Amber was officially two years old on the 7th of March. We have been told that lab puppies are essentially maniacs until they are two. Others have said, “At LEAST two.” And others have laughed, saying, “Well….”
We have been watching for signs that Amber is maturing and inching her way to ‘doghood,’ rather than ‘puppyhood,’ but so far, no dice.
Recently, she tried to bring two new toys into the house: a broken turtle shell with the remains of the poor turtle still inside, and most of a deer head, essentially clean, thank goodness.
She presented herself at the door after her morning run with cow excrement all over the right side of her chest and face, having joyously rolled in it ‘somewhere.’
Not so recently, but still very fresh in our memory, she got skunked, resulting in a bath in our master bedroom tub after midnight, using hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing detergent, then trying to get her rinsed off. Our bedroom still has a slight waft of ‘skunk’ as we enter….
One of the things I really enjoy is trying to play ball with her. I say, TRYING, because she doesn’t really get the idea of fetching the ball, bringing it back to us and letting us throw it again. She wants to get it the first time, then run around the house in a victory lap or six, then play tug of war. I was trying to get a picture of her with a ball in her mouth, but the minute she sees the camera, she drops it.
We’ll continue to look for signs she is taming down some, but it may be that the people who said, “Well….” were the ones who really knew of what they spoke.
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
16-yr-old-Shania McDonagh – pencil artwork – via Michael Remillard
Filed under drawings
“Simply…White” – Paul Militaru Photography
“Spring is in the Air” – Paul Militaru Photography
“White” – Paul Militaru Photography
“White Flowers” – Paul Militaru Photography
Wim Beunderman – LinkedIn
Filed under Mother Nature, Seasons
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Today is rainy. Tomorrow is supposed to bring thunderstorms. I’m happy that we finally seem to have passed most of the threats of freezing, but I want to get out in my garden!
So far, in my greenhouse, I’m proving to retain my well-deserved moniker of ‘Serial Seed Killer.’ I’m TRYING to get two kinds of lettuce and some spinach started so I can have healthy plants to put out in our raised bed square foot garden. The weather we’ve had makes it too cold for seeds to sprout, even in the greenhouse, and the plants that were for sale at the local stores have either all been purchased or were frozen.
Bah, humbug!
Thursday or Friday I’ll look locally again to see if there are any plants for sale. I’ll keep trying on the seeds in the greenhouse – though my confidence and optimism are waning…
The Literacy Site via Cathy Ruggiero
As we were getting ready to leave the bowling alley last night, a man came up to us. He apologized for bothering us, but asked if we knew anywhere he could get money. I won’t go into all the details, but as we all listened, he told us if he didn’t get to Houston by 8 am this morning, his daughter would go into foster care. He was desperate. He needed gas for his truck and didn’t have the money to fill up his tank and then get back again.
He told us he worked in Fort Smith. At first I thought it was a scam, but noticed he WAS wearing the shirt of a local business. We asked how much he needed. He said it was a loan and he would pay us back, asking how he could find us. We just told him we would probably be at the bowling alley next Monday evening and he could pay us back then.
We have been in similar positions, needing and not finding help. When we needed money, there weren’t ATM’s and the local banks were closed, of course. Now we have credit cards where we could pay now and then worry about how to pay later – but he only had a debit card and it was all used up. He would get his paycheck today at noon – too late. We’ve been in the position of needing surgery and not having health insurance. Of needing medicine and not finding a pharmacy open or having cash to pay for it. Of not only trying to live paycheck to paycheck, but having to choose which bills to pay with what we had. We’ve been without jobs, selling whatever we had to make enough money to keep our home.
It made us feel good, though, that if he was telling us the truth, we were in a position to able to help him at least a little bit. I’m hoping, as I type this, he and his daughter are together now, on their way back to Fort Smith. I hope he can pick up his paycheck tomorrow at work – not in trouble for having to miss.
We don’t expect to see him again, but it would be really nice – restoring my faith in people – if we do.
Filed under giving
Rooster – Pinterest
Scrap Metal Dog-pinterest
Scrap Metal Tractor – Metal Relic – Etsy
Filed under Art From Found Things, Creativity
Susan Yuen via MrKate.com
pin.anime.com
Filed under Creativity, playing with your food?
Alina Ciuciu – “It’s Going to be Alright” – LinkedIn
“Cumbrian Sunrise” – Graham Colthorpe – LinkedIn
Graham Calthorpe – LinkedIn – “Rainy Day in Paris”
Greg Dubuque via Elena (Livia) D. – LinkedIn
Michael G via Ana Loreta Baicu – LinkedIn
WildcatSantuary.org via RJ Bennett – LinkedIn
Catherine Lee – LinkedIn
Pamela Hope Deluca-Price
Foto Fan – Vidar Bakker via Jeff Jett – Linkedin
Australian Shepherd – Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Lon Lauger Photography
This isn’t Amber, but it’s very close to how she looked this morning after her morning run and taking care of business. She found some incredible awful-smelling ‘stuff’ and had it all over the right side of her chest and face.
