Good Dog

Baron; keeping watch.

 

When the Man waked up he said,
"What is Wild Dog doing here?"
And the Woman said,
"His name is not Wild Dog any more,
but the First Friend,
because he will be our friend
for always and always and always."
Rudyard Kipling

Have we met?
 I'm Baron, walking companion, ball chaser extraordinaire, licker of faces, chaser of squirrels, and world class dog paddler!
 My nose is soft as velvet, my heart even softer.

Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them,
Filling an emptiness we don't even know we have.
Thom Jones

Hmmm, I wonder if she's ever gonna take me for a walk...

Because really, you would think that she would remember how much I love to go for walks. Oh mamma, you haven't forgotten the walk have you?

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.
Milan Kundera

Walk? Did you say WALK? Because I think I clearly heard you say WALK!

Nothing but love has made the dog lose his wild freedom, to become the servant of man.
D.H. Lawrence

 

Hooray! I KNEW you said walk! Of course I'll go for a walk with you!
Now let me see... don't forget my tennis ball, the squished one with the squeaker in it
...and the treats--we'll need at least 3 treats
...and maybe a poop bag or two; cause ya just never know...

 Hey Posie-cat, guess what? We're going for a WALK! Can you believe it?
I am the luckiest dog on earth!

 

My Baron.

Love this guy!

***

When life hands you lemons; make rosemary lemon spray

3 mornings in a row I woke with bites on my legs. Yikes! I tore the bed apart looking for bedbugs. No evidence. Whew! I washed all of my bed linens in hot water with bleach, vacuumed every nook and cranny, dusted and wiped down the baseboards...it's clean as a whistle in there. The same day  I visited my naturopath for another issue. She looked at the bites and said, "Got pets?"
 "Yep."
"Do they sleep in your room."
"Yep."
"Do they go outside?"
"Yep."
"Have you toxified them with noxious flea preparations?"
"Nope. The don't seem to be scratching so I've been holding off."
"What you've got here are flea bites."

Sooo, I went home and looked Baron and Posie over real good. They don't have fleas. But I'll concede that one or two fleas could've hitched a ride into the house on them.
just in case,  I made up this batch of natural flea repellent to spray on them.

ROSEMARY-LEMON SPRAY

• 1 lemon, thinly sliced.
• 1 big sprig of rosemary, chopped to release essential oils.
• 1 quart of boiling water. 
•  Put the lemon and rosemary into a jar and pour the hot water over them.
•  Let it steep overnight.
•  Strain the lemon and rosemary leaves out, and pour the liquid into a spray bottle. 

Spray the dog. Chase the cat and try to spray her.
Careful not to get it into their eyes or  the lemon will sting and they'll be traumatized at the sight of spray bottles for the rest of their lives. If you like, you could soak a bandanna in it, let it dry, and tie it about fido's neck.
Note: This stuff is not supposed to get rid of infestations...just repel fleas that are thinking about hopping on them. Unlike humans, bugs think that rosemary stinks. They avoid it.

But wait, here's the very best part. This spray smells just divine. I've been spraying it on myself, on the counters, all over the bathroom fixtures. It's just lovely! I love it so much that I went back to the market and bought more lemons so that I can keep this spray on hand all of the time. That's just how much I love it! (Another note here...When you spray yourself, the scent doesn't hang around long. :/
That said, remember that fido's sense of smell is 1000 times stronger than yours...and hopefully that goes for Mr. Flea also. So don't overdo things just because the smell has dissipated a bit. What I'm trying to say here is, don't drench the poor dog or cat in this. Be sensible.)

The moral of the story of course is: When life hands you lemons (or flea bites); make rosemary lemon spray!

:)

 





 

Scenes of Seattle and Bainbridge Island

We spent the weekend helping son John and his family get unpacked in their new home on Bainbridge Island in Seattle. Bainbridge is only about 30 minutes by ferry from the Seattle pier, but it feels miles away when you step off the ferry. No hustle, no bustle. just beautiful beaches, homes nestled in the trees or situated along beautiful beaches, and a pretty little town with quaint shops.

