Remembering Annika~

 Annika~

5-17-2012 - 1-26-2023

1-15-2021

The pain of losing our little Buhund girl is almost too great to bear...  

 Fall of 2021, Nika experienced bouts of vomiting.  It started out so seldom I passed it off as having eaten something she'd found & shouldn't have.  But by October, the problem had continued.  I asked Mari Jo & she recommended George Darnell, DVM.  We both liked him right away.  He reminded me of our friend & Vet in Washington.  The clinic was on his farm outside of town.  He had a calm, relaxed manner & Nika was at ease with him.  He suggested a fecal & urine sample - we did both.  The fecal came back negative & the uranalysis - normal.  We made a change in her food, hopeful that would solve the issue.  When it didn't, the next step was blood work.  We received the results from that in February of 22, everything was normal...

Nika turned ten in May!  She seemed so healthy & happy!  Through the summer, Nika was fine - the bouts weren't too frequent & she didn't have any other symptoms of a problem.  She'd traveled with Butch for four-months & lost some weight.  She'd also had more frequent bouts, which we both passed off as truck sick since it seemed to happen when they were in stop & go traffic.  

Once she was home, she started eating two-full bowls of food a day & quickly gained her weight back.  Along with the weight, her muscle tone returned & she was back to running the yard many times a day.  Her fur coat grew thick & shiny.  She was still experiencing episodes of being sick though. Through November, she held her own, but the problem still hadn't resolved, Dr. Darnell decided to try ulcer medication.  

The medication seemed to have no effect.  Through December it was a rare morning when she hadn't been sick during the night.  Now, she wasn't finishing her food.  That had never happened before.  I tried many different things, adding broth, etc.  She was forcefully vomiting, even during the day.  

Dr. Darnell suggested we have her teeth cleaned - just in case she had a cracked tooth.  I drove her to Omaha January 3rd.  The dentist said if every dog who came in had teeth as good as Nika's - he wouldn't have a job.  Dr. Darnell also decided to try a totally different type of protein & we switched her food over to Lamb.   For the first time in weeks, she finished off a bowl of food.  The next day though - she lost everything she'd eaten the day before.  There wasn't a morning when I didn't find a spot of bile.  Her weight had dropped & she had not been herself for many weeks.

Butch returned home 1/26/23 & could see right away Nika was failing...  I called Dr. Darnell & also called Dean in MX.  They concurred that Nika was probably suffering from cancer.  (Going the route of surgery wasn't one we wanted for her.)  We'd been fighting a battle we were sure we'd win...  The drive out to the farm was the most difficult we'd taken in many, many years... 

It was Nika, who helped us made the transition from living on an acreage to living in town.  The first of our dogs to live inside with us 24/7. Now, home alone - I feel her loss every step I take...  I'm reminded of how she would wait a few minutes - then quietly follow & pick a spot where she could keep an eye on me.  She attended Mat-making several times & was a regular at bible study.  She loved visiting her "Grama Doris"!  Evenings, she was to sleep on her pillow in the family room.  Every night, once we were in bed, there would be a little thump as she settled herself on the rug at the foot of our bed.

Rest in peace Nika~ We love you so very much...  The love you gave us & the memories we share - will reside in our hearts forever... 

Our Buhund girl~

__________________________________________

Butch & Nika - OTR Update~

 It's been over six-months since Butch left home for driver training in MO.  A month of school, a month of driving with a finisher & three-months driving for CFI.  After a breakdown with Big Red, inconsistent dispatching & a lack of drive miles  - Butch accepted an offer with Blake Scott LLC out of Ogden, UT.

6-10-2022 Ranger comes home for the first time!

Normally without at least a year, usually two,  of OTR experience, companies don't hire drivers.  (Our friend Roxi, recommended Butch.)  Butch flew out to Salt Lake City on the 6th of June to meet the company owner & pick up another truck!  Delayed overnight in Omaha, Butch arrived on the 7th & was back on the road the same day!  He did a run to southern, MO before turning for home to outfit Ranger.

6-13-2022 - 7p.m. Butch & Nika leave~

Home time only lasted a couple days before he was leaving again - this time with Nika as his companion!  With this company, Butch is hauling refigerated trailers.  He will be doing mostly dedicated runs from Idaho to Missouri & return.  He will also get to come home every three-weeks!

Nika enjoying the ride :-)

In June, Butch & Nika came through Nebraska City.  I met them for lunch & combined a shopping trip.  The 29th, they came home for one night.  I was thrilled at the unexpected stop!  On the fourth-of-July, I drove down again to meet for a quick meal as they were going north. 

