Cultivar

It's only February, but I'm already laying the groundwork, literally, for the thornless blackberry harvest that I expect in just under six months.  Following some basic how-to instructions, I recently relocated them from either side of the sidewalk leading up to the front door to a long row between the back fence and the alleyway.*  After what has been a very dry winter, the rains have finally arrived and will hopefully encourage my little blackberry shoots to put down strong and happy roots.  I'm hoping for more than a handful of berries this year.

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Tramp

This past Sunday, for whatever meteorological reasons, my corner or Oregon hosted sunshine and 60+ degree weather while many other areas were frozen over with snow and ice.  I took advantage of the warm weather to take the dog on a morning hike.

Best of Friends

Marrow's lady friend left us today to join her new family.  J. and I are thrilled to be a one-dog household again.  Even so, it was fun having her for the last sixteen days.  

My guess is that Marrow also has mixed feelings about her departure.  His horseplay pal and lounging around buddy isn't here to pester whenever the whim strikes him.  Yet again, she isn't here to push him around or fight him for bones which are rightfully his either.

Crave

make dinner*

*As previously noted, like the days leading up to the last event, I'm going to make more time for getting [party and non-party related] stuff done by keeping my posts minimal, and I'm hoping to maintain momentum by focusing on what's already done.

Meantime

accept.  don't expect*

The Sunday (and following days) I had in mind did not involve any kind of lost and found scenario.  Oh well... I suppose it is just another opportunity to practice going with the flow.

*As previously noted, like the days leading up to the last event, I'm going to make more time for getting [party and non-party related] stuff done by keeping my posts minimal, and I'm hoping to maintain momentum by focusing on what's already done.

Everybody Needs a Little Time Away

J. has taken Marrow with him to Grants Pass.  It's thrilling to come home from work and have the front door wide-open.

Also, sans dog and with the garden beyond a delicate state, Larry, Moe, and Curly are enjoying their freedom beyond the confines of their yard.*

*Marrow would be none to impressed with the chickens nibbling at his bone, or maybe he would be delighted to find so many chew toys (chickens included) all together in one spot.

Coastal Beach Camp, or, 2nd Annual

Last weekend, J. and I enjoyed a weekend of coastal camping with friends from Portland.  This was our 2nd camping trip with said friends.*  

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Blue Moon

I blame it on the moon.

Yesterday, Marrow decided that it would be really fun to catch a chicken.  To get to them, he jumped the flimsy 3' chicken wire fence twice, and then, as a last ditch effort to secure a hen, he jumped out the window.  The chickens were frazzled, but alive, and no one appears to be injured.

...except me that is.  

Knowing that, without enough exercise, I have a tendency to be destructive, I decided to take Marrow for his first official run.  Not unlike my first bike ride, there was a skinned knee and a few shed tears involved.

P.S. Did I already mention that my dog is a (fill in the [expletive] blank) _______?

When the Dog Bites

It may have seemed as if I disappeared for the past two weeks, but I was ramping up for and then recovering from a fun-filled eight days with my family.  Just now, I'm kind of wishing that I had taken more pictures (both still and moving) to help absorb it all.  It would be nice to have a few images of the mundane.  My dad and brothers, all three with their ipads, reclining on the couches, my sisters-in-law returning from a candy run to the little store with the subsequent distribution of loot, and my mom taking the rare moment to relax in the rocker with my niece.

Returning to the swing of things has been somewhat overwhelming. Thankfully there have been gems along the way.

A mural in motion by Hyuro.

Typewriters for better or worse.

A flower and vegetable garden of days-gone-by.

Including a Victory Garden how-to.

Miniature gore by Abigail Goldman.

P.S. My dog can be a first-rate asshole.

Dog Days

Since moving to Oregon three years ago, my heat tolerance has dramatically decreased.  The week I spent in Michigan this May reminded me how terribly hot and humid the warmer seasons can be.  Apparently, in the Pacific Northwest, I've been spoiled by moderate temps most of the year.

With the arrival of Marrow to our household, I'm totally getting a picture of what it means to be amidst the dog-days-of-summer.  It's hard to remain at a full level of heat-induced crankiness when there's water fun to be had.

Mongrel

J. and I have finally decided upon a name for the beast.  Drum role please...

I formally introduce to you Marrow Bone (or just Marrow really), formerly known as Gus then Orzo, Caper, Kale, Sencha, Ponzu, Pavot, Shumai, and Pinot ...among others.

Rather

I am supremely content but exhausted all the same.  This week, when I wasn't tending to my new canine pal or watching yet another episode (or seven) of Game of Thrones... well... I'm not entirely sure what I did.  I expect that this weekend will bring more of the same.

Hope your end of week is tiring in the the best of ways.

Loss

One shouldn't be cavalier about introducing a cat and a dog, or blood will be shed.

...or a rabbit and a dog for that matter.

Long-ish

For years and years, I've been longing for a dog to call my own.  Well... that day is finally here.  Yesterday, J. and I adopted a Labrador Retriever Great Pyrenees mix.  He's about 5.5 months old, 44 lbs., and 22 inches tall.  He has the potential to be sort of enormous, but I think that he'll just be a longish, Lab-size fellow.

He's a goofy pup but a little blood-thirsty as far as the chickens are concerned.  He has a white chest with white on his paws and a bit of white at the tip of his tail.  We're looking for a one or two syllable food/plant name for him.  Any suggestions?