Yesterday, or as I call it, the first day of summer,
I had planned to take Piper to the woods.
She has been having a very dull time of it, with all this rain.
Piper does not enjoy rain.
She has been going outside for only a few minutes at a time, every day.
Even with the new portico, she has not wanted to spend one extra minute outside.
But yesterday, the gorgeous day, Piper surprised me.
She did not want to be outside.
She did not want to be outside.
Maybe she just expects rain every day now?
Maybe she has begun to enjoy spending most of her time on her couch?
I kind of understand that feeling.
But.
Maybe she has begun to enjoy spending most of her time on her couch?
I kind of understand that feeling.
But.
This morning seemed almost as nice as yesterday.
The second day of summer!
Hmmmm.
Time for some Pup Psychology.
After chores and gardening, I started putting some things in a little pile.
my camera
my sketchbook
Piper, snoozing on her couch, opened one eye.
I filled up my water bottle
sorted through my pencils
selected a pen
Piper opened both eyes and raised her head.
Piper opened both eyes and raised her head.
"Ready?" I asked.
Piper scrambled down and away we went.
We headed for the pond, and walked first to my favorite blueberry spot, just in case.
But the blueberries are gone.
Completely gone.
We found not a single wizened berry clinging to a branch.
I'm lucky my highbush blueberry at home still has a few berries left to ripen!
I pick a little handful each morning and savor every one.
The day could not have been nicer for a walk in the woods.
Mostly sunny, but not too hot.
Sometimes cloudy, but not muggy.
And no mosquitoes.
No. Mosquitoes.
Piper ambled and explored and intently sniffed hundreds of things.
I took photographs, then set up my wonderful backpackable sketching chair.
"What shall I draw?" I asked Piper.
"The root end of this deadfall looks texturally interesting," she said.
"And speaking of interesting, isn't it time to bring out the treats?"
Outdoor sketching with Piper always involves treats.
My viewpoint was close to the ground, so the deadfall loomed large:
My viewpoint was close to the ground, so the deadfall loomed large:
We spent over two hours in the woods, and every minute was a pleasure.
This summer is going great.
~~~~~
May your summer be long and fruitful - whether it be garden or art!!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have to push myself out the door, too, seeing as it is extra hot here in the desert. So glad you two got out for some quality time, fresh air, treats and sketching.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like how you seize the pleasure of the day, no matter what the weather or your aching back.
ReplyDeleteI just try to focus on one day at a time. I paid for the above adventure for the next two days, but what's the alternative?
DeleteWhat a wonderful story. Did you bring treats for yourself or just Piper? :) I'm surprised that you didn't have any mosquitoes with all that rain ... maybe they're still coming. We've had a low population this year but it's also been very dry. Gnats have been our big issue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time you had! One year a bird or something ate every blueberry I had. They were there one day and the next they were just gone-even the ones that weren't ripe yet. So weird. Thankfully it only happened that one time. Love your drawing-you are so talented!
ReplyDelete