July fifth, the two of them returned for home time!  Butch picked me up at the house.  We drove to Blue Beacon truck wash in Council Bluffs. This time of year Ranger's front was covered with smashed bugs.  Butch said at the truck stops, the birds come from everywhere to snack on all the bugs on the grills. 

Nika  ~

Butch really enjoys driving the Freightliner!  There's more room in the sleeper, better seats, a bigger engine & smoother ride.  Ranger doesn't have the Blake Scott logo on the doors yet.  There's a temporary sticker Butch put back on after going through the truck wash.

Three days sped by!  He had his usual coffee with friends, we enjoyed some really nice weather & sat out to watch a big thunderstorm roll by.  Butch made a shelf for his microwave & installed the mount for his TV.  We went to see the new Top Gun movie!  

By Saturday morning, Butch & Nika were back on the road.  Butch said Nika kept an eye on him while he was putting the last of his things in the truck.  She enjoyed being home, but didn't want to be left behind!

7-9-2022 Flat on the trailer~

By 3 p.m. Butch called from Elk Point, SD to tell me he had a flat on the trailer.  He passed his first Level Two Inspection, but had to wait two-hours for service truck to arrive & replace the tire.  Better to have discovered it at the Weigh station rather than out on the road.

By late evening, Butch had driven 480-miles in 7.5 hours & was done for the day.  This trip is taking him back to WA, but not close enough to visit the Grandkids.  Maybe one of these days that will happen!

7-10-2022 Nika ready to roll ~

After driving the east coast & southern states, it's been a nice break to be dispatched west.  We keep in touch during the day.  A text when he's leaving, a morning call & another when he's finished his drive & found a place to stop for his rest break.  

7-10-2022 Sunrise, Montana

I keep daily google maps of his routes from one stop to the next.  It's fun for me to follow along in the virtual world :-)   It will be a month this time before they return home again.  

7-11-2022 In line at the weigh station, MT

Butch said Butte has grown & has spread out with new housing under construction.  The mine itself has grown too, since the last time we went through.  

7-11-2011 12:30 p.m. Near Butte, MT

After tomorrow, the heat is going up here in Iowa & the weatherman tells us it will be staying days into the long-range forecast.  Not my favorite month in the mid-west, but I've enough projects saved up to stay busy!

Sparkling ~

 Sparkling - a day full of sunshine & the sparkle of fresh snow!  A good day to end what's been a difficult year. I had some disappointment yesterday.  My leg lost the three cm's I'd worked so hard for.  Back to 109 & more swollen.  It would have also been my mother's 89th birthday.  I was sad.  Mary Jo told me she'd gone snow-shoeing, something else I've always wanted to do...  Maybe next winter?

The Woods~

The one thing I can do - is walk!  It's a halting, painful, gimpy walk, but it gets me out!  I put on the new warm socks Butch got me for Christmas & my tall uninsulated snow boots.  It was a chore to get my foot & ankle pushed into them, but I did it!

One of our birds :-)

Waiting until after lunch, it had warmed from the early morning 6°, up to 28. Fresh air would help me out of my funk. The blanket of snow has quieted our world down.  I could almost hear the snow crystals tingling.

East along Tinkle Branch~

Only a rabbit had gone this way, as I looped down the trail from the Cabin.  Funny how he followed the trail.

Trail marker~

It was so pretty along the creek, the snow giving it such a pristine look.

Flowing clear & cold~

I had to take my insulated gloves off to take photos, then put them back on again to warm up my fingers!  Somebody was waiting for me when I came back in the lower gate!

Nika~

Honestly, I may be prejudiced, but the most beautiful Buhund in the state of Iowa!  I tell her that all the time!

Running for me!

It's a good thing she's not any bigger than she is!  I would have been knocked off my feet!  She positively loves fresh snow!  Of course, she sheds non-stop, but just in the past few weeks grew in her thick winter undercoat!

A perfect pose~

Of course I was led back up the hill to the house.  I hadn't taken my walking sticks, it was a little difficult.  I told Nika she might have to pull me up!  The sunshine on the deck felt warm, but of course Nika wanted in.  Either in - or - out - she gets a cookie!  :-)

World of White ~

 It is BEAUTIFUL!  Starting about 4:30 a.m. - the big, light, fluffy flakes came in waves.  Butch had an appointment at the VA Hospital in Omaha at 9:30 a.m.  He asked if I wanted to go along.  Well, sure!  He had the Bronco warming up!  I trust the Bronco over any vehicle - to get us anywhere & home in bad weather.