 

 

The Seattle skyline is glorious from the ferry on this sunny weekend.

 

Here in Western Washington, we are known for our forests...green, and verdant full of fir trees, ferns, moss and lichen. And because it's so green here, Seattle is called the Emerald City. But on this lovely, sunny day, it could easily be the Azure City. The sky, the sea, and the  mountains seemed to have called each other up and said, "Let's all wear blue today!"

Of course I had to throw in at least one shot of the space needle, our most familiar and beloved landmark!

Mount Rainer, suspended from heaven about Puget Sound. The mountain was originally called 'Tahoma' by the Native Americans who lived here before us. Tahoma has many reported meanings. Natives near my home claim it means, 'larger than Kulshan'. (Kulshan is Mount Baker. Mt. Baker is another local volcanic mountains that is only miles from my home. It is smaller than Rainer.) Other native say that Tahoma means, 'the place where waters begin', and another tribe claims that it means 'the place of the gods.' It is likely that it means all of these things.

Above is the ferry landing on Bainbridge Island.

After unpacking for awhile, we gathered the kids and the dogs and went to cool off at this pretty little beach. I don't recall the name of it. It is unofficially, according to locals, an off - lead beach for dogs.

Here is grandson Dane and his pretty mamma, Karen.

Dane's sister, my grand-daughter Ana. I'm now calling her "Island Girl."

Son John is keeping the dogs in line. Or trying to.

Baron loves the water. We have to force him to rest and have a drink of water. As you can see, he's most intent to get back out there with the children.

That boat had a black lab aboard. I think Baron was trying to decide if he could swim out or not.

My son's dog, Millie, the Aussie, likes to run in the surf, but doesn't actually swim. She's pretty perturbed here, because she was in time out for playing a little to intensely with other dogs. Wants to herd them. After all, that's her job!

I didn't know these children, but they were playing so sweetly together in the surf that I couldn't resist photographing them. What a beautiful place; Bainbridge Island. I am so looking forward to visiting often.

As I took the photos of the harbor outside of Seattle, I couldn't help but think of a song. It was the theme song to an old 70's TV show called "Here Come the Brides." The show was about the early settlers of Seattle who were lumberjacks, and their 'mail-order' brides. It wasn't that authentic, but very entertaining; especially because teen heartthrob Bobby Sherman starred in the show. Do you remember it? Can you recall the song...

The bluest sky's you've ever seen
 are in Seattle,
and the hills, the greenest-green,
 in Seattle.
Like a beautiful child
growing up, free and wild
full of laughter
full of tears
full of hope
and full of fears
full of dreams to last the years
in Seattle.
in Seattle.

It somehow seemed so appropriate to me, as John and Karen start a new life near Seattle.

And so John, Karen, Dane, Ana, and Millie; blessings to you in your new home on Bainbridge...Seattle. May all of your dreams come true there, and may your beautiful children grow up free and wild in their new island home. And hoping that Millie decides to try swimming!

***

 

My Baron, My Bubba, My Babba Louie

 

 

 

This is me and Baron... my Bubba..my partner in crime... my Babba Louie. (You have to be old enough to remember Quick Draw McGraw/El Kabong to know about Babba Louie!)

Baron is a full bred American Field Labrador Retriever. American Field Labs are taller and lankier than their British counterparts. Even so, he's the tallest lab I've ever seen...and most folks who know Labs would agree. There's more to Mr. Baron that his devastating good looks. He is the sweetest creature on the face of the earth. He adores small children and small animals. At the dog park Baron will take his ball and drop it in front of smaller dogs that seem frightened of him; a gesture of friendship. When our grandchildren squabble he becomes very upset. He barks and puts himself between them as if to say, "can't we all just get along?"

Like any two year old, Baron has tons of energy. We walk him faithfully every morning and evening...rain, snow, or shine. At least twice a week we supplement the walks with swimming, outings to the dog park, or a run in the woods for a real workout. We find that if we don't do this, his energy levels just build and build...which can lead to mischief! In addition, we've spent hours and hours in training with him. If you are going to make a dog live in human society, he has to be given the skills to get along.  This means walking nicely on a leash, sitting, staying on command, and just basically having good manners. These niceties will keep him out of trouble with the neighbors, small children, other dogs, and ultimately keep him from winding up on death row in the animal shelter or from getting smashed under the wheels of a car. It is for him, more than for you, that you train him!

