watchdog

Dog, watch over us and protect us.

Happy New Year!

reclipse

I'm as much of a heathen as anyone,

so I regret not staying up to see

the totality of the eclipse on the solstice.

But I did see the moon rise that night.

O my Dog.

before the fall

I like these photos.

They were the last ones I took a couple of weeks ago

before crashing on the cattle guard.

Long tall Sally.

Yup.

This crutch supporting the mountain is actually

a raptor platform for nesting golden eagles.

In hindsight, I should've used it.

More's the pity.

christmas tree

The maple tree's Christmas lights

Every color we've got.

copasetic cosmos

Wishing you all a happy, healthy and fortunate

Solstice, Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse!

Credit: Jim Fakatselis, NASA

deck the halls

face plant

Last weekend, the weather at the ranch was beautiful,

cold and clear.

The dog and I took a walk up the mountain.

How blithe.

As part of my continuing education, called Life, on our way back down the ranch road, my shoelace lassoed a spike on the cattle guard, and I crashed and burned. Did a total face plant down onto the metal bars. Somehow, my Kryptonite sunglasses protected my face. Mostly. I sat for a bit, resumed breathing and took inventory; there was enough blood for good drama, but that was all.

When I got back down to the house, I put my feet up and iced my face. To pass the time, I got out my iPhone and went into the Pollock Zone. That app is a remarkable anesthetic; does wonders for pain and plane rides. I did this wry self-portrait. It's the only image you'll ever see. Take my word for it, it's a fair rendition of the wreckage.

Considering I should be dead, my fat lip was a miracle.

sundance

Nobody naps like a dog.

Sundance

This is dedicated to this proud old guy,

who at age 12 wasn't too old to go out on a toot today

in dogged pursuit of a girl.

Then we "rescued" him and called his mother.

I bet he's sleeping well tonight,

and I bet he's pissed at us.

some cats are okay

We're mostly not cat people,

but sometimes you gotta admire talent.

yo mama

I like the background, but the women are much too graphic.

Even so, I can't help liking them.

Even if they're, whoops, both missing digits.

cherry pie

I've painted a lot of black women.

There were no models, so I depended on my imagination.

As these women appeared, I grew to love them like sistahs.

They were very good company.

There are several more of them, but

Cherry Pie here pushed to the front of the line.