On Hwy 75 North toward Omaha~

We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Council Bluffs for a late breakfast/early lunch on the way home.  A few people were out braving the roads & weather.

Once home, I used the blower on the porch & deck, while Butch shoveled walks!

Butch & his shovel!

The temperature seems to be holding at 27° & thankfully there's not a lot of wind.

A winter scene~

I know we'll be living with this snow for days & days, but it's just so pretty! Nothing like the wet, heavy, snow we had in WA. There was only one year I can think of where we had a light & large snowfall. We took the horses out galloping & it was so much fun!

The Woods~

Butch filled the bird feeder, but the Squirrels have managed to find a way to jump over to it. If we cut down one small tree, it will stop their antics, but I really don't want to. It takes forever to grow trees!

Winter Wonderland~

Nika had gone to Omaha with us.  She enjoys road trips in the winter, rather than staying home alone.  Of course a little scrambled egg leftovers, made the trip worthwhile :-)  She's always been such a good traveler.  

Nika waits ~

Watching everything Butch does, she waits attentively & listens to every sound!  Our first real snowy day of the season, I'm going to start the rug I've been putting off for just such a day!

Sunshine Came Softly~

When Butch met me - just past security at Eppley, he said;  "Welcome back to sunshine!"  He was So right!  Sunshine & wide open spaces, felt just wonderful after two-weeks of mostly pouring rain & wet.  We enjoyed a gorgeous weekend with temperatures in the mid-50s.  A huge departure from the blowing snow & frigid blast of last year.  We sat out with our latte's, admiring the absolutely balmy mornings!

Nika, in the middle of the yard~

Not even home for a week yet, it took me a few days to catch up with myself.  I felt a bit out-of-sync.  I did go back to my exercise routine at the Y Wednesday afternoon.  After two-weeks, I backed off a little & really struggled to finish.  By Friday though, I whizzed right through.  I'm looking forward to my appointment with a personal trainer.  The back of my knees weren't happy.  The elliptical keeps my feet flat, riding my heels are down. Some stretching will probably be the answer.

Light breeze~

Waking to the warm, filtered sunshine this morning, I walked the property. Picking up pieces of construction debris from the house re-model up Elm. The wind always blows it our direction.  I cleaned the outside of the office windows & sliding door on the Cabin. Too late into winter to call it springlike, but it sure felt like it.

Winter flower bed~

As much as I love being back home, I enjoy my winter trips to the NW so much!  Courtney has such a busy schedule, yet always makes me feel so welcome!   Cassidy has her drivers license & took me to lunch one day.  Mason was busy trying out for a part in a new play!  Ben met me for dinner in Snohomish.  With the weather & traffic - I didn't make the drive south to Astoria :-(

Having Farah close enough to visit & ride is a blessing.  As rainy as it had been, we were lucky to get in trail time.  Butch & I are both looking forward to our June trip for Mason's graduation! 

East end of the "Marsh"~

The marsh isn't nearly as wet this season. We haven't had the snow. Last night there was a nice little rain, enough to settle the dust. Above is the area where I planted most of the 100 daffodil bulbs.

West End~

When I think of the ice & snow here last year this time - it really does - almost looks like spring! I'm anxious to see the changes, once things start greening up. Maybe some of the slash piles will be gone by then.

Nika in another of her favorite spots~

From her perch at the top of the hill & leaves off the trees, Nika can see out to the side street, spotting the mailman's truck almost a block before he arrives at our house!  :-)  Someone asked me again the other day why we moved here?  There's a certain romance about the Seattle area - but it doesn't take more than once - stopped & sitting hours in traffic for a reality check.  The city doesn't even remotely resemble the one Butch brought our little family to from Colorado in 1981.  As for me - I'll take the mid-west.  If we could just talk the kids into moving out! 

Winter Walk~

It's been so Sunny!  So very nice!  We've been experiencing a streak of seven consecutive days of temperatures above 40 this month!  Today, though - it cooled down into the 30's.  With the wind gusting to 20+mph, the feels like temperature was in the teens.

The water tower we see from home~

Nika has been wanting to get out for a walk.  Today, I decided to walk to my friend Doris's house.  She has kindly agreed to watch Nika while Butch & I are away in June.  Nika was also invited to spend some evenings & days while I'm gone this summer & Butch is working.

I was surprised how at ease Nika was, she laid down & yawned while we were there.  Of course Doris had to show her where the cookies were kept too!  Her big immaculate & well fenced backyard will be perfect!

