It's All Cool

It took Blue no time at all to realize the vents were blowing cool air again. He has a habit of sticking his head just inches from the vent, in an effort to maintain his "coolness."

Being a Texas dog and all, one would think he could tolerate the heat. But no, he pants and his tongue curls up, and he looks as if he must just kill over at any minute.

Thank goodness, for him and for me, that JB fixed the main unit.

See How They Run...

Looks like Haji is feeling empowered since he has learned he can make the deer scatter.

It reminds me of when I first introduced city-dog Elijah Blue to rural living. He, too, was empowered when he learned he could scare cows. (Not to worry, JB had a come-to-Jesus meeting with him shortly thereafter and the cow chasing was nipped in the bud.)

As far as Haji chasing deer, he'll never catch them. But in the meantime, maybe he'll end up saving some of my plants.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Imperatix asked me five questions, and here are the answers:


1. From your posts, you’re very happy to live in the country. Is there anything you miss from living “closer in”?

I miss convenience (not convenience stores!) I'm about a 40 minute drive from variety of any type.

If I shop locally, someone else has limited the selection available to "take it or leave it." You settle on what's there, or mentally weigh out the 40 minute drive to get what you'd rather have. Not that I'm picky or anything, but I'm not a WalMart kind of person. It'll do in a pinch. I'd rather decide what I need or want or what will work--not somebody else.



2. I know you’ve got several pets; do you consider yourself more of a cat person or a dog person?

I must prefer dogs since I brought my dog with me, but let the cats go with the house. Did you know that scientists have proven that most dogs have the mentality of a two-year-old child?

I had 5 cats when I lived in Texas. But I also had 2 little girls when I lived in Texas. When you have little girls you invariably have kittens. Which leads to cats, and then, more kittens.







3. Have you always lived in the South?

Uncle Sam decided I should live in Indiana at one point in my life. He also decided I should live in Texas, too. I guess when it was my decision, I have always chosen Virginia.




4. You’re always sharing fun recipes on your blog.When you cook, do you mostly follow recipes, or follow the inspiration of the ingredients?

I read cookbooks like fine literature. I have many! I browse and more often than not, look for something I can make with what I have on hand, or look for something that I have a taste for--whatever that may be.

I read from the index, not the table of contents to settle on a challenge. Sometimes I veer off and throw in something to shake things up a bit.
I love flavor.




5. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry, and why is it your favorite?

I worked for a family-owned jewelry store in Texas and saw so much jewelry!
I prefer the unique unusual pieces.



I have worn this spider, off and on for about 10-12 years and have never seen another one like it.

I never want anything that everybody else is wearing.








So, if you want to play along and now be interviewed
by me, please leave me a comment or send an email
saying: "Interview me."
* I will respond by asking you five questions. I get
to pick the questions.
* You will update your weblog with the answers to the
questions.
* You will include this explanation and an offer to
interview someone else in the same post.
* Then others comment asking to be interviewed, you
will ask them five questions and so on.

A Basketful of Dog

 

 

Haji Mo, in his usual off beat fashion, is utilizing his available resources...

He was the last dog to join our hodge podge of animals. Since deciding he likes outdoor living better, he has laid claim to the covered deck. From this high vantage point, he can appear larger than life to the neighborhood animals.

A big dog trapped in a little dog's body, he has learned he must be creative.

Playing Fetch

How does an almost blind dog play fetch? He listens well and travels a known path.

And On The Third Day, We Slept

This handsome fellow, Elijah Blue, has just recently decided his first potty break of the day should occur between 3 and 4 am.

He has planted himself beside my bed and stared me awake. Ever felt the intensity of someone staring at you? Perhaps it was the squeaking and sneezing, coupled with the staring that woke me.

At any rate, I stumble out of bed, gather my slippers and bathrobe and head to the east stoop. He's out the door like a greyhound at the track. Lord have mercy, I am so glad I let him out!

After he's out, I go to the kitchen...may as well make coffee since I'm up. I really wish I were one of those people who could go back to sleep, but I'm not. Once I'm up, I'm up for the duration. Besides that, I can't go back to sleep until Blue is back inside...

I always cut on the big floodlight in the backyard so I can see him running from behind the studio, around the garden, over to the guest house and back up the west side of the house. Once I see him heading my way, I go around to the kitchen porch on the north side of the house and cut that light on.

The lights are more for my benefit. Blue has limited vision is his left eye and no vision in his right. We had been here a few years before this happened so he became comfortable with the surroundings. If you were to watch him running around in the yard, you'd have no idea his vision is impaired. Maybe...

He puts on a really good show. Reminds me of the figure skaters who hit the ice and then swiftly get up and act like it was all part of the routine. He occasionally bumps into things, backs up, and decides on an alternate path. Bless his heart.

Bless his heart, indeed. After 2 days of this crazy 3 in the morning stuff, my other half and I decided last night that we're not to going to let Blue nap so maybe he'll sleep longer and we can sleep longer. So last night, everytime Blue went belly up, we called him. Everytime Blue wanted to go stretch out on his pillow, we called him. By 9 pm or so, Blue's getting a bit weary having missed out on some good quality nap time since his humans won't leave him alone. This whole scenario is so very reminiscent of a new baby in the house!

I finally turned in about 10:30 when my own lack of sleep had taken its toll. But the miraculous thing is, I woke up to the sneezes and squeaks of Mr. Blue at 5:30!!!

I guess his little body clock just needed some fine tuning.

The Winds of Change

Here's one of my "big dogs" adapting to the cold wind.

She's usually sprawled out on the hillside looking like she's just killed over for her morning nap.

Yesterday, when Mother Nature decided to trade our 80 degree temps for something closer to 45, Lucky felt more inclined to take shelter from the wind behind the remnants of a stump.

Forever Young

Recent research has determined that dogs have the mentality of an average 2-year-old, according to a report released on the Today show yesterday. I can see that.

In fact, this information has given me an entire new appreciation of my dog, Blue.

His understanding of the English language is limited to a few words that create instantaneous physical reactions... and he does seem to think "it's all about him" and what he wants, when he wants it. Sounds like a small child to me!

Sad thing is, he'll never progress beyond that point. Do you thing that's one of the reasons people have dogs? I mean, our children grow up and move on--but the dog, he might grow bigger, but he never moves out. Perhaps this is our way on holding on to that childhood innocence and adoration we got hooked on when our kids were preschoolers.

I know, I know. I have a tendency to over-analyze.