The Seasons – Page 24 – The Dackel Princess

A Walk In The Springtime

It was a perfectly beautiful day. So perfect that I decided to take Anneliese and go for my first walk of the Spring. About 10 o’clock I put on her cute little harness, snapped on the leash and we headed out. I wanted to go to the Post Office and the docks down on the big lake. After that, I was open to almost anything.

Up the driveway we went until we ran into our neighbor, Frank. He is a 92 year old man who served during World War II. He is the most positive, happiest and fit man that I know, for his age. I tease him all the time and call him my boyfriend! Anneliese and I gave him hugs and kisses and off we went.

We stopped at the Post Office and got the mail. I had a plastic bag to put it in, but in the future I really need to use my back-pack. Those silly plastic bags really cut into you after a while.

So off we walked to the big lake. It was beautiful. The lake temperature is up to 39 degrees (F), so we should have ice-out almost anytime.

As you can see around the dock area it is clear of ice.

Anneliese is such a big girl and she handles herself so well. She does not know she is a small dog and when a Greyhound passed her by, she barked like she was going to eat him! The poor thing just shook! The Greyhound, not Anneliese!

I spoke to her a lot and then I remembered that I needed to get sworn in at the Town Hall as a Library Trustee for the next three years. I turned back and walked to the Town Hall and went in. I took my Oath of Office with Anneliese as my witness. (The Tax Collector was also my witness.) Then we started our walk home.

Anneliese was so good and when I spoke to her about our walk she stopped and turned back and looked at me with love in her eyes. Or is that annoyance that I am photographing her again?

Eventually after about three miles of walking, we got to our driveway and started down hill. It was so beautiful that I stopped and took a few pictures.

As you can see our little lake is nearly ice free. Truly amazing. Usually it is late in April when this occurs.

I think Spring is here!

Snow, Snow & More Snow!

The day started out very snowy. I was shocked to wake and see a good 5 inches on the ground, and the snow was continuing to fall. Hubby filled a thermos jug and headed off to the local ski area to ski a few runs. I didn’t mind, as I know how he loves to ski!

So, I busied myself with trying to take pictures of this event, but I found it tough to take pictures of falling snow. It never looks like it is falling as hard as it actually is. That’s when I decided that taking videos might work a little better. So I took a few. The first one, Greta began to bark and bark. Annoying! And Fritz came right into the center of the camera shot and wee-wee’d! Scrap that one!

So I tossed them inside and took some quiet, peaceful snow videos, where all you hear is me talking, and one small little song too.

Finally I got on my boots and stomped through the snow so I could show you what my house looks like from out front. I took a few pictures as well, and I tried to make a little movie, but my computer kept freezing up, so I finally gave up for tonight.

I made a meal of leftovers for dinner, and now we’re watching the gold medal match for curling! That’s why I am sitting here writing my blog, because mostly I do not care about what is on TV.

The fire is blazing in the hearth, and the dogs are asleep by the fire. Even Fritz, who is discovering the joys of a warm fire! It’s kind of a nice way to end the day.

Relaxation!

One thing that can be said about my grand-puppy, Bogart is, he sure knows how to make himself comfortable! As we sat watching the TV last night we looked down and there he was in all his glory!

I wanted to laugh, but I held it in, as I wanted another picture and even a little snicker would have awakened the sleeping Prince!

So I quietly put the footrest down on my recliner, and turned my camera on. Then I slowly crept over and stood above him, and click!

Even when the flash went off, Bogey did not move. He slept happily in his old puppy bed and never once stirred.

Makenna was over and played with the dogs this morning and we took Bogey out for a walk. She could not believe how much he had grown!

Today was also the day that Bogey really became one of the dackel Pack. They have now totally accepted him, even Arnie. Anneliese plays so nicely with him, and then stops to try to clean his ears! Too cute really.

Today is “Super Bowl Sunday”. What are your plans? Any parties out there? What are you serving up? For my foreign readers, do you watch the “Super Bowl” or could you care less?

Comments please!

I’m making Tacos with all the fixings. Guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, salsa and black olives. Oh and Hubby likes refried beans, which are okay, but not my favorite.

Olé!

Dogs, Fish & Memories

I woke in the night and the dogs took advantage of the situation, by getting me up to take them out. It was -4 degrees (F) and so I did not even bother to go out with them. I just opened the door and they ran out. Moments later, they ran back in! I hadn’t doubted that for a minute.

