2023 - Walks with Elsa

I hope 2023 is treating you well... I am taking a one-year sabbatical and the newsletter is getting a facelift, so no monthly newsletter for the time being. If you'd like to follow my journey, check out this page, "2023", fresh with daily photographs.

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Welcoming a dog into your life can be life altering. I have been blessed with quite a few dogs in my lifetime, many of them "rescues", but who rescued who?

My current dog Elsa (age 3) is mostly "shepherd" and apparently shepherds have a reputation. Well deserved, I might add. She is bright, attentive, protective, affectionate, and STRONG willed. Her first year on the planet is not a total mystery, and sadly, was a year of people leaving her. I don't know all the details, but she bounced between homes and shelters multiple times; her written history accounts for at least 8 addresses in just 12 months. Needless to say she had some behaviors that needed to be addressed.

Nov 1 - Blueberries! Love this label.

Nov 2 - Mushrooms and grass at Mormon church. Elsa loves rolling in this luscious green grass.

Nov 3 - Leather and gemstone bracelet.

Nov 4 - Sunset Trail morning view. The mountains are magnificent with the rising sun highlighting them.

Nov 5 - Elsa and Brock.

Nov 6 - Christina's Birthday

Nov 7

Nov 8

Nov 9 - 5AA Beadweaver Business Card.

Nov 10

Nov 11 - A tenacious tree lying on its side and still rooted to the ground. Amazing.

Nov 12 - A blast from the past. Lid to a box I made many years ago

Nov 13 - Squirrel plate.

Nov 14 - Hola!

Nov 15 - Me and my new favorite kumihimo necklace.

Nov 16 - SIX days of the Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour!
Come see us Nov 17-19
and Nov 24-26.

Nov 17 - Lauri and me HITH 2023.

Nov 18 - View from my tables at Hidden in the Hills - Looks like rain!

Nov 19 - HITH 2023

Nov 20

Nov 21 - On my Kumihimo disk today,
a new Kumi bracelet.

Nov 22 - More Wrapped Rocks next year at Hidden in the Hills 2024.

Nov 23 - I like the contrast in this photo.

Nov 24 - Three more days at Hidden in the Hills. My last pair of earrings!

Nov 25 - Lantana.

Nov 26 - Sundog. A rainbow's kiss.

Nov 27 - The beginning and the end.
Hidden in the Hills setup and breakdown.

Nov 28 - Working on my next black/white lariat; and it's a long one!

Nov 29 - Xmas lights.

Nov 30 - Butterfly on a prickly pear pad.

Dec 1

Dec 2 - Amazing Artist Series at the Holland Community Center.

Dec 3 - Early morning trip to the emergency room.

Dec 3 - Right wrist obviously dislocated.

Dec 3 - OWEEEEEEE!

Dec 3 - Definitely shattered and dislocated wrist, 2 broken arm bones.
I will need surgery.

Dec 3-7, In a splint until I can see a surgeon.

Dec 8 - Surgery scheduled for 7am at Banner Surgery Center.

Dec 8 -Banner Surgery Center info

Dec 9 - Our little fashionista says, "Hope you feel better Gramma."

Dec 10 - From the flying edna digital calendar.

Dec 11 - Robin and I went to see Gail Haire's Amazing Artist Series presentation at the Holland Center.

Dec 12 - My fingers are so colorful.

Dec 13 - Getting ready for Christmas.

Dec 14

Dec 15 - Thanks to Terry for her delicious chicken enchilada casserole. Yummy!

Dec 16 - Two weeks after my tumble I finally get a look at why my elbow has been so sore - quite the bruise!

Dec 17 - Laughter is the best medicine. Thank you Anna!

Dec 18 - Thinking of you Elena.

Dec 19 - Reiki, living the life!

Dec 20 - Two week followup with the hand surgeon. My fingers and knuckles are still a little bruised and swollen.

Dec 20 - Surgical site looking good!

Dec 20 - I was wondering what that connecting metal plate looked like.

Dec 20 - Connecting metal plate and screws (view from the side).

Dec 21 - Christmas tree at TOCA medical office in Scottsdale. And it's raining!

Dec 21 - First real shower in almost 3 weeks! And no plastic bag on my arm- woohoo! Feels so good.

Dec 22 - We are enjoying Robin's homemade chili. Perfect for a cool, rainy day.

Dec 23 - Low clouds and a bit of rain.

Dec 24 - With Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Dec 25 - From my sweet husband!

Dec 26 - Yum! We went to breakfast at the Black Mountain Coffee Shop.

Dec 27 - Brrrr, 32 degrees this morning, so my husband put a log on the fire (TV).

Dec 28 - Latest wardrobe addition, a Compression Glove to help with the swelling in my hand and wrist.

Dec 29 - Natural dyes.

Dec 30

Dec 31 - My sabbatical is over at midnight tonight. See you in 2024!
Photo credit: Facebook/SacredSoulEnergyHealing

Love and consistent rules have been important in her socialization. We walk twice a day; long walks in the neighborhood. She is 90+ pounds so when she decides to chase a rabbit, or attack a passing vehicle, I have to be hyper-vigilent. She definitely keeps me on my toes.

These days she (mostly) avoids the rabbits quite deliberately by walking to the middle of the road until we have passed the temptation. Elsa has learned to sit and stay if we hear a car or truck coming, we're still working on electric vehicles. She is NOT a fan!

Since we walk early in the morning, sometimes before dawn, and early evening, just as the sun goes behind the mountain, the ambient light is amazing. We observe the local wildlife either just waking up or headed for their evening sanctuary.

I am dedicating this page to a daily photograph; something that catches my eye, tickles my fancy, or just reminds me that life is good!

We welcome the New Year 2023.

January / February 2023

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March / April 2023

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May / June 2023

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July / August 2023

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September / October 2023

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