And just like that, it's June

Monday came, and just like that, it was June.  

We had beautiful weather to start our week.  Daytime temperatures were in the mid-70s with nighttime temperatures dipping into the low 50s.  It's the perfect kind of weather that I dream about all year.  Nice enough to spend time outside, and cool enough to sleep with the windows open all night.  No need for the air conditioner, perfect for shorts, t-shirts, and running around barefoot.  It is Michigan perfection.

With many things at work in flux right now, my days are filled with far too much to do.  We are still down a team member two months after David took a promotion. And this week, my co-worker,  Angela was out on vacation, and I was working as her back-up while she was out, and my amazing boss, Tricia, is doing double duty as she prepares for her own promotion, which I'll share more about another day.  So my work life is crazy, and it probably won't get better any time soon.  Such is life.

While work is crazy and I have lots to do around the house and yard, we still had one very important thing to do this week.  I had committed us to the North Country Trail Chief Noonday Chapter's Hike Every Mile for National Trails day.  This required people to sign up and commit to completing a section of the trail between June 1 and June 6, and I had committed us to two sections.

With the weather reasonable for a hike with Peaches, I knew we had to get out early in the week to complete our sections.  So Monday after work we made the drive to Albion to complete the first section, a 1.15 mile road walk.  We parked the car along the side of the road and headed out to finish our section.  It was a lovely, quiet walk which we did pretty quickly.  Then we turned around and did another 1.15 mile walk back to the car.  2.3 more miles finished putting us at 97.4 miles for the year

It was the perfect little walk for our Monday night, and when we got back to the car, everyone had a nice drink before we headed back home.  I even had time when we got home to spend time working in the garden before we settled in for the night.

On Tuesday, Fiona finished her first year of Nature Preschool.  She loved school this year and is looking forward to going back for her second year of Nature Preschool in the Fall.  I can't believe how much she had grown since her first day of preschool last Fall! I also can't wait to spend some time with her this summer. 

I was excited that we were going to be able to get out to complete our second section of the NCT on Tuesday, especially since Vanessa was going to join us so we could complete the 3.1 mile section without having to walk back to the car.  

Unfortunately, Vanessa was not feeling well on Tuesday, but she was able to get one of her co-workers, who is a former GSP owner, to offer to help me stage my car.  What a big help that was!

She dropped us off, and we were on our way to complete the 3.1 miles, at whatever pace felt comfortable for Peaches.  At the one mile point, we stopped so everyone could take a dip in the river and get a drink. Then we continued on.

I was happy that we had some lovely shaded spots along our walk, and at the two mile mark, we were still going strong.

Then we reached the grasslands, and at the 2.6 mile point of our hike, Peaches, Mina, and I reached our 100 miles on the trail for 2026...and our pace really slowed down!  

This is the eleventh time that I have completed the Hike 100 challenge, starting in 2016.  Peaches has joined me for nine of those years starting in 2018.  It is pretty impressive to think that at 14 1/2 years old, she finished strong this year.  But sadly, I think this will be her final 100 mile year.  It's hard to think of hiking on the trail without her.  But we've had a really good run.

After hitting our 100th mile, we still had a half-mile to go to finish the section and arrive back at our car.  Somehow, near the end, Peaches and Bumble got a burst of energy and finsihed well.  Mina never slowed down and probably would have walked another three miles.  It was a great way to finish our year on the trail.

I was happy to get a picture of me and Peaches at the end of our hike to celebrate all that we accomplished this year and all of the years past.

And like magic, some hikers showed up just in time to take a picture of all of us together.  So proud of us all for finsihing in just 5 months this year.  Woo hoo!  We did it!

With no shelter dog walking club on Wednesdays any more, I was able to take the dogs out to the greenhouse in Eaton Rapids after work  to buy the plants that I still needed for the garden.

The dogs were all very good and enjoyed this little outing, especially since the temperatures had gotten into the 80s, and they didn't get to spend as much time outside during the day while I was working.

We got all of our plants picked out, made.our purchase, took a quick walk around Eaton Rapids,  and then headed home.

While I worked in the garden.that evening, Mina and Bumble played and Peaches just wandered around the yard.  Then they all spent time watching as the neighbors built an enclosure for their new chickens. Mostly, they were watching the chickens as they wandered around the yard.  Chicken TV is pretty exciting. 

Thursday was hot and I finally had to break down and turn on the air conditioner.  

We made a quick visit to the South Lansing Farmer's Market after work, walked around the block there, stopped for a visit at Feeder's Pet store,  and then headed home.

