Sunrise yesterday~SkyWatch Friday~101212

We had clouds gathering yesterday morning as a storm moved through our valley.  Sometimes I get to really appreciate the sunrises here, like yesterday.  On most other days, our sky is clear and blue.  But, the clouds add such texture!  SkyWatch Friday for October 12, 2012.  To visit SWF, please go to:   http://skyley.blogspot.com/

The road above

It isn't very often that I get a chance to pull off Highway 74 and look at the road above, but Sunday morning the road was quiet and devoid of traffic. We have our first winter storm moving in this afternoon and evening, so I'm looking forward to running out this afternoon and getting some terrific photos of the clouds!

Up the mountain

It was such a crisp and clear autumn morning Sunday that I couldn't WAIT to get out and drive up Highway 74, up into our local mountains.  It's only a 12 minute drive from my front door to the pinyon forests of the San Jacinto mountain wilderness.  And, along the way, I've got some terrific views!  The first one is looking down at Palm Desert.  Joshua Tree National Park is up in the mountains all the way across the velley.  The second photo shows some of the ocotillos which grow along the highway and the last one is looking up the road to the mountains.  There is only one road from Palm Desert up to Idyllwild, at over 5,000 feet, and that is Highway 74.  It also goes down the other side of the mountains to Hemet, CA, but I don't go down there...too much traffic!

Hints of fall

I drove up to our local mountains yesterday to look for signs of fall.  I found a few trees which are just starting to get some yellow leaves.  I'd say that in another two weeks, they should be much further along.  I'll keep an eye on these and update you.

Roses and fence~Friday's Fences~100512

These pretty roses and the fence are up where I board my five horses.  I was surprised to see all the roses blooming last weekend, so I took a few photos of them.  The maple and sycamore trees haven't turned up there yet, but I'll keep my eye on them!  Friday Fences for October 5, 2012.  To visit Friday's Fences, please go to:   http://lifeaccordingtojanandjer.blogspot.com/

At the park with Lady

I took Lady for a walk at the park Saturday and she was wonderful!  She doesn't tug on the leash and she's very attentive.  She is a GOOD GIRL!!! She was very interested in the ducks at the park, as you can see. I'm really impressed with how calm and patient she is!

Meet "Lady"!!!

A colleague of mine announced last week, "Does anybody want a female German Shepherd?  I can't keep her."  to which I responded, "I DO!"  We lost our shepherd in December due to canine lupus.  He really went downhill once he was diagnosed with the disease.  We took him to several vets and they all said there was really no cure...He was happy and playful until the very end when he died during Christmas vacation.  I was so devastated that I didn't want another shepherd, but missed having one terribly.  We DO have Ripley, our black lab, and our son's Weimeraner.  Ripley is "my" dog and follows me around everywhere, but she doesn't display the shepherd qualities that I so missed.  Anyway, "Lady" is a 6 year old female shepherd with beautiful manners.  She knows all the basic commands, is very calm, leads nicely (without tugging), and rides in the car!  My colleague brought her over yesterday morning so that we could meet and I really liked her!  She fits in nicely with our cats (except for Abby, who REFUSES to come out from under the bed!) and was accepted by both our other dogs.  I took her for a walk down at the park yesterday afternoon and she behaved very well!  She did chase a couple of ducks, but that's all she did!  Oh, and yes, she sleeps on the bed!  So, here are some pics of Lady.

My chronic bronchitis, which I discovered is really COPD, is better today.  I've not coughed once yet tonight (...knock on wood...).  I'm drinking LOTS of hot tea with Manuka honey. I'm hoping to get up to see my horses today.  I haven't been up to see them for several weekends because of my coughing.