Spike's Eyes

It's sometimes easy to forget that he is blind....

I was freezing (literally) when we got up this morning and hasn't warmed up significantly all day. It was beautiful when we took Spike on his walk, the sun rising over Annadel park and highlighting the thriving green moss on tops of the trees. The first part of the walk is steeply uphill through heavy shade, and we were grateful for our hats, gloves and heavy coats. By the time we reached the meadow we were warm, but enjoyed the sun in our faces. There hasn't been any wind today which would have magnified the cold to unacceptable levels. We wouldn't have been able to stand still and watch Spike tear around the meadow in circles, watching to make sure he didn't go into the pond where baby newts are lurking under rocks. 

I was reminded of  South Park Drive  through Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley which is closed from November through April for the annual  newt migration during the rainy season. It used to be a great place to take Ozzie for walks in the rain without the mud or the cars. But Spike has no interest in going out in the rain.

It's been a quiet day. I wrapped some presents and finished a little housewarming present for Janet and Paul. John is still on a mission to rake up leaves, although it seems like a thankless task to me, as they are still falling from the trees. I think he must find it sort of meditative. 

The lemon tree has been covered again, but we're hoping that the lime and tangerine trees are close enough to the house to be protected.