And it continues.....the snow!

Before doing my 'snow chores' today I decided to take a walk. Just a couple blocks or so. While at a stop sign a Prius tried to race me. I totally had it  for the first 100 feet or so, but I can only walk so fast in this damn snow.
Definitely feeling the 'kindred spirit' of my Finnish roots. My father's family traveled from Finland to the Squak and Snoqualmie valleys of Washington State to put their roots near the lakes and big trees of Issaquah, nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. This particular part of Washington State, Issaquah,  was similar to the Jarvinen's native land of Finland - deep woods, sometimes bitter cold. I left Washington State (for reasons better left unsaid) and settled in a very nice little region, Sonoma County. Where I lived in Sebastopol did not give me the feeling of being in the woods, unless you can call eucalyptus groves the woods ~ but I certainly had that 'country' feeling. Second best as far as I'm concerned. For some reason that didn't make me happy enough to stay there and I kept heading north. Then Northeast. Then northwest. I've been back in the deep woods for 11 years now. Now, you can't be a Finn and not enjoy the snow. It's in our blood. I'm just getting too old for this Sh** ! Feeling like I have definitely passed my “Best If Used By” date. But I keep 'plowing through' ~ so to speak. I'm actually thanking my Finnish ancestors for giving me the 'Sisu' to manage a smile on my face every time I have to grab the snow shovel. It's work, but the beauty of it all makes it worthwhile.

Kesä came in this morning showing me that she can make her own snowballs now. I was pretty impressed.

Skye-Pilot enjoys the snow by sitting on what I call  "Mt. Siberian". She will sit there for hours. Every year I have "Mt. Siberian" in the same spot. Sometimes she shares, sometimes she doesn't.  It's her 'happy spot'.

The dogs have made their own pathway from the front of the house to 'Fort Bear'. Not sure why that is their chosen spot to visit but it is.

When I lived at the 4500 foot elevation the snow was so deep that I had to shovel little 'cul-de-sacs' for my dogs, in order for them to even get around.  I'm glad living down at the lower 3500 foot elevation enables them to be more independent and do it themselves. I've just got too much to do on my own as it is. Kesä is the only one that has trouble getting around. She's just too small. Poor little girl. I'm constantly trying to locate her. Usually if I can see Finn, then I can see Kesä's ears and I know she's OK. They stick pretty close together. Must be the 'canine buddy system'.

Today, even though I had plenty of snow and it snowed periodically throughout the day, when the sun came out it was play time for the dogs and I. The winter's here where I live are pretty 'magical'. We actually have some blue skies. Blue skies and sun is just a given invitation to take a break and play!

Finn is just such a lovable dog ~ we always have sooooo much fun ~ especially in the snow!

I'm glad I have my snow buddies. These two, Finn and Kesä love the snow. They'd be out there all day and all night if I let them.

Skye-Pilot is always off and about investigating this or that, keeping an eye out for the squirrels, etc. ~ just doing her 'Husky' thing. Shadow-Man on the other hand is showing his age, 12, and it's a bit difficult for him to get around in the deep snow with his arthritis.

Once again, here is a photo for my daughter-in-law Tammi, my snow-worshiper (only because she does NOT live in it). She likes seeing the snow out the window. Of course with this storm headed her way  and the weather reports say there's a possibility of snow at the sea-level, keep in mind that she (Tammi) is at the 118 foot elevation. And Laura too, she is at the 82 foot elevation! Better get your snow boots out. Just this morning I was emailing back and forth to my friend in Missouri, Valrie, and we both decided it would be totally awesome to be sitting in a beach chair at the ocean watching snowflakes fall. Trippppppyyyyyy! Just for reference, San Francisco hasn't had any real snow since 1976. Only 3 times in the last 100 years. Bet they are freak'n out about now huh?

The snow in the back property is considerably deeper than the front property. It's still pretty much untouched. At this point I am beginning to get a little concerned about that back gate. I don't use it, but I'm hoping Skye-Pilot doesn't go out there and see that she could very easily get over it if she put her mind to it. I've never had this much snow at any given time here. Where I lived before, she walked right on top of the snow and jumped over my five foot high fence. 

After a hard day of playing in the snow and watching me snow-blow and shovel, this is how I found my dogs......................... such a hard life they live, don't you think?

                           Yes, I do allow my dogs on my furniture. They are family, after all.  

And now ~ yet another photo for Tammi. See what a great job my son did in putting my two man log saw up? Awesome, huh?

Now, being the smart woman I am, and knowing I would be out in the snow all day today, I planned ahead because I knew I'd be tired and hungry, so now it's time for me to go enjoy my wood stove cooked 7 -bone roast and red taters. Don't be upset Laura ~ I know how you love those 7-bone roasts, but I can't wait for you to come visit again before I get to enjoy one again. You snooze - you lose.

Remember this ~ Vickie is to be taken three times a day,  with water.  

Everyone is somebody else’s weirdo. I’m yours.  As usual, I leave you with these thoughts:

Evolution is just nature’s way of issuing upgrades.

Always sow your wild oats on Saturday night…then pray for crop failure on Sunday.

Don’t ya hate it when you look in the mirror and see an adult?

The best thing about telepathy is.............................I know, right?

If you  got a used UPS truck you might hate the color.... and the uniform. But you can park it anywhere.

Vickie, (yes, me) had her left side removed. I'm all right now.

 Before I go, this is for YOU, Savana. I can't do a blog without slamming facebook. I know you have a sense of humor:

Savana, search your facebook for people named Hontas. It would be so cool to poke a Hontas. ROFLMfinnishAO! If I was still on facebook, I would change my status to: “Seeking rich old men with bad hearts and no relatives” and then just sit back and cross my fingers.

Remember, life is unfair. So many rules,  so little time to break them.... but I'm tired now and want to eat my dinner. So this is the end of my blog. Hey! You think I can't hear you all clapping and sighing that big sigh of relief? Knock it off.  After dinner,  I’ve narrowed it down ~  I’m either gonna start a motorcycle gang or take a nap. You IN Doug?