Two Hearts One Tail

Where Has Winter Been?

2012-02-01T18:09:00.007-05:00

This has really been a very mild and changeable winter! At the end of last winter I bought myself a used snowmobile in very excellent condition. I did get out on the trail near me one time for about a half hour. I was sooo looking forward to more of that this winter. A close friend and my youngest daughter and her husband had also gotten used snowmobiles. We all joined the local snowmobile club and the NYSSA (New York State Snowmobile Association). My friend and I took a safety course. That was mostly for kids, but I don't regret the learning experience.

So we all anxiously awaited enough snow to ride. And waited. And waited! Wow. The trails finally opened this past monday near me. So my sil and daughter and the three girls came over on Monday about 4:30 so we could get a quickie ride in before dark. Well, it sure was a quickie. :-D We think my youngest grand-daughter who was riding in front of my daughter accidentally hit the kill switch when they hit a bump. That cut the engine right away. My sil was off ahead and didn't realize we weren't behind him for a little bit. I stopped with her. I tried to start it but not knowing the switch had been hit, no luck. (I'm so glad I have electric start on mine!)

My sil came back after realizing we were not behind him any longer. He was having trouble starting it also as by then the engine was most likely flooded. It was getting on towards dusk so we decided I should take the youngest gd back to my house. I put my sled in reverse and hit the gas a little harder than I thought. With a rut behind me...... yep..... upset it! Fortunately the gear I was wearing provided quite a bit of padding, along with my own "cushion"... LOL. So my sil got my sled turned around for me and I proceeded to start back to the house, gd in front of me (she's only 6). We got back to where I needed to make a turn across some deep furrows in the field near my house and not thinking clearly I did not make wide enough swing to make the ride over them at the required 90 degree angle I needed. Yep! Upset again. No one hurt fortunately! Then we started to walk back to my house(I could not upright my sled with the angle it was at, and I tripped over a furrow and hit the ground again! Nothing hurt by my pride!

We did make it back to the house, and my sil got my daughter's sled started with the help of another rider passing by. She came back to the house and then walked back and brought my snowmobile back here. The picture below was just as it was getting dark.

My daughter is to the left, my snowmobile, my sil, his snowmobile and hers on the right. He went for a ride alone for about 20 minutes after that. We stayed in. And as I have said before, I will never ride alone!

All in all I counted it as a good learning experience. Unfortunately the following day the temps warmed up once again and all the snow melted! Sniff sniff. Not sure if we shall get another ride in this winter or not, the way it has been going. Some have given up hoping. I just decided to take a wait and see attitude as that's about all I can do anyway! Except for looking forward to being able to get my motorcycle out in the spring! (Or sooner?)

2011-12-24T14:26:00.005-05:00

After all the cards were sent out, the presents wrapped and we wished everyone on Facebook wishes for the season, MaggieMae reminded me we forgot about the blog.

From our house to yours:

Have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

DOT~Big Comfy Couch

2011-11-10T19:00:00.004-05:00

I'd had a sleeper sofa for years..... too many years. It had gotten very uncomfortable to sit on as the cushions kept sinking into it. So I decided one day to go shopping for new. I found one I really like and decided to get the chair to match. The cushions come off (hard to find these days) and a person could actually sleep comfortably on it. It's my "big comfy couch"!

I guess you can see who also thinks it's a comfy couch!
Happy DOT! Stay warm and comfy!

DOT~MMM~ Ice Cream!!

2011-08-04T07:19:00.004-04:00

The question was asked on DOT ... how do you and your "pal" beat the heat. When I got MaggieMae I was told she loves ice cream. This summer was the first time I took her for ice cream and I found out she does love it!

If a dog could show pleasure while eating, I think she sure does. Once she started licking it she didn't stop until she was finished!!

Now that 's a real "cool" treat!

DOT Post~~ Recent Yard Cleanup

2011-05-05T17:43:00.005-04:00

The recent windstorm last week brought down a lot of branches in my yard. Fortunately, that was the worst of the damage. Others in other areas were not so lucky.

However I did have help cleaning up. Or so I thought...!

She grabbed some branches...

One at a time...

For some reason she seemed to stop... probably overwhelmed with all the cleanup needed...

I tried to explain to her she needed to put them in the wheel barrow. But she seemed to tire easily... and I mean "dog-tired".

Needless to say, I had to do the rest of it alone! Some helper!

Quickie Post

2011-03-25T10:28:00.003-04:00

Just in time for spring, my family all get snowmobiles! My son-in-law got one a few weeks ago that needs to be fixed up (engine) for next winter. Two weeks later he bought a used one for my daughter. She did manage to get a ride on it on wed. with a 5 inch snowfall we got. Just around their yard. Snow started melting off the next day with the warm ground temps.

Next year we are all joining a snowmobile club, and taking a safety course. I can hardly wait, but soon it will be time to get my first love out of the garage.

As she is 26 yrs. old and suffering from some dry rot on the carburator boots, she needs to go into the shop. But as soon as that is done, and the weather is good, we'll be out on the roads again! I can hardly wait!!

Got One! ~ DOT~

2011-03-17T09:39:00.005-04:00

I was finally able to capture MaggieMae, the great hunter.

At least she didn't eat it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all.

MaggieMae in the Snow ~ DOT

2011-02-17T09:09:00.003-05:00

I finally figured out how to upload videos to my blog. So here is one of MaggieMae that was an experiment which I sent to a friend a couple weeks ago... when we had a lot more snow than now. (It has been melting off for the past several days.) I just hope the next time I want to do a video I can remember what I did the last time!

I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse of MaggieMae's hunting personality! Happy Dogs On Thursday!

2011-02-15T09:15:00.004-05:00

A couple weeks ago, I did this, for the first time ever in my life. Not too difficult since I've had a motorcycle for about 29 years now.

S0 today I am going to buy this!

BRRR~DOT

2011-02-03T09:10:00.003-05:00

"Can I come in now?"

~MaggieMae's Portrait (DOT)~

2011-01-20T09:54:00.007-05:00

Today I have a very special picture of MaggieMae to post. My sister has been painting since she was a teenager. She came by the talent honestly as our grandmother and at least one great-aunt, one aunt and our mother also had done some oil paintings. I have always admired the talent these ladies had for the canvas and oil paints, and especially my sister! She has only improved with time and had recently done a portrait of a cute little dog owned by her sister-in-law. At that point I knew I had to ask her to paint one of MaggieMae for me.

So... I searched through my photographs of MaggieMae and sent her one I liked the pose best in. I also sent her others (and she'd reviewed ones posted on my blog as well) so that all the best of MaggieMae's character would be seen. I am so ecstatic with the final result! It is everything I knew she could do! I am so proud of my sister for her abilities and talents, and I can hardly wait to get this in the mail and get it framed and on my wall!

She will do commissioned paintings and you can view her other paintings and contact her here at Sunny's Studio.

DOT~New Winter Pics~January 2011

2011-01-13T09:54:00.003-05:00

I haven't had the camera on MaggieMae since Christmas pictures. So I decided to get some the other day, and this was before the snowfall of the last two days. She's up to her usual winter thing.

Checking out the neighbor's yard to the one side. (You can see her tail is starting to grow out... now if she will just continue to let me brush it out!)

Sniffing around where the squirrels have been.

Looking to see if the rabbits have been next door in the neighbor's yard on the other side.

And of course looking for squirrels or rabbits on the other side of the road coming into our housing area.

Not much different from any other time of year. Typical MaggieMae.

~Merry Christmas from Rose and MaggieMae ~ DOT

2010-12-23T08:24:00.007-05:00

As I have stated a few times before, MaggieMae does not like posing for the camera, so I was very fortunate to be able to get her to sit with a Santa hat on for Christmas pics. However the displeasure she had for it was clearly seen on her face!

"I can't believe you actually want me to do this."

"Ok, but I am going to remember this!"

"How is this?" Nice one MaggieMae!

"I think we've got enough, put the camera away now mom."

"I'm tired of this, take this silly hat off me now, will ya?"

Well, in spite of someone's "bah humbug" attitude, I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas, and keep in mind that Jesus is the reason for the season! And happy DOT to you all and to all a goodnight!

Happy Thanksgiving ~ DOT ~

2010-11-25T07:01:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving from Rose and MaggieMae! May you all count and enjoy all your blessings today and remember to thank the One who gives all good gifts to us.

May your day be blessed with family/friends and love.

And my you enjoy your meal without being over stuffed...:-) !!

Bad Blogger ~DOT Post~

2010-11-18T07:49:00.003-05:00

I have been a very bad blogger as of late. Been quite lazy about it. Well, I will try to get back in the swing of things. In the meantime I did get some good shots of MaggieMae on my camera so I did have something to post for her today.

The weather outside is cold, but this feels so good in the sunshine!

Can I have a bite of that?

I also had taken these shots of how God decorated the kennel fence this fall.

He is such a wonderful artist!

Happy Fall DOT!

Caught In Action ~ DOT~

2010-10-21T08:15:00.006-04:00

Last week I made a trip to New England with a friend for vacation. The sights and colors were absolutely beautiful. One of the stops was along the Atlantic Ocean at Kennebunk Beach. Not only were we treated to a beautiful ocean to take pictures of but were also entertained by these three at the beach. The fellow with the two dogs was throwing a ball into the surf for them to chase.

And chase they did! The black dog is in this picture but hidden by the wave.

And the winner is... click on the picture to see who came back with the ball.

It was a thrill for me to get such a good action shot of them. After this they continued on down the beach and we continued on our way. It was a terrific vacation, and the weather was beautiful till we got back into NY and were greeted with overcast skies and rain. Perhaps I can post more pictures soon (not dog related). I got plenty!!

DOT

2010-10-07T08:44:00.004-04:00

I know it's been quite awhile since I've posted, however MaggieMae and I are fine. I've just been busy. Funny how life happens like that.

Anyway, I took this picture of MaggieMae a couple weeks ago, and finally got it into my computer. I used to have a cat that I would let lick the yogurt container after I was done, and one day noticed MaggieMae watching me (as she usually does with food) and I thought there was no way she could get her tongue into the container to lick it out. Needless to say, she fooled me. She thoroughly enjoyed it!

