We're Still Here

Hello!  Just checking in to say we're still here and dealing with the current lifestyle changes.  I'm not saying we're settled into a routine because everyday is different and one never knows what's around the corner.  We can only stay hopeful and appreciative of every little thing.

Take Sophie, for instance.  She's one year old today.  Happy birthday, Sophie!  She's grown into a beautiful, sweet young lady, my constant companion and a comfort to Rich when he needs it.  That face...

My guy and my girl... Rich makes an effort, although there's little change in the more than a month since his hospital discharge.  In the photo below he was checking a mole trap and, of course, Sophie had to snuggle her way into the center of activity.  She provided a soft place for Rich to rest his head for a moment.

Pictured below:  There is new life in the garden.  I've watched two spotted fawns grow more curious as mom introduces them to her favorite browsing areas.  Shortly after they were born Sophie ventured too close to the area where the doe had hidden her fawns in the woods.  My girl came charging out of the brush looking like she was having the time of her life, but the doe close on her heels meant some serious business.  Sophie has not ventured into that particular area of the woods since.

A day or two after the doe chased her out of the south woods, Sophie blundered into a nest of ground bees in the east woods behind the house.  Her reaction to their stings was to rub her face on the ground which, of course, made it worse.  I was able to call her away and run her up to the house, her white fur spotted with bees which I did my best to brush off before entering the house.  Somewhat traumatized, but safe inside, the sting sites were swelling and giving her fits.  A single Benadryl worked wonders -- no more itching and the swelling went down.  She steers clear of that area of the woods now, too.

As if the incidents with the deer and the bees weren't enough, I looked out my kitchen window one July morning and saw a cougar passing through the very area where I photographed the fawn.  Sheesh!  One can't be too cautious when the predators start coming that close.

That's life.  Visitors come and go, work gets done, errands run, appointments kept.  I'm working my way back to blogging slowly but surely.  I'll be back with Double D in September, but I did also finish the cards I started in June, and even made a new one.  I'd forgotten how time consuming it all is.  Wish I knew how to streamline it and still enjoy the process.

Thanks for putting up with me.  Sending hugs all around.