Ancient pictures and hope in my heart

As I drove home after a long fruitless errand run, following a(nother) long fruitless night of sleep, I felt weary and frustrated. I looked up and saw the snow-covered peaks in front of me - my exasperation was replaced with gratitude.

The morning that I hunted to find a vet to come help me with my beloved Devany, I sat making dozens of phone calls and I felt incredibly upset as I hit brick wall after brick wall. Helplessness feels like my worst enemy. Bitty Boo (Bumpy) leaned over the end table next to my chair, standing on her hind feet and put her paw on my arm. She sat like this for over 15 minutes. She knew exactly what I needed. She is incredibly special. 

Krista was able to come out for a short visit and we spent some time showing her some of our most recent discoveries on a long hike. A few weeks back I found this "tree house" made out of rocks, branches and solidified mud built around a large oak tree deep in the woods. It's a bizarre masterpiece - creepy and cool. I think it would actually offer substantial protection from the elements. There were no recent footprints in the snow outside of it, so we ventured to look at it in detail. 

It even had a chimney with smoke residue. I'm sure the fire built in an oak tree house isn't a risk. Right??? 

This is the front door.

I showed her the recent pit houses I found a the base of Mt. Elden. There are about 6 in a row in pretty remarkable condition. The native people sure did know how to find a view! 

And we watered the dogs at the frozen spring. 

Today, we re-discovered some old friends - pictographs on the cliff walls in a remote canyon north of Flagstaff. I found a few new ones I hadn't noticed before. I always feel the presence of those who have gone before as the residue of their lives is preserved on the walls of the wilds. They may have been here 1000 years before, but they are not forgotten. 

Devany is slowly improving from her infection. Wynn is beautifully and miraculously improving from her bone infection. Kelton is also improving from his strep throat. Our almost-around-the-clock doctoring does seem to be working. The sleeplessness of this season (also due, in part, to Lochlan's nocturnal hours) has felt like nothing short of torture and I will be glad to welcome a new season. In an odd way, the constant fatigue feels isolating. I don't have stamina for socialization or really for anything outside of "intentional survival". I think I would be ready for one portion of Navy Seal training - the part where they don't sleep. :-) So, there's that! 

Psalm 121:1-2

I life up my eyes to the mountains -- 

Where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, 

The Maker of heaven and earth.