So happy "licks" to all you Dogs on Thursday!

A New Kind of Dog? (DOT)

2010-09-16T09:27:00.004-04:00

Last weekend we had our local Peach Festival in Lewiston, NY. My dd told me my two grands who are in Girlscouts would be marching in the parade on saturday, so a friend and I went to watch it. While waiting almost two hours for the Girlscouts to come by (my dd said there were 147 units and they were 117th), I snapped this picture of the youngest grand, the camera hanging around my neck and she was right in front of me.

She is also obviously the family clown.

Here they come!

(Finally!!)

Then we walked around the festival and I got my peach shortcake! Yum!!

Leaving, we saw this heading back to my friend's truck.

This was the finale of the parade, the bagpipe band went back to escort the huge flag they had taken down that had been flying over the judging stand and brought it up to the end of the parade and proceeded to fold it up the proper way. I could not get good pictures of that. Considering this was Sept. 11th, I was wondering if it was also a tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11.

Then I saw this new breed (?) of dog! Isn't it cute? Can you guess the combination of breeds? Was pretty obvious to me and the owner confirmed my guess, then agreed to let me take a pic of the lovely one.

What a sweetie she was!

Happy Dogs on Thursday doggie friends!

An Ugly Tail for DOT

2010-09-02T19:04:00.003-04:00

Well, this is MaggieMae again. I have been confined to the yard now... at least mom has blocked all my exits. But I am unhappy about something else now. Remember my beautiful tail?

Well, I went to the "spa" last night and came home with it looking like this:

What happened?

The groomer told mom it was so matted that she had to shave it! Mom blames me because I hate so much for her to brush it! I guess I do since I try to nip at her when she does... so now I have this "rat tail".... Ugh! Mom says the hair will grow back in. I sure hope she's right! Maybe I'll be nicer the next time she tries to brush it out... :-(

DOT Post ~~ The Fix Is In (or is it "On"?)

2010-08-12T10:05:00.006-04:00

Finally the fence is secured from MaggieMae escaping under it! My son-in-law ran a cable along and through the bottom of the fence. Then I bought some Coleman tent stakes at Kmart, and a friend of mine pounded them in for me at various intervals along the cable.

My neighbor to the side put up some lengths of 4 ft. picket he had, and just propped them against my fence as a sight block. Too bad he did not have one more section of it.

But the cable was tight with a turn buckle at the end of it.

The stakes hold it down even though she could not "stretch" it with the cable, it makes me feel more secure.

Then one day after all this was done, my neighbor on the other side of me rings the doorbell and tells me my "baby" is in his fenced yard!! I thought "what the?" Seems she'd found a spot to crawl under in the back corner! That has now been secured with a wooden stake and some junk rebar!! You can see the slight area she managed to curl the fence up and crawl through.

I do not believe (and I pray) she can get through this little opening! If she does she will be in the neighbors fenced yard anyway, but this is a pretty small opening now!

As of now, she can only look and drool over the bunnies in the yard next door.

"You know you spoiled my adventures mom."

"I know MaggieMae, but it's for your own safety."

"I guess I'll just have to sit and dream of the good fun I had for a little while."

In the meantime, my tomatoes have started to ripen. This is the 2nd one, the first is in the house waiting for me to eat it! Only 8, but I'm sure they will all be tasty!

Update on MaggieMae Being Grounded~DOT

2010-08-05T07:07:00.002-04:00

No pictures today, but I do have an update on MaggieMae's escape capabilities and consequent "grounding". I was standing in the back yard with a friend and MaggieMae and looked just in time to see something I had not expected! She went like a streak of lightning and escaped again... but ... under the fence!!! She came back about 10 min. later (at least she does come back home) while my I was talking to my nieghbor. At least now I know how to proceed with a fix for the fence! And it will be far less costly than building up the top of the fence. My son-in-law said he has a cable he can run through the bottom of the fence (who knew that chain link would stretch to where a 50 lb. dog could escape under it?) and draw it tight. We will give that a shot (hopefully today) and if that alone is not enough, we can drive some tent stakes or some type down through the fence into the ground to prevent her from going under again also.

I have also been looking into sight block strips and discovered the best type are "winged" or "feathered". I have also found out they are very expensive. A local fence company sells them for $99/10 ft. coverage! Wow! Shopping online I found one site that has them for approximately $66/10 ft. coverage. Free shipping also. I just have to measure the fence and see how much I need. They do not have to be woven in, but fit naturally into the slots created by the weave of the chain link. And the wings or feathers create a complete sight barrier for the fence. I read that they are not recommended for 6 ft. fences as they also block the wind. But they should be fine for my 4 ft. fence. The reason I am considering them is that if she cannot see the bunnies in the neighbor's yard, it would go a long way in deterring her from learning to "jump" the fence to go after them! This would be well worth the $$$ to keep her safe in her own yard!

Hopefully she will be free to run the yard again soon. The poor girl has been absolutely miserable! Of course she will not be happy to realize her escape route has been blocked either, but she will be able to chase squirrels from the yard again and keep the mice scurrying on the other side also! Happy and safe DOT to all you doggies who love to run free!

Meet Peggy Sue

2010-08-02T13:43:00.006-04:00

I want to introduce you to Peggy Sue. She is named after the Buddy Holly song of the same name. A friend of mine suggested I get a bike (I had just given one to my grand daughter Samantha) that suited me. So I visited my favorite discount department store over the weekend and found her! Isn't she just a beautiful lady??

And she is not only pretty, she has quality!

She also has 7 speeds.

I relearned to ride and thought I was doing quite well, till I came home and hit the brakes a bit too hard! Ended up falling to the right beside my van, put my hand out to my van to catch my fall, but ended up on my behind! Not only that, I jammed my right arm in the process, which sent shockwaves to my shoulder and today I am feeling some soreness. Fortunately a very wise person said put ice on it right away, which I did. That and ibuprophen helped immensely! But I do not hold the fall against her! She's a beauty and I hope we have many hours of riding.

Oh wait, I have not given up my first love for a ride, my motorcycle! No way! I love them both for each of their endearing qualities and the enjoyment they bring!

DOT and I Got Grounded!

2010-07-29T08:06:00.006-04:00

MaggieMae here. I can't believe it! My mom grounded me!! I had a couple adventures last week, when I figured how to get out of the fenced yard, so she grounded me for that! (She still doesn't know if I jumped the fence or climbed it, but I'm not telling her either!) Just because a couple different neighbors tattled on me and brought me home on a leash (although one of them had to walk the entire block and she's a lightweight and I didn't make it easy on her)!

I couldn't help myself! The bunnies running free in the next door neighbors yard just taunted the dickens out of me to chase them, so I did! I had a great time too, cause when I got home again my heart was racing and I was panting so fast and hard! Then mom had to clean out these little green balls from my hair that I got from the weeds we ran through. She wasn't too happy with me at all. You can see from the pictures below how she grounded me for now. I do still get to run the yard when she's out there with me, but she keeps expecting me to show her how I got over the fence and I won't! Not giving away my secret..... no way!! Although I did hear her her talking to my sister's husband Henry about what to do to build up the height of the fence, and maybe even putting some kind of "inward" barrier to keep me from going over it again... darn it all! Humans...! No consideration for letting a dog just be a dog! (Although she said she just wants to keep me safe.) Even when we walked after that she kept jerking the leash on my walking harness if I even tried to "look" for bunnies, then telling me "NO!" so I'd just keep looking forward! I could tell she was not very happy with my adventures! So see what she did now!

It sure isn't any fun being grounded!!

Kentucky Visit ~ DOT

2010-07-15T07:59:00.005-04:00

I made a visit to my sister's house in KY in June this year. I had bought two very nice rockers from a yard sale across the street from me at a very good price. I did so with my sister's house in mind. She has a wonderful front porch. And she'd told me her old wooden rockers were falling apart. So when I saw the two for sale, I thought I'd bless her with them. I had to get the back seat taken out of my van to transport them, but it was worth the look on her face and my brother-in-law loves them too! They are made of composite materials, which my bil explained to me how they were made (although too complicated for me to repeat here). They will last a good long time.

And I got to meet my sister's little Bichon, Izzy. What a cute little thing she is! Very clever and funny girl too.

Such a sweet little face!

They also have an australian cattle dog. This is Red. I wasn't sure how friendly he was when I first got there, but he warms up. Nice looking fella, don't you think?

The bad thing was the temps were mid nineties, and very humid, so we didn't get to do some of the things we wanted, but just visiting with my sis was the best blessing of all.

DOT~ On The Chase

2010-07-08T16:41:00.002-04:00

One of the things that makes me smile is when some critter in the back yard decides to duck for cover in the lilac bush. And of course, MaggieMae is hot on the trail.

Around the bush.

And around...

And back around...

And again around...

And back again...

And another good sniff...

And finally tired dog takes a rest, but...

Keeps the watch!

In Memory ~ Beautiful Grand-Dog ~ Sara

2010-06-18T22:53:00.006-04:00

Received news from a tearful daughter tonight, their beloved german shorthaired pointer, Sara had passed on. She'd been showing signs of deterioration the last few days. In fact they'd had a scare about two weeks ago when she was acting a bit strange. Sara was 11 yrs. old.

One of my first memories of this dog was when they first got her. My daughter Kim was going to give her a bath in the bathtub, and asked for help. So I got right along side her and together we gave her the first bath in their house. She'd been my favorite grand-dog ever since. This was the gentlest dog I have ever known. Although she was of a hunting breed, that was not for her. She was more a home dog. Good watch dog, and so very patient and understanding with three little girls who would poke and prod and pull ... and she never once even growled at any of them! When I would go to my daughter's house, Sarah would come running to greet me with the grandkids, as if to say, "Grandma's here, grandma's here!" Even when MaggieMae would go with me to visit while I was babysitting the four year old earlier this year, Sarah was never territorial at all. She greeted her with the usual sniffs and then would walk away as if to say, "ok" and go lay down in one of her favorite spots.