On the way back, we took the big hill!  It's quite a climb to one of the highest points around town.  I still can't get over how huge the deciduous trees grow here.  I think these are Oaks, but I'm not yet familiar enough with them to know for sure.

View to the east~

The hill drops off on all sides. In days of old - there are stories of the speeds kids with sleds or bikes, reached on the way down!

The way we'd come up~

I'd been to the Y earlier in the day. I've been dedicated to three-days a week for almost a year now. Two plus miles on the Elliptical in 30 minutes, with half of that time at a 30% grade.  Now, the hill I used to feel on the way up, was much easier!

We start down Elm~

At the bottom of this very long hill, is the Home Place. There's yet another drop in our backyard to the creek. I was walking in my riding boots, thinking since I used to do all my walking along side Farah, I might as well keep wearing them.

Back home~

The sun was just ready to set over the ridge behind us when we reached home.  Once the sun is down, it doesn't take long for the temperatures to drop!   Our nighttime lows have been running temperatures that are usually daytime highs this time of year!  The weatherman tells us that we have one more day to enjoy before the bottom drops out.  The last weeks of the month we drop back to our average, with nights in the teens...

Now, can I influence the Washington weather out of the rain & into the sun?!

Christmas~

I'm sure we broke the record for warmth on this day.  The thermometer topped out at 60 degrees about 2 p.m. this afternoon.  It was such a quiet morning, no planes, trains, or even the little bit of traffic we usually hear.  The birds were singing as though it were spring!

A perfect morning to sit out with our Latte's~

We didn't need to sit in the Cabin to keep warm!  It was beautiful!  I even had a little present outside!  Yesterday, Butch installed an automatic starter on the Explorer for me!  I couldn't unwrap it, but I'll sure enjoy pushing that button on the frosty mornings we're still sure to get!

Nika was Very bad!  Butch let her out last night & she refused to come in.  Without her bark collar, she decided to bark off & on all night long.  I tried each time she woke me, to get her to come in.  No luck - at least not until about 5 a.m. when Butch rattled the dog food container!

In the proverbial "dog house" :-)

I had to take time to admire the view from the front porch, west.  Now, I can see all the way through the timber, almost to the far end of our property.  I can't wait to see what grows this spring!

View west from the front porch~

Daughter Jentry called us through face time.  They've been spending Christmas at Mt. Hood.  Skyla was riding her new hover board like a pro & Josie had already been thrown from her new riding horse, Snowflake!  Time for more training :-)  Ben injured a knee on the slopes - but was walking!

We spent the day with our friends Kay & Linus.  Butch probably broke a record for two Farkle wins!  Kay took the 3rd.  We all ate way too much & enjoyed a day of fun, fellowship, good times & good stories.

Merry Christmas !

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly!

The joke was on me!  I spent most of a day digging up what I thought were Daffodils from the city's easement across the road.  They get mowed down most years & I thought they would be so pretty along the edge of the woods.  I also put the bulbs around an old stump in the yard & along one section of the east fence.  I waited & waited.  Eventually, the leaves died back, without producing any blooms...  I decided it might take a year for the bulbs to recover.

Naked Ladies

 Wrong!  Wrong on two counts!  A couple days ago, I walked out to find fairy like, light pink buds opening on long, long stems!  These were appearing everywhere I'd planted bulbs!  I recognized them now, for what they were!  Naked Ladies!  The blooms are lasting longer than I expected, we've had a couple beautiful cooler days that helped.  Yesterday was our prettiest day of the summer!  Temperatures in the mid-70's & blessedly lower humidity.  The evening & sunset were stunners!

Japanese Beetles~

 Their are no words to describe the hordes of beetles that come in with the warm summer months. I decided to try picking them off, just one planter of Marigolds.  Of course some of them fly when you try to get them - the above bucket was the result of just one day.  We're told to put a bit of dish-washing detergent in the water.  It works, but what a mess.  Rumor is, they  have now invaded Colorado & are moving west.

Cicada exoskeleton~

The Cicada shells are appearing everywhere! Looking like something from a sci-fi horror movie, they seem to like attaching to fresh wood. I found this one on one of our light posts. No harm, but they sure crackle if you step on one. The blog article I've linked to is an interesting read.

Appleblossom Rosebud

I've been so happy watching the above flower grow & bloom. Another transplant from WA to keep me company.

