BP Call Annie

Annie is discouraged.  She is convinced that she can solve the Deepwater Ocean oil gush.  To her it's simple...let her dive down and pull up all the "sticks."  I've tried to explain to her that oil is gushing out of a hole, but to no avail.

BP, your hero is waiting by the phone!

Murphy's Day.

What's Good for Healing

Sometimes the best thing for healing is a nice walk.  I have been taking lots of them lately.  The dogs try their best to entertain me with their escapades and side adventures.  And I admit, nothing is better than Annie's silliness.  But long walks allow me to contemplate, to remember, to whisper to myself.  I talk with all those who I have lost recently...and when the wind picks up, or a particular bird sings, I know someone is listening.

Murphy's Day.

Let 'Em Romp

I subscribe to magazines that reflect my passions (although I have let my fly fishing subscriptions run out because after 15+ years the articles are repetitive).  So, Just Labs arrives at this house.

And recently they had an article encouraging people who are owned by labs to just "let them romp."  To follow their natural instincts.

Indeed.

No need to encourage  my two!

Murphy's Day.

What's in a Name

Sage.  She really is her name: wise, smart, all seeing.  The past few months she has given me room to grieve and hurt, but also been close by.  Just like when Murphy died.  I think Sage has grown into her name.

Annie?  Annie Oakley?  Well, from the moment she exploded out of her crate at Sea-Tac, that name has fit her.  Wild, crazy, willing to try anything.

It's funny, because I named them both without really spending anytime with them!

I remember meeting Murphy, picking her up out of the weaning pen.  She was 4 weeks old.  And I asked her:  "Are you a Murphy?"  She put her little head on my shoulder.  And Murphy also lived up to her name.

Murphy's Day.

Field of Ticks

It's high tick season in eastern Washington.  I just hold my breath when the girls (or me for that matter) walk in tall grass.  Of course, we spend the rest of the day picking ticks off of us.  Ugh.

Murphy's Day.

Sigh, It's Friday

Well, we made it through the week.  It was a long one.  And tomorrow, it's the weekend.  More than likely a trip to eastern Washington, although the weather there isn't any better than in Seattle.

But the girls will get to romp (and collect ticks, yuck!).

Murphy's Day.

Spring Rain

Wow, what weather.  Sunny in the morning, gorgeous, and then a huge storm.  By the time we got to our walk, we got sopped.

Now we're thinking hanging out inside, getting some work done, seems like a good idea.

Murphy's day.

I Left My Heart in San Francisco....

One of my mother's favorite songs.

She would love this picture.  Her daughter, her two granddogs, the Golden Gate Bridge.

Murphy's Day.

Back to Routine

We're in this odd space.  Back to a routine, but realizing there is a void.  I ran with Annie, did yoga, fed the girls, did my work...but I wasn't able to share any of this day with my parents.

They  enjoyed even hearing about the mundane.

Muprhy's Day.

Travels With Sage and Annie

Of course we have to reference John Steinbeck since we were in California!  There is nothing better and more revealing about places in America than when you travel with your dog(s).  You learn a lot about people, place, how we see ourselves, and also about the relationships we have with our natural world.

We had a few moments on this trip to play tourist: visiting the fabulous new de Young museum in Golden Gate Park (across from the new California Academy of Sciences building which I will get to...), going to the Golden Gate National Parks (the Crissy Field), and on the way home, driving through Napa Valley.

The de Young is amazing.  If you haven't seen it, see it.  I am not a huge fan of modern architecture, but this building is a dazzling display of material, light, and framing the art and the view.  The new California Academy of Science building, across the "mall" from the de Young, is also amazing, but expensive to get into and, frankly, I am curious why a museum located in one of the most ecologically fascinating areas of the world, decides to exhibit about South American rainforests and penguins.  Why not educate everyone about California?  Much less, it costs $25 to get in!  Can you imagine if you have two kids?

But the highlight was watching Annie and Sage at Crissy Field.  Probably the only National Park that actually allows dogs, period.  Much less to romp off leash.  Everyone seemed happy.  I could go on and on about why visitors are not going to National Park (can we say: too many rules?), but this one at least is on top of my list!

It's nice to be home, although daunting...I keep waiting for my Mom to call.  The healing of the heart work begins.  But, I have some tourist memories, which is a good thing!