She will be missed. She was "Sweet Sara".

Missing Her Already (For DOT)

2010-06-17T18:50:00.003-04:00

Ok, yes... MaggieMae is probably having a ball with fellow canines. I am the one missing her! Not that I would have brought her along on this trip. I mean what about when I had to stop at the rest areas? (And there were plenty of them!) It's hot and humid and I would not have wanted to leave her in the car even for a few minutes! And when I went in to a restaurant to eat? No, wouldn't do that to the poor dog! The only difference when I came here to visit last year was after I dropped her off at the kennel, I left also. This time I had to drop her off the night before I left, so I actually could look out my back window and see her at the kennel! That was a tough one I will say!! I got choked up seeing her there! I dared not even venture into my back yard for fear she might see me!

Well, I did arrive safely at my sisters this morning. Her little dog Izzy is having a hard time getting used to my presence here, although she has been in my lap and licked my hand several times. She's a tiny ball of white fur! Very quiet little thing. Very different from my larger black noisey MaggieMae. Yep, I'm missing her!

Update and Bird and Bloom

2010-06-14T18:29:00.003-04:00

Ok, for those interested, I did see the NP today. He said I most likely had some of the stomach flu that was going around. I am relieved as I was thinking possible gall bladder problems! Anyway he told me to have a good trip. He is a super nice guy. So that being said I thought I would also add some recent photos to my blog.

This is "my oriole" that has come back again to the feeder. As you can see, it was nearly drained at this point. (Yes, I will be sure it's full before I take my trip.) Isn't he beautiful?

I was so thrilled he came to feed.

And here is the first bloom of my new rose bush I added this year! Such a lovely pink!

I will have my laptop along so I will try to keep up with other blogs. Although I am not quite sure what my sister has planned, so no promises on my own posts! MaggieMae will be having fun with the socializing at the kennel. She does fine there, don't worry about her.

Under the Weather

2010-06-10T15:17:00.002-04:00

Hi fellow bloggers. Thanks to those who stopped by looking for us. I've been under the weather the last few days (something I ate I think) but am improving. MaggieMae is fine and keeping me good company. Sorry no pics for DOT. It may be a couple weeks before I get more, and do another post. Planning a trip this next week, so it will be after I get back.

Hope you are all well. I'll be stopping by to catch up on your blogs soon.

Thanks and love to you all.
MaggieMae and Rose

Tea Time

2010-05-24T08:50:00.003-04:00

Last week I had the pleasure of having lunch with three friends at Lily's Tea Room located in Another Time ~ Another Place, in Medina, NY. As we pulled up in front, I noticed this pretty little creek with a bridge across it.

We sat down at an old 50's type table, and ordered out tea. Two of us got this, wild blackberry tea. It was delicious!

There were two choices for the main fare. Either chicken salad with grapes or broccoli swiss quiche. I chose the quiche and was not at all disappointed! It was awesome!

As we sat there I noticed a fresh baked pie on the sideboard of the tea cup cabinet. The proprietor said it was rhubarb. I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had fresh homebaked rhurbarb pie! I can now, about a week and a half!

Good food shared with good friends makes one of the best times in one's life.

Dogs on Thursday ~ Just MaggieMae

2010-05-20T09:35:00.001-04:00

Here she is. Just MaggieMae.

(Photo compliments of my brother. Thanks bro.)

DOT Post ~ Relaxin'

2010-05-13T07:54:00.002-04:00

I realize this is not a real good picture of MaggieMae and me, but it is the only one I had so I am posting it anyway. I was laying on the couch at my sil's and MaggieMae decided to join me. So I asked my sil to grab my camera and take a picture. Unfortunately she isn't familiar with it and after she took it I could not tell how blurry it was, so my apologies for the bad pic. (I've taken some as bad myself, so I don't blame her!)

Sometimes it amazes me for as big as Maggie is she can curl up in very small places. Anyway, it was nice to have a pic of me and "my girl", as I am usually on the other side of the camera for picture taking. She's a sweetheart, and I love her dearly!

DOT Post ~ MaggieMae's Fun Day in PA

2010-05-06T07:51:00.005-04:00

MaggieMae and I made a recent trip to PA for a funeral and a chance to visit with some of my relatives. She also finally got to meet her "2nd" cousins, Honeydew and Samson. I will say at one point she got a bit "overexcited" with the experience, but I won't go into details so as not to embarass her, even though she embarassed me!
However, she did have a good time with her cousins. Especially Samson. Honeydew was her typical calm self. She was quite vocal with Samson.

He just "fell" for her.

Um, no, she isn't biting the coffee table, but being vocal again.

She even felt at home enough to play with one of their toys.

Not quite sure what she was telling him, and from the look in his eyes, I'm not sure he believed her!

Then they decided to have a barking competition (with my niece egging them on of course)!

The experience was good for her and got her out of her usual routine when we go visiting in PA at my sil's house. As you can see from the picture below, she makes herself at home there, even when a lady from my sil's church came by. She just made room between my sil's friend and sil's grand daughter as if she owned the couch (I think she thinks she does).

Everyone loves MaggieMae.

Summer Clip (DOT)

2010-04-15T08:36:00.003-04:00

I finally got MaggieMae to the groomer's last week saturday. With the warm temps we've had on and off and her panting already from her warm winter coat, I asked the groomer to give her the "summer cut". She also made a trip to the vet's, which part of it was real agony for her. (The temperature taking and the anal sacs expressed.) However she had a good report card, and was rewarded with about 5 or 6 treats from the vet. (Funny how they caution that dog treats have so much fat in, but when it suits their purpose they lavish them with the treats!)

Now I can hardly get MaggieMae back in the house! She loves to spend the entire day outdoors in the yard if I let her! Sometimes I have to remind her to come in for a rest!

Checking to see what's happening out there.

Hmm... what's going on in the neighbor's yard?

"Oh come on, mom, get that thing out of here! You already got two pics of me!"

Happy Spring ya'll!

Must Be My "Winning Streak"

2010-04-13T09:46:00.003-04:00

I went down to an ATM machine last week which is located next to a Curves (which I had been thinking I should look into a membership at actually, although I have not joined yet). There was a lady posting signs outside the Curves facility. They had a chinese auction going on inside with 150 baskets! So of course I thought I'm a sucker for a good cause and went in and purchased two sheets of tickets for the auction! Well, didn't I get a phone call yesterday that I'd won a basket!! This is it below. A Favorite Recipes of Sanborn. and a set of handmade oven mitt-pot holder-napkins, and a set of 6 Patriotic placemats.

Now I need to figure out what to do with each of these. Being on my own here I don't cook much (although I do occasionally cook a dish to take someplace for a pot luck). I am thinking I may keep the cook book. The others I may decide to gift someone else... and there in lies the question... Who to do a RAK to? I don't get a lot of viewers on here, but maybe someone will leave a comment that will spark my interest? What to do? What to do?

Back to "Normal" on DOT

2010-04-08T16:49:00.002-04:00

Well, now that the babysitting daily is done, things are pretty much back to "normal" around here. This post is late because I had a checkup at the doctor's today. (He was pleased with my bloodwork but I told him not to be so nice and yell at me once in awhile, that way I would do better instead of staying the same.) Anyway, with the warmer weather, MaggieMae only wants to be outside most of the day. When I look out to see what she's doing, this is usually what I see.

She's got her eye on something!

She sure is intent!

Oh of course! A squirrel in the tree!

We are starting to play the game again, since I filled the bird feeder (yes I was bad and lazy over the winter and they had to look elsewhere for seeds... ) the squirrels are at it again. I'm not a squirrel lover at all, so when I see them on the feeder I let her out to chase them from the yard! She does a great job too...it climbs the tree in my yard and makes a flying leap to the tree in my neighbor's yard! One of these days if it misses, look out!!!

But MaggieMae is doing a great job at chasing them away. You'd think they'd learn! Dumb squirrels!! :-)

Signs of Spring!

2010-04-05T19:35:00.003-04:00

I had an opportunity to go to PA to my sister-in-law's for Good Friday and part of saturday this past weekend. It was beautiful and warm. I was amazed at how Spring was suddenly popping out there.

Lilacs were starting to leaf out already.

Her bleeding hearts were up and out of the ground.

MaggieMae enjoyed "snuffling" about too.

Although she had to be tied when we were out she didn't seem to mind much. We did get a few walks around the field. She found the same bone twice but did "leave it" when I told her to.

I came home to find this in my front flower bed... ground cover and this other plant that is the one I think that grows little white flowers.

Daffodils starting to bud (which actually began to open up today).

Today I decided to make my first batch of this!

I had dinner with my younger daughter and family for Easter (barbequed chicken on the grill and salads). When I came home I decided to start the cleanup of my yard, (willow branches from the neighbors tree and some from my maple trees). Once I got started I just kept going, burning them in the barrel as I worked raking more. I could not believe it... I got it all done! Of course it's an ongoing thing most of the summer but the winter ones are cleaned up.

We may yet get snow, it's certainly not unheard of here, but it won't last long if we do. Nothing predicted for the immediate future except some thunder storms. So I am just taking one day at a time and enjoying whatever it brings! I love spring!!

Happy April Fool's Day and DOT

2010-04-01T07:17:00.002-04:00

Sorry no new pics to post. Just this... "hip hip hooray... today is my last day"... of babysitting that is. At least steady. The occasional requirements will still come along, but my 8 to 4 is done today. My son-in-law starts nights next week, and my time will be my own again. MaggieMae will have me to herself again. Celebrating with a trip to PA starting tonight and returning on saturday. Back in time for Easter Service at my own church. Spending a couple days with relatives.

Next week I should be back in the swing of things with pics and postings! So Happy April Fool's Day to all foolish humans and dogs! Now go and play a joke on someone!

I Won This!

2010-03-20T09:19:00.003-04:00

I won this! Thank you to a wonderful lady from KY at Kentucky Farm Girl at My Country Blog of This and That from a giveaway she had posted. What a wonderful blessing she is!