I let her eat her breakfast and then had her sit beside the kitchen sink while I cleaned her over and over and over with a soapy cloth and then rinsed her. (She weighs 94 pounds, and it’s too cold outside for an outside full bath.) I then took her collar – which was also coated – off and scrubbed it. Then I soaped her again and rinsed her off.
I think I may have gotten her cleaned up enough now. Her collar is drying on top of a heat register in the living room. I took Amber in there and asked my husband if he could smell her now. I honestly couldn’t tell if I had done some good or if my nose had given up and died!
We both pronounced her ‘good enough,’ and I sprayed some fresh-smelling stuff around to capture any lingering odors.
I will take a shower and change my clothes in case “I” am now smelling like her!
Filed under Amazing Animals, Family
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Minden Pictures via Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
RJ Bennett – LinkedIn
RJ Bennett – LinkedIn
RJ Bennett – LinkedIn
*Many talented photographers have taken these wonderful photos. Jeff Jett, RJ Bennett and others (including me) post them to share our love of wildlife and our wish to save them and their habitats.
Carla Stafford – LinkedIn
It only takes a minute of your time, but seems to make a big difference.
Today we were at Wal-Mart. There was a lady older than I (imagine that!) who was trying to navigate one of the scooter/carts. We were walking behind her and I saw her purse fall and dump onto the floor of the car at her feet. I stopped and helped her right the purse and gather the things that had spilled.
Later we were checking out at the same time in different lines. I saw that she would finish before we did and that she would need to drive her cart past us. I stood aside and waited for her to pass me. When she got up next to me, she wiggled her finger at me, motioning me closer. She said, “THANK YOU for your kindness and courtesy.” I gave her a quick hug and smiled at her.
I wanted to adopt her so I could help her more.
Filed under kindness
Oleg Vishnepolsky – LinkedIn
“As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.” — Criss Jami
I’m a sucker for all kinds of ‘feel-able’ pats on the head: gold stars on my desk calendar when I’ve done whatever exercise is scheduled for the day; and these cute little bears that NutriSystem sends out for each 10 pounds one loses.
As you can see from the picture above, I’ve gotten my 4th bear – the one for 40 lbs off. (Actually, right now I’m at 43 pounds off :0) ) There is also 44.2 inches less of me than there used to be.
I have a good start now. I will try to get another 30 pounds off, and whatever number of inches that goes with that any my exercises.
The really big thing is that I FEEL BETTER. I’m 72 as of yesterday, and I can honestly say I feel better than I did a year ago. On March 9th of 2020, I hope to be able to say the same thing, whether or not I’ve reached my weight loss goal.
Smaller, but again – a VISIBLE thing – is that I’m able to fit in favorite clothes I’ve kept in closets for years, hoping that ‘one day’ I would be able to wear them again. There are still several things in the ‘hope’ area of my guest room closet. :0) I’m between sizes on jeans right now, for example. The size I’m wearing is a bit baggy, but I’m still too lardy for the next size down. I’m also able to order some smaller sizes online, too.
I’m sleeping better with the loss of the lard and my efforts to move more. I get up from the computer after I post something here, do some chore inside or outside before posting again, for example. I’m also trying to do my exercises like a good old girl daily. I’m more successful some weeks than others. I’m doing something different each day – yoga and abdominal exercises one day, a dance video another, the Wii Fit Plus ‘games’ for balance and reaction time (I’m still awful and the program is still insulting me), the walking with Annoying Leslie one day, and the elliptical trainer in the garage one day. Now that spring is near (thank GOODNESS!) I’m working in the yard when the weather permits.
Though I’m getting old-in-the-tooth, I can usually gather enough energy to continue going through the house, concentrating on purging, then cleaning and reorganizing one area at a time. Today it’s the supplies shelves in our office after we go grocery shopping.
Motivation is high though results are slow. I think the older you get the harder it is to get any lard off or make appreciable difference in fitness or stamina, but I’m game as long as I’m breathing!
I’ve had a really fun afternoon experimenting with making a mixed-media painting. I’m like a kid with finger paints, having FUN without worrying about expertise or whether it’s ‘good’ or not. It’s great therapy for whatever ails me.
“Thistles”
Chris Chalk – Art
Filed under Attitude, Trying to Create
Healing with Art via Cathy Ruggiero
As a birthday present to myself today, I’m going to give myself permission to go upstairs and play in my art room. Can’t wait to do some experimenting!
Filed under Feeling Spoiled
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Daniela Capdepon MD, PhD – LinkedIn
Elena (Livia) D. – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
RJ Bennett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Ntsevu – Lion-Cubs -James Tyrell – Londolozi Blog via RJ Bennett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
*Great appreciation to all the talented photographers who took these photos, plus the people who shared them so that we could enjoy.
