Feeling Lucky to Live Here

Like many states, Oregon is on a stay-at-home order, which means the same thing here as it does in other states, I'm sure.  All our state and county parks are closed because too many people proved they didn't know how to NOT congregate in unsafe numbers.  Tourists flocked to our chilly beaches until, weirdly, we looked like spring break in Florida.

So now everything is shut down... however, local folk who enjoy the outdoors still know where to go.  It was a beautiful day for a walk in the woods.

All this space and not a soul in sight.

Hurry up, Mom!

Off we go.

Everything is different for the time being, but all our days and moments are precious, aren't they?  I'm glad to be with my family, even though I'm pretty sure we won't see our son for Easter or his birthday next month.  We do what we have to do.  It's temporary.  Thank goodness for The Great Outdoors.

Sheltering in our Golden Retriever Bubble

Hello, there!  Staying safe and sheltered here on the southern Oregon coast, we stick mostly to our comfortable home and yard/garden where we stay plenty busy, but that doesn't mean we can't also get out for some fresh air and exercise and a friendly visit with the neighbors (at a safe distance).  Today's pictures are from our Monday evening walk.  We ran into one of our favorite four-legged neighbors and her humans.

Here's Rich and -- left to right -- LuLu, Wally, and neighbor Lilo:

Those faces, their smiles, all that fluff... it's hard to not feel happy in their presence.

One of Lilo's humans took the pics with her phone and sent them to me.  The first pic was clear, but the next two were a bit blurry by the time they got to my computer, so I doctored them up with a painterly effect.  Pictured below is me, Rich, and LuLu.  Always when we turn the corner onto our street we let them off the leash and LuLu is very proud to carry hers the rest of the way home.

And then there's Wally:

I have to say I really do love this photo.   Believe it or not, it actually was too out of focus to keep before I went to work on it.

Well, folks, I hope you and your loved ones are okay and will remain so.  If you smiled for even a minute here, then Wally and LuLu would be very happy.  Sending love and hugs to all!