Squirrels, Snow and Other Saturday Sights

The Fitbit said I walked more than 27,000 steps yesterday, on a rainy day, no less. 

While my feet were on the march, my eyes saw a nice variety of the natural world and some great family time. 

One of the fun and cute scenes took place at the bird feeder outside the sliding-glass window when a family of town squirrels showed up for a meal---three of them. 

I have a feeling they may be winter inhabitants, and that will be just fine because we'll enjoy the entertainment. 

Our family members engaged in a variety of activities during the day, including basketball practice for Willie, hiking into the snow for Annie, Debbie, Laura and Lusitana, fishing at Cocolalla Creek for Bill and yard work for me. 

Willie's SHS girls basketball season began this week with the first tryouts and practices.  He'll come up for air from all things basketball sometime in March. 

Maybe this year we'll get to attend some of his games. 

Annie and the gang, and their canine sidekick Joe,  hiked on the Chilco trail off from Bunco Road and soon ran into snow.  

Laura said the snow was pretty, which it was, but we all agree that it will remain up in the mountains. 

We also won't hold our breath on that wish because the iPhones are suggesting we may have snow in the valley overnight. 

That possibility kept me busier than usual all day long, even in the rain, continuing the process of clearing out flower beds, cutting back shrubs and raking up the residue. 

I'm holding off on some plant removal cuz, by golly, pretty blooms are still providing a bit of color clear into November. 

So, I'll enjoy that while it lasts and take care of those plants later. 

 After Annie, Debbie and Joe returned from their hike we decided on a spontaneous gathering to eat off from a ham I'd been cooking all day long. 

Eventually, after Bill returned home from his fishing excursion, we dug in, adding some binge TV, watching episodes of "Yellowstone," which I had recorded the opening season.  

Seems everyone got pretty really engaged in the story, so I have a feeling Bill and I will enjoy catching up on the other seasons and watching the current episodes.

 Twas a fun family get-together.  

Today Annie goes back to Seattle, and everyone else will tend to their respective Sunday activities. 

We and the animals seem to have survived the time change, although I must say that CB was taken aback when I let him loose in the hay field and he could actually see things----just enough for some objects to be spooky in his eyes.

Not looking forward to the shorter days, but bring 'em on.  The sooner we get through them, the better. 

Happy Sunday.  

My friend Connie reports on a very sad week at their house BUT they found some joy, thanks to a Craig's list ad. 

 https://retiredmtnlady.blogspot.com/

Annie sez that over in her area, the outdoors lovers have proclaimed a season called "Larch Madness."  

They go out on hikes and celebrate whenever they see a larch.  

Apparently, they aren't as plentiful as the stands we see around here.  

Our front-yard larch has pretty much lost its needles, but the big tree out behind the big shed is still holding on to its crop of gold. 

Above:  Annie, Debbie, Laura and Iusitina. 

Below:  Beautiful grandpuppy Joe in the snow.

 Annie Love Photos