Just practicing...

...for my new blog (click here) , which starts officially next year. OK, so that's only the day after tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm posting this photo of the ever so loveable Roger here, just because I can. I'm sure he will be appearing many more times throughout the coming year, in both places.

Helper dogs!

Need a little help decorating your tree? Call these guys! (click here). It is my understanding that they are all service dogs. I wish I'd seen this a couple of weeks ago!

Am I CRAZY?

Do I really need another diversion? NO. Can I manage another diversion? Well, I don't know, but I certainly hope so and I'm up for the challenge, so we'll see! Who knows, maybe it can even serve as a tool that I can use to help me become more disciplined.

Check THIS out (click here) and tell me if you think I'm crazy for embarking on such an endeavor...

Paws for Claus

Yesterday Roger and I participated in the 2nd Annual Paws for Claus at Windchime Assisted Living, an event that is thoroughly enjoyed by the residents. There were about 30 dogs in all, most dressed in their best Christmas finery. Normally I don't go for dressing dogs up in costumes or people clothes, but this was for a worthy cause, and besides, Roger wasn't actually dressed up, he merely had on some seasonal accessories!
The event began with a freestyle ("dancing") demonstration, then the dogs paraded past the audience, one at a time, as they were introduced. There was an award for Most Christmas Spirit, Best Dressed and Most Obedient. While the judges were tallying the scores, there was general mingling among dogs and audience. If invited to participate again next year we will surely accept.

Red is a good color on Roger. He didn't even mind the jingle bells.

Trixie
Vanderbilt, a Saluki rescued from Kuwait

Buddy

I don't know the name of this cutie

Teddy, winner in the "Most Christmas Spirit" category

I knew this would happen...

It has been over one month since my last post...and it was almost one month in between that one and the one before. Where does the time go? Why is is that when I have an inspiration I am not in a position to take action, then when I am in front of the computer the inspiration is no longer there?

Well, here goes, just a little recap of my afternoon.

I decided to take Roger down the hill to the dog park and to run a few errands. We were approaching Lookout Point when Roger started whining a little and seemed restless. I figured nature was calling, and since Lookout Point is now so easily accessed, it seemed like a logical place to stop. We made the rounds, checking out trees, grassy mounds, mulched areas and the perimeter fencing, but no go.

I have not stopped at Lookout Point since its transformation. In fact, I have not stopped there for several years. It was worth it, even though Roger only sniffed. The view is as spectacular as I remembered, and they did a good job of making it user friendly.

Lookout Point is now official

The viewThere is an inscription on the marker that reads, "Gone but not forgotten, although we are apart, your spirit lives within me, forever in my heart." Sad...

Roger strikes a pose

Not the best pose, in fact I think he looks a little stuffy. Another visitor had just pulled up and he was momentarily more interested in them than me and my camera. Oh, well, at least his visit is documented.

Then it was on to the dog park, aka: tree farm. This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago. As luck would have it, my camera battery died right after Roger's stuffy pose at Lookout Point.

This is Roger's new favorite place and it is one of mine, too. Leashes are optional in a large portion of the grounds. The number of visitors varies day to day and hour to hour. It is always fun to watch the interaction when dogs meet for the first time. Roger's best friend for today was a 17 month chocolate lab named Buck. His humans said he was a very good hunter. They also said he usually outruns most dogs, but that he met his match in Roger. Roger is very fast! I wish I could have captured their antics on video.
On to our errands, nothing exciting there. I must say, however, that one of Roger's fine attributes is that he is completely trustworthy while waiting in the car. He never gets into the front seat, never chews on anything (he didn't even get into the 2 packages of dog treats that were in the back seat with him!) and, as far as I know, he doesn't bark.

I have a few more items up my sleeve for posting in the next few days, so let this be a new beginning of a more regularly updated blog.

I voted!

I hope you did, too!

OK, Roger didn't really vote, but he would have if only he had an opposable thumb!

What's an f-stop?

Actually, I really do know what an f-stop is, but with my new camera I don't have to be concerned with it. I wanted a compact digital point and shoot camera to replace my Kodak and I chose an Olympus Stylus 1010, mainly because of its zoom and dual image stabilization. What I discovered after I got it, however, is that it has both macro and super-macro settings. Close up shots are now my new favorite. I am amazed at the images this little gem is capable of and I don't have to do anything except find a subject, lie on the ground, wait for an insect, make sure the light is right, and snap dozens of shots to end up with a handful of images. I didn't do anything to these other than a little cropping on some. (What's Photoshop?)

Portulaca


Hurry, bee, get while the gettin's good


My nemesis, buttercup oxalis

This is my very favorite. I found out that this is NOT a bee, but a hover fly, also known as a flower fly, and you can tell because it has only 2 wings, not 4 like a bee. Who knew?

Alyssum, sans Syrphidae eristalis lineata

Leftover hydrangea...I think it is even prettier now than at its peak


Easy being green...

just for fun...

and this one courtesy of the trusty Kodak...

more doggy doin's!

