Sage + sage

On a short hike over the weekend, Sage found a shady spot under the sage.

She was happy.  And so was I.

Murphy's Day.

Memorials

I stopped by my grandparent's graves several days ago.  It was something I did with my mother around Memorial Day.  I left two white geraniums, again, something my mother would do.  And an American flag for my World War I veteran grandfather...

Being at their graves helps me feel close to my mother.  She was diligent about making sure there were flowers there.  I think of her, my father, and of course, Murphy.  The three I lost in the past few years.

Sometimes my heart is heavy.

Murphy's Day.

Summer Adventures

Today, my friends Les and Ann (and their dog Kol and cat Maggie) head for their summer residence.  Actually, it's more like their summer camping spot.

I admire their bravery, it's still fairly nippy here in the Northwest.  But every summer Les teaches wind surfing at this lake near the Oregon coast and Ann enjoys the cool summer breezes and ever changing company of regular visitors.

It is no where near summer here.  Despite the riot of color in the yard, spring hasn't even arrived.  But, I keep hoping for some heat, soon.

Have a great time my friends.  Stay in touch!

Murphy's Day.

Protection

On Monday I met with a kid from the neighborhood who may mow the law (it's a long story but my current guy is MIA).  When the kid knocked on the back door, the girls were upstairs, crashed on the bed.  But the minute I went outside, they came flying downstairs and began barking.  They barked the whole time I was outside.

When I got back in, Sage was prancing by the back door: Let me at him....


Years ago, at my first house, my father asked a security guy to see if I needed an alarm.  My Airedale almost went through the large plate glass window trying to get at the guy when he showed up.  The vendor dutifully walked with my father around the house then said: your daughter doesn't need an alarm system.  She just needs to keep feeding that dog.


I have protection.  It's why I take my girls when I fish, when I hike, when I am wandering around.  Heck, Sage even let's my bank teller in the drive-through know she is protecting her car!

Murphy's Day.

Three Years Later

It's been three years since Sage had her surgery on her left rear leg.  The vet warned me that she would have to have it on her right leg.  And so, I worried.

So far, three years later, the right leg seems to be holding up.  But, perhaps because of all the cold weather (it's been 5° cooler than seasonal norms this past month), Sage seems stiffer in her left leg.  In fact, last weekend she "hopped" on it for a moment, a sign that the leg is bothering her.

I also think the surgery changed Sage.  At first I didn't really see it, but now, I realize she doesn't like anyone, including me, to check on her.  It's hard to look at normal dings and small cuts without a growl.  And, even though I could also say it is her age, I sense that she can get cranky quickly.  My sweet baby Sage sometimes lets you know...

I was talking with some women a few days ago.  One woman was owned by two Goldens, another by two Leonburgers (wow, are those big dogs).  Each of them had had knee surgery on one of their dogs.  In fact, almost everyone I know has had to have knee surgery.  We got to talking about reasons (one theory was the Chuck-it).  Dogs, however, have been gunning it for balls for years...who knows...

But, I will watch Sage more carefully, again, this summer.  Neither of us want to go through the surgery, again.

Murphy's Day.

Small Minds in a Big World

This will be an unusual post for Murphy's Day.  But, among many things that Murphy taught me, was to be open.  She was, until the day she died, open to new experiences, smells, things in her life.

One of my strongest beliefs is that when talking about the ecological world, you have to think as expansively as possible.  While you can be a researcher looking at a small niche, where that niche fits in the Big World is important.  An atmospheric scientist by the name of Cliff Mass agreed with me on this subject.  He had a small "gig" on the local affiliate of National Public Radio, KUOW.  Every Friday, for a few minutes, he would talk about weather, a bit about climate, and every once in awhile, talk about coastal radars or how math is taught in public schools.  Every academic scientist gripes about how math illiterate undergrads are these days (and don't even get me started on writing skills).

Apparently there is some big fight between folks like Cliff Mass who believe math should be taught like math has been taught for decades and folks, particularly from the UW College of Education, who have developed a new math curriculum which encourages students to "discover" math, regardless if 2 + 2 = 4.  For some reason, KUOW told Dr. Mass (who teaches at the University of Washington) to never, ever, talk about math curriculum when he discusses weather.  And, unfortunately for us, he mentioned math skills when trying to correct some mis-information by earlier folks on the radio about college admissions (something he also knows about since he is the admissions director for his department).

So, Dr. Mass was fired.

Here is his fabulous blog: http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/

We live in a very connected world.  Simply talking about "weather" isn't sufficient in order to understand the complexities of weather, climate, natural storm events, and consequences to the ecosystems.  To muzzle Dr. Mass is simply small minded, something, unfortunately, KUOW has become.

Again, sorry for this change of pace.

Lupine!

Ok, even though we haven't had any weather worth writing about...even though I've been writing about how crappy the weather has been and currently is...the flowers are out.

Lupine.  Love it.

Murphy's Day.