Filed under Amazing Animals, Awe-Inspiring Photography, Family
The day isn’t yet half over and I’ve already had a super celebration of my birthday. It seems the older you get the more you get to celebrate! :0)
My celebration started yesterday at Lunch Bunch. One of my dear friends, Linda, brought me an inspired present – a pair of battery-powered LED candles. I say, “inspired” because I LOVE candles, but I almost never burn them anymore because I’m afraid I’ll forget I lit them and will leave them to cause damage to our home. These give a nice wavy glow like a candle, but they don’t get hot, won’t burn the house down, and turn off after 4 hours. I can move them to wherever I am! I’m enjoying one beside my computer right now. We enjoyed one at breakfast, and then I moved it to the table beside my chair in the living room.
I wish I were a better photographer because this picture doesn’t do them justice. I’ve seen things where there are real plants between two layers of glass, and those are lovely. These are reminiscent of that, but also look like a nice watercolor.
When I came home yesterday, I had a birthday card waiting in the mailbox from a dear friend! We chat often via email, but it’s wonderful to have a real card – personal mail – in the box.
Today I have received MANY beautiful wishes from friends on Facebook and LinkedIn. I’m really overwhelmed and thankful.
Next week my husband is taking me out for my favorite food – lobster tail!
AND another wonderful friend has told me I’ll get another present at Lunch Bunch next Friday.
I am 72 today, and very happy to be celebrating yet another birthday. I have a wonderful life, sharing it daily with a man I fell in love with 58 years ago. (We’ll celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary in June). We have a son who is living his dream, yet takes time to tell us he loves us and thank us for our support. What more could anyone ask?
I’ll also celebrate by playing in my art room today. I’m working on a painting I started yesterday. I’m having great fun experimenting with techniques. :0)
THANK YOU for giving me such a happy celebration!
Filed under Cause for Celebration, Feeling Spoiled
Since we’re supposed to have thunderstorms tomorrow, I got outside and tried to get some things accomplished before the rain comes.
Our onion sets are still doing well. I weeded another 4 foot x 4 foot planter in the garden today. I have two more to weed (we have SIX 4 foot x 4 foot planters that are chest high) and then I can start adding Mel’s Mix to top them off for planting when the weather calms down.
I spread fertilizer in the flower planters around the yard, hoping it will soak in with the rain tomorrow.
I told you that my seeds in the greenhouse failed to sprout, so I started over day before yesterday. I checked them for water today and hope I will be able to show you sprouts soon!
For Reading Addicts via Cathy Ruggiero
I’m in the middle of enjoying another of my favorite books, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.
I love writing and receiving letters. I feel like a dinosaur since almost no one does this anymore, preferring the quickness and ease of email or texts on the phone.
I received a birthday card in the mail today from a good friend in Tulsa and my grin split my face from ear to ear. I love painting stationery and note cards, too, and again feel like a dinosaur.
This book is a collection of letters written in 1946 between Juliet Ashton, a writer, and a small community of people living in Guernsey in the Channel Islands during the German Occupation. As you read the letters, you get a wonderful, rich sense of the people behind the letters. an appreciation for what they went through during the war, and what a wonderful thing books and letters have been, and still are.
The writer found herself running to her mailbox each day to see if she had a letter from one of the people there. There is no narration. Only letters. And how wonderful they are!
Filed under Book - Movie - TV Reviews
makeameme.org via SayingImages.com
I am having quite a celebration of my birthday tomorrow.
The celebration started today, with a present from one of my good, long-time friends at Lunch Bunch. There will be another next Friday, according to my other dear friend. My husband is taking me for a lobster tail meal next week! I received a beautiful card today from a good friend in Tulsa, too. :0)
So I am I’m officially quite spoiled – 72 tomorrow – and ‘older-than-dirt.’
I feel of two minds about having another birthday. Part of me resents almost everyone being younger than I am. If I didn’t before, I treasure anyone who can remember the same stuff I do, and not say, “Oh, wow!” or something similar when I reminisce. I’m not sure I enjoy feeling ‘maternal’ about my primary doctor.
On the other hand, I’m healthier than I was last year at this time. I’m 43 pounds lighter and several inches smaller, a bit more flexible, with less pain due to trying to exercise daily. I’m busier than I have ever been – even when I was working for most of my life – doing things I love.
Right now I’m busily trying to get seeds to grow in my greenhouse so I’ll have healthy plants to put in our garden when the weather tames down. I’ve planted onion sets and am trying to get the rest of the squares of our square foot garden weeded and ready for planting. I’m retired, so I can try to get up to my art room and play. I have more books than time to read.
So – Happy Birthday to me – a nice long celebration with family and friends – and another glorious year to start!
curpyrfc.org
Filed under Attitude
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Elena Schumilova via Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
GreatDaneChronicles via Jeff Jett
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
“A fox should not be on the jury at a goose’s trial.” ~ Thomas Fuller
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
“The sleeping fox catches no poultry.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Jeff Jett – LinkedIn
“Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat.” ~ Erin Hunter
RJ Bennett – Linkedin
“A fox is a wolf who sends flowers.” ~ Ruth Brown
*These photos are taken by several talented photographers and posted by RJ Bennett and Jeff Jett on LinkedIn, all in an effort to save foxes and their habitat.
Pinterest.it
Junk Yard Dog – Pinterest
Cowboy – Pinterest
Filed under Art From Found Things, Creativity, metal art
creativeartworksblog 