1/27/13

Somewhere it is winter, but not here! I was pleasantly surprised by two beautiful blooms on one of my larger orchids today. There are a couple of buds on the same plant, and all of the smaller orchids are covered with buds. They love this weather - and so do I!

1/26/13

Beautiful day today - could not resist taking a little paddle down the river with the doggies. Oreo is a seasoned kayak dog and claimed his spot on the bow last year. Annie is a new boat dog and she has a spot on the back of the kayak perched comfortably on a lifejacket. We were joined by our friend Dave and his pup Cessna. Oreo looks mighty content.

1/25/13

Cheating on my photo of the day today, but in my book - it is okay. Nicole took this photo tonight of me and my favorite little girl in the entire world. I adore each and every moment I have with Izzy, and I really liked this picture of the two of us. She makes my heart smile.

1/24/13

The Tiki Hut at Lucas Boatworks - A strange and wonderful place filled with strange and wonderful people. Took this photo today of the guard gator on the roof of the tiki hut. The Japanese flags came from Dave's son Ken, who is stationed in Japan; and the Christmas wreath - well, it's just there. Somehow all of the pieces fit - just all as the various people fit. We are all different, none of us are the same, and yet - it works! We all "belong", just as all this belongs. Strange and wonderful - both the people and decor.

1/23/13

Soup - It's What's For Dinner!

I'm having a hard time shaking the crud. Went through a round of prednisone, antibiotics and cough meds. Still feeling under the weather. This week has been homemade soup week. Tonight's soup is beef, vegetable with rice. All fresh ingredients and it smells yummy! Hope this will finally help cure what has been ailing me for over 2 weeks now. If nothing else, it surely can't hurt.

1/22/13

Today's photo is about a gift. A unexpected gift of time and talent. Our art teacher at Freedom, Cheryl Meehan, is one of the kindest people I know. As most of you know, I adore my dogs and share photos of them with anyone willing to look. I showed a photo of our little Annie to Cheryl and she said "I'd like to paint your dog." Ummm, okay. I did not give it too much thought after that. About a month later she told me she was working on the painting and requested a couple of recent photos. No problem with that - proud dog mama that I am I always have photos of my dogs. I emailed a couple of photos that I took at Thanksgiving to her. 

Last week, one morning Cheryl came into my office with a cardboard box. She then told me that my painting was still drying, but I could have a peek. I was so impressed with what I saw. She captured my little Annie completely - personality and looks! She told me that because I have always been so kind and helpful to her she felt compelled to do this for me. She is a strong believer in karma. I could not help it - I cried! She gave me more than the gift of this painting, she gave me a gift of her time and talent from her heart. Words cannot capture how that made me feel. 

So...if you know anyone with a pet they adore, Cheryl sells these paintings for $300. It is a bargain for the work she does. And, just for the record, last week Cheryl met Annie for the first time. She was surprised. Annie is about 9 pounds soaking wet, and Cheryl thought she was painting a big dog. Anyone who knows my feisty little girl would tell her she was. 

This photo does not do the painting justice, but here it is:

1/21/13

Doggies don't belong on the back of the couch! Well, exceptions to every rule. Our dogs have all been raised with cats, so except for 70 pound Cally all of our pups prefer to perch on the back of the couch to snooze. We just got back from the grocery store, and Oreo loves to watch what we got get put away. Could be something good for  him in the mix! Not this time, but he is forever hopeful.