Lois & I watched a spider ambulate across the verandah this morning. It was fascinating. It was just a house spider but they still creep me out all those legs... I was trying to work out the pattern for walking. When going straight, the alternate legs seemed to move together. When encountering a bump or leaf, it seemed like there was no pattern, just handy to have extra legs. They seemed to taste spots with the fang bits. They did an amazing abrupt side step - i didnt consider this possible with 8 legs. When I tapped my foot to discourage walking towards me, they suddenly laid flat and the legs didnt seem controlled at all, with one sticking out straight. I think Lois was considering eating them. A moment together with very different perspectives. 😂

The last few days felt like going inwards and really sitting with a few things after a few magical days. Sitting with what feels alive. Sitting with what feels nourishing. Sitting with discomfort and uncertainty. Sometimes magic needs time to integrate. PAWSING with Pax. And he is such a blessing to be with. My familiar that gets me more than words can honour. 🥹💛🙏 How are you all travelling? Anyone else in a rhythm of integration? Here is Pax giving you his favourite toy. When he feels the energy needs some lightness, he will bring you a gift. Or sometimes it’s to show off and he is on parade. 😂

So, this morning as I was holding my phone up to photograph these beautiful blossoms on the Magnificent Peach tree beside the dam, I heard something I hadn't expected - the sound of Koko paddling in the water. When I lowered the phone and looked over to where the sound had come from, there was Koko sniffing something on the surface of the water. Then she took another step forward (into the water), squatted and pee-marked on to the top of the water. I've never seen her do anything like that before, and it was one of those curiosity-filled moments when I wondered what on earth was on/in the water that prompted her to mark it like that. And I love that at almost 14 and a half years old she's still got the ability to surprise me, and remind me of the wonderful mystery of living with other species. No photo of Koko doing it, because it all happened so quickly, and I was so engrossed in the curiosity of it all that I didn't get a pic. Instead, a pic of her in the dam during one of the lovely seasons when it was brimful of water.

There's something about how her ears and feet are in this pic that is giving me Scooby Doo vibes. 😂

Not only is Lois glowing gold in the morning sunrise again, our shadows are walking together