I took this photo late this afternoon, as Alayne and I were finishing up barn chores on a beautiful if brisk Thanksgiving Day. The view is to the northeast, and the peaks you see are in the Scapegoat Wilderness, part of the enormous Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. As the sun was dropping, so too was the temperature. By the time we got indoors, it was already just three degrees above zero and headed lower.
It took a few hours to get all the horses fed and into their stalls for the night. Then Alayne fed the "cottage dogs" (the 20 who live with us or in the cottages next to our house) while I went over to feed the 20 dogs at Widget's House. With everyone fed, Alayne and I were able to finally start on our dinner -- the Thanksgiving Day feast! -- about 5 p.m.
At some point this evening the temperature dipped below zero, but as I write this it's crept back up to 7 above zero, thanks to some cloud cover that rolled in. I had already split the wood for the evening's fire, and the woodstove is keeping us plenty warm in here.
And now that it's 9 p.m., it's time to head outside again -- to let the dogs out for the final pit stop, then put them up for the night. Once the dogs are done, I check in on the horses at each of the three barns and make sure everything's okay. On a night as cold as this one, everyone's very happy to be tucked away indoors!
This is a beautiful picture!!! Love it.
Posted by: Lita Choe | November 29, 2007 at 02:10 PM
BRRRRR! I thought it was chilly here! Glad everyone is tucked it safely fed & warm! That's a beautiful snow scene. A belated Happy Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful to you & Alayne for all that you do for those under your watchful eyes & loving care at the marvelous RDR! Thanks for creating such a loving haven for those that are there.
Hug from Tx,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit ( the cat that adopted us)
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | November 25, 2007 at 04:29 PM
Brrrrrr ... it was 60 degrees in Cambridge! That's not right, either.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your creatures.
Posted by: Janet | November 24, 2007 at 06:06 PM
You have a very beautiful backyard. I'm so happy everyone had a great Thanksgiving...no emergency trips to vet or anything.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Ware | November 24, 2007 at 08:40 AM
Brrrr...funny how it turns so cold, so quickly. We had our first snowfall in Toronto on Wednesday and the temperature has dropped down to 2C (last week it was still a lovely 14C - sorry, don't know what that is in F :). Happy belated Thanksgiving to all the inhabitants of RDR!
Posted by: Kristen D. | November 23, 2007 at 11:35 PM
A belated happy Thanksgiving to you both and all your fur friends.
Hugs from Miranda and her fur friends: Alesha, Beige, Chloe, Daisy, Erin, Mini Me, Saffron, and Zelda
Posted by: Mircat | November 23, 2007 at 11:15 AM
My wish for Thanksgiving Day at the RDR was for a day with no animal medical problems, so the humans could have a calm day. This post gives me the impression that things were relaxed enough that you could take the moment to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of your surroundings. Peace to all....
Posted by: Kathy Goog | November 23, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Happy Thanksgiving to both of you, Steve and Alayne!
I know that the furry critters are thankful for you two and all those involved in their getting a second chance in life.
Wishing you God's best.
Posted by: Nina | November 23, 2007 at 07:35 AM
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Carl Bard
The above quote reminds me of the animals at RDR. Steve, we really enjoy how you write. We are truly thankful for all the "second chance" animals that are saved and loving life because of RDR! May the work you and Alayne continue for a very, very long time!!! Thank you!
Posted by: Shirley & James, Portland, OR | November 23, 2007 at 01:44 AM