We took another walk around the neighborhood when we got home, then we all had dinner before I headed outside to work in the garden.  

On Friday, Bumble discovered that sometimes it is okay to stay out in the yard, even if I'm not outside with him.  Normally he doesn't let me out of his sight and won't stay out any longer than he needs to if I'm not with him.  But Friday, he settled into his favorite spot in the lawn and chewed on one of his many chew toys while I watched from the dining room as I worked.  It didn't last a long time, but it was progress. 

Somehow Friday was my busiest day of the work week, and when I was finally done for the day, I was exhausted.  We didn't do anything exciting that evening, but we did spend more time outside working in the yard.  It was nice to have a quiet evening at home.

After a slow start to out Saturday morning, we headed out the door to attend a geocaching event at the MSU Children's Garden.  Bumble was so excited to meet all the new people and two new dogs.  He had a great time.

Then we headed out for a walk around the gardens to find the geocaches hidden in conjunction with the event.

It was a lovely morning for a walk around campus.  I love when all of the students are gone.

Peaches took a dip in the fountain while Mina climbed walls and Bumble greeted everyone who walked by us.

After a really nice two and a half mile walk, I tried to get some pictures at the butterfly bench, but only Mina would cooperate.

At least I was able to get a picture with Peaches as she relaxed in the shade while enjoying a good drink of water.

Before going home, I stopped to pick up lunch at Raising Cane's and sat in the air-conditioned comfort of the car to eat.  Then we drove to Old Town to pick up a couple of items at Preuss. 

Of course we had to take a quick walk around Old Town while we were there, and Bumble and the girls met several ladies all dressed up as Mrs. Roper for the Old Town Roper Romp.  I was impressed that Bumble wasn't afraid at all and let everyone say hello.

We finally made it home, and the dogs had a late lunch and then settled in for a nap.  Later I gave them all Kongs so that I could run a few errands without them.  We finished the day with some time outside and the settled in for a quiet night.

On Saturday, we also learned of the passing of our friend Sherman earlier this week. He hadn't been himself the last few weeks, and sadly he died of cancer.  He went peacefully surrounded by his little family of Tom, Barb, and Ruby.  Like Peaches, he is a 2018 ISR alum, and I am so glad that I got to know him over the years.  He was a funny, sweet boy who will be very missed.  

Our Sunday is going to be spent mostly at home.  I have lots to do, and I'm just going to take the day to get things done.  I'll probably get the dogs out for a couple walks around the neighborhood, and we'll spend some time out in the yard.  I'm also hoping to have some time to simply relax.  I'm really looking forward to the day.   

But first, we're heading out to get some strawberries!  It's strawberry season, and I haven't been able to make it out to the farm for the first couple of days they were available.  I can't wait any longer!  Strawberries are absolutely my favorite things about June and it's time to eat a year's worth in the next few weeks.  I love strawberries 🍓!!

A week of change

After our busy long weekend away for Memorial Day, we got right back into the thick of life when we returned. 

Bumble returned from his weekend get away Tuesday, and I had a busy day at work.  When the end of the day arrived, I was feeling exhausted.  While I knew the dogs needed to burn some energy,  I wasn't up for a long walk.  So instead, we spent some time outside in the backyard. 

Wednesday was just another busy day filled with way too much to do at work.  There are lots of changes headed my way (that will be a story for a different day), we're down a team member still, and I was preparing to be the backup for a coworker who was heading out on vacation for a week.  If only there were two of me!

So over my lunch, I went and sat outside with the dogs.  I needed the freah air and to watch them enjoy the day.

Then, after work, I headed out to the shelter for our final Wednesday night dog walk.  Sadly, the shelter leadership made the decision recently to limit when dogs can leave the shelter to their normal business hours only, so our after hours little club can no longer meet.  

It was an emotional evening for me because for most of it's existence, I have been a part of this awesome group.  It is the way I started my volunteer work at the shelter, how I became a foster, and how animal rescue became such a big part of my life and who I am.  

As one of the leaders of the club early on and then the sole leader since Covid, the Dog Walking Club was my baby and such a big part of my life for almost 15 years.  I am proud of everything we did over the years to help make life better for thousands of dogs while they waited for a family of their own.  

I loved spending one on one time with the dogs as I harnessed them, giving them extra love as I took their pictures, and tucking them into their kennels for the night with a little extra love and a couple of treats.  Those moments alone with the dogs are some of my favorite memories.

