The stand of prickly pear cactus in the oak grove used to look like this:

It had been there for years, eking out a living, bearing the scars of occasional target practice.

This week, it looks like this, shredded to mulch by boys with guns.

If you've ever lost someone, which means I'm now talking to everyone, you know how this grieving thing works, which is to say it doesn't. You just take it as it comes.

I really, really miss him.

There's a new path we've been walking, the little dog and I, a rough and rambling loop through the Santa Monica mountains. It can take 20 minutes or two hours, depending which detours you choose.

Here, shot as the sun rose and the birds went nuts, is a grove of deciduous trees, one of hundreds in these hills, lit like a Hollywood closeup.

Foggy to the east:

And to the west:

And all over the Valley:

Come near this guy on the shoreline and whoosh! he's gone.

But on the dock he's fearless, holds his ground as residents stroll by, the humans drinking in the sight of him, the four-legged contingent, safely in check at the end of a leash, equally enthralled.

And just for a bit of perspective on his marvelous size, the railing there is waist-high.

We're headed out for a day of errands so even though we met someone photo-worthy at the lake this morning, it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

This marker:

...stands on this spot.

For now, anyway.

Yes, the sunrise this morning was spectacular, and no, we didn't get out early enough to share it with you.

Yes, the Little Dog had a great time running on the beach, and no, that photo is not even close to being in focus.

Yes, the Muffin Head is a purebred Lab, and yes, she's close to doing a handstand here, all because the ball rolled perilously close to the waves and no (oh no no no no) this water dog's feet don't willingly touch cold H2O.

All over the Santa Monica mountains you'll see water tanks, set beside a house, tucked high into a canyon, some shiny and brand new, others cracked and rusting, reminders (and remainders) of wind and fire, constants in this landscape.

Everywhere you look these days, the web-footed ones are pairing off.