Morning dew

On my morning walks with Callie the two of us often get our feet wet. And dirty. Sometimes it's the result of overnight rain. Often it's dew condensing on the grasses and plants at sunrise that soaks our feet. And wet paws pick up all manner of loose dirt.

Tiny dew droplets cover the petals of these wild flowers in the vineyard.

That's why, on most mornings, Callie gets what I call "the undercarriage wash." She goes into the shower in our utility room for a rinse-off. Then I dry her with a towel. This happens twice a day in rainy weather and most of the winter. How many dogs do you know who get a daily spa treatment?

We're nearing the end of our painting job, at least for the new attic space. There is still the big job of the stairwell and hallway on the main floor where we're removing decades-old wallpaper. That job will wait for a while. At least until we're moved in upstairs and we get the garage and utility room cleaned up and organized. And we've rested our weary backs.