June 23, 2018

 The Flagger has not posted much in the past few months, but here are a couple of short stories. Or three, all about animals. Emma, The Golden, who could not stop smiling at me. Out on a dead end by Evergreen, summer busting out all over. Oh, sidenote. Parking is one of the greatest concerns of a flagger. Finding a safe and appropriate spot, off road, and not on someone's property. This day, out in the boonies, I had parked on a dirt and weed shoulder. Immediately, upon leaving the truck, I encountered the homeowner who was unhappy at me parking on his lawn. Oops.. Moved. I could smell the water out there, salty and clean. Close to Eld Inlet. I saw a Golden approaching with owner. Often the dogs are wary of The Flagger in all her gear. "What is that creature?", they are thinking, but not Emma. She came over wagging and grinning, and grinning and grinning. I commented on this to the owner, who began by saying, "Oh, yes, she always does that." Emma did not stop grinning at the Flagger, and wagged and rolled. The owner was quite astounded. "She has never done that." The Flagger did not tell her, that she is also known as Dog Gurl. Emma had recently had a lump removed, so The Flagger hoped the results would be good.

Nikki, the small poodle.
Over in the Wilderness area, on a hot, humid morning, reminding the Flagger of Virginia and of the family she has not seen in so long. Here comes Nikki, with her tongue hanging out, as she has absolutely no teeth. Periodontal disease, but the tail had its wags going, and she too attempted a grin. The peace of a a morning walk, with one's dog, the best meditation on Earth.
Finally, The Flagger, as The Instructor at the classroom in Lakewood. Large commercial area, busy parking lot, all graveled, surrounded by scrub, warehouses, trash, and home to the two, large, white house bunnies. All winter, I have seen them early in the morning, when I pulled in for class, then in the spring, comfortable in their giant yard, browsing and observing. Yesterday, there was only one, and it was out late, around 10:30am, so I am hoping it was just an unusual event, and the buddy was elsewhere.
Favorite time flagging in western Washington. So much green, pushing out all over, grabbing hold of the light, as it begins to wane. A heady experience.

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