 Dogs purportedly  have the intellect of a toddler with the capability of learning several hundred words. It would be unconscionable to raise a young child without training him or giving him the opportunity to communicate with you. The same goes for dogs. They really want to understand you and are very adept at learning words. So far Baron knows sit, stay, wait, treat, eat, food, heel, back, ball, stick, drink, go, break, come, no, leave it, go for walk, go for ride, lay down, off, down, look, fetch, release, poop, pee, Papa, Mama, and Posie Cat, shake, knuckles, we're done, and go to bed.  Most recently I taught him to turn left and right. The way I did this was when we set out for a walk I would walk straight down the driveway without committing (either with my body or verbally) to turn either right or left onto the sidewalk. When we came to the sidewalk I'd say "right" or "left" and then turn in that direction. He soon caught on. At first I wondered if this skill was limited to walking, and if he really understood the meaning of right and left. So we expanded on the concept at the swimming hole. Sometimes when we toss a stick into the water, he'll leap after it, but then lose sight of where it is. When this happens, we yell, "left" or "right" depending upon the location of the stick. When we do this, our Smarty Pants boy-pup invariably swims in the direction that we command and finds his stick! Honestly, he's so smart that sometimes I lie awake wondering what I can teach him next! Algebra?

Bottom line...having a dog is one of the most wonderful things you can do. But I must warn you; as with having children, you must be committed to them for life. If you cannot see yourself exercising your dog daily, providing a safe comfortable environment for them, paying veterinary bills and attending training sessions...don't do it. And for heaven's sake, don't buy a puppy for little Billy for Christmas! How absurd. Is little Billy capable of taking care of a baby? No, you say? Then he's not capable of taking care of a puppy. Period. Just know that that puppy is YOURS, your responsibility and yours to take care of. Little Billy will enjoy playing with him, much as he enjoys playing with his baby sister...but you must not make him ultimately responsible for the welfare of a dog. It's not reasonable or fair to either the child or the pet.

That said; when you're willing to take the plunge; and if you want a big, goofy, loveable family dog, get a Lab. They are angels...angels with an insatiable desire for goodies!

 

Quicks Draw and Babba Louie...'sallright!'

 

***

Simple Pleasure...Playing Fetch in Fishtrap Creek

Friday evening after work. A little sunshine, a Black Lab, a stick and a creek. It's all good.

Of Morning Walks in the Spring Interrupted by Nature

We took our usual morning walk today, Baron and me. An elderly couple passed by. He wore a red flannel jacket, plaid, that hung a bit askew. My guess is that he's been wearing that coat since the Christmas of '89.  She was clad in a sensible navy parka that set off her short-cropped silver hair.  Hand-in-hand they were.

"What a comfortable couple," I said to Baron as we watched them proceed up the street.  Baron thought so too, as evidenced by his wide Black Labradorian toothy grin. Baron is a very agreeable walking companion indeed!

Just as Baron was about to tell me his thoughts about this couple and the mildness of the morning and the fact that the lavender azaleas are in bloom; he was interrupted by a such a hullaballoo, such a squawking ruckus from above that all of us, the gent in his flannel coat, his wife of many years, myself and Baron too, were compelled to look above. A gaggle of geese, Canadian honkers in classic V-formation glided past. It seemed as though all 50 or so of them had different thoughts about which direction they should go...and they weren't at all shy to tell their leader so! Funny how such a graceful sight as geese on the wing can at the same time be such a wild commotion.

We stood there for a moment, Baron and I and the couple, gazing at the geese as they winged their way to parts unknown. "Maybe they're going to the fallow corn fields by the bay," I commented to my dog. He wasn't sure but wagged his tail all the same.

And the geese were gone. Passing through our morning like a thought we forgot to say.

And so we continued on, Baron and I and the couple in their coats. And so we continued on.