And spring has shown a little of it's face here in Western NY. This week I saw these peeping out from the above normal temps we have had here.

And these.

We may get some more snow but I know it will not last with the sun in the position it is in. I am just so thankful for these bits of spring and signs of new life and hope!

As Promised~~ Squirrel Duty While Babysitting

2010-03-17T21:58:00.005-04:00

Ok, I did finally remember to take my camera with me while babysitting on a day I took MaggieMae also. The squirrels outside were very active, and MaggieMae did not sit still for long at any point during the 8 hours we were there.

This is her favorite window to watch them from (dining room).

She even uses me for a perch to see out another window where I sit at my computer at the table.

Back to her favorite window.

Sara (grand dog) is usually pretty calm when MaggieMae comes to visit. She's such a sweet natured dog. But this day MaggieMae even had Sara looking out the windows a few times wondering what was so darn interesting out there! Unfortunately I could not get a good shot of her at the windows. But it was amusing to watch her too.

The squirrel moved from it's usual area and Maggie had to go to a window in the living room to follow it's antics.

Here's the one causing all the stir, not even realizing it was being dreamed about as "prey".

Poor MaggieMae was beside herself at this point... the critter was right outside the window! So close I bet she thought she could almost smell it!

Once again, by the time we came home and MaggieMae did her tour of her own yard to see what she might have missed during the day, she spent a quiet evening relaxing after her hard day at squirrel duty at my daughter's house!

Happy DOT!

DOT~~Short Post

2010-03-11T09:57:00.003-05:00

Sorry, no new photos of MaggieMae to post. I can tell you the snow from the previous post is nearly gone with the warm temps (40's and 50's) we've been having. It won't hurt my feelings if we didn't get anymore, but I won't say that too loud. WNY is famous for St. Patrick's Day storms... and I am praying this year will be an exception.

I've been babysitting for my 4 yr. old grand daughter (2nd week now) while my son-in-law is training (daughter works days) on days for a wonderful new job... a blessing that fell into his lap! I am so happy for them and doing my best to help out. This is a temporary position for me as he will eventually go on night shift. In the meantime, it has been difficult to find time to take pics of MaggieMae as I am tired when I get home in the afternoon after an 8 hour day here at my daughter's house. (Although I do get her out for a walk when I get home.) Today as I type this one of the other girls is home sick from school (there are 3 grand daughters in all in this house)... resting on the couch. MaggieMae is home resting on whatever she decides to nap on! I do bring her with me on occasion and she spends the day on squirrel duty at the windows here. I will bring her along tomorrow and hopefully will remember to bring my camera as well. Then I hope to have good pics for next week's DOT post!

So I hope everyone is enjoying the spring like weather that has been gradually replacing the deep cold that had settled throughout the country. A happy Dogs on Thursday to you all!

DOT~In Black and White

2010-03-03T22:29:00.003-05:00

Have been babysitting from 8 AM to 4 PM this week, but did get some pictures of Maggie when we got hit with more snow last week. She sure loves to play in it. These pics were not meant to be black and white, but when you have a black dog in white snow, you get black and white pics!

"Hmm, I thought I heard something over there."

"I'll check it out."

"Do I have to come in already?"

"Ok, here I come, ready or not!"

Late DOT Post ~ Comfort Food

2010-02-25T19:21:00.003-05:00

Well, look what mom did for dinner tonight. She said something about "comfort food for a cold winter day". I can tell you she was nice and shared some of that wonderful steak with me!! I didn't care about the salad and maybe would have liked the baked potato, but I was just so happy she was thoughtful enough to share the steak!

Guess what follows a good meal... A good nap!

Nothing Like a Good Foot Soak to Make You Sleepy

2010-02-23T10:22:00.000-05:00

MaggieMae's Mid-Winter Bath

2010-02-18T08:37:00.002-05:00

Last week I did not get a post done, because this week's post was in the making. That was the day I took MaggieMae to the kennel for her mid-winter bath. I did not realize how much she needed one till she came home smelling sooooo very clean! (She does not have a bad doggie odor but does get a certain "scent" when she needs a bath!) So here she is freshly groomed (not trimmed up as I want her to stay warm for the cold weather when she's outside yet), hair combed out nicely around her face.

If you click on this picture below you can see all the different directions her hair on her back goes. But the thing I love is the softness of her hair! This girl sheds in clumps rather than individual hairs, which to me is much easier to handle as far as shedding goes.

And again, the face I love! Gotta love those big brown eyes!!

MaggieMae wants to know, have you had your mid-winter bath?

2010-02-16T08:49:00.003-05:00

I have this cactus plant. I've heard them called Christmas cactus, and Easter cactus. At any rate, this one blooms when it feels like it. It has way overgrown the pot, and I only water it when I think of it, maybe every two months? This year it has two blooms and just in time for Valentine's Day. So pretty I thought I'd share. The first shows both blooms.

Then this one I did with the super macro setting on my camera, where you don't use the zoom and have to get right up on it to take the picture. I thought it came out pretty well.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my Valentine cactus.

First February DOT Post.

2010-02-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

I get a kick out of MaggieMae sometimes when I go to the door to let her in. Sometimes I see the "snowface" and I know she's had her nose down sniffing out mice under the snow.

Yesterday I went out to shovel about an inch off the sidewalk and gave her a stick. She ran around the yard with her prize, then dropped it and picked up what I thought was a leaf. She ran with that for a bit, the threw it up in the air. She attacked the stick again, then went back for the "leaf". Soon I realized it was not a leaf but a "frozen dead mouse toy"! Yuck!! I spoiled her fun by getting it with the shovel and putting it in the burn barrel for later cremation. She was still sniffing where she'd had it last night when I let her out.

Anyway, I was going to post the next picture with a question as to who might be able to figure out what it was. But I gave it a test run on Facebook. Several people guessed quickly enough what it was so I know all you DOT-ers will have it in no time. When I went to let her in the other night, this was what I saw when she moved from where she was sitting. I had to laugh though and thought I needed to get a picture of this one!

Hmmm.... do you think she has a square butt?

Dinner tonight.

2010-02-02T18:05:00.003-05:00

Ok, I know many of you know how to make chicken noodls soup, but I found quite a different taste using a barbeque rotisserie chicken from the local grocery store! To begin with I started with low salt chicken broth and added water, cut up barbeque rotisserie chicken, celery (I use the heart of the celery stock and the leaves also), onion and carrots. The only seasoning I added was some dried sweet basil. I have to tell you this chicken gave it a sweet taste (can definitely taste the barbeque flavor). It's different but very good! I keep seeing everyone posting pictures of their creations on their blogs, and as I was sitting her at my computer I decided to take a picture and do the same. A good meal for a cold winter night! I'm finishing this bowl so I can get a second one!!

Wintery Day on DOT

2010-01-28T11:10:00.009-05:00

Sometimes trying to get pics of MaggieMae can be so difficult. This morning I thought I'd try to get some outside shots. Yeh, right. All she wanted to do was bark at squirrels. Come on, that gets old after a while. So below is the obligatory shot of Maggie for DOT.

So then I thought of just stopping there. But it is a harsh winter day out there, even though we did not get the snow they said we might. The wind is howling about 24 miles per hour and with temps in the low 20's (oh now I see it has dropped to 19*) and that wind, it's harsh! The sun has decided to come out, so that started me daydreaming of warm summer days. Then I thought about pics I had from happy times that I enjoy looking at when my screen saver kicks in. So I decided to pick out a few that make my mood lighten even a little.

This was a beautiful shot I got early one summer morning about 4 or 5 years ago. I could not pass up the sun shining through the trees. It was a blessing in itself just to see, and I am thankful I could capture it.

This was Misty. Our cat of 19 and 1/2 years, whom I had to say good bye to last January. The other night I could have sworn I saw her shadow come near the couch just like she used to when she would come down the hall to the living room from the bedroom. She was a beautiful cat, and one of the best I've ever had. She is missed. My dd took this picture of her and passed it on to me. When my dh was sick in the hospital I printed it out for the poster board on his wall so he could keep her near him for comfort.

While I am not fond of pictures of myself, I do like this picture of my wonderful daughters and myself, taken at my 60th birthday party, Oct. 2008. I love them dearly. I could not have asked for any better daughters than they are.

Well, since I was named Rosalie, I happen to love roses. Who'd have thought? This was a mini rose I had. I used to have 15 rose bushes at our old house, and didn't bring any of them with mewhen we moved here, which I do regret. I planted one rose here in front of my house and since the bushes came out last year, I would like to work on that this summer and put in some more!

This was a mini daffodil plant I'd bought a few years ago, and it just reminds me so much of Spring, that's why it's included in this post. Yes, I know we have a couple months of winter to go but I am praying they will pass quickly and soon the buds will be coming on the trees. I don't want to wish my life away, but since I'm not working I have been doing a lot of hibernating this winter. I am thankful for the break we had a for a couple weeks, which melted most of the snow off and with temps in the 30's for those couple weeks MaggieMae and I got out for several walks. So I guess I will just bide my time till the weather permits them again. Stay warm and keep those puppies warm, fellow DOT'ers!

Teaching MaggieMae to Pose (DOT)

2010-01-21T11:21:00.004-05:00

I have mentioned before how difficult it has been to get good pictures of MaggieMae. Sometimes I do luck out and she holds still for longer than two seconds.

Today I decided to try to get her to "stay" for a picture.

You can see how she feels about all this...like "Do I have to?"

This is what usually happens, she turns away from me.

Obviously complaining that I'm making her do this. She did the same to my daughter a couple weeks ago when she tried to take her picture.

Another one "Oh if you must!"

Finally, a portrait photo... almost!

Winter Pics in January

2010-01-18T10:11:00.004-05:00

I took MaggieMae for a ride a week ago this past sunday and decided to take my camera along for some hopefully good winter shots. I wasn't disappointed.

Looking out over Lake Ontario at Fort Niagara, Youngstown, NY.

The lighthouse at Fort Niagara.

"Sunstar" at Fort Niagara.

Sledding hill at Fort Niagara.