We all went back to bed and as I lay on my side Anneliese came up and settled herself under my chin. I did snuggle with Anneliese and she was very sweet. She fell back asleep and I could feel her soft, even, breaths and a few times she sighed in her sleep. It was very sweet. It is times like that, that I understand why I have all these dogs. Each one, in their own special way, brings such love into our home.

Naturally, I could not get back to sleep. I just lay there and listened to Hubby and the dogs all making their sleeping noises. It was peaceful and nice. Unfortunately I couldn’t join in their sleeping! I was up at 6 with a mug of coffee in hand.

The day was beautiful, but very cold. I felt badly for the fishermen who are currently up for the annual Ice Fishing Derby!

Last year our neighbor won, both first and second place. A new fishing boat on a trailer and an All Terrain Vehicle! Woo-hoo!

Here is this years tote board. This is where they weigh in and hang the leader’s fish. The event lasts until tomorrow. Hopefully there will be bigger fish than what you see here.

I worried that we wouldn’t have as many people come out this year due to the extreme cold, but they are all out in their long underwear and snow suits! Many bring their “Bob Houses”,

so they can get in out of the cold, but some just drive their trucks right out on to the ice. I’m not sure I would be brave enough for that!

The kids love it because they can bring down their ice skates and practice their hockey moves. I always love to watch the kids!

I have to thank Hubby for these photographs. I am really bothered by the cold. It just gets to me. Hubby is not bothered as much, so off he went. Thanks, Honey for all the pictures.

One year it was 30 degrees (F) and just perfect for a walk out on the lake. I went with my old doggy Shubi and we walked all through town going from one lake to the next. Shubi found a little fish on the ground and she picked it up and wouldn’t put it down. All the fishermen laughed at the little wire-haired dackel with the fish sticking out of her mouth! Shubi really did love fish! Here she is with another fish.

She was my first wire-haired dackel and what a girl she was. It’s hard to believe she has been gone for almost four years. It was, after all, Shubi that made me love dackels.

Snow

I knew we would have a lot of snow. I think it was about 8-9 inches. Hubby was up early and blew the snow off the driveway. Then the two of us went off to the computer shop to get his computer fixed. They told us it would take 2-3 days.

Then we came home and let the doggies play outside. They had such a good time.

from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

I de-cluttered the shelves in my closet and will work on the clothes on Wednesday. Tuesday I have a dental cleaning and a meeting with a woman’s charitable organization. That will be enough for me, I think.

As it is, tonight I am tired and I think I will entertain myself with some mindless TV.

My First Day Out!

We’re in the middle of a snow storm. How much actual snow we will get from this storm (currently the forecast is 12 inches) is any-one’s guess. New snow is pretty and in January it is expected, so when Hubby went outside to do a little shoveling and snow blowing, I took my camera and the dogs and followed.

Anneliese went crazy in the snow. She ran and ran and in some places tunneled! I think she is a real snow-dog!

Arnie likes to be out, that is until his body becomes covered with snowballs! Today he did stay out with us and we even went for a short walk up the driveway.

All four dogs kept me company during my trip up the drive to see our neighbor. We made sure she was okay and didn’t need anything and then the four dogs and I walked back home.

I noticed Fritz at the top of the steps and how really beautiful he looked so I took a long shot and hoped I could crop it down. He is such a handsome boy!

They all waited for me to walk back and let them in.

Then as I sat down to rest, Anneliese and Arnie came and cuddled with me.

And that was how I spent my first day out!

On Our Way

I thought that I would post this little video that I took on Wednesday. It was during the big snow storm that found about 10 inches of snow falling in our area. We had the pups out and they had so much fun.

And here are a few pictures of the dogs in the snow. Here is Greta!

Then Anneliese.

And Fritz!

And of course, Arnie!

We are currently en-route to Boston for the night. We fly out first thing (5:45 AM) on Saturday.

Meanwhile here is our itinerary.

My cruise

With any luck on Saturday we will arrive in San Juan and have half a day on Saturday and half a day on Sunday to tour around the island.

Stay tuned for reports from the Caribbean starting on Sunday.

Snow….

I slept amazingly well on Saturday night. Sometime around 4 o’clock I heard the telltale sign that we’d had a good snowfall. I heard a snowplow truck go down the road below our home. I recall smiling, as I snuggled with the dackels and Hubby and fell back to sleep.

