Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sheep, scenery, and a surprise

I have photos for you today, but am having trouble with coherent thoughts to go with them. I feel jangly, if that makes any sense, and I don't know why. Maybe "low-grade agitation" is a more precise term than jangly. I do think part of it is lack of sleep, one of the common complaints of menopause. Come to think of it, increased anxiety is also a symptom of menopause. The hot flashes have been worse lately, too. Okay; I guess I DO know what my problem is. What's YOUR excuse? Ha!

Lucky sheep; they don't have to worry about menopause.
Nightcap's harem
WhitePine Sarai
Kimberwood Marta
Whistlestop 0338 (Annabelle)
I spent a good chunk of today helping my MIL with moving stuff. Fortunately we weren't on a schedule of any kind, so I could pull over and try to capture some of our amazing scenery while driving over the hill and back. The light was capricious, teasing me with breathtaking shots and then dancing away.
Who wouldn't rather live here than Mesa, AZ?  ;-)

While discussing various ideas for my MIL's interior and exterior decorating, I thought I saw an old cardboard box in her backyard. I paused and looked closer, and realized it was a beautiful doe!
She seemed pretty relaxed for being in the middle of town (pop. 32,500) in broad daylight, alert but chewing her cud. I suggested my MIL get a list of deer-resistant plants to consult when making landscaping decisions!

That's it from my scattered brain, at . . .

12 comments:

Sheila said...

And then there is "post menopause" :) Love your pics, thanks for sharing.

Spinners End Farm said...

I have the same excuse....oh joy....

Maureen said...

Oh that doe is beautiful, as are your other photos... yes, it looks like a wonderful place to live!

Tiggeriffic said...

The pictures are amazing~! Love all the colors..Who says fall doesn't have color...
This morning when I went out to my shed 3 doe ran passed me and didn't even stop ~~~they were on a mission. If I had been in the right spot they would of run right over me... OUCH~! It is so amazing to be so close to these 4 legged animals..They were so close if I would of been quicker I could of been able to run my hand over their sides.. I love nature~!
Have a tiggeriffic day~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)

Anonymous said...

How do we know when we have gone from menopause to post menopause ? I am totally confused but that's nothing unusual for me :D If it isn't menopause messing with my sleep, memory and comfort it's the fibro messing with my memory, sleep and ability to focus... I want to talk to whom ever wrote these rules and why no instruction manual came with it all! LOL! In other words my sweet friend, you are most certainly not alone... although I don't really know why we say that because it doesn't help one smidge :D Misery love company I guess is true :D I love the sheepy photos and OMGosh that landscape!!! You're right, that light is beautiful and you captured it so well I feel like I was there with you!
The frost finally killed off all the remaining flowers so it is really beginning to look more like winter here, brrrrr.
I'm off to work on my new loom that arrived last week, maybe I'll make myself a wrap!
Hugs my dear friend and good luck with the big "M" (no not MIL) :D

Michelle said...

Sheila and Beth, I guess I AM post-menopausal, since "Technically, menopause refers to a specific event – the date of your last period. Menopause can be confirmed when you have missed your period for 12 consecutive months (in the absence of other obvious causes)." Whatever, I'd like to officially opt out of whatever this is!

Sherry, isn't it FUN to go through this while having to parent young children???

I love it here, Maureen; there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

What an experience, Nancy! Deer are quite destructive, but SO beautiful that I'm willing to forgive them. ;-)

Sandy Livesay said...

Michelle,

Oh my dear, I've been in your shoes with the lack of sleep, mood swings, and hot flashes. All of my symptoms have calmed down . Occasionally when I get mad, I will induce a hot flash. But in most cases I'm feeling so much better. Doc's wanted to put me on hormone pills, I tried for 1 week and refused (it made me bleed badly). Then I just decided to go on a menopause vitamin over the counter. One a Day Vitamins has a Menopause vitamin, it's so helped me get through all of my symptoms(these can be found at every grocery, and drug store).

Being aggravated/upset will turn your mood swings and hot flashes on. The same goes with eating certain foods like onions, garlic, and spices.

Michelle, these are gorgeous pictures. I would love to live there instead of the plains of Oklahoma.
I can't wait to see your next post with all the neat pictures.

Susan said...

My goodness - you have the MOST photogenic sheep! They are all beautiful! Can't wait to see the lambs... Ah, the Big M. I remember it well and I am sooo glad it's a memory. Hang in there, kiddo. You'll be past the worst of it soon. It is true that stress makes the hot flashes hotter, so try and deep breathe whenever you can.

Leigh said...

Fantastic photos! And I have to agree that you have photogenic sheep.

I find that hot flashes bring a zing of energy that is agitating rather than helpful. Very annoying. .

A :-) said...

I know that HRT is not for everyone, but it sure was life altering for me. My symptoms were so disruptive that at one point I thought I was going to have to quit my job - the inability to sleep was the worst and it exacerbated everything else . . . couldn't hurt to talk to your doc if you're really struggling :-)

thecrazysheeplady said...

Such a beautiful place and beautiful sheeps :-).

Laura said...

Have your MIL check "High Country Gardens" - they have lots of deer resistant plants. Cool (or not) that she has deer in her "yard". Maybe a rock garden?