Anniversary

Clancy and I have been married

15 years today.

Here we are on our wedding day.

And this was our wedding cake: a delicious gift from Clancy's mom.

February 26 is a special day for another couple I know. Guess who?

Clowns

"Here she comes!"

"We're over here, Lady! Over here!"

"You're going to feed me now, right?"

"Seriously. Now, right?"

Parker and Arvada. Impatience as an art form.

Cleopatra

I've wanted to post this photo of Sally for a while now. She was standing in the middle of the driveway.

Once in a while Clancy calls Sally Cleopatra because of the beautiful black eyeliner she has. Her eyes are very striking and pretty.

The past two months my mind (and schedule) have been very occupied. Not much time to contemplate the weather, or the seasons. Then this evening I noticed how much longer the days have gotten. I am grateful for the extra sunlight. Sally helped me do a few chores at sunset tonight. She doesn't like to leave the house on the off chance she doesn't get let back in the instant she begs at the window. She hates to be forgotten. But when I'm out doing chores she knows she comes back in with me so she's claimed that time. She's old. I'm sure she knows best what she needs. If she doesn't want to go outside there is no making her do so anyway.

Usually I notice the seasons change. But today I noticed little tufts of fur shedding from the base of Sally's tail. She is shedding all of a sudden. That reminded me that the days must be getting longer. Dog shedding season...mud season...lambing season...late blizzard season...bliss week...wood tick season...mosquito season... Better not get ahead of myself. I just caught up.

What I have noticed a great deal this winter is the moon and Venus. They have given some spectacular views this winter. The snowy landscape makes such a brilliant backdrop for their jeweled lights.

Fiddlesticks!

...my Grandma Jensen used to say that word with an exclamation point.

Fiddlesticks! was widely employed with her. She might say it if she dropped a stitch on her needles, or stubbed her toe. She also contradicted people with it. When she disagreed with something it was Fiddlesticks! The exclamation point counted even if she said the word under her breath.

Anything preposterous met with a Fiddlesticks! Other people's opinions might be considered preposterous.

Once Grandma said Fiddlesticks! she had decided with finality. I never knew my Gram to be out of touch with her own sentiments. Sometimes she would enjoy a good debate, but if it started or ended with Fiddlesticks! you knew you hadn't changed her mind about a thing.

I'm looking down the barrel of a Fiddlesticks! week. Absolutely all of it is preposterous: The schedule, the expectations, the finances... Absolutely none of it is within my control.

So Fiddlesticks! I'd better make the best of it.

Featured Sheep: The Flock (well most of it) & Rai Min's Backside behind the deep snow on the roof of one of the sheep shelters.