I just had to post this one of Cocoa. . . . I love this dog. . . . I love the way her eyes smile even when she is resting!

This rope ladder is a part of an ultimate agility course, and Cocoa was up for the challenge. I’m sure in part because she knows no fear. Why? She took agility classes from Sandy and Xalina at Dog School 101. I’m not kidding I had to hold her back and tell her, “No, you can’t cross the creek on a rope ladder!” She was actually going to try, but finally she stopped when I asked her: “Where will you put your paws and how will you hold on if you should fall?” Just a couple of minor things like that.

Years ago while I was in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I saw a poster titled: The Doors of Old San Juan. I can’t explain the connection (I probably shouldn’t try), but for some reason every time I see local farm gates, I want to create a really cool poster titled: The Farm Gates of Stephens County. Go Figure. As for now, my collection is growing.

I thought this was an interesting photo mainly because the pathway is in the shadows while most of the slightly frozen pond at the bottom of Amicacola Falls is covered by the light of the setting sun. Finally, the days are getting longer here.

The snow is gone. That’s a good thing. But more could be on the way. That’s an interesting thing. Therefore, with weather changes coming, I decided it was time to get the dogs out for a long walk in the nearby woods. They had a blast. Everyone was happy. I swear Chip went to sleep last night with a smile on his face. Cocoa was in her element tracking down potential bears and raccoons.

If felt good to be outside, walking fast, and listening to the crunch of fall’s discarded leaves under our feet. We didn’t have a care in the world until we had walked about a mile into the dense woods and realized we were alone . . . in the middle of the national forest . . . with all the wolves, bears, coyotes, skunks, bobcats, foxes, and wildcats. Knowing this area, that is probably not a complete list. I comforted myself with the fact that there were probably no snakes near the small creeks that we had to cross over—not in the dead of winter and probably no bears either. Whew! See, there’s good news hidden in all things. You just have to lift up a few rocks to find it—or maybe not. (smile)