Notices by Norcal Gma 2 (norcalgma2@sfba.social)

The sunset sky was soothing.
The color wrapped all the way around the house.
We are getting a taste of braving the cold just to be outside together and share the feelings that come in the presence of vivid color in the sky.
It will always be worth getting a chill.
Summer isn't bothered by the cold but when a huge owl flew by only feet from where we were standing still she was bothered.
The fog is waiting down the hill but allows us a sunrise and sunset on the same day.
How lucky we are.
Tomorrow we might be back in the pea soup so tonight we stayed out until we saw stars.

So my daughter has dahlia growing skills.
She was picking flowers in her garden today.
#BloomScrolling #Dahlias

I met my husband when I was twenty five.
His easy smile, sense of humor and good looks were hard to resist. I knew right away that we would be great friends.
His biggest drawback was all of the other women chasing him around. I didn't have time for games and he understood that about me.
We chose each other on purpose.
Over forty years later he is still easy to love.
The only other female chasing him lately is Summer and I'm ok with that and so is he.
How lucky we are to share so much for so long.
Still making each other laugh.
What more could we want?
The three of us watched the fog roll up the hill this evening.
Together still.
Feels right.
Romance equals love equals us.

We have been beginning and ending our days in the fog.
I especially like to watch it creep up the hill.
Not thick yet like pea soup fog.
Just enough to turn the countryside into a shadow of itself.
One of those magical in-between times.
Summer and I watched from our deck this evening and were totally entertained.

Good morning Mastodon!
Our plan was to get up early and head to the beach.
The 4:30 am earthquake made me rethink. In case it was a precursor to a larger quake I didn't want to be on the beach miles from my car. You probably don't know this about me but I don't run very fast anymore.
So here we are entertaining ourselves in our cozy reasonably earthquake safe house.
Summer decided to retrieve the balls up and down the stairs for awhile. When she decided she was done she told me that Tennessee had commandeered the ball.
I gave her the side eye but left them to play while I went off to make coffee.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Sirens went screeching down our road.
Summer wasn't sure what to think.
She is used to the whistle that calls out the volunteer fire department. She is used to the garbage truck beeping and the regular din of the neighborhood animals.
This ambulance noise was different so it required a response.
Summer took Tennessee and headed for the safe space under the table to wait for the all clear.
Dinner finally coaxed her out.
Tennessee is still under the table.
Just in case.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Like almost everyday we decided to head for the beach to get some fresh air and exercise.
My husband said that he would stay home because he slows us down.
Summer and I assured him that we all have a better time when he is with us and I honestly feel like we are all safer together too.
I said that if being slow was his only excuse that he should reconsider.
He said that today he feels low energy and would like to stay home.
We can understand that so we left him with snacks and a football game.
The beach was just like we remembered it.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

The last of our beach adventure photos.
This was way more fun than staying home and doing housework.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

More of today's beach adventure. A beautiful blue sky day.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer said it's sunny outside and it sure would be a fine time for a family beach adventure.
I said but....
She countered with how she needs exercise and that she loves getting her pal outside for some fresh air.
I said but...
She countered again that we could find lots of places to sit down and rest.
No more buts.
I know when I've lost.
She was right though.
We should do these things while we can.
Was the perfect warm afternoon.
Fun was had.
Again.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer is such a helper.
When nobody has time to take her for a walk she says no matter I'll do it myself.
Away with the formalities and right to the exercise part.
There's nothing Summer won't do to lighten the load on everyone else.
I asked how her walk went.
She said perfect.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer is feeling pampered.
Her groomer stopped by to give her the works.
Her nails are filed and she smells like a critter that's not a dog who frolicked on the beach today.
Not too mention she is super soft.
Busy day for both of us on only four hours of sleep.
Now we wait for the contractor to come measure the windows he will be replacing.
We might need a nap after that.
Summer couldn't wait she is already napping.
I might need a late cup of coffee.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer understands why we couldn't run down the hill for an adventure this morning. I promised to meet my daughter to shop at Costco. Sunrise is so late we don't have enough time to get everything done before I have to leave for town and still get an early walk.
I know my daughter is feeling the same anxiety that I feel around the price of food. I think for a minute that I don't have answers but realize that I do.
We carry on.
Been here before.
I will spend the time to cook and bake things we can share.
Helping our neighbors will be a challenge we tackle together too.
We made a list of items to buy today to stock up a local program called The Raven Project. This place is a safe destination for LBGTQ youth. They host music and art activities as well as a queer coffee shop. Buying lots of protein bars and personal care items. Coffee too.
Summer approves of this message.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Once upon a time I had my own recliner.
I could lounge whenever I wanted.
When Summer joined our family she started out stealing my husband's chair.
It didn't take her long to figure out that my chair was more often available. She can still keep an eye on her pal while he sits. A win, win for a dog who appreciates a soft spot to relax.
Over time we've worked out a deal. If I get up she will watch me until I tell her that it's her chair.
Tonight I told her I was going to bed early so the recliner was all hers but by the time I brushed my teeth she had taken over the bed.
Here we go again.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

A couple of no Summer photos from our morning adventure.

We had to wait for the sky to lighten up a bit before we headed down the hill.
Summer says it's hard to wait.
The prospect of a run on the beach is just too exciting.
Finally it's time and she hops into the co-pilot seat.
Tomorrow the protection for nesting snowy plovers will be done for this year. It will be nice to go back to our favorite beach again.
Good morning Mastodon from a very happy Summer.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer had so much fun on her beach adventure this morning.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Every Sunday my daughter and I shop together. Our families buy Costco quantities. We split the purchase three ways so we both get what we need and a third goes to the food pantry.
Today my daughter is out of town for her dahlia business.
Our oldest grandson stood in.
We talked.
Young people are the best.
He feels that the world he grew up in has been spoiled by greed. All kinds of greed. The lust for power, for money and for control. I don't disagree.
He also said that he thinks we need a new generation of leaders. He did say that I am the one boomer he would like to see in office. He is too nice to me. He feels like my generation has not taken responsibility for the mess we made.
I assured him that lots will change in the next two years and that he shouldn't give up on humanity yet. I baked him a pie after I got home.
I wish that I had all the answers.

The last Humboldt Botanical Gardens photos from my walk today.
#BloomScrolling

I need to do my best to be more consistent about exercise.
Always busy but I need the get my heart rate up kind of exercise.
It has been a challenge the last couple of months.
This afternoon I decided to take a quick walk at the Humboldt Botanical Gardens. I can get there, walk up the hill, and get back home in less than an hour.
I took a few photos along the way.
#BloomScrolling