Editorial help, from under my desk~

 As for Nika, today we have a beautiful rain!  Of course we enjoy the rains so much.  The we - does not include Nika...  Butch & I were having lunch, when Nika, who had been outside, crawled under the table!  I asked Butch if he'd let her in.  No, he hadn't.  She has learned how to jump up & hit the lever on the back door & let herself in.  That's what she'd done at the first hint of the rain.  Knowing, when the rain comes, lightening & thunder follow.  She gets so terrified - we may yet resort to drugs to calm her.  Following my every step around the house & even braveing the vacuum to stay close.  

Just another summer day in Iowa!

In the Heat of It!

No surprise, we're back into the hottest time of year.  With dew points in the mid-70's, the air is saturated with moisture.  Evening brings temperature drops to the mid-80's - but the humidity rises. We sweat & sweat some more - I'm actually getting used to it.  I remember summer nights on the farm, in one of the upstairs bedrooms, all the windows open.  Laying on top of the sheets, praying for the slightest breeze.  Ever thankful for AC!  My bones though - feel wonderful!  No aching joints!

Zinnia's~

This year, I planted some of Linus's Zinnia seeds. What a pop of color! I've worked on removing more of the invasive shrubs from the marsh area. It's been so wet, that Butch had to go in with his weed whacker to cut the grass. I'm usually mowing it by now. I'm laying some of the concrete pieces that had been piled at the bottom of the hill, along the side of the marsh. They make a nice walkway when it's so wet.

Antique Horse Hook~

I found the horse hook - in what's become my favorite town for antique shopping, Walnut, IA. The town reminds me of Snohomish, but without all the great places to eat. There's is a wonderful bakery & it's just close enough to make a nice Sunday drive.

Nika gets a bath!

Last Sat., while I was detailing out the camper, I could hear Nika barking. She sounded a long way off... Going down the hill to look, I found her scooting out from under the shed. She'd been after something. Even the heat & awful humidity hadn't deterred her. Covered in mud, she didn't even complain when Butch put her in the water! As hot as she was, I'm sure it felt good!

Marigolds, Zinnia's & Daylilies~

 News reports warn us that a pet, left outside in this heat, for as little as fifteen minutes, can die from heat stroke. Cooler weather is coming tomorrow night & into next week.  I'm looking forward to it!

Sunshine Days ~

 Last year, we were working on fencing at the farm.  Riding was always my priority, not a lot got done around home.  This year things have changed.  Without Farah, I still feel some-what incomplete.  So many years of self-imposed responsibility & the huge joys (along with the time commitment) that came with it - now over. 

Trail into the Timber~

 With the warm & sunny spring weather, I've found plenty of new challenges to keep me occupied.  I go to the Y, three times a week. The elliptical is my torture of choice, pushing the time, distance & incline, competing against myself.   I've always enjoyed some sort of challenge.  It seems normal after so many years of competitive riding.

June 3rd - Rain~

Our Mills County Naturalist - used the term infestation - to describe all the bush Honeysuckle on our property.  It is truly amazing how quickly these plants sucker, grow & spread.  I've taken down all the huge plants that were on the back side of the south fence.  It's really expanded our view & given the small trees there a chance to grow.

Butch brought me a reciprocating saw with an aggressive blade.  It does a great job of cutting the woody stems down to the ground.  A treatment of Torodon, should kill what's left.   Butch will use the chain saw on some of the largest & we'll probably rent a chipper to get rid of the debris.  It will take years to finish the job.  So far - I have at least five piles about ten-feet high.

Iris

A friend invited me over to collect plant starts from her stunning yard! The Iris above actually bloomed two-days later. I planted it in the corner of the marsh & I hope it spreads! Another friend has given me huge & beautiful hosta's. Those are now in gardens at the edge of the Timber & on each side of the Cabin.

"My" Yard~

The lower backyard used to be such a mess.  All the Autumn Olive here, have been cut down.  The four varieties of edible Elderberry I planted last year - are almost five-feet tall & blooming.  Soon, we'll be able to sample the berries.  We've planted a small White Pine & two Swedish Aspen that I hope don't sucker.

Nika hears Butch's truck!

It's been in the low 90's most of the week with crazy high dew points.  I take my electrolytes, drink water & wear a sweatband.

Awaiting blooms!

The days have been stunning, the ground still damp from all the rain.  Usually, there's a breeze to dry the sweat.  The evenings are warm, the air thick & rich with the smell of blooming flowers & trees.   Earlier this week, the Lightening Bugs returned!   A spark here, there, high in the air!  Giving us notice that summer right is around the corner.