Treasure Hunting With Toby

I've been walking with Toby the Beagle each morning.

He attacks me when he sees me getting my shoes.

Yesterday, he pouted for 15 minutes 

while I collaged a few pieces of paper onto a board

so that it could dry while we walked.

It is a good thing.

As I said a few days ago,

it does wonders for our relationship.

We are becoming good friends.

Not to mention, we both need exercise . . .

AND he does unpleasant things when we don't walk.

Which he knows are wrong

because when I call his name,

he heads straight to the kennel.

 

Plus, I am finding lots of treasures.

Like heart shaped rocks

and

interesting feathers.

And more rocks.

I do not know yet

what I will do with my rapidly growing

rock collection.

But something . . . 

And more treasures like

nests.

Most of the leaves have fallen.

So now I can see the nests.

I was snapping pictures of one wishing I could climb a tree

and

look

inside.

In fact, I really considered climbing one,

sized up the tree,

found a fence post to attach the beagle leash to,

and thought about how I would

manage going out on the limb with my camera.

I decided I better not do it alone.

So I walked a little further down the fence line

to find this sacred home:

I took a deep breath

and smiled big

and thought of

my

Grandma Marj.

And then I thought about our birdwatching times together.

And then I just wondered . . .

what if she and the Lord are in cahoots up there in heaven

just thinking up ways to surprise me...

and if they are just as delighted as I am

when I come around a bend

to find a nest . . . 

or a cardinal in my yard,

or a strange yellow feather,

or whatever beautiful surprise it might be.

Just what if?

And if they are not,

what fun I will have telling her

these stories

when I get to heaven!

Tomorrow, the weaned calves will be ready

for Toby to be unleashed.

So he will be free to roam the ranch again.

And our walks will still happen,

but I won't be tethered to him and his nose

and he won't be attached to me with my camera.

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Lots of exciting things are happening inside too!

Because I recently sold all of my artwork

 to Sturgis Photo and Gifts on Main Street, Sturgis, SD,

{stop in and see them!}

I am busy making new art for upcoming shows:

Pinedale Bazaar at Pinedale Elementary School on Saturday, November 3; 8:30-3:00

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Sturgis Winter Frostival, at Sturgis Community Center, Friday November 30-Sunday, December 2

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Featured Artist of the Month at Prairie Pages Bookseller in Pierre, SD

for January 2013

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So here's a peek into my "studio"

which is my kitchen island:

I am also super excited about THIS:

Lots of excitement happening here!

I'm too busy to be too lonesome for my kindergartner!

But I'm always excited to see my kiddos

come through the door, or step off the school bus.

I am super blessed!

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Life is good!