 

Have a plaid-red-flannel kind of weekend, my friends!

.

Small town patriots

Yes Baron, that's "Old Glory". She's a grand old flag isn't she!

The hometown crowd thinks so too...

This is what Baron and I encountered on our walk at 7 a.m. this morning. Our local high- schoolers got up with the chickens to show their patriotic spirit. Cars were honking, fire engine sirens wailing, people shouting and waving... this is why I love small town USA!!!

***

Spinach-Apple Salad...Coleus...Staying in the Moment

This is a wonderful salad for empty nesters. Just throw together what you have and Ta-Daaa...a healthy salad for two! (I think we've covered all the food groups with this one.)

My Spinach-Apple Salad for Two

Place in salad bowl...

A bunch of fresh spinach, washed and torn into bite size pieces

1 apple, sliced and quartered, mine was a Jonagold (don't use Grannys--too tart!)

Two or three slices of cheddar cheese, broken into pieces

Handful of sunflower seeds

Toss in dressing; however much suits your taste

Dressing

1 T. Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing

1/4 C. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 T. Red Wine Vinegar

3 T. Apple Juice.

Bought some coleus for the outdoor planters, but they were so beautiful that I kept them inside! Coleus are such opulent looking plants. They make me think of musty Victorian rooms with red velvet settees and heavily draped windows with filtered light and  fancy carpets from exotic places.
I'm finding these plants to be very thirsty indoors, they get droopy easily, so if you get one, keep the watering can handy.





Baron and I took a lovely walk this morning; through the park and all over town.  Walking Baron is necessary...he get's pretty antsy if he doesn't burn that lab-puppy energy. Actually, he's become my own personal fitness coach...spurring me on when I'm feeling lazy! Today I had so many things to do that it was difficult to make myself get out with him. But you know, his health and mine are just as important as spading up the flowerbeds. So I decided to leave my watch at home and just enjoy our time, no matter how long or where our walk took us. We arrived home an hour later; refreshed and ready to take on the day. Stay in the moment, friends...it's the key to happiness.

Nose-to-Nose Meditation

Life Rule #438: When at the beach, you MUST wade!

This morning I took a few minutes to meditate; something I've purposed to do this summer. (Yes, my dear, Christians may meditate too--it's all about what they meditate upon!) Anyway, I was sitting crosslegged on the floor of my living room in a warm sunny spot; just listening to the birds singing and the sound of my own breathing. Baron was lying at my side. I'd warned him several times to stop pawing at my hands for attention and he finally got the message and settled down. Maybe 5 minutes had passed when I heard him stand up. (My eyes were closed.) I sensed him standing directly in front of me. "Ignore him," I said to myself and continued my slow, rhythmic breathing. He moved closer. And closer. His nose was touching mine. I continued trying to ignore him. Now he was sniffing my breathes, sucking in my exhales and breathing into my nose...hmmm. Now his whiskers were touching my face and my chin. It tickled! I smiled, then chuckled. Have you ever meditated nose-to- nose with a dog; and felt him tickle your chinny-chin-chin? I highly recommend it!

Note: My Bible study this morning was pretty heavy. Intense stuff. Thank you Lord for sending me that little tickle on the chin and helping me to lighten up!

***

Of Dads and doggies-- and a recipe

I took Kelly out for breakfast yesterday for Father's Day. Today was a rather quiet day. We went to church; they had a lovely tribute to dads. We've only attended this church for a few months and it feels so nice to have finally found the 'right' place to worship.

After church we visited our dads' graves. It's bittersweet...going to the cemetery on holidays. We spent some time sharing our favorite memories of our fathers. Kelly's dad once helped him carve a little wooden race car for Boy Scouts. They had a big race with the cars--Kelly and his Dad won the race. My favorite memory is of sitting on the riverbank on warm summer days, sipping orange soda and just watching the river run by. Dad put a bell on the end of my pole so that when I got a nibble, it would ring. When I wasn't looking he'd jerk the pole, causing my bell to jingle, then chuckle as I excitedly reeled my line in. Sweet, sweet memories.

I took the opportunity to stroll about the cemetery and take some photographs...

