Blogisphere appreciation day, a wolf and 3 dogs
In appreciation for Owl McCloud’s 10 Most Beautiful animals, and for ranking the wolf as number one beautiful animal, here is a wolf chum of the family dog (photos taken in the 90s):
Note: Wolves can’t be kept as pets in the US. This one was taken from its owner. I hope and like to think Kona was taken to Wolf Haven.
People can have wolf-dog mixes though, and the owner went on to have mixed pets, also magnificent animals.
However there is a lot to be said for a thousand years of breeding. (Owl McCloud loves dogs too, so here is our last dog:)
Best friend of childhood:
Skiing Squaw Valley in the sixties
Parents wouldn’t let me ski at the age shown in feature photo (digitally restored by Leanne Cole, http://www.leannecole.com.au/).
Made to wait until age 5. But then came in first place!
At 7, came in 4th, despite trying harder.
Not pretty enough to ski, decided to work instead
Yeah, right.
1 – 3 inches over chunky ice but spotted freshies on Emigrant:
Went there:
Made more:
Oops:
That’s more like it:
Achilles… toe? 8th day skiing, Squaw Valley
Arrive at 11 AM, park in furthest lot from the lifts:
Temps cold enough to allow snow to act as sign board:
First run, trees on Red Dog. Pep talk to self: It’s okay to be afraid as long as you keep your hands forward.
Second run, Siberia. Must pause for photos.
Too cold! Head to Solitude. Ahhh…
Time for lunch! Greek salad plus tasty brown ale at Fireside Pizza:
Back to Solitude for final runs.
Take transport lift over terrain park. Observe fun being had.
Mountain Run, what the crowded parking lot looks like on the slopes:
Achilles’ weak point was his heal. For me, it’s my toe after too many days pounding bumps:
But, no complaints. Don’t want to flunk retirement.
5 ways to flunk retirement
- Sit on the couch all day.
- Sit on Facebook all day.
- Go back to work.
- Complain about your old bones (and other body parts).
- Complain about frickin anything. (You’re retired. Shut up.)
This morning, bright and early (9:45), we fought our way through morning rush hour
to get on the Funitel at Squaw Valley
and finally to work.
Of course, we have to have a lunch break. All employees are entitled to that. Excellent fish and chips, stew, and beer at The Auld Dubliner in Squaw Valley:
Love Abides “…as soon as there’s light in the morning, I go outside…” and Other Words to Live By
Note: My brother died of suicide a little less than two years ago. The man in these photos was one of his best friends. That makes us suicide survivors. This post is dedicated to suicide survivors everywhere and is intended to show you that you can feel good again. It takes love to get there. Let it in.
Note: All quotes in this post are things my friend said today.
Squaw Valley, USA, January 9, 2013:
Temp: cold. Windy, storm coming in from Alaska.
- Lift: KT22; Run: Horse Trails.
- Lift: Headwall, closed, wind hold.
- Lift: Funitel, ride to the top, meet another local. Friend introduces me as late brother’s sister.
- Lift: Shirley Lake; Run: tree runs on the main slope (multiple). Sweet.
- Lift: Broken Arrow, CLOSED:
From top of Shirley Lake, ski across Links, cross land bridge, hike to top of Broken Arrow lift.
- Quote: “I thank [Nia’s late brother] every day for giving me this friendship with you.”
- Quote: “You can’t be creative unless your spirit is at peace.
Being out here with you puts my spirit at peace.”
Love abides.