The Silo Restaurant at Lewiston, NY. Closed for the winter.

Finally! Some Good Pics of MaggieMae!

2010-01-14T09:55:00.004-05:00

I have said how difficult it is to get pics of MaggieMae. Yesterday was no different. At first anyway. I saw her asleep on my bed on her back, and front legs straight up in the air. I went to the living room to grab my camera, but as soon as I turned it on (from the other room) she heard it! Wow~~ She is one light sleeper!! But she did co-operate eventually, just not the shot I wanted!

When my sister got her dog (much smaller than MaggieMae) she asked me where MaggieMae sleeps. She wanted to know if I crate her. Well, no I don't. She sleeps where she wants. Mostly on my bed now that it's winter, unless she starts hogging and I ask her to leave. So you've seen her asleep on the recliner.

As I said, she sleeps on my bed.

Or the bed in the spare room (futon).

Sometimes next to me on the couch. (I love this shot and can't believe I got it!)

Sometimes by herself on the couch too.

She really is a very good dog the majority of the time, and other times, is just being a dog. I hope all the Dogs on Thursday are warm and toasty in this frigid January we are having (although a temperature break is due here this week).

Winter Romps Makes Tired Dog!

2010-01-06T20:19:00.007-05:00

For once I actually got the camera turned on without MaggieMae moving from the spot. I managed to snap four pictures of her in her favorite chair. They were all pretty similar and I was just amazed she didn't move. Of course she'd been sleeping pretty good after romping in the snow. Ahhh... it's a dog's life! Happy winter days to all you living the dogs life on Dogs on Thursday!

White Stuff

2010-01-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

Well, you told me to go pee!

Dog Trails

2010-01-03T18:33:00.003-05:00

It's been snowing all last night and today here. Lake effect snow from the northeast (compliments of big storm in Maine I heard) came across Lake Ontario. I've shoveled 3 times (at least 3 to 6 inches each time) and used the snowblower to clean out the end of the driveway onces.

Everytime Maggie has gone out since this afternoon, she is up to her belly in snow. But that doesn't stop her. She goes bounding through it as if it wasn't even there! The other day I looked at the prints from her "leap" and it was about 7 to 8 feet between prints in the snow! This picture was taken tonight and shows the "dogtrails" she's made in the back yard. Maybe tomorrow I can get a picture of her out in it?

When Good Dogs Go Bad (Or Get Bored?)

2009-12-30T22:04:00.008-05:00

Tuesday morning I had a routine fasting blood test to get done, my appointment was at 8:20 AM. As I usually do, I decided to go for breakfast after the test. So I went to the local Denny's and enjoyed my breakfast. Then I returned home to find this had happened!

First sight I saw entering from the front door:

On my way to the kitchen:

The entering the laundry room to get the broom:

Something tells me while I was enjoying my breakfast at Denny's, MaggieMae had been enjoying her own smorgasbord from the garbage bag that I stupidly left partially open in the laundry room!! Ok, I learned my lesson there.

However seems the little lady has been quite bored since we haven't been walking in the cold and bitter weather! After returning from my daughter's house this evening, I found a pin cushion on the living room floor, stolen from my sewing room!! I doubt she hurt herself on it or even played with it much as it was full of needles and thread! I did only find one thread on the floor near where I found the pin cushion. I am sure she is fine tonight, which is more than I can say for her reaction after her garbage meal! She laid around most of the day and in the evening she was laying on the floor near me quietly "moaning". So I let her outside, "just in case". She promptly ran the entire length of the yard several times. So ok, was she faking it for attention? I guess she really had a belly full because she had not eaten her entire bowl of evening food, and did drink more water than usual that day. Also she wasn't playing with her toys as much. But please don't be concerned as she is back to normal again.

I have come to the conclusion we need to take an occasional walk again, whether it be short ones, and maybe not as frequent as in good weather. And maybe I need to accompany her to the back yard for some play, even if it's just getting her to elude me with a stick in her mouth and she may think I'm chasing her for it!

(Incidentally, the poor Santa on the floor among the smorgasbord mess is the newest one I got from my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas. It has not been totally destroyed, just missing some greenery which was glued to the front of it. It now sits on a higher shelf awaiting being put away till next year.)

I hope you Dogs on Thursday are being good and take MaggieMae's lesson to heart. Not worth getting sick over is it? Or is it???

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T14:48:00.004-05:00

My Christmas day was pretty quiet. Spent time Christmas eve and day baking.

No big tree, so I piled the gifts on the floor near the tv.

The family came the day after Christmas for the afternoon. I love them all being here.

And a good time was had by all...

Angels go with Christmas, right?

I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve DOT ~ Just MaggieMae

2009-12-24T08:49:00.003-05:00

MaggieMae, as I have said before is "camera shy" and rarely do I get to take a good picture of her. Usually I see her in a good "picture" but when I turn the camera on she does hear it, then moves from whatever position she was in. So today what you see is what I get.

Happy Dot ~ MaggieMae's New Shirt

2009-12-17T09:17:00.003-05:00

Recently I 'd ordered a couple "sweaters" for MaggieMae from the Doctor's Foster and Smith catalog. They came last week. Unfortunately this one, even though the size measurements for the large were hers, did not fit. Poor girl really hated me trying to get this on her. Too bad, as I thought it would be pretty with her black/silver fur! But I guess I'll have to send it back, as I don't know any dogs that it might fit.

However this one was more stretchy and and X-largem so we are keeping it, much to MaggieMae's dismay as you can see here she is complaining to me about it!

She is so camera shy, she kept right close to me as I was trying to get pictures of her in it. Finally she moved aside a bit.

Then she headed to her "spot" to look out the window and I managed to get a quick one before she jumped down and started complaining to me again!

I'd always said I'd never "dress up my dog" but I have to admit, she looks rather cute in this! It will be good for when the weather is decent enough to walk again. I have to be careful with the snow and possible slippery spots because of a bad knee. I don't need to slip and fall!

Christmas Is In The Air ~ Part Six ~ Outside Lights

2009-12-16T17:34:00.003-05:00

Now to the outside decorations. this shows the front of my house, with the icicle lights, a story in itself. No I did not intentionally want blue and white icicle lights. Last year my daughter and son-in-law put the lights up for me, which were originally all blue, old style icicles. They did not check to see if they all worked and two did not. (I have them on a timer that comes on at dusk.) So I went and bought two strings to replace them not realizing the new ones were LED lights. When they put them up to replace the ones that were out, they were much brighter than the old style. So okay, I went back to Big Lots where I got them and got 3 more strings (takes 5 to make the entire front of my house), but they did not get put up last year and stayed in the boxes. I thought I'd just have them all matching this year. When they came to put them up this year, my daughter noticed the older ones (older LED) looked different than the new ones. So just in case we alternated them with the newer unused on the ends and in the middle. You can see the result! I never knew the LED lights would fade! I think next year I will start all over with 5 strands bought at the same time beginning of the season.... and all white!!

This is my newest addtion to my outside lights. I'd seen the horse and carriage (also a horse and buckboard) in other people's lawns and had always liked them better than any other outside lighted decorations. I was in Walgreens the other day and picked this up for $20! I was so happy!! It should look nice with WHITE icicle lights next year!

And my little garden flag.

Have you had any amusing problems with outside decorations, other than all the uninflated inflatables I see everywhere? I have never seen so many Santas flat on their faces as this year!!

Christmas Is In The Air ~ Part Five ~ The Nativity

2009-12-15T17:01:00.005-05:00

My favorite part (and the most important part) of my inside decorations is this nativity scene. I have had it for many many years. Exactly how long I cannot remember. I add the angels to it every time I put it out, as they were most likely very much a part of the "original" nativity scene over 2,000 years ago. Sometimes I wonder if Joseph and Mary saw them around when she gave birth to the Son of God. Can you imagine how awesome that night must have been? The long awaited prophecy fulfilled!!

Some say Jesus was most likely not born in December. To me it is just that we do celebrate his birth. And that is a lot to celebrate! If He had not been born into human flesh, we would still need the sacrifices of live animals for our sins. How awesome that the Creator of the entire Universe would think so highly of us to become flesh, and live as we live; die as we die; then rose again so that we might also! It sometimes takes my breath away to think of it!

So don't forget to wish others a "Merry Christmas"! And have one yourself!!

Christmas Is In The Air ~ Part Four ~ The Little Village

2009-12-14T21:23:00.003-05:00

I have a small village which I put up every year. It isn't much, really maybe just a "street". I'd love to have more, but don't really have room for it. This sits on top of my Hammond organ which no longer works and I'd like to replace it with a table. Tonight my my three grand daughters were here while their mom shopped for them. The older one at one point was peering into the windows. It made me smile. (I've done the same myself.)

The aquiring of the church was kind of amusing to me. It all started because at a church Christmas party we had a gift exchange in which one could take someone else's gift if we wished, when it was our turn. A friend of mine had gotten a lighted church, as did I at one point, but neither of us ended up with it. The pastor's wife and sister-in-law had another exactly like it sitting there and when all was said and done and people were leaving, they decided I should have it. They had no idea I'd wanted it for my friend who also wanted it. So then I decided to wrap it and leave it on the doorstep of my friend. She did find it later that day and was totally thrilled. After dropping it off I decided to go to JoAnn's Fabrics and while there I saw another (the one in the picture) for 75% off the sale price! Well, when I got to the checkout it cost me all of $5.00!! I went home smiling, even though the nativity that should have been on the side was missing. So I searched for one small enough to fit it, without much luck. I thought, "Of course, Christmas season, and I couldn't find Jesus!" However the following year, I did find one small enough to sit next to the church. If you click on the picture to make it bigger you might be able to see it.

Do any of you have a Christmas village?

Christmas Is In The Air ~ Part Three ~ Up Close

2009-12-13T14:54:00.005-05:00

Another day of sharing my Christmas decorations with you. First is the obligatory (silk) Poinsetta, which stands in my entryway.

Also in the entryway is the two year old birdhouse.

New addition last year was this cute little sign with all the names of my grandchildren! I love it!

