in search of pheasants...

...it's that time of year! Being a newly placed Minnesotan small hound, Sydney was equipped for this year's romps in the cornfields with a new red jacket!
(cute photo of the small hound in her jacket!)
I haven't ridden outside since Friday. It's damp and cold. Really cold. We had northwesterly winds from Canada blowing through much of the weekend...let's just say I bonded with my trainer (which is now in the basement since it's freezing in the garage) and spent a few hours pedaling away to the Indigo Girls, Cowboy Junkies, Lone Justice and Michelle Shocked. Feeling a little melancholy as I gear up for more of the same for the next few (SOB!) months.

I think the weather had little to do with how I was feeling though. This was the first time in my entire life (42 years) that I have not spent October 22nd with my Mom for her birthday. I've missed holidays before, and other family gatherings, but I have not ever missed my Mom's birthday. We don't even do anything all that spell-bounding or exciting, but we usually get a bunch of video's/DVD's and movie snacks, kick my Dad out of the bed, and snuggle up and watch movie after movie until we fall asleep as we celebrate the day my Mom was born. Both my brothers and my nephews were there so she wasn't at a loss for company---but it left a small tear in my heart all the same.

This week is packed full celebrating "Rural Writer's" at Southwest Minnesota State University and I'm looking forward to many of the events that are planned. Mike is feeling better too which is a plus. He went out looking for pheasant's with Minnesota Dad and the two hounds. Sydney returned a little stiff after each outing, and she sleeps all through the night and is the last one up in the morning---but at least she's prepared for the cold with her new winter coat!

We topped the weekend off with a cozy dinner with the Olson's and the Taylor's (all 4 of them)...Have a wonderful Monday!