Tommy was my first best friend; a black and white, short-haired tomcat who was my responsibility, and who, when no-one else was looking, slept on my bed when I was a kid. He comforted me, inviting me to think while he purred. I loved him, and still enjoy cats. However, decades later, in 1991, when my husband’s business kept him away for weeks at a time, I decided I needed a dog to come home to when Creighton was gone.
At three months old, Scooter came home with me, and our love of beagles began.
With a six foot fence built into six inches of concrete, our yard became a safe haven for beagles. Over the years we took in Jacques, a scoundrel who had been dumped in the neighborhood, and we adopted nine-year old Mattie, the only beagle we’ve had who came with papers.
You can imagine the challenge it was to take a walk with three sniffing hounds on retractable leashes. Often I was wrapped up like a maypole! When Scooter, then Mattie passed, and knowing Jacque was aging fast, we adopted Josie from the local Humane Society. Small, scared and sweet, she thrived in our loving home.
Our hearts broke when, within a year or so we noticed Josie was not eating and learned that she had terminal renal failure. Such a loss – we took it hard. She passed before we left on a two week trip. Immediately upon returning home, I was in beagle withdrawal. Through Portland Beagle Rescue, we found Jello. She was 4 when we adopted her – this Christmas she’ll be 9.
Jello is a frequent subject in my posts; she is smart, photogenic, and an absolute love.
To Tina, thank you for this sweet challenge. I’m thinking of you as Hurricane Dorian storms along the Carolinas. Hope you are safe and sound.
Pacific Ocean view, from a window in North Head Lighthouse, Ilwaco, WA
Suffused sunset view from Beach Haven, to West Beach and Waldron Island, WA
Megler/Astoria bridge, view from Fort Columbia State park, WA
Sunrise at Crescent Creek, OR
Anacortes Ferry Landing, WA
Driftwood at Long Beach, WA
Marina at Port of Ilwaco, WA
As the cool waters of Crescent Creek rushed underneath this small bridge, a metal ladder caught my eye.
Dyslexics like me, undiagnosed and self-taught, see through the upside down and backward of things to find truth.
To land upon, and find balance atop this snag took effort. Wings spread wide with feathers angled into the breeze, head thrust downward, while claws grip tight. This immature Bald Eagle reminds me that the USA is yet a young nation. From my point of view, we are teetering, learning, yet I have faith that we will survive our current president and his administration to thrive and rebuild alliances.
Yes, that’s my finger! But do you see the dragonfly? Looking at this snap, I remembered it was my last ditch effort to get a photo, so that I might identify the bug. What a happy discovery to find, upon closer inspection, I got it! And now I know it’s name!
Lindy Low LeCoq 