Then I have two of these adorable pillows which I almost forgot to put on my couch. (Getting old, remember?)

And every year I throw some more silk type flowers in this tall basket (interchangeable for the seasons). I think this little guy (or girl?) is so adorable.

Standing guard in my front window are these two angels which my daughter Wendy gave me last year. I leave them out year round on a stand in the living room.

More tomorrow.

Christmas Is In The Air ~ Part Two ~ Santas

2009-12-12T10:00:00.004-05:00

Through the years my kids have bought me Santa Dolls for Christmas. I have accumulated quite a collection. I finally had to tell them "enough"! So now it seems they think I need angels. Oh well. This is my collection of Santa's with a new Angel Doll on the top left. I have another angel someplace in the house which is about maybe 30" tall, but I have to remember where I put it.

Close up, the one on the right was a kit that I made the Santa from, gift from my daughter Wendy.

Here the new Angel Doll, and a Mr. and Mrs. Santa (I think from daughter Kim).

Here's where the memory of who gave me which starts to fade. I did buy the white one, back right, for myself.

The crocheted Mr. and Mrs. Santa were made by an aunt of mine which I got after my mom had passed away, as they were a gift for her from my aunt.

Right side of this picture is the crocheted Santa that my aunt had made for me which started this whole collection!

And finally another one of my own purchases (I think, although memory is not what it used to be). I had to get him a gold chair to sit on. I was wondering when I put him out this year if MaggieMae would bother him. She's been good and has left him alone, thankfully!

Christmas Is In The Air~Part One

2009-12-11T23:23:00.006-05:00

Since I am older now I choose to decorate, just for me. I used to have a big tree in my living room. I have passed that on to my daughter. Now I have a small one in my living room on an end table.

And a fiber optic one on my kitchen table.

Candles on the coffee table.

And lights in most of my windows. Front window, living room.

Side window, living room. (These lights are off the window sill in the middle to prevent MaggieMae from putting her paws on them and knocking them down when she looks out this window!)

Kitchen window.

There are also lights in my bathroom and bedroom windows. And icicle lights outside. Next post will be other decorations.

Beautiful Bluejays

2009-12-02T12:06:00.003-05:00

I managed to catch this guy at the feeder this morning before I let MaggieMae outside to scare him away. Some people don't like jays because they are noisey, but I think they are beautiful!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T11:57:00.011-05:00

MaggieMae and I would like to wish you all a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving Day. I pray you all have something to remember to thank God for.

I thank Him just for Who He is. I thank Him for sending His Son Jesus to take my place on the cross. I thank Him for family and good friends. I thank Him for every day I am allowed to continue with those family and friends. And of course I thank Him for the blessing of MaggieMae.

I pray He will bless each of you with a heart full of thankfulness.

Happy DOT~~ Let's Have Some Squirrel Fun!

2009-11-19T09:38:00.006-05:00

One of Maggie's very favorite past times is chasing anything that enters our (her) yard. The other day I noticed she was looking up into the tree directly behind the deck. So I grabbed my camera, and saw these two up there. The one on the right stayed absolutely stock still, and I'm not ever sure she saw it.

This one was the one on the left and it was quite active. I could tell it was gauging it's chances of escape by the way it kept running around the tree (wish I'd have gotten a video) and was up and down and back again around the branches. Maggie of course kept egging it on by barking at it.

It finally made a run for it and climbed another tree and escaped over my neighbor's shed roof, with Maggie voicing her dismay about it's escape!

She then sat waiting for it to return, which it had the smarts not to do.

All the while this guy remained stationary the whole time, and probably did not even come down till she headed into the house!

We hope all you pups and owners have a very happy Dogs on Thursday!

November Motorcycle Ride~~ Whoohoo!

2009-11-08T17:34:00.004-05:00

I have always had a love for motorcycle riding. I think I came by it honestly as my dad had owned two Indian motorcycles before I was born. My earliest memory of riding was behind my older brother as a teenager, as he rode with his future brother-in-law. Back then there were no helmet laws (50's-60's) and I had long hair and had to put a scarf over it to keep it from getting tangled in the wind. But oh how I loved the ride!!

Basically all my life I had to ask someone to "take me for a ride on your motorcycle". That is until I turned 34. That was the year I went crazy! I got my hair cut short (fit into a helmet better), got my ears pierced, and bought my first motorcycle! Then I asked a guy I knew who'd taken me for rides to teach me how to ride... I put 22,000 miles on my first motorcycle in 3 years. It was a 440cc Kawasaki. In 1985 I traded it in (paid for) for a 1985 Kawasaki 700(cc) LTD. I've had that one ever since. It's a wonderful bike, with a shaft drive (no chain to oil) and long ago paid for and doesn't owe me a thing! Here I am at 61 and I find it hard to believe I've been riding for 27 years now! I have a lifetime membership in the American Motorcyclist Association, which I have belonged to also for 27 years, and that came when I'd been a member for 25 years.

My late husband also rode and we had many good rides together. Now it is sometimes difficult going out by myself even though I was riding before I met him. But days like today, after I had gotten more leaves cleaned up from my back yard, and it was in the middle 60's temperature, I said, "I gotta do it!" So I grabbed the following items, essential for a ride... A pair of sunglasses (which I forgot to get a picture of, but I think you know what they look like...).

Gloves and bike keys.

Good boots for riding.

My fullface helmet, leather jacket, cellphone for emergencies, wallet with drivers license (which I have had M class for motorcycles since I took my first motorcycle driving test and passed), and some cash for gas.

Next of course was The Bike! I had the tank painted some years ago to suit me, with roses of course! And a cross on the tank as well.

I keep my bike insurance coverage year round just in case we get a day like today. In fact when I started riding in 1982, it was 70 degrees on Christmas Day and New Years Day, both! And did I ride? Of course I did!! There were times when I was younger I had a snowmobile suit and rode at 32 degrees if the roads were clear. Well, age has slowed down that but so thankful for days like today, when 60+ degrees gets my desire up again!! I just hope I can keep riding for a few more years, Lord willing.

Rainy DOT

2009-11-05T09:37:00.003-05:00

Remember how when you were a kid, and it was a rainy day and you couldn't go out to play?
Well, I think dogs go through the same feelings. MaggieMae was barking at me to go out and I told her it was raining. I told her to look out the window and see... So she did.

Then she still wanted to go out, but when I opened the back door to let her out, she sniffed, saw the rain, and turned around and decided not to! I said, "I told you so!" So I told her to go play with her toys.

I hope you all have a great DOT, rain or snow or sun.

Halloween

2009-11-02T19:32:00.005-05:00

As I said, I do not celebrate Halloween, but I do attend with my grandkids because they dress up and I do go when they trick or treat. In view of the dangers for children out there these days, the more adults along the better. It is amazing who you might meet at one of these events! (My oldest grand daughter about scared me when she first put this costume on!)

The next gang is my three other grand daughters, and my daughter (wearing at least a 25 yr. old Christmas costume that I had made when I did dress up oh so long ago). The grandkids were a cheerleading coach, Dorothy and a kitty.

Even the Easter Bunny put in an out of season appearance!

This guy (or gal?) could give someone nightmares for sure!

And then there were two doctors who came obviously straight from the operating room!

Paul Bunyan showed up for the trick or treating. (Son-in-law.)

Then I happened to see two four legged critters maybe hoping to get in on the treats?

And the Man in the Moon also put in an early night time appearance. Almost full too... must have been eating his candy as he got it!

I hope you all had a safe Halloween weekend!

Leaf Update and Seasonal Picture

2009-10-30T12:26:00.005-04:00

Just a quick update, the rain held off today and I got my rider out and mulched the fallen (so far)leaves. I won't be bagging 28 bags of leaves his year like last year. There are many more to fall but two of the silver maples are almost bare. The bigger leaves on the other maples are always the last to fall, and eventually I may be raking and bagging some of those.

Anyway, in view of the season I am posting this picture I took earlier this fall of an old mill that is falling apart. I thought this was a really neat picture and while I do not "celebrate" Halloween or believe in ghosts, I thought I would post this picture at this time.

A Leafy DOT to You All

2009-10-29T08:50:00.004-04:00

Hi fellow dogs on thursday. MaggieMae here. You won't believe what I stepped into in my back yard this morning. Uh, no not that, I'm careful. Although with all those leaves on the ground now I might do that accidentally! But my beautiful green yard has turned yellow! Then I heard a rustling under the leaves, so I went to investigate.

Was it here?

Hmm... maybe here?

Ooh! Ooh! Is that it?

Darn it! Where did it go?

Sure seems like it should be here somewhere!

I guess I'll just sit here and wait till it shows itself! Boy mom sure has a lot of work ahead of her! And from the looks of those trees, there's more to come!

Really Neat Giveaway!

2009-10-27T09:13:00.002-04:00

I found this lady on my sister's blog and she is doing a a really neat giveaway which will end soon... so stop on by and take a chance to get in on it. Incidentally, she seems like a very sweet lady. http://mycountryblogofthisandthat.blogspot.com/2009/10/sit-back-and-relax-give-away.html

Checking Out the Border Between the US and Canada

2009-10-24T21:40:00.005-04:00

Had another opportunity today to get some Fall pictures. My daughter informed me they were taking the girls to the Niagara Power Project for "Spooktacular" and asked if I'd like to go along. So I did. It was quite a sight with all the kids in costume. But also we got some good shots from the overlook of the Power Project. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them and see more detail.

This first one is the drive through the reservation on Upper Mountain Road, and got this shot while driving. (OOPS!)

The next is looking at the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge from the USA to Canada.

This is looking at the Canadian side of the Niagara River Gorge.

Looking at the American side of the Niagara River Gorge.

Also looking across the river to the Canadian side.

This really is a beautiful time of year.

Old Fence is Finally Out!

