March 29, 2022: Zane Gray and stormy weather.

We welcomed Zane Gray into our home a few days ago. He is a local Blue Heeler pup, one of 9 born just over the mountain from us on a working ranch. His dad looks like Clair’s twin. Alan and I spent a couple months deciding whether or not a second dog was a good decision for us. We’re not getting any younger (surprise!), and 2 dogs requires about 4 times the work of one. But we have also noticed that Clair often seems lonely, and is turning to us for attention more and more. We hope that having a “little brother” will give her someone to play with other than us.

So far, it seems to be a good choice. Zane is still too young to run and play much, preferring to spend his waking hours wiggling and biting anything that comes near his jaws, but Clair is trying. We named him after my favorite classic Western author, mostly because Alan and I keep saying that we are living inside a Zane Gray novel (you know, the one where the hero escapes with the girl to live out their days isolated in a remote canyon.) And he’s grey (or gray, if you prefer the British version). Also, I imagine he will fit the obvious nickname: Zany.

Otherwise, planting willows and grass seed and building fences have been my main activities around here recently, (you can see some of the fence that needs replacing above) but last night, after several perfectly lovely spring days, a major storm moved in, dumping squalls of rain, sleet and snow. That makes it a good day to bake cookies! And watch the cistern (remember the cistern?) fill up: 400 gallons so far.