Vibrant December / Pink Christmas

Southern California blows my mind in December. It's a shame that I've lived here since 1987 and have only managed to spend a handful of Decembers in my transplanted home state.

Since we start to get a bit more rain, the clouds make for spectacular sunsets.

And the trees! December seems to be our "fall color" month and the trees seem to decorate themselves. I think it's one of the reasons I'm so unenthusiastic about decorating a Christmas tree... I would rather be outside, taking it all in.

Even a trip to the grocery store reveals trees in vibrant orange that go unnoticed the rest of the year:

 

These mulberry branches are so thick that Mabel and I hid out under them when we were caught in a sudden summer rain. We only left when we realized the stream was getting too wide to leap over. But in December, they are so bare, they wouldn't protect us from a sprinkle:

But they don't strip before putting on a show:

The crisp cool air makes the moon feel magical coming over the mountains:

It feels lovely to be hiking the North / South trail in the creek with the moon coming up on one side and sun setting on the other:

 Mabel is fascinated by the leaves, especially those floating on the water:

 

I love this shot because you cannot tell where land ends and the creek begins!

I thought I would tack a personal bit on about the holiday as my mother's Facebook minions that share everything little thing I post with her, will have gotten bored by now if they bothered to click over.

Mom somehow convinced herself that I was going Louisiana for Christmas. This freaked several in the family out! I think she truly didn't believe that I would leave her all alone the first Christmas after my sister died, even though I had begged her to come here for months. We had a very sad phone call on Christmas Eve when I had her check her caller and i.d. and "do the math" to realize... I simply couldn't make it to Baton Rouge for Christmas.

In the end, I think it's good for her to be alone with her grief a maybe start to realize her only family is in California.

Me??? I found myself having a pink Christmas! I eschewed my usual olive or forest greens with the occasional pop of red for...PINK. I think it was so I could wear this:

It was my sister's and I found myself wearing it everywhere. It made me feel like I was taking her out to see the sights of Christmas and to every party I attended. I think it might be my new Christmas color!

About Her Other Nickname

All good dogs have many nicknames and I've written about Mabel's ad infinitum! I finally realized this particular nickname came into being - or shall I say was "earned" - a few years ago at our pal Chloe's hot dog party for the pack at the creek!

Mabel Lou was such a brat at that party, it's when the rest of our hiking buddies started referring to her as "Queen Bitch of Everything!"

She ran around and stole party hats. If the other dogs were rough-housing, she had to be the roughest. If things got too rough... a number determined solely by Miss Mabel's mood at any given time... she had to be the one to put the others in their place. She had to have the best ball... be in front of every hike.  I get it! My dog is bossy. And yes, she IS bitchy!

The other dogs just let her have her way... it clearly means more to her than the other, more laid back animals in our pack. They listen to her annoying scream barking; they roll their eyes behind her back; they feign respect.

So I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the gift the RottRovers gave her for Christmas! They had Millie and Walter's Mom, Cindy, make a kerchief just for the Queen!

I just love the bones and paw prints in the jewels of the crown! Here's a shot of the princess Queen modeling it while we were out to brunch:

Well, I guess if the title fits, she must wear it! Naturally, she tried to roll in the mud with it on! OY!

Don't be mislead by her innocent looks:

She earned her title!  She's certainly the Queen Bitch at home!

You can find custom kerchiefs in Cindy's Thread Craft on Etsy.

Proof

A few mornings ago, I decided my hair needed some camouflage, so after feeding Mabel her breakie, I headed for the shower. No breakfast and no coffee cuddle on the sofa with the girl. I did give her a stern lecture about not disturbing my shower.  She was on a dog bed in the corner of the bedroom and I hoped for a quick and quiet shampoo. 

To my surprise, I got one! No knocking on the door. But when I got out, Mabel was MIA! Huh??? 

I came into the living room, half expecting her to be lying by the back door, willing it to open. No, she wasn't there. Nor was she in any of her doggie beds. 

But just look where I found her:

Yes, somebody managed to get up on the sofa all by herself. She's never done that while I'm at home!  I guess she decided to have her coffee cuddle without me!

Not Going Anywhere

The Eyes of Love

Although her furs may be old and gray,

Pardon, I just don't see her that way.

No longer does she go run run run. 

Sunny naps are her idea of fun.

My confident pup loves friends and all.

Her ego dents when she takes a fall.

No longer the Alpha in her pack,

Lost her footing ending on her back.

Harder to brush off each trip and spill.

I see the steeliness of her will.

Yes she does grow older by the day.

Pardon, I just don't see her that way.

My eyes are blind by the love we've shared,

her companionship when no one cared.

More like me than I care to admit:

Stubborn, wild, loyal and full of wit.

The funniest dog I've ever met

She sure makes me happy, you can bet!

Still thinks she can catch a coyote - 

Must believe her own publicity!

Excited over treasures she finds,

"Horse d'oeuvres" on the trail will blow her mind!

Her swims are shorter, walks are slower.

Loves her bed for her eyes to lower.

No, no longer does she NEED to play.

Pardon, I just can't see her that way.

To me, she's forever shiny new.

My love, my friend, my girl through and through.

She's stuck by me; been my friend it's true.

Mabel will always be "Puppy Lou."

Pardon my blindness, colored by love.

It feels my pup was sent from above. 

I know the day will come when we part;

she will leave her footprints on my heart.

My senior dog with needs she makes known.

I get her a blankie of her own.

She disliked to be covered at night.

She grows cold before the morning's light.

You may see my old dog on the fray. 

But I will never see her that way.