Gratitude. Giving back. Slow mo holidays. Happy Thanksgiving week.

‘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!

Barb Ayers and fur friends.

The fall of Summer... in the Columbia River Gorge

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