2009-10-22T09:39:00.002-04:00

Hooray!! The old fence is finally out! My son-in-law came on monday and started ripping out the old fence. He also tied my fence into the kennel fence. We got about half the old fence out then and I was feeling it that night. The fence had so much root and grass around the base and was so old and rusty that it was a struggle pulling it out of the ground in places. He cautioned me to be careful if it suddenly let go, I might end up on my derriere... which I almost did at one point. Anyway, yesterday morning I went out and got the rest of the fence out by myself. A few of the old posts would not come out. (They can wait till later.) One I tried to get out broke off above ground (about an inch) and I had to ask my neighbor if he had a sledge hammer. He came and pounded it down into the ground for me so Maggie won't cut her feet on it, and I covered that spot with a lot of dirt. He said I should have asked his help ripping the rest of the fence out, but I told him I needed to "keep active". I believe if you keep active it's better for you. So I do what I am capable of doing and ask for help with things I can't do. This I could do!

So the following are pictures of the old fence out at the curb for garbage pickup, the new storage area for my lawn roller and wheelbarrow (with neighbors stuff beyond my fence) and a few pics of MaggieMae hunting mice along the kennel fence, in the grassy area where they like to hide. Incidentally, she got caught and killed two field mice this week! (They got cremated with my branches I cleaned up and burned.) She is a very happy Dog on this Thursday!

Happy DOT--A Peek at MaggieMae's Character

2009-10-15T08:59:00.008-04:00

Well, my dear doggie managed to find another way to escape the other night. I had let her out for the last time at night and when I went to let her in I could hear her tags rattling but did not see her anywhere in the yard. So I got my flashlight and put on my jacket (it's been unseasonally cold here since I got back from KY). I finally saw her on the other side of the fence between the fence and my neighbors pine trees. The only thing I could figure out was she'd climbed on my lawn roller and managed to get over the fence somehow!

Needless to say I then moved the lawn roller away from the fence!! Got to watch those intelligent dogs!! (And she did come right in when I opened the gate for her.)

For some time I have thought of trying to video Maggie because she is such a character. It has taken a few attempts to actually get her in the line of the camera. Outside she has been too fast for me. Inside she is camera shy. But I was finally successful the other day when I got her playing first. The only problem is I can't seem to get it completely uploaded to blogger! Sorry about that!!

I was asked if Maggie had a favorite toy. The video I had was of her playing with her newest toy. It was a dinosaur that has a rattle and squeaker in it which I'd gotten for my grandkids to play with as babies. Now that the youngest is 3 and there will be no more gk, I decided to put it in the Salvation Army, and it was in a bag of other things going there, but it was on top. One day I heard the rattle and looked up. Maggie had it in her mouth. I guess she was telling me she was keeping it for herself! However I think her favorite is a polar bear given to her by my niece Tina as a gift when Maggie and I first got together. It has had a good run, losing it's rope ears and tail along the way. It has a squeaker in it and she totally delights in just "squeaking it".

I Love Fall

2009-10-10T18:24:00.005-04:00

DOT Apology

2009-10-08T09:44:00.004-04:00

I am sorry, I have no pictures to post today. I was on vacation for the last two thursdays. I went to visit my sister in KY. (See previous post.) I have been tired since returning and have not taken any pictures of MaggieMae since getting home. She was happy to see me when I picked her up from the kennel. They told me she did quite well. She was fine when playing with calmer dogs, but not with ones who were excitable, because then she would also be excited. And that led to too much "rucus". She did eat well, which was a concern of mine as my last dog would not eat when we went away. She was groomed while there, which I'd asked for.

Her reaction to coming home was to run the back yard as if she were set free in it for the first time! Inside she got on the trunk to see what she'd been missing out the front window. I tried to get her to sit on the recliner or the couch with me but she would have none of that. Well her "mood" has passed and now in the house she is my "shadow" once again. Dogs! Gotta love them!!

Oh, and last night she caught another rabbit while I was taking the garbage out. I got her to let it go and dragged her into the house by her collar. I took her out later on her leash for her to do her "business" but she was too excited sniffing all over... so she just had to wait till this morning... and rabbit found a way out of the yard fortunately!

It was a good vacation, and I will definitely try to go back, but it is good to be home!

Vacation Ended Too Soon

2009-10-04T20:42:00.003-04:00

Just back on friday from a wonderful vacation visiting my sister in Kentucky. It is so peaceful there and so nice. Of course there are advantages to vacations, and disadvantages (the end of them). Since I could not take MaggieMae with me, it was certainly good to come home again. She follows me all over the house and I hardly have a minute to myself now... for the time being anyway.
But back to my vacation. My sister lives in an Amish built house that is incredible inside. But one of my favorite spots is the front porch. So inviting to just "sit a spell" in one of the rocking chairs she has on it.

One of the best things about sitting there in the early morning was this... seeing the wonderful sunrise that God paints each morning!

Fencing Nearly Completed

2009-09-17T08:05:00.007-04:00

Hello DOT readers. Great news for MaggieMae this week. Well first of all good news for me. My son-in-law put up new sensor floodlights for me in the back. Now I can see MM as she runs the yard at night!! What a difference from the single 60 watt light that was originally there!
Secondly for MM, soon I won't have to worry about her getting tangled in the old fencing that is (was) the only barrier at the back of my yard. You can see in these next two pictures the 6' chain link that finally got put up, in the process of fencing the entire field behind me. In the background the kennel. The owners are wonderful people who board dogs and she also grooms them (MM's groomer). (He bathes, she grooms.) So very nice to have them in the neighborhood!

If you click on this picture you can see where he is still working on the last side of the field, some of the posts in, and rolls of chain link waiting to be put up. He had a lot of brush to clear and did most of that work himself. (Ah to be young again!) They have plans of eventually putting trees in and paths. A dog park atmosphere... although I do not know for sure if people will be able to come with their dogs or if it will be for kennel owners only. I need to ask.

In this picture you can see the old cattle fence with the barbed wire, and why I am anxious for it to come out of there. Before I got MM I thought the fence had character... which it did, but perspective does change when there is a precious pet involved! My son-in-law will help with that, or the guy from the kennel. Might be a joint effort.

MM actually sat still for a picture in the back corner of our yard. She's looking at the field as if to say, "I can see it now! Lots of dogs to say hello to!"

My brother in AZ will be happy when he opens the box I sent to him yesterday with this in it. He plans on using it for decoration on a fencepost or something on his "ranch" (although not a big one...lol) there.

Meet Otis (Dogs On Thursday)

2009-09-10T10:13:00.003-04:00

Good morning all you DOT readers. A couple weeks ago MaggieMae and I visited my sister-in-law in PA for 5 days. I got to visit with some relatives I had not seen in quite a while. MaggieMae was quite well behaved even when Otis came to visit. He belongs to my nephew. He's a cute little guy but he was very intimidated by MaggieMae's size I think. He kept hiding from her and she only wanted to be friendly.

This picture was a rare moment when he was out in the open.

Here he is checking out MaggieMae's bed.

She decided to get her attention from humans when she got nowhere with Otis.

Anyway, we had a very nice visit.

Macro flowers.

2009-09-08T10:26:00.002-04:00

I decided to play with the macro setting on my camera a bit more. These are two of the best from my flowers on my deck. I love that the petunias are still blooming, and the 2nd picture speaks for itself why I love this camera!

Vet Update

2009-09-03T22:26:00.004-04:00

Took MaggieMae into the vet for kennel cough shot for when I go away in a few weeks, and also got her continuing package of Interceptor. The attendant came out and asked if I'd had her on a diet, and I told her we'd been walking and she runs everytime she goes out into the yard. She's lost 7 lbs. since her last visit!! I'm just wondering why I haven't lost any??? Oh, I guess cause I don't run the yard like her! Bad knee won't let me!! But the weight loss for her is not bad, as she has definitely firmed up also. She's a leaner trimmer fitter dog now. Looking good!!

One additional note... Happy birthday to MaggieMae on 9-1-09. She is now 5 yrs. old!!

(DOT) The Face I Love

2009-09-03T07:57:00.004-04:00

I was away last week and had forgotten to take my laptop with me, so I didn't get a post done. MaggieMae met another little dog, but that is a story for another time. Instead I am posting two pics that I coud not resist sharing. The first is a very common occurance, as MaggieMae snuggles next to me on the couch, but rarely do I get a picture of it. This is the face I love!

The second is also a common sight, MaggieMae sunning herself with complete abandon in the back yard!

(Dot) MaggieMae's Escape Escapade

2009-08-20T07:40:00.005-04:00

Hello fellow Thursday Dogs. This is MaggieMae, sneaking in a quick post. My dog-mom got a little upset with me yesterday. I was let out in the morning and while she was occupied with a lady who came to the house, I snuck out over the fence in the back where she had "patched" the hole in the fence with wooden lattice. It was leaning outward so I took the advantage and went over it. I had a grand time because I was after my favorite chase toy.... rabbit!! Live rabbit!! I thought (and so did she) if I got over this hurdle I would be stuck in the field they are fencing in for the kennel behind us, but because it isn't finished yet, there was a way to get by it and get to the road so I could come back home, the same route I had before when I escaped. But my neighbors with the noisy yappy dogs had come home to check on their house, from wherever they have been camping in their big motorhome, and blew me in to her! Well, being the good dog I am, I was on my way home when she called me and of course I came right away! After all, I like a good rabbit chase, but I know where I get fed!

She was a bit peeved at me all day long. I tried to tell her by the look in my eyes, like... "What? What did I do? I'm just a dog who loves a good chase!" I even later tried the paw on the leg when she was sitting in her recliner. She didn't seem to want to let me out much all day and when she did she kept an eye on me... Boy, she sure takes a while to get over my escapades! But she did do what she could to see that I can't escape again, and I heard her telling uncle Henry that if it happens again before they get the 6' chainlink up back there to replace our old fence, that he would have to come and put in a section of the 4' chain link like he put around our yard. She even took pictures of her "fix" and they are below. She tied the fence and lattice up to a tree. Kind of a weird looking deal, don't you think? Well, it does hold everything upright so it won't lean out and maybe I won't be able to play escape artist anymore... but that remains to be seen.... (doggie snicker).