Just a quickie post with some photos taken today with my "new" (thanks Jenny!) camera phone. We were checking out the 1st Annual Bark'n in the Park which was held at the new Community Park. I would venture to say that a good time was had by all. There was one booth that had several balls in a tub of water and the object was the same as bobbing for apples. Some of the balls were marked to indicate which prize would be awarded. I handed over my $2 coupon so Roger could have a go at it. As much as Roger likes balls, and water for that matter, he just wasn't interested (or didn't have a clue) and I was completely surprised. He did, however. make a splash when we stopped to talk to Peggy and Bev at the vaccination table. When Roger is especially thirsty he sticks his whole nose, up to his eyes, into the water. When he is especially frisky he puts his paws, as many as will fit, into the water. Well, he was feeling frisky, so he put both front paws into the water bowl that was right at Peggy's feet and started digging, not just once, but several times! Its a good thing Peggy understands dog behavior and is used to that sort of thing. It would have been a cute video if I would have thought about it.

Notable dogs we saw at the event included an Old English Sheepdog named Toby, Roger's classmate Fargo, Bev's dog Tootsie, at least one basset hound, a beagle, a mastiff, 2 springer spaniels and 2 Irish wolfhounds.

News Flash! This event was just on the 11 o'clock news and it was reported that there were over 100 dogs in attendance and over $2,000 was raised for the Animal Shelter and the Humane Society!

The scarf was included in the goody bag that we received for our $10 donation. I wish I would have positioned it so the logo was more visible.

I think this is a good one of Dawn, despite the shadow from her glasses. Part of the backside of Roger's head was cropped out because something way more interesting caught his attention just as I clicked the shutter.

After numerous attempts we were able to get the next 4 shots. It seems there's a timing thing that must be mastered in order to capture both dog and human looking toward the camera at the same time.

Beth said I should have the last one framed. I guess it is pretty cute, so I went ahead and printed it out.

Problem solved!

Surprisingly, I was able to figure out my computer's malfunction all by myself and can once again upload photos, so I thought I'd share a few. Nothing exciting, just some of my favorites.

Unknown variety of plumbago. I just love the color.

"Brandy"

"Brandy" after a few days in captivity. It ususally opens all the way after its cut, but this one didn't. I like how the shading shows up.

Roger watches the kids playing next door. He so wanted to join them!

Roger contemplates...


Roger on his 2nd birthday (yesterday!)


Action shot! Activity across the street caught his attention just as I clicked the shutter button. He turned his head so fast that I thought the photo would come out a total blur, but I was surprised at how it just caught his ears flying.

I've been tagged!

20 years ago...

1. I had been living in Paradise for 3 years.
2. Reno finally quit his job in the bay area after 3 years of being home only on weekends.
3. we got Bud, our first bullmastiff. He was one-in-a-million and the dog that made me love dogs.
4. My daughter was in 7th grade and my son was a sophomore in high school..

10 years ago...

1. I had been with Paradise PD for 9-1/2 years.
2. Bud had been gone for just over 2 years.
3. Chuck, our second bullmastiff, had just turned 2.
4. Reno and I had been married for 26 years.

5 years ago...

1. is a blur! (I will edit this if/when memories of this time period return!)

3 years ago...

1. I painted our kitchen and dining room yellow and I still love it!
2. I went to Hawaii for the first time.
3. we lost Chuck to lymphoma.
4. was the 40th anniversary of my friendship with Debbie and JoAnne!

1 year ago...

1. I "retired" from Paradise PD.
2. I rescued Roger, the best poodle ever!
3. Married 35 years!

So far this year...

1. I became a grandma!
2. my son graduated from CSU Chico.
3. I had tile put down in the entry, kitchen and dining room.
4. I've created this blog and a MySpace account.

Yesterday...

1. I went to work at Joy Lyn's in the morning and the PD in the evening.
2. I took some photos with my new camera. I thought I would share them here, but my computer is acting up and won't let me upload them. (I'll add them if/when the problem gets fixed.)
3. I had leftover lemon chicken from Moongate for lunch...YUM!
4. I flossed for the 164th consecutive day without fail. (I even flossed when I was camping, when I was sick, and when I was dead tired after working graveyard!)

Today...

1. I had a hard time getting out of bed. Sometimes 6 hours of sleep just isn't enough.
2. I took Roger to his obedience class in Chico. (He did great!)
3. I went back to Chico to go shopping with my daughter and bought a new watch.
4. I had a fun texting back and forth with Beth.

Tomorrow...

1. my daughter and I are taking her 2 dogs (my grand-dogs) to the Canine Carnival at 20th Street Park in Chico.
2. I need to water the roses in the back yard.
3. is the day before Roger's 2nd birthday.
4. will be here in an hour. (It has taken me 2 hours to complete this, due in part to item 2 under Yesterday.)

Next year...

1. my granddaughter will be walking.
2. I will have a 5th great nephew. (he was due 2 days ago!)
3. I will probably still be working part time at Paradise PD and Joy Lyn's.
4. I will still be a daily flosser.

Thanks, Stacie, this was fun.

