Window on Cherry Pie Lane

My daughter took Shep to the veterinarian yesterday to have his teeth cleaned today. He had to stay overnight because they gave him anesthesia for the procedure. I don’t see Shep cooperating when told to open wide and stay that way. He seemed to know all the way there that it was not going to be a fun experience. He is now on his way home and looks pretty dopey.  He had one extraction, which isn’t fun for man nor beast. Hopefully, his breath will improve and be sweet smelling. Well, maybe that is too much to ask, but at least, more pleasant. If it was me, I would be eating my dinner through a straw tonight, but he is just fine eating normally. Dogs are much tougher than people! Why is it that so many of us dread the dentist? My dentist is a great guy and I still don’t like going to see him. Hmm. Could it be drills, needles, and the big bills? Shep, I sympathize with you! The top photo is on the way to the vet and the bottom was a little while ago on the way back home.

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We have feeders outside my office window for me to watch and photograph the birds. There was a cheap mix with just some waste seeds and sunflower seeds in them when we first arrived. So it was time to make a jaunt to the local birding store. This is the mix that we have fed in past years and it seems to be pretty appetizing to various kinds of birds in the area. It costs a bit more, but the birds sure appreciate it. What a difference when we filled those feeders with the new mix.  There are vast numbers of birds here now swarming over the feeders to get a bite of the yummy seeds. Why do people bird watch? I am sure we all have our reasons. Mine was because I had friends who did. It did not take long for my bookshelf to be filled with bird books. My African trip was led by a photographer  whose main subject is birds, so I got lots of exposure there. I bought a book about the birds of Africa and started identifying the ones that I had taken photos of. And I was hooked from then on. So now when I travel, along comes the book of birds for that region. Birding blends well with my other hobby of photography.

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As the saying goes, “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away”. What a fantastic display of varieties of apples at the local Safeway store. There are 12 different here and that chart above identifies each one. Pretty impressive and so many choices, from Red Delicious to Gala and many in between. Apples are a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin C.  I find that an apple will satisfy my hunger between meals. Apple juice often finds it’s way to my breakfast table too. I am so glad that organically grown apples are abundantly available, as Walter and I try to eat as many organics as we possibly can. The organic Bountiful Basket we picked up yesterday had two varieties for us to enjoy this week.

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I do love Thai, in fact, it is probably my favorite ethnic food right now. I remember when my son used to cook at Lily’s and became friends with a lady from Thailand that worked there too. She gave him a great cookbook and shared so many recipes. He has loved anything Thai ever since. Curry is my preferance. It seems that Thai restaurants are very popular in this area. We love Tara Thai and Thai Spicy and have eaten at both already. There are at least two more that we need to visit yet. Something about the food makes my “tummy” happy. Beautiful combos of color and blends of flavors – you can’t go wrong with that. I had the house specialty, last night, called Ann’s Pina Colada with coconut milk and pineapple in a curry base. Walter usually has Pad Thai, but tried a new dish with cashews in it this time and he really liked it. I think that will be a keeper. We picked up our Bountiful Basket this morning and met the nicest group of people. I told them I was a VSC from Montana and they had all kinds of questions about how I ran my site. We will be back next week for sure. The availability of beautiful fresh organics here is outstanding. I like to support Bountiful Baskets too whenever I can.

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I have been struggling for awhile now to get a sun star that I am happy with. This one was taken with my iPhone right behind our house this afternoon. Was I ever happy! It is funny when something is a challenge, I struggle and struggle with it, but never quite give up. I thought about playing the quitting game several times, but always talked myself out of it. The lessons learned are patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait. What a feeling of satisfaction when I have faced a challenge and am rewarded with success! Now to see if I can shoot one with my DSLR tomorrow.

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We are here in this beautiful location to enjoy the sun, and sun we are certainly getting. I don’t think I have seen a cloud since we arrived. Not particularly good for sunsets, but I sure am enjoying the lack of wind and cold.  There is something about this area that just warms the soul. There is a peacefulness here that I have never felt anywhere else. The red rocks are a joy to the eye, and camera, as well.  What a wonderful feeling to leave one’s cares behind and relax. That is something that I have a very hard time doing. This is a fantastic place to breathe deep and enjoy life. I belong to a group that has daily word prompts that I take photos for. Today was sun and this is what I found. There is a fantastic southwestern art shop nearby where I found this great assortment of cast iron sun ornaments. So today I will share here too.

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“Dogs have owners, cats have staff”.  That certainly applies in my house. I am a very willing member of Jade’s staff. She makes life worth living on days when I feel down. There are no strings attached to loving her, unless you consider that occasional demand for petting or brushing. She always seems to know when I need her to cuddle by me at night or sit on my lap by day. I love you, my sweet Jade. I don’t often do black and white images, but this one seemed to be begging to try it.

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I love shopping at the natural foods  New Frontiers grocery store. This was from the produce section. There is a new organic grocery opened since I was here that will get a visit today. It is such a delight to have an abundance of organically raised food available when one has chosen a healthier eating lifestyle.. My confirmation to attend the Desert Botanical Garden workshop with Jill Flynn arrived today. I am so excited to finally get to meet Jill in person. She was my Pet Photography instructor at PPSOP.com and I loved that class. The Chihuly exhibit is at the gardens. Won’t that be something to see! Remember when we visited the gardens, Curtis and Leslee?

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I marvel at how Jade can find even the smallest beam of sunshine to bask in. To be a cat! Especially a cat in my house. The biggest worries in your life would be finding the cat box, food and water, a warm bed and someone to pet or brush you.  Sounds pretty good to me. I love you, my fur baby, Jade.

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Guess where I had lunch today? Some pretty yummy Wild Mushroom Soup too.

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