I have also made so many friends, some who now live across the state, the country, and the globe. People I can't imagine not having in my life.  Who knew that little decision to walk a shelter dog on Wednesday nights would have had such a big impact on my life.  I am so glad it was there for me.

So now, for those of us who work full-time jobs and have other responsibilities outside of work, there are limited opportunities to volunteer at the shelter, and that is a such a big loss.  And while I'm sad for myself, I am most sad for the dogs because they are the ones who really lose out in this decision.  

We had a really nice final walk with some very nice dogs.  After we put the final dog safely back in her kennel, the final group of walkers headed to City Limits for dinner and a little celebration of all we had accomplished.  It was nice to sit down and spend some time with them all.  I will miss our regular time together.  

On Thursday, Bumble was featured as the Empire Motors Pet of the Week, so I took an early lunch to take him over for his special Facebook session with Span from Q106. He did great and was a big hit with Span and the employees at Empire.  Then it was back home for another long, busy day of work.

I ended up working late, then had a call afterward.  When I was done, I decided to take the dogs for a trip to the South Lansing Farmer's Market.   I hadn't paid attention to the time, but we didn't get there until almost 6:40, with only 20 minutes left in the market. 

They stopped for their treat at Fur Real Dog Snacks, and I got some egg rolls to snack on as we walked around.  Then we heaed in for a quick walk around Feeder's because Peaches always demands we go inside.  And then we were in the car heading home.

It was a nice night, so we spent some time outside.  Mina and Bumble played some games of chase with a frisbee, Peaches wandered around sniffing, and i did a little weeding before sitting down to enjoy a few moments of quiet.

Friday started with a trip to the vet for Peaches' monthly appointment for her arthritis management.   She had a good appointment, took her shot well, and was very happy to get out of there quickly.

I spent the rest of the day busy at work again.  I sure can't wait until things start to get back to normal again, but I think it's still going to be a bit before that happens.

The best part of my Friday was a puppy transport for ISR after work.  A little gsp family of mom and 10 puppies was recently found in an abandoned house in the Thumb and brought in to the local shelter.   

Luckily this past week the rescue was able to get five of the puppies out of the shelter and into foster homes, and I was lucky enough to help transport two of them, brother and sister, from Flint back to the Lansing area where I met with their foster who drove up from indiana.   They were good little passengers and I was rewarded with some puppy snuggles before they continued their journey south.

The remaining 5 puppies and their mom will make their way into rescue later this week.  So happy we were able to help make life better for these puppies and especially for their mom.  Rescue work can be hard, but also so rewarding, and this happy new beginning was the perfect way to end my work week.

On Saturday morning, I made the drive to the shelter for one final Saturday morning walk with a dog.  While I hadn't originally planned on a Saturday morning walk, I had to go to the shelter for a refill on Bumble's food, so I figured it just made sense to go early and walk a dog while I still could.  I was happy to be able to get out with Sea Salt Sally, a young girl with a fun amount of energy.

We had a really nice walk, and she happily went back into her kennel for breakfast when we returned.  She was the perfect dog to end my Dog Walking Club era.  And even better, she was adopted later in the day!

On the way home from the shelter, I ran a few errands and stopped for groceries.  When I got home, I fed the dogs lunch while I put things away and made a little lunch for myself.  Then we headed outside to get some work done in the yard.  With the lawn mowed, trimming done, and a few more weeds pulled, I decided it was time for a break.  Bumble agreed!

I rewarded the dogs for being so good this week by taking them on a trip to Preuss Pets to celebrate Hoover the Catfish's birthday. 

They walked around, got lots of love and some treats, and enjoyed the fun hustle and bustle of activity at this fun special event.

We followed up our vist with a nice walk around Old Town.  It was a beautiful late afternoon for a walk.

When we returned to the car, we made another quick stop in at Preuss for some live music and a little informational session on catfish.  The dogs all loved watching the fish in the pond.

Finally we headed home for the evening.  I didn't get much more done that night,  but we did spend some more time outside after dinner.  Then we settled in for a quiet, relaxing night.

We had a slow start to our Sunday morning. Mina and Peacges have spent some time outside,  and then Mina came in to pathetically watch Bumble chew on an antler.  After lots of chewing time, a trip outside for some zoomies, and a little more playtime inside, Bumble has settled in for a late morning nap next to me, while Peaches and Mina  are currently outside lounging in the sun.

I'm now off to do a little cleaning and then I'll be heading outside to continue my work in the yard today.  Hopefully I'll have a successful day and get lots done.