Day at the Zoo

2009-08-17T20:51:00.005-04:00

I went with my daughter and her family to the Buffalo Zoo on this past Sat. It was a very hot day and even the animals seemed to feel it. The first two pictures are for my sister, because she said these are her favorite animals at a zoo.

And of course, since it was the Buffalo Zoo:

I found this little guy kind of cute.

And I'm not sure if this one had a headache or thought he should have had a V-8!

Isn't the anteater just lovely? I could use him at my house!

This big hunk of a guy (?) was just trying to keep cool.

And this one looks like I used to in my young and stupid days when I would "tie one on" at the bars and come home and hug the porcelain queen! (So glad I've wised up and those days are long gone!)

Take a Walk Through Olcott Beach, NY

2009-08-14T08:34:00.014-04:00

You will see quaint shops.

A beautiful park.

The town clock.

Boats in the harbor.

Restaurants and bars.

Beautiful flowers.

And if you are lucky, you will see the sun sink into Lake Ontario!

Dogs on Thursday--Just Waiting

2009-08-12T20:04:00.005-04:00

Wednesday morning the rain finally ended, and MaggieMae spent most of the day outside. Even though the yard is fenced, I still check up on her periodically to see what she's doing. At times she might be laying in the sun napping, or making her rounds around the yard. When I took these pictures, she was just sitting in the corner of the yard waiting. I think there must have been a bird or squirrel up the tree. She often sits under one for a long time if there was something she saw or heard up there. When I first looked out in the morning this is what I saw:

I took that picture from inside the house. When I went out she changed her position. She's really camera shy! Not at all co-operative if she sees me with the camera!

I am starting to hate taking her for an evening walk, since there are way too many distracting rabbits around! However, we did get in a good half hour walk on wed. morning also. I am posting this on wed. night because thurs. morning I am taking a friend for a doctor's appt. So MaggieMae's morning walk will have to wait too.

So we bid a Happy Dogs on Thursday to all the wonderful dogs out there who are "not" camera shy!

Love My New Camera!

2009-08-08T08:01:00.005-04:00

Last night I went to my daughter's house and decided before I left to take my camera with me. I did not tell her I had it. I ate supper with them, and afterwords she said she would love to go to Fort Niagara and take pictures. I said, "Great, I brought my camera!" We had a very enjoyable time and I am even more impressed with the camera.

The grandkids obviously had great fun, and want to go back soon.

I got a great shot of the sun setting.

There were sailboats out on the lake.

And most amazing to me was that it took this shot on full zoom of Toronto Canada,which is about 40 miles directly across the lake!

Retired?

2009-08-06T08:28:00.010-04:00

Well, my time at my occupation has come to an end. At least at the store I was working at. It is in it's final days (one or two left?) and I have cleaned out my stuff and had the good fortune to be able to buy a piece of equipment that I can use here to continue in my work at home. So what does that mean to me? I have worked most of my life with a few years exceptions when my kids were small, but after they were both in school I started up again in the work industry.

I do have mixed feelings about it all. I've only been working part time for the last several years, but it still feels a little strange that the days ahead are now a blank page to write on. (Kind of like doing a blog post....what will it be?) In some ways it feels freeing, but in others, a kind of loss. Another chapter of my life coming to a close. But that only means a new one may be about to open. I just have to trust God to lead me in the direction He has for me. Life is all about change. There have been many for me in recent years. I know there are more to come. I have a close friend who will be moving away next year sometime, back to her home state. :'( Well, I need to look at that as another place for a vacation to take in the future. Anyway, in the meantime, I will be making a trip this month to PA to visit with a wonderful aunt who is coming there from FL for her class reunion. In September I plan on a trip that didn't happen last year to see my sister in KY. So for the immediate future I would like to learn to accept and relax with my new status in life (retired or semi-retired). After my immediate travel plans are completed, I do intend to finally look into the classes for MaggieMae and I to learn about her becoming a therapy dog. We will have had 7 months of bonding at that point. Depending on when we can start classes. I can say she's my girl now... we are totally bonded with each other. (As I write she is sitting at my left side hoping to get my last bite of bagel with cream cheese!) And of course, she will get it. :-) When I am done with this post we will head out on our morning walk. The day ahead includes getting my grass cut and taking my van in for an oil change. Exciting? No, but still I will remember, "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."

And here is my girl MaggieMae, my companion, my friend.

Playing with Macro Settings on My Camera

2009-08-02T08:27:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I decided to read the book on my camera and play with the macro settings. The hollyhock and butterfly bush were the ordinary macro setting (which I love how it turned out) and the petunias were the super macro setting. Nice also, but you have to get right on your subject for that one. For just macro I can use the zoom. Here are the results. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them and see the detail the macro brings out. I love it!

Company!

2009-07-30T11:27:00.010-04:00

Happy DOT! Got a question for all of you. Here's what brings it up.

We had some excitement here last sat. morning as my daughter came to pick up my grand-daughter from an overnight here. She brought along their two australian cattle dogs, (blue healers) Maggie (long haired one) and Buddy(short haired one). She brought them into the back yard, and I let MaggieMae out to "greet" them. Well, for the most part it was the usual superiority contest, but there were a couple scuffles, fortunately not bad. But at one point I had to put MaggieMae in the house for a "time out" until everyone settled down. (Couldn't resist the picture of her inside at the door!)

They are beautiful dogs, but Buddy's bark is very high pitched and I could not live in the house with that dog! Don't know how my daughter does it! Wow!

In the future "meet and greet" situations will be handled a little differently. My daugher said she heard dogs feel threatened when meeting on a leash, but I talked to my friend who has the kennel here and she makes her dogs sit quietly and calm down when meeting another dog. It seems to work well that way. So I will remember that in the future. Any opinions or suggestions?

Dog's on Thursday Post... "GRRRRR"

2009-07-23T10:12:00.008-04:00

That's how I'm feeling today with my Maggie. I have let her out twice this morning in the rain, and twice she has nailed another Robin (2 different ones). My niece suggested it was because of the rain bringing up the earthworms. They are hunting, and being hunted because of it! Last time she did this this morning I scolded her again. She looked at me like, "what did I do?" I guess I can't blame her as she is doing what dogs do. Just being true to her nature. I am just thankful it's not a Redwing Blackbird or a Cardinal. Not that I have anything against Robins, but they seem to be pretty slow lately! It is just a bit frustrating to me to have to try to keep her from harming the Robins.

Soon my back yard fence (in pictures behind my hollyhocks) will be replaced with a 6 foot chainlink by the people who own the dog kennel behind me. Then this old cattle fence that has so much character but can be a hazard to Maggie will be taken out. It is rusty and falling apart and before I got Maggie I appreciated the fact that it is a good resting place for the birds that visit my feeders. But I may leave a post or two for them. Some of the hollyhocks on the other side of the fence will be cut down when they put the fence up but may grow back next year. They plan on a kind of dog park or training area in the field there. I get enjoyment of watching the dogs run when they let them out at the kennel. They do a pretty good business, and that's where I get Maggie groomed.

My Daughter's Surprise

2009-07-18T19:55:00.004-04:00

Today was a "surprise party" for my youngest daughter organized (?) by her DH. All went well, even with three little ones keeping the "secret". That is until this morning. The oldest got up this morning and proclaimed, "Today is mom's surprise birthday party!" LOL. Well, it was a good effort by all anyway. And I got to play with my new camera. Below is my daughter the photographer in action. You can see her pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilliefaith/ I am probably her biggest fan (next to her DH) of her photography.
I took a few good ones of my own also, which surprised me. It's nice to have a good camera to work with. I need to learn a lot more about it. I am learning as she has said, people shots are the most difficult. At least now I am getting shots without them moving out of the frame before I snap it! The past couple days I also got pics of my huge white hollyhock and a good one of MaggieMae on the deck
.

DOT -- Protector

2009-07-16T09:05:00.003-04:00

Does a picture speak a thousand words? My neighbors dogs came to the fence and my grand-daughers walked over (me cautioning not to try to pet them, as one might bite). Because the little dogs were barking at them, MaggieMae immediately went over to the fence, between the fence (and consequently the barking dogs) and my grand-daughters! It's amazing to keep learning new things about this very wonderful dog. The funny part is that when the little dogs first started barking at MaggieMae, she would walk away with her ears back as if to say, "Why are they yelling at me?" Now she stands up for herself, and barks back, and guess what... they walk away! You go Maggie girl!!!

Playing With My Camera

2009-07-10T21:52:00.002-04:00

A redwing blackbird stopped in today for a bath and a snack. I was sitting on the deck with the camera and decided to try out the zoom. I'd say it did pretty good as this bird bath and feed are about 30 to 35 feet from my deck (approximate).

New Camera Just in Time for Dogs on Thursday

2009-07-09T07:45:00.006-04:00

I finally figured out how to get Maggie to look at me long enough to get her picture. I focus it then call her and when she looks, I click it! I had just gotten my new camera last evening, and had picked her up about 8 PM from the groomer. This time we went just a bit shorter as it should be getting into warmer weather. She has such a soft undercoat it reminds me of a Biederlack Blanket! Anyway, this picture was taken about 9 PM last night, no flash and very little enhancing. And it is just getting dusk at that time here. I think I am going to like this camera once I really get used to all the technicalities of it! I do need to get an SD card for it, as the memory in the camera allows only about 8 pics on it.

The camera is a FujiFilm FinePix S1500. My brother and sister-in-law have one and I was impressed with theirs. My old one took good pictures, for a point and shoot, but I wanted to try a little moredetail with photography. So we will see what this one does in the future. I know it's going to take time to get used to it an learn all it will do, but so far I love it!

Hope you all have a happy DOT!

Bodacious Flowers

2009-07-07T15:13:00.006-04:00

I wanted to show off some of my flowers for this summer.
First is my Wonderful White Rose

Next are my So Sweet Williams.

Then my Gazaaam Gazanias.

My first sweet Hollyhock.

My Dreamy Delphiniums.

My Dahling Dahlias.

And my Begorgeous Begonias.

Happy Independence Day!

2009-07-04T20:57:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to say Happy Independence Day to all. Be thankful for the freedoms we still have, while we have them.