Dusty dogs

 I am housesitting outside of Yakima, WA in a town called Wapato. It is very dusty here. Maybe that's how you can tell you're in the country, besides the lowing of cows and cries of the rooster nearby!

It's really nice to be able to take the dogs for a walk without leashes. It gives me a sense of what life should be like for dogs, ideally: they are outside, free to roam, or they can be inside. They don't roam far, which I find interesting.  I guess they are protecting the house, doing their job. They are very happy to take a walk with me but they are not easy to walk leashed.

Ruger and Massey play tug of war, sparing my arm

Pippin takes a break from wreaking havoc

Walking along the irrigation canal with the dogs. Ruger found a dead squirrel.

Living with a 5 month old kitten is good for me because it makes me rethink my tentative plan to get two kittens! One is difficult and maybe two would be twice as difficult...or maybe they would be busy playing with each other.  He has scratched me many times and bit me within my first hour here. The homeowners are trying to keep him indoors but he wants so much to be outside and he has escaped twice on me. 

I am surrounded by orchards here and it is so wonderful to see stars at night again. It's been too long! The sunset was gorgeous last night. Big sky! I took the dog to the local winery for their happy hour; the homeowner works there. It was lovely, up on a hill so a great view! And the local pizza restaurant in Wapato had a great lawn to be able to sit outside with distancing; the food and beer was fantastic! 

"Necesito piscadores" which means workers are needed for the apple orchard across the street. A man sat in his car for most of the day by the sign waiting for people to come to pick apples. I talked to him and offered him a brownie even though he wasn't wearing a mask. What a boring job, and in the 82 degree sun!

But all in all, I am very happy I don't live here! First of all, Yakima County has no recycling. So I am taking home many bottles and cans and cardboard. Since I have a local company called Ridwell pick up plastic film (so frequently used and most of the country just sends it to landfill), I am taking some of that home with me, too. Such great souvenirs! 

I feel sorry for the few atheists in Yakima County, especially if they are Latino or gay. It seems like every local TV and radio channel is an evangelist, either in Spanish or English.

This is my 5th housesit since retiring. Unless I want to go somewhere specific (like Port Townsend, WA), I might just take a long break from housesitting, unless I can get a paid gig. I am starting the process of selling my house and relocating (many options), so that should keep me busy! 

Have any suggestions for me? Seattle is so expensive that I might have a hard time staying here.