Humans, Dogs, and Happiness

Domesticated animals don't have a choice about where they live, be they dogs, cats, sheep, horses, etc. I think about this issue sometimes with regard to my dog, Logan. His previous people turned him into the Humane Society. I adopted him and took him home to Wilhoit. He had no say in anything that happened to him.

Of course, this is the nature of humans' relationships with other animals. We can't communicate fully. We do what we do. I wonder occasionally, though, if Logan is truly happy here. I think he is. I hope so.

Today was one of those times that I'm sure he's pleased with where he's ended up living. I was sitting outside on the deck reading. Logan was doing his own thing somewhere on the property. I heard barking and looked up to see him running along the fence, paralleling a dog on the other side.

Then a cowboy (an actual one) on horseback rode out of the national forest and down the road. I lost sight of him for a minute or two. He returned, driving three steers ahead of him. He herded them through an opening in the barbed-wire fence back into the national forest. At this point, Logan was beside himself with joy. He got to bark at a dog, cattle, a horse, and a cowboy. Wow!

The cowboy rode back onto the road, dismounted, reattached the barbed-wire fence to close the gap, checked his saddle, and remounted his horse. He and his dog headed down the road. Logan sent them off by racing along the fence, barking and wagging his tail until they were out of sight.

Handwoven Trophy Fish

Having made handwoven cats for many years, I decided to add handwoven trophy fish to my menagerie.

Using my original patterns, I cut and sewed the handwoven fabric. Then I stuffed the fish and added embroidery and eyes. I attached the fish to the plaques using floral wire. After adding hangers and a High Castle Traditional Crafts label with a sentence or two about the particular fish, voila, a trophy fish ready to hang on the wall.

Cattle

I've been having a very strange week involving cattle. First, Tuesday I almost had a way-too-close encounter on the highway with a cow as I drove into Wilhoit. I heard later that there were about a dozen cattle on walkabout.

Today, more cattle. There is an entrance to the national forest across the road from my property. This bit of info will be relevant in a minute.

About 4:15, I let the sheep out of their enclosure to graze the larger property. I then went back to a task I was working on outside.

Logan had other ideas, though. He insisted it was PLAYTIME. He even took hold of my shoe and started pulling my foot. Giving in, I played with him for a bit. Some of the sheep ambled by, so he raced after them. Several baa's accompanied their retreat.

Then I realized there was a moo amongst the noise. I heard another one. I looked at the entry to the national forest and saw a half dozen black cattle staring at me, mooing. I ran for my camera.

It turned out there were more than two dozen cattle congregated along the road leading out of the forest. They had come to a halt at the cattle guard. "You shall not pass!" OK, it was more like you cannot pass. They were standing around as if waiting for an exit visa.

I took several pictures, but they headed back into the forest after Logan's vociferous arrival.

Did I miss the memo that said this was cattle week?

Earthquake and Snow

Arizona doesn't experience earthquakes very often, but they do happen. On Sunday, one took place near Black Canyon City, which is about 35 miles as the crow flies from Wilhoit. A 3.2 magnitude quake occurred about 9:00 pm. The main quake, 4.1 magnitude, took place at 11:29 pm and was followed 20 minutes later by a 4.0 magnitude quake.

At about 11:30 Sunday night I was standing in my dining room. Suddenly the upper story of the house vibrated and boomed. The event was brief but startling. My dog, Logan, and I looked at each, confused. It was scary. I had no idea what caused it.

Logan and I cautiously went outside. Everything looked alright. Logan went to each side of the house, barked fiercely as if to say, "I don't know what happened, but it better not happen again," then came back inside.

I didn't know what caused the ruckus until I saw news reports online the next day.

That was Sunday. On Tuesday the temperature dropped, and it rained. Wednesday, the temperature went even lower, and it snowed. Not much snow stayed on the ground, but the huge snowflakes were lovely.

Today was sunny, fairly warm, and beautiful. It's been a strange few days.

Mountain Spinners and Weavers Guild Holiday Show and Sale

The Mountain Spinners and Weavers and the Prescott Area Woodturners present their 6th Annual Holiday Show and Sale on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hassayampa Inn, 122 E. Gurley Street, Prescott, Arizona in the Marina Room. Entrance is free, and there is free parking on the street or in the parking lot across from the entrance.

Together the groups will offer a wide variety of exceptional artwork and gifts at reasonable prices. The fiber creations provided by the spinners and weavers will include wearable art of all kinds, fashion accessories, household décor, beadwork and jewelry, basketry, children’s wear, pet items, and handspun and hand-dyed yarns and fibers.

The woodturners will display beautifully crafted works in exotic woods including decorative boxes, turned bowls, vases, ornaments, carvings, and sculpture.

Meet the artists as the spinners and weavers will be demonstrating various aspects of the fiber arts. There will also be a raffle for the chance to win handmade treasurers.

Bring your friends and family. There will be something for almost everyone. See you there!