Dog Days of Summer

Yesterday was the Dog Days of Summer at AT&T park in San Francisco. It is an annual event with a portion of the proceeds of the Dog Zone tickets going to the San Francisco SPCA. There were hundreds of dogs in all shapes and sizes. Roger was the only standard poodle that I saw.
Our experience started with a parade around the field, which I was afraid we might miss. According to the information we received with our tickets, the parade was to begin at 11:20. We left Paradise in plenty of time to make it by the deadline and we didn't have any problem getting to the ballpark. We were following the directions to the parking lot and before we got there, right across from the entrance to the park, we saw a hand written sign that said "Parking Available, $30." Dawn and I looked at each other and remarked about what a rip off that was. We continued on toward the designated ballpark lot, but mistakenly turned in to the permit only lot. No problem, they just directed us through to the entrance to the regular lot. We pulled up to the lot attendant and were shocked to find out that the parking fee was $30! We asked if there was cheaper parking somewhere else and he said yes, but that it was 5 blocks north of the ballpark. He gave us the directions to Embarcadero & Bryant, and we proceeded back the way we came. He had said the lot would be on the left so we were in the left lane. Right close to the intersection there was a sign indicating a right turn into the lot, but we couldn't get over in time. We continued north several blocks, made a legal u-turn, found another lot with plenty of spaces and pulled in. The parking fee...only $20! We parked and embarked on our 5 block trek. By now it was at least 11:35. When we finally got to the park we saw a long line of dogs and their human companions all waiting to go inside for the parade! Although I had already resigned myself to missing the parade, I was glad we got to participate.
Upon entering our assigned section and seeing how crowded our row was, we decided to sit in a lower row that was almost empty. We figured it would be good for as long as it lasted, and it lasted for about 2 innings. Thankfully, the people whose seats we were in were very gracious. We then took our assigned seats and discovered they were actually better, as was the company! We were seated next to a puggle (with whom Roger was enamored and who left before I could take her picture), a beagle, an Airedale, and a couple of chocolate labs.
It was a warm (hot) day in San Francisco. Each dog had been given their own orange water bowl and the SPCA dog monitors came around regularly to make sure that the hydration needs of all the dogs were met.
The only problem with going to a ball game with so many dogs is that it is hard to focus on the action that is taking place on the field. This is the best of what I saw of the game...bottom of the 4th inning, score is tied 2-2, Pablo Sandoval is on 2nd base (after a lead-off double that I'm not sure I actually saw), Barry Zito hits a single & Sandoval scores! We left shortly thereafter. I learned later that the Giants beat the Padres 4-3.
It was a long day, despite seeing less than half of the game. Roger slept almost all of the way home. I told Dawn I didn't think I would do it again, but I'm already reconsidering! If I do go next year I vow to take more photos and perhaps a video or two (or more).

Can't get enough of Lake Tahoe!

If I ever win the Lotto I will be looking into buying a place at Lake Tahoe, but until then renting a house with my gal pals for 5 days and 4 nights every August will have to do. We started this tradition in 1997 and first stayed in a little studio cabin in Tahoma at a place called Tahoe Cedars. A charming place it was, old and well established, with its own private beach and families that returned year after year. We were lucky to get in that year, but decided to try something new the next year. (Tahoe Cedars has since closed and now sits boarded up, looking so forlorn). A reasonably priced motel on the beach in South Lake Tahoe was our choice for 1998. South Lake Tahoe proved to be too crowded for our liking and a motel room also proved to be too crowded. The next year we found a house on a golf course in Incline Village for not much more than the price of either the studio at Tahoe Cedars or the motel on the beach. That spoiled us and we've had either a house or a condo ever since. Most recently we've been staying at a house at the edge of Tahoe City. The location is great, the price is right, and since we've stayed there several years now we feel quite at home from the minute we arrive until its time to leave. This was the first year we extended our stay from 3 nights to 4, though we've talked about it almost from the beginning. We also had company for the first time - JoAnne's sister and cousin came up and spent 2 days and a night (thank you Shelley, for the wonderful fruit platter!). Our days were filled with hiking, relaxing at Calawee Cove, rafting on the Truckee River, lounging around playing Hand and Foot, swimming in the lake at a place we've named Rock Beach, and a little shopping. Our evenings were spent strolling around downtown Tahoe City, going for walks in "our" neighborhood (beware of the bats!), taking in the sunsets at Commons Beach (more bats!) and North Tahoe Beach, playing Hand and Foot, and watching the Olympics. It was a good time as usual and I think I can safely speak for the group and say we all are looking forward to next year. The photos were all taken with my cell phone.

Beautiful blue Lake Tahoe from the Rubicon Trail

(yes, it really is that blue!)

Commons Beach just after sunset

Flowers in "our" neighborhood

Looking north toward Incline Village from "Rock Beach"

"Rock Beach" looking south toward Sand Harbor

Sunset from the highway above "Rock Beach"

Getting ready to leave "Rock Beach" on the last day (so sad!)

Last look at "Rock Beach" until next year