even required watering today.

Very handsome Trask soaking up the rays. Oh well, he is a teen after all.

Happy Birthday McKenzie

Every morning, unlike the other family Nooks who paw me relentlessly until I get up, McKenzie patiently waits at the bedside with a toy gift for the new day. She has always done this. When she was younger, the presentation also included a toy parade around the room, but with age she quietly waits. My day also starts with a game of peek-a-boo. She comes between my legs from behind and pokes her grinning face up under my PJs as I say "peek-a-boo". We both love this game. We both grin.
Today McKenzie turns 13. (I thought 14 but apparently can't add years and was corrected by her breeder). For fun, we performed the requirements of an AKC Obedience test. She was spot on and loved the exercise. McKenzie is getting grey and is a little slow on the run but she is still #1 around here.

BrownStone Birthday Party. Koyuk, McKenzie, Cedar and Trask.

Finally Got Brave (and Brakes)

My Chinooks are the ultimate couch potatoes except in harness where they turn into strong, determined, speed daemons. I have to admit that I have been quite nervous about running Ferrari, my dog rig, since my terrifying spill after the brake cable on my new disc brakes broke. The bike co-op stated that they had never heard of, let alone seen, a broken brake cable until I brought Ferrari back to them. They not only replaced the cable but installed a back-up set of traditional bike brakes. All I needed was the doctor's clearance that I could run and the nerve to actually put my body at risk again. I got the former and tested the latter. With Dave home to pick up the pieces, I took off.
One "hike" and they were off...

 airborne in their excitement.

 We flew...

 and made it around the first corner.

 A mile and the hills later they were still flinging gravel and mud.

By the time we got back home, Cedar was in the lead; Trask provided the power; Koyuk was still running and I was all smiles.

How could I ever deny Team Nookies the opportunity to mush?

Easter Flowers

This week a pair of jays built a nest in a rhody just outside the house. I can't wait until the eggs hatch and the rhody blooms and test my camera skills on pictures of the brilliant blue birds sitting within a flower haven. Rain is predicted for the next several days so I took advantage of the morning sun to get a closer glimpse of the nest.

Since I was out with the camera, I could not resist playing with exposures while taking pictures of the new spring flowers.

The fog was just lifting off the pond.

 The last daffodil.

The downside of my photo tour was that I could also see how overgrown my gardens are.

The remainder of this beautiful day will be spent pulling weeds.

Trask

I searched the Thesaurus this morning for an adjective for Trask that relates to his constant need to have something in his mouth. But, I came up empty.
Even as a 4 week old puppy, he insisted on carrying on his Buck about rather than posing nicely with it.

Trask proudly parades around with his booty. He was briefly called Trash because spell-check automatically changes his name and his favorite treasurers are frequently from the wastebasket. The dogs all follow me into the bathroom. This week I have taken advantage of pet-me-time by plucking shedding fur clumps. I then deposit them in the wastebasket. Last night Dave was greeted at the door by a snout full of Chinook fur. Unfortunately, I did not have the camera. Trask was quite a sight. Dave was quite confused. I did get some other pictures from this week.

Trask checking out a bone he found.

 Trask helping me in the garden.

 Trask yesterday after his pursuit of a frog.

This morning, Trask scoffed my earring while waking me with kisses. Fortunately after proudly prancing about, he allows me to reach in his mouth to retrieve whatever he has brought to me.

Marleen just sent me this cartoon that sums Trask up:

Hmmm - maybe Trask the Scholar?

This afternoon Trask treated company to his favorite bone.

Lazy Sunday Morning

This is a very rare picture. Dave is never just sitting around in the sun reading the paper. But yesterday was that kind of a morning.

The dogs too took advantage of the warm sunshine.