It’s evening and I’m grabbing a moment to write a few things before heading to the studio for some painting. I went back to work on Tuesday and managed to survive the ‘I’ve left my baby alone at home with a cone on his head freak-out sessions’. I’m happy that I got Max accustomed to spending time alone and that he seems assured that I am coming back. I’ve managed to return home each lunch hour to give him some experience of the outdoors, release his head from his plastic funnel and spend time with him while I wolf down my sandwich. I also realize how attached I’ve become to this little boy…he is precious to me.
The trip out to Kootenay Lake was magical in every way and I managed to borrow a camera for the event, given that my daughter (and she will hate me for exposing this on the web), quite by accident, broke mine on her trip to the west coast. No worries! It is presently in a shop enjoying a repair…a pricey repair mind-you, and I hope to be publishing photographs again soon. I definitely want to archive photos of the paintings before they travel north to the West End Gallery.
As I was saying, I fell in love with Kaslo and have even gone so far as to look at properties in the area. I love the openness that the lake creates in an otherwise fanciful forested area…dramatic cliffs and slide areas…but most amazing, a community of people who support one another, grow their food and gather to share in laughter, stories and hard work on a regular basis. It was wonderful to be reacquainted with several people and to know that they are well and happy. Pauline McGeorge was remembered in a beautiful circle of love and friendship and her home was just as it had been ten years ago, when I last visited her there. This trip was an awesome way to end my summer vacation and Max proved to be, as with everything else, a special addition.
It’s been 14 days since Max had his dewclaws removed and he will have his stitches removed tomorrow. It’s been a slow process keeping him away from these so that the wounds might heal well and I will be grateful when we are out in the fields doing our big time exercise again as he loves the activity and so do I. For the past two weeks we have been running at six each morning together and the distance and intensity will increase gradually over time. I feel that my energy level is sustained as a result and that Max can easily settle into a rest on his Bambi blanket as I say the words, “I’ll be right back, Max!!”
As you may be able to tell by the Youtube film I have posted of Blue and his trainer, I am going to pursue agility training with this boy of mine. He’s as smart as a whip (and a wee bit manipulative) so it makes sense at this time of my life to do something to motivate us both and keep us healthy.
Oh yes…it was a bit of a gong show yesterday after school when I had come to the realization that YES! Max DOES have fleas!! I beetled over to Marty’s where he met me outdoors to treat Max…then off I ran for home…returning just a few minutes later with an annoyed Peanutmeister and he too was treated for the dirty little buggers. I think Max has been host to these guys for a bit although it is very unusual for Alberta and our climate. It took a bit of research and catching two of the slime bags off of Max’s pink belly before it was definitive. Sooo….all of the laundry has gone through…and will likely go through again for the long weekend.
Well…this is a rather newsy little piece of writing…nothing sentimental or ‘romantic’ about any of it, but I do feel as though I’ve become disconnected from my blog as a result of many walks and my painting. I’ve got a lovely bottle of wine given me by a lady-friend who visited the studio a week ago…so I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend, with a painting focus. Max is becoming less and less a distraction every day and more a part of who I am. It is a good feeling.
I’m wishing my readers a peaceful weekend…be safe and be good to yourselves. If I could attach a recent photo tonight, it would be of the white lilies that are in full bloom in my back gardens…mixed in with the blue green ground cover and pink lilies. It seems late for them, but they are just spectacular.
…again…peace….and beautiful sleeps!
Family, I will phone you this weekend! :0)