A Feral Family

Cindy, her two kittens and the kittens father, Vern, relaxing in the soon to be remodeled cat yard.

I haven't named the kittens yet because I'm not sure of their gender.  Even though they're still little, they're way too fast for me to catch. 

Linking with: Saturday's Critters

A Spring Ramble

I went for a ramble in the spring woods yesterday... 

I said hello to a favorite old oak tree.  Judging by its girth, I think it's nearly three hundred years old.  When I was younger and healthier you could find me perched high in the branches.

It's still thriving though, festooned with lots of new ruby leaves.  I love the way the oak leaves start out red and then slowly turn green.  It's like autumn in reverse. 

The pink Sierra Currant bushes are loaded with blooms.  Come autumn, there will be lots of berries. 

The manzanita bushes are loaded with blooms, too.  I've always thought the blossoms would make wonderful lanterns for the faerie folk. 

I even found a faerie ring in the forest...one not made of mushrooms but cedar trees! 

It felt strange to be wandering around taking photos without my husband.  We used to spend huge amounts of time driving and hiking all over these mountains taking photos.  Another thing I must get used to doing without him.  I feel better, though, now that this first ramble without him is over...perhaps next time will be easier.

Losing Half of My Heart

My husband, Chuck, passed away very unexpectedly on March 1, 2017.  I wasn't going to write about in here, but it didn't feel right to try to keep on blogging as though my heart were still whole. 

The preceding 12 months had been horrible for both of us; I lost my sister on March 16, 2016, then Chuck was diagnosed with cancer in June.  He battled it with chemo and radiation and he won.  In December, he was pronounced cancer free.  The chemo took a huge toll on him, taking him down to just about skin and bones, but he was getting stronger with each day that passed in January and February.  But on the morning of March 1st, I couldn't get him to wake up.  His heart, his enormous, kind, loving, giving heart had just stopped.  I know it was absolutely painless for him because he looked so peaceful.  That's what I tell myself anyway...

I'm still having a hard time truly believing that he is gone.  Everything looks the same...and yet nothing is the same.  The animals and I are trying as best we can to adjust to a world without our center...if one can ever "adjust" to something like that.  Right now, I'm just trying to take it one day at a time. 

Happy Easter

I hope everyone who celebrates Easter is having a good one.  I've been horribly ill for the past four days, so no Easter eggs or chocolate bunnies for me.  (Not necessarily a bad thing).  I'm starting to feel better now, but whatever this thing was that I had really knocked me for a loop.  It's impossible not to feel hopeful at Easter though.

Photos from Pinterest

Early Lilacs

The lilacs are starting to bloom, such a beautiful sight.  

They're blooming much earlier than they used to do.  Seems like everything is on an earlier schedule nowadays. 

Our lilacs used to bloom in the beginning of June.  I miss the long, cool springs that were normal before Global Warming started.  Ah well...nothing is constant but change.  And taxes, darn it!

Linking with: Our World Tuesday

My Favorite Bug

Several days ago I spotted the first of the ladybugs.  I was really surprised because it's been pretty cold here for April.  Last night our low temperature was 30 degrees F.  Happily, I saw more ladybugs today so I guess they're doing all right.   This is the earliest they've hatched; usually the hatch date is around the middle of May.

Linking with: Through My Lens 

                       Macro Monday
           

Sunday Sunlight

Sunlight on apple blossoms dancing in the breeze.  Spring is in full bloom...so are my allergies.

Signs of Spring

Cherry blossoms...

Tulips...

Stinging Lupins...

and tiny Baby Blue Eyes among even tinier chickweed.  All signs that life goes on...