When I woke at 7:30 I grabbed the camera so when I let the dackels out I could take some pictures. They were so happy to see snow. Especially the girls!

Left to right are Anneliese, Arnie and Greta.

The girls played and played, but Arnie soon got pretty wet and headed back toward the door.

There is a certain excitement that comes with the first substantial snowfall. I feel it and so do the pups. Last night I stood outside before I went to bed, in the snow. I just stood alone as the snow fell all around me and I listened to the silence! If you have never seen snow, or been around it you will not know what I am writing about. But when the snow has covered the ground and it is snowing heavily the snow dampens the sounds around you. So when you stand in your yard, alone all you can hear is the most wonderful silence in the world.

Later in the morning I decided to take all four dogs out for a little romp in the snow. Fritz is so good, as he never leaves your side, or if he does, he comes right back when you call. At six years old he is a great dog!

The three dackels were excited and trotted right up our driveway. Suddenly Anneliese saw something by the edge of the woods, and off she ran.

We all made it back on the driveway and walked along a little bit more. Then I called for them to come back and as you can see, only three of them listened. Yes, Anneliese was off chasing snow bunnies, I think!

So once the three dogs were up near the house I turned to find Anneliese. That was pretty easy. She was coming back through the woods, looking very much like the mighty huntress that she is!

She followed me up to the house.

We found Arnie at the door waiting for us, looking just a little cold!

Hubby had started a fire in the hearth so we all came in and enjoyed the warmth. Between the snow, the fire, and going out to the Town Christmas party I really felt in the holiday spirit!

Tis The Season!

Saturday was a big day. I went to the Library Open House in the morning. That was so much fun. I saw so many people I know and enjoyed the morning. Once I was done with that I went over to the Post Office and look what I found!

This was from my friend in Paraguay, Betty. Back in November she had a contest and I won! Today my surprises arrived. I knew about the book, but not about the lovely table scarf! Actually it is so beautiful I may just hand it up on a wall so I can see it all the time. Really it is lovely and the picture does not do it justice! Thank you so much, Betty! This is so wonderful! I will let everyone know when I will be cooking one of the recipes and then I will post about it.

Meanwhile, back to Christmas. Later in the afternoon Altrusa was sponsoring a Festival of Trees. Afterthe event, the Christmas trees are auctioned off to benefit local charities. So I went to show my support. It was marvelous. Local area organizations and businesses decorated each Christmas tree. Then the money is used to help the poor in our area during the holidays. I added some more of my Christmas decorations at the start and then at the end, you can see that it is snowing!

Tonight I am pretty wiped out, but in a good way. It’s days like today, when I meet people and see their smiles and can smile back, that make me feel very happy in my life.

Puppies, Kickers and Eyes

Monday was the first day I really could feel the puppies inside of Greta moving. There is one pup on the left side who is just kicking the heck out of her! A few days ago I could feel butterfly wings when I touched her. Today I felt a football kicker!

It’s the most amazing thing ever. I am so excited, but with Greta there is also a little bit of nervousness. You see, her last litter she had to have a cesarean birth and although it all went well, it also scared me. I love Greta more than anything, and I worry.

We will be having x-rays done on the 21st of August to be sure that all is well with her, that there are many puppies and not just one big one, and that she can deliver them naturally. Perhaps I will relax a little bit more after that.

Greta is so big and getting bigger by the moment! I almost look forward to waking up with her in the morning just so I can check out her expanding belly!

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Meanwhile, I will be going tomorrow to be fit for glasses. Since my second cataract surgery I have not had to wear glasses. This was so wonderful for me after a lifetime of glasses and/or contact lenses. However, with the advancing problem of scar tissue on my left eye, the doctor feels that I should get glasses to assist my right eye. You see, the left one has been losing vision and the right one is doing all the work. By using glasses I will ease the burden on the right eye.

I freely admit that I am just vain enough to not want to wear glasses. But I am “pulling up my boot straps”, (now there’s an idiom for you) and going in tomorrow for the exam and the fitting. I will post once I actually have the glasses in about a week or so.

It is Hot, Humid & Hazy here today. I have had the air conditioners on all day and Greta is most comfortable inside stretched out on the floor or my chair. It will be like this most of the week.