Murphy's Day

California

We're leaving California.  It's been a great trip, emotional, tender, sweet.  I got to go "shopping" with my grandniece, who I swear charged me twice for stuffed vegetables, and to talk cowboy with one of my grandnephews (my other grandnephew was eating and didn't seem to want to say anything to his great-aunt!).  And Mom and Dad are looking out toward San Francisco, the Bay, and the Pacific Ocean, from underneath an oak tree on a rolling hill...

It's been a rough couple of years: Sage's surgery, Murphy, my parents, my friend Dave Lewis...and there have been some great things: new members of my family, Sage feeling better, Annie Oakley.  Now, we head back to Seattle, it's time to take time.  To think about: "what's next."  And to take care of each other, to allow the hurt and loss to form scar tissue.

It's been a nice trip.  Time to find time for heart healing.

Murphy's Day

My Niece Rocks!

My niece, owned by crazy Sophie, texted me to find Crissy Field underneath the Gold Gate Bridge.  It would redeem California.

Indeed it did.  Sage and Annie went nuts, swimming in San Francisco Bay, romping with a Golden, working out their ya-yas having been in the car all day.

It's been a long trip.  We're all a little tired.  But an afternoon at Crissy Field was worth it.

Murphy's Day.

Redding, Get Over It!

I know, I know, this is a picture of the Stonehedge (or is it Stonehege?), but for several reasons, no pictures of the dogs in Redding.  Mainly it's because Redding, like so many places in California (A MAJOR REASON I COULD NEVER LIVE HERE) does not allow dogs in their parks.  Can you imagine?  It's like Ashland, Oregon, that has this strict no dog policy in this gorgeous park along a creek through downtown.  Jeez.  I really do believe dogs humanize, soften, a urban/suburban landscape.  And to keep them out of parks?

Anyway, we solved the problem by finding a little spur road off a park, ran on a dirt path, swam in a small creek, and met an adorable older man (I am of an age really no one should be called older) who also had his lab off leash.  The girls had a great time, I enjoyed seeing the oaks and smelling the Eucalyptus, and here we are....California.

Today it's on into San Francisco.  A quick visit to the new addition to the de Young Museum, then over to the East Bay for check in, a long walk, and dinner.

No dogs?  Get over yourself Redding!

Murphy's Day.

Memorials and New Horizons

Yesterday, on the way from Wenatchee to Bend, Oregon, we stopped at a site I'd never seen: Washington's own Stonehedge!  It was done as a war memorial for WWI.  It was a gorgeous and windy day, the Columbia River (which always takes my breath away when I see it) below, the dogs galavanting about.

It was a memorial and through the haunting (and imitating) Stonehedge, we saw new horizons.

Murphy's Day

On the Road

No picture this morning.  Posting from a Starbucks in Wenatchee.  And the sense of not having my parents as my anchor back in Seattle is front and center in my heart.

My mother, hi-tech phobic, but appreciative of the ability to communicate so quickly, would be appreciative of this moment.  Here I am, sitting in a Starbucks, and posting to Murphy's Day.

I miss my parents terribly...I would love to share this moment with them!

Murphy's Day.

Heading Down the Road

We'll leave, later this afternoon, for a meeting.  Then a much much needed road trip.

It was a poignant and sad weekend.  Today, it's gray and drizzly.

Hopefully we can post along the way.

Murphy's day.

Tomorrow

I have defended a PhD dissertation, done jury summations, spoken to 5th graders anxious to get outside...

Tomorrow, eulogizing my parents will be the hardest talk I have ever done.

Murphy's day.

They Make Me Laugh

This picture says it all.

They make me laugh.  Thank goodness.

Murphy's day

Siesta Time on Cinco de Mayo

Los perros!

Murphy's day.

Hasn't Slowed Them Down

Even though they can feel the sorrow and sadness in the house, it hasn't dampened the girls. They still frolic, play, and romp.

As it should be.

Murphy's day.

Going Through Pictures

I've been going through a lot of pictures of my parents.  For years and years I was reluctant to have my picture taken (my parents were famously camera-shy).  But several years ago someone told me that I should take pictures of Murphy (which I did).  And now, going through all the pictures I can see why...it's wonderful to have those memories.

Murphy's day.