Winterizing










     The seasons keep rolling by us.  The challenge is in seeking daylight, which is graciously showing up more often,  safe conditions and warmth.

     


   





  
  Our motley crew of herding volunteers.  Very fat and sassy this winter.












     The dogs are looking forward to getting out.  Very happy with the extra hikes and ski outtings this year.  The Canadian and Idaho bred dogs are loving the snowy conditions.  The Nevada bred human, maybe not so much.





      Currently shifting work from close to home, arena and home-field ranch work, to greater exposure within a reasonable and time sensitive distance. 




      Braving the terrain that isolates us from the rest of the world.  This small barrier that we call the Sierra Mountains.  Again, expanding horizons of what CAN be done, not the limitations that we tend to self impose.






      And in less then three hours...we have found a glimpse of spring to come.  Hope of what lies under our snowy fields today.


     Dogs are working well.  Handler has a lot more learning to do. 



 Life is good.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2017 at a glance

Image
     If last year was called ‘Live and Learn’, then I must call this year ‘Miles on the Tires’. 2017 is the Chinese year of the Red Fire Rooster. Boyo boy has it been a year for the border collies and I. It was a mix of circumstances that opened up doors than I bravely jumped through, not knowing the outcomes on the other side. Bluegrass Classic, Soldier Hollow Classic, and the Belle Grove National Sheepdog Finals were all new trials for our team this year. Feist Hill Field Sonoma Wine Country SDT Feist and I started out the trial season strong landing second on the Hill Field at the Sonoma Wine Country SDT The sheepdog team gained valuable experience at the scopey Zamora Hill SDT. Both Tane' and Feist earning points toward the nationals. Tane' putting together the smoothest and most timely pen on very wiley range ewes. Young Jag doing big chores.  Learning. Somewhere between the vast hills of Zamora and our Nor...
Read more

Live and learn

Image
Live and learn      My theme for the past year.  I feel like we have enrolled at the USBCHA University.  This year was indeed a learning.... and living year. Feist watching Joni and Cap Kingston       We went on the road at the end of the season to do a bit more living and learning.  The dogs and I met up with Amanda, Barbara, and Bev at SoHo.  I only watched the last day, but it was amazing.  My good friend and DHS volleyball coach met up with me to watch the final day.   Dorey sporting gold      After Soldier Hollow, I fell in line with my dogs and rig to Meeker.  We picked up another passenger Mr. Monty Man that day.         Bev showed me the ropes around Meeker.  Including the famous statue in down town, as well as the practice field.  It was great to have at least one practice before running the Monty dog.  Barbara...
Read more

Sheepdog journey

Image
And the story continues       It has been a long time since I have blogged. For a variety of reasons. The biggest reason is the ever elusive time.  It seems like I am hitting the busiest time of my life.  I feel like with the passing of my Mother, that my life lesson is, 'to live...fully'. I am hitting my stride - or trying to. I reflect only briefly backwards of the time I may have squandered walking up a path designed by someone else.      A very good friend of mine several years ago gave me the analogy that your dog running parallels how things are 'going' in your life.  Thus the periodic reference to the 'sheepdog journey'. I don't entirely buy into it.  However, when your life is cluttered and your energy is like the hoarder households kitchen, sure enough it's tough to find the focus needed to hold up your end of the partnership with your dog. I have witnessed very good people who go through rough life times and take it ...
Read more