Red Flowers and Skies for Christmas

Christmas in the desert just never really seems like Christmas. Not that I want to go rushing to the cold and snow, because I really don’t want to do that. That, and the fact that we are alone in the desert and it’s just another day. This year we have red flowers around us however. Never mind they are red desert flowers, they are still festive. And the birds are sure liking them.

The Verdin occasionally show up to enjoy the ocotillo, but good grief they are hard to get a photo of. Such cute little guys though.

This is only the second time I’ve seen the male costas hummer. Not very cooperative, and he’s so handsome!

The female costas is pretty active. We have had chilly nights, and mornings lately and this is her all fluffed up first thing in the morning. Like a little cotton ball.

Interestingly enough, we’ve had a covey of quail pass through a few times. I rarely see quail just out in the middle of the desert, they always seem to prefer areas where people feed them. So that’s been something to look out for.

And of course, red sunset skies.

So you see, we celebrate nature and all the beauty it provides.

It’s also Roxy’s Birthday. This year she will be 15, and the years are finally catching up to her.

She is completely deaf now, and her eye sight isn’t super great. Her back and legs make it so she can’t walk very far anymore, so she is always in the backpack. Which she likes. But the hardest thing, is the dementia. I can’t believe how fast that started, and how fast it has progressed in the past year. The list is long of all the ways this has impacted her life, and our life as well. Right now we are doing what we need to, to help her out. She has good days, and bad days. Right now the good days are outnumbering the bad ones. When that changes, we will have to make that dreaded decision.

So, this December 25th we will give her extra treats, cuddles, and a “walk” in the backpack. And all the love she deserves.