Whew, I Did It

Yes, this is the self-congratulatory post for me writing something for 30 days straight (day 31, thank you!) .

It got me looking at the amount of writing I've done this year... a paltry sum for sure. So, I'm thinking ... Maybe I should try this on ALL the short months of next year. February, April, June, September, November - count on me. Should I make that a goal??? Seems a bit lofty at the moment, especially considering I have another blog where I "try" to write something four days a week. And somedays - there's nothing to say. And other days, too much. Hmmm...something to ponder for sure.

And for those of you who hung in there reading along, THANK YOU!!! Especially Janet and Rott... your comments meant so much!

Station Fire - Still Coping

We are still dealing with the afterglow of the Station Fire. I've joked in recent posts about renaming Sunland "Ashville." What follows is more evidence to make my case.

A fine gray ash covers everything. But when our winds kick off, Mt. Lukens becomes a dark, gray cloud. That cloud then dumps on everything here in our little valley.

I typically wash off my porch twice a year...that's enough. But last week, after a windy night, I realized I'm going to need to wash it off a lot this year.

If you like it, write your name in it!

I swept a tiny section of my porch...

And this is the pile of dirt I got:

It's over an inch deep and filled a dustpan!

This is what I found in the driveway:

Hood of the car:

This is the windowsill of the jeep:

And this is what happens when you turn on the windshield wipers:
And even if you car is somehow clean in all of this, when you drive these dusty roads, you can see dust trails flying over your hood and off your tires.

Don't even ask me about the pool...

Canine Funeral

I was reading a post of Janet's a while back and it gave me the idea for this entry ... and then I kept forgetting to take a pic to go with it!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my BFF's part time dog, Bart.

Before Bart came along, his owners had another dog named Loco... a HUGE German Shepherd. When I first moved here, before I discovered our creek, I would walk along our southernmost mountain road with my rottie, Maggie May. The first time I took that road toward my BFF's house, I stumbled upon Loco, laying in this driveway.


At the time, they had a large bed for him by the right gate. Leery of a large dog I didn't know, I hugged the other side of the street for the longest time and was even shocked that the big dog followed us for some distance. I thought it was the strangest canine slow speed "chase" I had ever witnessed.

Somewhat frightened by this encounter, I started asking other dog walkers about this shepherd. I soon learned that he was old and well loved and a roamer. His folks gave up on keeping him in but he had mellowed a bit in his old age, hence the bed. Every dog walker in town knew his name and assured me he was super friendly. They also encouraged me to ask him if he would like to join Maggie and I on our walk.

"What if don't want to walk back by his house? I like to vary my route..."

I was assured that when Loco felt he was too far from home or tired, he would simply turn and go home.

So the next time I passed, I nervously introduced myself to this big furry shepherd and to my surprise, he was every bit as friendly as promised. I asked if he wanted to join us and he did! This time he stayed with us until we turned on my BFF's street.

From then on, whenever we walked that way, we asked Loco to pack up with us. He was so low - key and sweet.

Often when I was driving home that way, I would see him on his bed and I would stop and tell him hi.

And then, Maggie and I returned from a trip to Louisiana and didn't see Loco. We missed him for several days when I finally asked another dog person. Loco had passed away.

Apparently the word had spread throughout the neighborhood and all the dogs and people who loved him gathered at his bed in his driveway. They shared stories about him and had a good collective cry.

It's certainly one funeral I'm sorry to have missed.

Somebody Has a Boyfriend!!!

No! It's certainly not ME! It's Mabel!!!

Yes, for most of her 7 1/2 years with me, I even dared think my girl was gay! She actually seems to like girls way better than boys. And she will have nothing to do with any male that dares to mount her, quickly putting him in his place with a sharp, shrill bark and even a nip!

And while there are males she tolerates: She loves the rottie twins Gizmo and Bart but they are running mates. 'tilla is a hunting buddy and Hank, well Hank behaves more like a girl anyway!

But this is something much different. And - he's a much younger man. If they were humans, I'd be hiding a fugitive child molester!

Maximus a/k/a Maxi is his name and he's a lab. They run and frolic and he licks and kisses her all over. (Mounting is still not allowed! And both dogs are "fixed" anyway.) They simply adore each other. I can't get a photo of them together...they run too fast! But this is Maxi:


But I didn't realize how serious this was until we were hiking with 'tilla and ran into Maxi. 'tilla normally flushes rabbits for Mabel to chase but once he saw Maxi with Mabel, a strange kind of jealousy ensued. It's as if 'tilla realized that Mabel and Max have a very different relationship. He jumped and pitched, trying desperately to get between the two lovebirds but they shunned him at every turn!

Then, a few days later, we were hiking with Maxi near the infamous deer bone (see yesterday's post), when Mabel shocked me by taking Maxi over and showing him her treasure! When we hike near that spot with 'tilla, she does everything to keep him from her secret... but she took Maxi here and practically pointed it out to him. He sniffed around especially the exposed hoof and she stood there smiling.


This is even more serious than I realized! My girl is in love!!!

Dead Deer

After the fires, a baby deer died in the creek bed. No one is certain if he lost his mom and starved or was attacked. We just found his body...

I avoided the area for weeks, until there was no smell, and only then did Mabel get to explore. On one such adventure, we were with 'tilla who was suddenly afraid Mabel would take the deer! So he stole a leg and disappeared with it.

Weeks later, Mabel and I were hiking alone and I noticed her chewing at the sand. Afraid she was trying to eat horse poop, I shooed her away. Curious, I kicked at the spot she was chewing... and found 'tilla's leg!

Mabel took it, ran up a hillside and started burying it! Watching her was a thing of beauty. I stood there mentally criticizing her: That's not wide enough. It's not going to work....OMG! She's scraping in sand from two feet behind her!

She kept scraping more sand with her nose, sniffing, pawing it back and redirecting it with her snout! She covered all but the very tip of the hoof! She periodically checks it from when we hike near there.

{Photos below are not for the squeamish!}

Grateful, Humble...and Hopeful

I have lots to be grateful for this year.

First and foremost: the shear miracle that I still own my house...for a few more months at least. Every day on the trail, I'm so grateful that this is still a place we visit and not the place we have to call home. And this makes me deeply grateful for the roof over my head and warm bed I sleep in.

I am so grateful for the family that loves me in spite of my need to live 2,000 miles away from them. I'm grateful for the friends that love me in spite of my need to be near them.

I am grateful for my health and am always full of thanks for every step I take without the aid of a walker or cane.

I'm so blessed to have my Mabel Lou to take care of me. Every day, she makes sure I exercise, get some fresh air, eat something yummy and lowers my blood pressure by reminding me I need to pet her. And she makes me laugh...I'm always grateful for giggles!

And while this year has been a humbling experience - the fruitless, endless searching and searching for work. I have to be hopeful. I HAVE TO! I still have faith that it WILL get better.

I hope your Thanksgiving was....good to the last drop!

Copyright 2009 Isabelle Thompson

Happy Thanksgiving from Creekhiker & Mabel Lou!

Getting Ready....

There's some mighty good smells coming from the kitchen. I think Mom's cooking a feast for me! Photo Copyright 2009 Isabelle Thompson

I can't wait!