animals of winter

[saw]

the old furnace grumbles
like a lion in winter
growls like a black metal bear
when you get too close to her cubs

winter must be reckoned with
you cannot ignore her visitation
she insists you listen to her speak,
so we meet in the middle

I strap on the Timberlands, affix
the Yak Trax, grab the black and white
scarf, the walking stick, stride out into her arms
the old heart is like the old furnace

needs a kick-start....but once she is pumping
effort becomes joy, you can believe me
there are great rewards along the trail
there are never any regrets

[sasha]

so, so true! Monsieur Puppy and I do 3 hilly, aerobic miles most mornings (before breakfast), and while I sometimes have to flog myself out the door, there's a pure, primal, animal joy once the old pump & carburator are laboring. I've noticed I can still carry on a conversation with myself when we crest the 1st hill, and I've even dropped 15 lb since adopting him.

(We usually do another 3 in the afternoon, but a more sedate stroll along a rail-trail.)

In short - I can really relate to this lovely piece of yours. It speaks to me.

(BTW - do you have the same trouble I do getting those YakTrax into the right orientation for attachment? I've yet to get it right the 1st time...)

[saw]

is Monsieur Puppy a French Poodle or perhaps a Bouvier des Flandres ?....or maybe just a good ole mutt ?....in any case....in re: Yak Trax....had a lot of practice carrying mail, but some days they can still confound me....in the mid-atlantic I need them less and less due to climate change...and I too find myself speaking aloud....having conversations with trees and rocks

and I'm very much contemplating getting another dog....

thanx for the feedback

today is my birthday...so a long hike is definitely in order....

[sasha]

A most happy birthday to you!

Mssr PuppyPants is a near-white yellow lab, maybe 1-1/2 or 2 yrs old. He was picked up by the police wandering one of our back roads where he'd apparently been abandoned. No tags, no collar, no microchip - just dozens of ticks & two big soulful eyes. He's a high-energy guy, so briefly considered naming him Joules - but I went with Caine instead (from the Latin canis albus, "white dog"). My genealogist sister suggested the Gaelic spelling Keane (it's an old family name). However, I live near the city of Keene NH, and didn't feel like explaining the pronunciation at every introduction - so I went with the contemporary spelling, Kane.

I too find myself speaking aloud....having conversations with trees and rocks
....

We often encounter a lone raven croaking as it passes by overhead - I'm apt to reply with a cheerful "And a good morning to you, too, Brother Raven!"

[saw]

birthday hike

[justwalt]

no better place to celebrate than in nature... the real deal

happy b-day saw