Happy, Healthy, Holidays To You

Holiday Season 2010 is in full swing and soon will be over and done. We will move on to other, less brotherly love-ish activities like New Year's Resolutions, and organizing for tax season. Before those activities begin, I'd like to take a moment to wish you peace, love and health along with lots of laughter--which, I am convinced, is the best medicine of all. To help with that last wish, I offer this picture of my best buddy, Diego! Someone, who shall remain nameless lest the Humane Society decides to investigate, gave him this elf hat this afternoon and spent hours taking his picture. I was not home but was assured that a great time was had by all! Diego wasn't talking!




May you find lots of reasons to laugh during this holiday week. Deep down, out loud, ear splitting laughter. You'll be glad you did!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!!

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

These wild turkeys sat on our fence several weeks ago, taunting the dogs and making themselves known to the neighborhood. We first saw them when they were tiny--about 15 of them running together. Now there are only a few left. Maybe they are hiding from turkey hunting humans. Not to worry; there are no hunters in our house. Our golden retriever has made it his job to chase them out of the yard and our pug has joined in the chase. The turkeys have helped us mentally prepare for Thanksgiving, that uniquely American holiday. We have family visiting from Sweden but I think they are familiar with our Thanksgiving ways. The Swedes in our house don't care for turkey much so we also prepare enchiladas, which makes me happy since I grew up in New Mexico. My side of the family enjoys their Mexican food in addition to an occasional turkey leg. And don't forget the dressing!

Two Of The Fifty Or So Wild Turkeys In Our Yard!

A Quiet Day

It has been another beautiful day, even tho' I was inside all afternoon at work--not doing my metalsmith thing but working retail. During this time, I interacted with some nice people and some not so nice. I saw friends who made me smile and I heard things that made me sad and empathic for others. All in all, it was a good day and tomorrow I should be able to play at my workbench. Yeah! I have included a picture of the front end of my dog since mostly you have seen the back end! We've had to cut back on the fitness walks for now since I think we overdid it with him during the last two weeks. He was showing "weekend warrior" signs of stressed joints and muscles but is better tonight. Enjoy the pictures. The recliner is becoming his favorite place to sleep as long as someone is sitting with him!

Good night, sleep tight . . . . .and you know the rest!
M--

Happy Cows, Dogs and Me

Today was a gorgeous spring day and it was appreciated by all. The short walk to the gate of Mt. Diablo State Park has become easier for Diego, my pug, and me--both of us easing back into walking. His legs are so short that he has to run when I walk and he is not used to it--loving it, but not used to it. The cows were down by the road today and they were mildly curious about us--and the dogs. The "Cow Whisperer" was a little off his game and didn't seem too interested in whispering and only mildly interested in cows. The picture shows what a beautiful day it was and you get a view of Diego's backside again--but ya gotta love that curly tail!

I had some fabrication time at my workbench today--mostly little rings and big hoop earrings. While this activity is repetitious, it gives me creative mental time at the bench. Ideas often come when I am just repeating a process. The stones and metals seem to mix visually allowing me to see patterns and colors. I can forget the world at that moment and just be completely absorbed. And the time flies by.

Buenas noches,
M----

Country Pug

My pug, Diego, is making many new friends in this more rural area. Well, not really rural but it seems like we're more in the country with lots of animals around. A short walk takes us to the gate of a state park and allows us to visit with cows, horses, goats and many bikers. Yesterday, I didn't go and I missed several "kodak" moments as Diego made friends with a herd of cows that were grazing on the mountain. Being a good pug, he is very trusting and inquisitive when he sees another animal his tail wags constantly and his "sniffer" goes into overdrive. The cows loved him and one risked the barbed wire to put her face right on his back. Diego has no enemies except an occasional misplaced garbage can. The cows followed him when he moved and several cars stopped to see. We have now named him "The Cow Whisperer". Today, I took my camera and of course, the cows were up on the hill--so no luck. Attached is a picture of Diego immediately following a horse kiss! In other words, the horse moved! We are enjoying that country road.

Mergers

It's late, so maybe this counts as tomorrow's post--maybe not. I have been very busy for the last four weeks as I changed my living arrangements and it has been exhausting. I have collaborated with my daughter's family to create a living space in their home for myself and my Pug, Diego. (Yes, he was named after the great Diego Rivera and there is some resemblance!) My townhouse went on the market this weekend and we got it ready in record time. The goal is to sell my place and build a small house on the property here to include living quarters and a studio for my metalwork addiction. It is all very exciting, very exhausting. Downsizing is the smart way to go right now and I have always loved this property with its many trees, a creek in the back and lots of room for sniffing and barking--for Diego, not me.

We are all adjusting to the new living arrangements. I am trying to add value to the household and Diego has stepped up his guard dog activities. The picture shows Diego and Moose, the house Golden Retriever who is worth a blog post just about him. The two dogs have never been this close nor this friendly but in the last week they have provided company for each other and entertainment for all of us. You can see how traumatized Diego is by the whole situation! The woman in the picture is my oldest granddaughter, a student at UCLA.

I am very fortunate to have this wonderful family and you will hear more about them as we become better acquainted. For now, good night!