Meet Big Tim

Everyone, meet Big Tim. Big Tim, meet everyone.

Big Tim is my new best friend. Ain’t he sexy?

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To marry or not to marry—this was the test

Jack is gone this week. He’s out in the field working sites on the Oregon/Washington border with a handful of colleagues. I went out to these sites with him last summer as a volunteer and helped out recording measurements along with handling general grunt work like labeling and bagging samples, prepping equipment and the like.

I think this might have been early on in our relationship. I hate to admit this, but I can’t remember the timing of it. I do know it was our first real travel trip together.

I would later come to realize that it was a relationship-test trip.

Unbeknownst to me this was the trip that Jack decided to marry me.

Lily + Abby: Act I, Scene I

Lily and Abby have developed a relationship.

They’ll chase each other, follow each other into different rooms, romp together in the backyard. Lily will lick Abby all over and attempt to put Abby’s entire head into her mouth to pick her up. Abby’s head doesn’t quite fit, but Lily tries anyway. In return Abby head butts Lily and rubs up against her in what I presume is some gesture of affection.

They’re friends, buddies, compadres. They’re gal pals.

But only when Abby wants to be.

Jack’s blue corn meal pancakes with strawberry sauce

For the past few days Jack’s had a rare and painful hankering for pancakes. I don’t know why, but I didn’t want to argue with that much testosterone so I decided to go along with the get along. If he has a hankering than, by golly, we’re going to satisfy it!

Hey, I’m just trying to be a supportive spouse here.

Further, when he insisted upon making them without any help from me (not even a little finger lift) …

… how could I resist this face and his simple request?

Two films, two thumbs up

Claire Danes has always left me feeling a bit neutral.

I don’t dislike her work per se; she’s always seemed a solid young actress in a string of not-bad films. She just never really captured my attention … until now.

Found photos: The day after our wedding

I love it when you find a cache of photos that have gone completely forgotten. Case in point are these pics snapped the day after our wedding.

For most people the day after their wedding means jetting off to Bora Bora or Hawaii or Niagra Falls. It means honeymoon ambiance, solitude and romantic moments in the moonlight. It means alone time.

Not us.

For Stacey: Hiking 101

Hey Stacey, this is Jack. I’m so glad that you’re inspired to go hiking! Here are my tips for taking up hiking.

Yo!

Many moons ago Jack’s sister, Tara—a veterinarian with a wee posse of animals including seven cats, two dogs, a couple fish, two birds and a horse—met a man named Bob. Tara and Bob fell in love. The heavens parted. Trumpets blared. Altos hit the high note. It was magic.

Tara and Bob decided to get married. Yay!

Unfortunately, Bob is allergic to cats.

Boo.

So, Jack and I raised our hands (actually I waved my hand around madly while Jack ducked his head and pretended to ignore all) and suggested that Tara send us two of her cats.

Trekking Lake Tahoe

We took off this weekend to trek California’s beautiful mountains and enjoy the end of what’s been a gorgeous summer.

On Friday we grabbed our packs, loaded the dog into the truck and headed for South Lake Tahoe, an easy two and half hour drive from home.

We had decided to do a trek into Desolation Wilderness starting at Meeks Bay and ending at Eagle Falls in Emerald Bay. Point to point the trek is 17.8 miles with an elevation gain/loss of 3690′ and 3350′ respectively. It’s a beautiful, exceptionally well maintained trail that visits a chain of alpine lakes. It’s a recommended two day trek, although you could stretch it into three and take some lovely day trips to outlying lakes. Both the trail heads at Meeks and Eagle Falls are popular hotspots for day hikers—so expect some crowds at either end—but once you’re a couple of miles down the trail and into Desolation Wilderness you’ll leave the day hikers behind and find yourself with plenty of peace and quiet.

And the amazing views … oh, the views will keep you company every step of the way.

Welcome Baby B!

She’s here! She’s a couple weeks early, but somehow no one is surprised. She’s just like her mama: fiesty.

Mama and baby Brianna are doing great.

Welcome baby girl!

And lots of love and congrats to Tara and Bob!