Meet writer dogs. Rider dogs. Best dog friends. Surf the couch, the www, or a wave. Wave back at us!
It's all about the ride. The ride of life with a dog.
My dog son Doodle and his girlfriend Eloise on the Mosier trail. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
Just down the street, the flaxen glow of sunset. Disappear around the bend… into the overwhelming baritone undertone of distant wind in trees. Freeway noise fades into silence of thoughts and secret spots.
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Fall in our front yard - Columbia River Gorge - syncline Photo (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
‘Tis the season to take stock of all that we have - all that we are.
‘Tis the season of gratitude.
Sunday morning Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
For the simple joys of life.
Sleeping in.
Snuggling up.
No politics.
No agenda.
Slo mo Sundays.
Be fragile.
Be human.
Be dog-like.
Say “I love you.”
Better yet, show it.
Curl up.
Burrow under the covers.
Breath the same air.
Are we lucky to have each other, or what?
Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
In Oregon, we are thankful for the majesty of nature around us.
Grounding us.
Sharing forest secrets.
River currents.
The journey.
Mountain hikes to panoramic views.
Elk, bear, eagle and quail commuting through the yard.
Though it's a big, busy, loud world out there, life begins and ends in moments like these -- quiet moments.
Moments between moments.
If we slow down and stop rushing from A to B.
If we listen to the quiet.
The call of the quail in the yard.
Fall hike in the Pacific NW. Doodle hunting for sticks! Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
We don't all speak the same language - or live in the same neighborhood. Some of us eat meat – some of us, seed.
Tia and Doodle - lion and lamb. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
But wherever in the world we are, we are neighbors.
Maybe even relatives - whatever our species.
We are all on this planet together.
We are here to blaze a trail – to help – to give what we can.
To share.
To help each other find our way.
To find the meaning of life.
Sometimes we get lost - and in being lost, we find a whole new journey.
Give thanks. Give back. It's that time of year.
Whatever causes are important to you, help them.
Whatever lives you can touch – please do so.
Here are a few of the causes we give to - believe in.
Hood River Rotary service project at Hood River Middle School 2016 - cleaning up the track. That's me, Barb, on the right - the girl. Photo: Michael McElwee
Snow will be closing in soon.
There’s a turkey, giving his all for us.
There’s a moment- in the quiet- when we feel completely alone – and that’s when we know how much we need each other.
It will be a long time before the renewal of spring.
There’s a guy in a red suit coming to town at some point.
I think he has a list...
Doodle's Saturday selfie Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
Happy holidays!
Indian summer, on the front porch. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
It’s pitch black when the alarm goes off
it takes a little longer to rally these days…
But, if you wait long enough,
warm rays creep in,
slow and easy,
caressing the cliff
as the Syncline face wakes up.
Coyote Wall Syncline across the Columbia River in Washington, from Mosier. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
Low, grey fog over the Columbia,
rising with daybreak,
and your spirits rise.
Indian summers… coax you from bed.
Now, cue 3 dozen quail in the yard
who rummage around the bird feeder
as I rummage around the coffee maker and
blue jay has taken over the #1 spot
pushy guy
even though Robin, the early bird, got the first seed.
All those colors – royal jay, rusty robin, copper quail
seem to work it out
with me, flesh-tone one,
in mellow Mosier.
The last squirrel stands his ground proudly.
He flaunts by, squirreling away seeds and walnuts and acorns.
He’s savvy, sneaky,
he has defied all attempts to send his species packing
as he defends his post
under my house
with his identical twin.
Our house. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
And the calico cat,
sleeping above the squirrels, one floor up,
is suddenly no longer content….
to simply flatten me against the mattress,
like it’s summer.
Now she’s a cave dweller. A purr machine.
She’s a spooner now.
Undercover smother.
Mosier fall on Old Columbia River Highway (30.) Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
Morning sky has changed,
seemingly overnight. As if!
Comical clouds,
ominous clouds,
get your butt to work clouds….
And the sounds outside are different
and the smell of rain
and a hundred million more
rain drop friends
are headed this way.
Smoke on the water for my commute. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
Fall is for Pendleton Round Up and
Hood River Harvest Fest and
Trick or Treat on Oak Street and
I heard Timberline got 11 inches of powder overnight – hint of things to come.
And I heard that “sticky flies” were here last week–
the Parkdale farmers’ almanac of what’s up with weather.
And my car’s still loaded for windsurfing,
even though wind came and wind went…
Mt bff windsurf bud, Doodle. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
Doodle Indian summer style, over the Hood River waterfront. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org
cuz Indian summer is really SUP season –
Columbia River under the bow,
with my dog son - my dachshund
in a life vest… with two wetsuits now.
And that sliver of skin
between my ankles
and my sandals?
Now, a laser slice of ice…
and maybe that’s how bell-bottoms were invented?
I can’t wait for a whole new wardrobe…
… of leaves!
Now, a laser slice of ice…
and maybe that’s how bell-bottoms were invented?
I can’t wait for a whole new wardrobe…
… of leaves!
Karin’s kids in leaf attire - Minna and Motts. Photo: (c) Karin Erickson
Their happy go lucky rustle - rattle
always makes me smile.
And…
this is the time
we all come together,
all huddle inside,
to celebrate…
the fall of summer
and the spring of winter sports.
before Snow Man
comes to town.
My kids in leaf attire - Elvis n Dude (RIP) in Mosier. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org