Doggy Love

My dog Rocky has been with me for nearly 13 years now so far. We have been on a lot of walks together, shared plenty of hugs.

Charlie, Rocky, Sadie, Jan and Tonka 

Shared lots of muffins too. I have had about 20 dogs in my life, most of them here at this home where I have lived for 35 years.  Had a number of cats too and they always have had their own door to the outside.

I have opened this door maybe, oh lets see, 10 times a day to let dogs in or out. That is a very low guesstimate I'd say. 10 times a day for 365 days a year for 35 years. That is a lot of opening and closing and letting out and in, wouldn't you say? Well, we finally decided to put in a dog door. I guessed that Rocky would have a hard time adjusting after nearly 13 years of having the door opened for him. But I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Rocky was the first of my 3 dogs to learn it. I thought it would be Tonka, the Border Collie. They are supposed to be known for being so smart. Tonka is rather dingy though, and can't seem to remember from day to day that he can let himself in and out now. Sadie is kinda arthritic so I still open the door for her a lot although she can get through the new door if she wants to. Not so much getting up in the middle of the night to open doors any more.

Sleep well.

More journaling

Sometimes I feel this way.

And other days I feel this way.

Beginning of pages.

Further along but not finished.

I made some Valentine Tags for some friends, here are a few of them.

Happy Valentines Day to all my friends.

Be well.

Pay It Forward

About a month ago I saw this posted on a friend's Facebook page, 

For fun and to spread smiles...Pay it forward 2012...
I promise to make something handmade for the first five who comment.
They must in turn post this and make something for the first five people who comment on their status.
The rules are that it must be made by you and they must receive it before 2013. It can be as simple as making a friend a cup of coffee.

I joined in and sent out my gifts earlier this week.  They are beginning to show up in my friends mail boxes so I thought I would share photos of what I sent out.

They are tiny little folded paper books that I decorated with stamps, tags, fibers and other bits and bobs.  They are only about 3 inches square.

It was a fun project and made me feel good to Pay It Forward.  Thanks, Dolly, for the incentive. 

If I brought a little surprised smile to six friends faces this week it was worth it.

I hope they all enjoy paying it forward too.

Be well.

Remember summer?

I was thinking about how most of us are in the middle of winter.  Remember summer?  That warm, flower scented time?  Here is a little video clip I made last summer.  I thought this might be a nice time to share it, to remind you of what will be coming in a few months.  Warmth, flowers, birds.  Hope you can hear the Swainson's Thrushes singing in the dusk, one of my most favorite summer sounds.  Also starring Charlie, the tuxedo cat.  Enjoy!