Then we took Baron to Sunset Pond for a swim. Oh my, how he enjoys swimming! It's so gratifying to see him do what he was born to do...swim and retrieve.

Things are all a-bloom around the pond.

 

Funny Baron! He looks like he's running with a stick of dynomite! (It's his new retrieving float toy.)

We ended our quiet day with a plate of home-made spaghetti and a slice of sourdough. (I got the marinara recipe off the internet and it is seriously the best sauce I've ever made! Recipe is below.) Baron is snoring away on his bed after his big day of swimming. Kelly is watching the US Open and I am all curled up in the easy chair. What a nice day!

***

Recipe for Old World Spaghetti Sauce

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree

2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 cup onion, chopped

3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 cup dry red wine

2 1/2 cups water

Directions:

In a large stockpot on low-med heat add your olive oil and saute your onions for about 4 minutes,then add your crushed garlic,cook for 2 minutes longer. Then add your water,and tomato products. Be sure to mix everything very well.Add in your spices,and cheese. cook for 2 1/2 hours covered.Then add in your wine, and cook 30 minutes longer. Sauce will be thin on first day.Also if you use meat it will alter thickness.The second day this turns into a nice thick sauce.

***

How my exercise plans ran amuk

I haven't been posting much lately because of the kitchen remodel; which is still going on with no end in sight until sometime in June--I hope. That is, if I can make up my mind about the floor, and if the tile guy's schedule permits, if the counter-top guy can match my cabinet's stain to the trim;  and if Jupiter aligns with Mars...then just maybe we'll be done in June. Ah well, life goes on.

So this week I had a 'brilliant' idea for exercising Baron. Bicycling! When I told my husband about my plan he looked skeptical.

 "What if he darts after something?"

"I've got that covered," I replied smartly. "I'll  hold the leash loosely under my palm. If he darts...I'll just let go."

This was exciting. If my plan worked, Baron would get twice as much exercise as he did when we walked--and in half the time. We set out bright and early the next morning. I was in a hurry to get going so I slapped my helmet on my head and took off-- wobbling cautiously down the driveway with Baron in tow. Soon we were cruising around the 'hood' at a cautiously optimistic pace. Baron was loping along at my side like a champ. This was going pretty well. I envisioned myself and Baron whizzing over hill and dale--wind in our face...a woman and her dog...riding for miles and miles!

Then out of the blue, Baron decided to stop... right in the middle of the road--and no, I did not let go of the leash as planned. I flew past him, still holding the leash until the slack was taken up and then, yes, you guessed it, I stopped too. Abruptly. Very abruptly. (If you roller skated as a kid, you may remember holding hands with a couple of other kids and 'whipping them around the corners.' It was alot like that!) Whew! I somehow managed to stop without falling. Good thing since my helmet (which in my haste I'd neglected to cinch up) was jauntily tilted over my left ear. Behind me Baron was squatted, and pooping right in the middle of the road. How embarassing! Folks were eyeing us from their yards. Cars were cautiously circling around us. I straightened my helmet, fished a pooper scooper bag from my pocket, scraped the mushy mess off of the pavement, and set the the stinky bag in my pretty white wicker basket.  Then Baron and I rode home.

The next morning we set out again. I was not going to be deterred by a little pooping mishap. Things were going along very nicely. We'd ridden successfully for 20 minutes. I decided not to push our luck and headed for home. As we turned down our block, a couple of surly little daschunds ran out of their house toward us--barking their fool heads off. At the same time a big Siamese cat darted across the lawn. Poor Baron! It was more than he could take. He dashed right in front of my bicycle after that cat! Did I let go of the leash? Nope! I hit the breaks, skidded to a stop and crashed right there in the neighbors' lawn. Baron had the cat cornered on the porch and the daschunds were sniffing the basket on my bike. Must've still smelled like poop. The lady of the house came outside to see what the ruckus was all about.

"Did you crash?" she asked.

"What an astute woman," I thought to myself as I lie there on the grass atop her tacky lawn ornaments and her dogs are licking my 'poopy' bike basket. 

"Was it stupid of me--trying to ride my bike with my dog in tow?" I asked the doctor as she dressed my badly sprained wrist.

"Well, it's a lot to manage all at one time...a bike, a leash, and a big labrador retriever. I've been afraid to try it with my dog."

I think that was a polite way of saying Yes!

I'm not gonna ride bikes with Baron anymore. Hey, I've got a great idea...maybe he could pull me on a skateboard...



How I'm Spending Mom's Day





It all started at Diamond Jim's Restaurant for breakfast. Hubby and his mom had ginormous omelettes. I ordered a boatload of denver-style potatoes; loaded with peppers, mushrooms, ham, and cheese...and a short stack of pancakes. Though the stack of pancakes was indeed short--it was wide! Did I need those pancakes? No. Were they yummy? Yep!

Diamond Jims is in the heart of Bellingham's historic Fountain District and resides in the old Fountain Cafe building. It has that wonderful old-timey feeling just like the Fountain Cafe did. Love it!

After breakfast mom-in-law strolled across the street to church and we drove out to the lake for a long walk with Baron. What a perfect day!

Here's why I live in the Pacific Northwest!  Do you see the center picture...the one with the man watching our dogs? Look how far Lake Whatcom extends from where we stood. My grandpa Charlie used to run a tugboat up and down this lake, towing timber from remote logging camps. My dad worked in some of those logging camps. Grandma and Charlie had a nice cottage out by Lake Whatcom. When missionaries came to visit their church, The Firs (isn't that a pretty name for a church?), Grandma and Charlie would let the missionaries stay in their home. They'd take a tent and go up the lake and camp on the lakeshore...sometimes for several weeks! I think Charlie, a Nooksack Indian, probably enjoyed these these tenting trips more than Grandma. He loved nature. He kept the most beautiful rhododendron garden. As a child I loved to amble along the paths through his garden. There were flowers of every hue, and hidden beneath the branches were little statues of frogs and deer. You never knew what you'd encounter in Charlie's garden. It was enchanting.

Speaking of flowers...after our walk in the woods we stopped at the Garden Spot Nursery for a look. I wanted to buy some herbs for my almost-completed kitchen. What a riot of colors! Garden Spot is one of my favorite local nurseries. Sometimes I just go there to walk around and enjoy the color!  The peach-flavored Italian soda was from Cruisin Coffee, which is practically next door to the Garden Spot. I thought it matched the orangey color scheme of my collage rather nicely!

The rest of the afternoon has been spent curled up in an easy chair, sipping earl grey tea, munching on an 'everything' bagel with creamed cheese, and editing my photos. Now that's my idea of a perfect day!

And my kitchen...well it's still not quite done. Waiting on the flooring guy to clear his calendar. It's a process, I tell you!

Hope your Mother's Day was lovely!

Stopping to Smell the Flowers



"What's this, Mama?"





"It's a flower, Baron. Now don't eat it. Flowers are  pretty...we're supposed to look at them and smell them."






" Okay, Mama. I like flowers."

"Me too, Baron!"

Though we're incredibly busy right now, I still make it a priority to walk every day with Baron. I began walking Baron to exercise the both of us. But now our morning stroll has become more than exercise. It is food for the soul.  As we amble beneath the firs in the City Park, there is such beauty and peacefulness. This morning, there were hundreds of delicate pink bleeding hearts with pure white trillium interspersed amid them. Birds sang and the sun filtered softly through the leaves...glorious! I have no photos for you, as this time is just for Baron and me. 

I have sorely missed taking photos on my hiatus, so I did shoot a few shots this morning when we returned home. Posts will still be few as we continue to forge along in the remodeling process. 

Loving those shadows! It means the sun is finally out! Woo-hoo!

Hope you stop to smell the flowers and see your shadow too!

***



Let's Go Fly A Kite

Sunday. Sunshine...finally!

.

Textures... rough, sun-washed, weather-beaten.

Blue skies. Ocean. Sand. Shells. Eagles and Heron. Pinecones and fancy shells. Rocks. Driftwood. Peanut Butter and Jelly. Brightly colored kites. Salt air. Happy smiles.