Part 1 - Middle aged walkers:
Lumber - swish* - lumber...
Lumber - swish - lumber...
Lumber - swish - lumber...
Part II - Middle aged dogs:
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch...sniff/sneeze
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch....sniff/sneeze
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch...sniff/sneeze
Part III - Neighbors trying to get home this evening before a holiday:
rrrrRRRRrrrr, rrrRRRrrr. rrrrRRRRRRrrrr....SLAM!
Now, read all three parts at once (you might need three readers to get the actual impact), varying your pauses and repeat for about 30 minutes.
*Outerwear for cold days has that plastic "swish" going...
NOTE: Broke my camera - no new photos until Saturday unless I find the old one.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Little dog lost
Well, I know that many of you have been worrying about poor Abby - the boxer lost in the cold and rainy weather.
Today, as we were walking past the house with the red door - halfway to the park (where Abby's owner said they lived and where we KNEW they lived as Abby often barks at us as we pass by on our walks), the young man from two nights ago ran out of the red door. His arms were full of books and we surmised he was a student, almost late for class.
I shouted, "Did you find Abby?" He looked up and said they did. "Are you the neighbors (don't you love that word?) who loaned me the flashlight?" Then he ran back into the house to retrieve it.
The dogs and I kept walking and DH waited for the flashlight. [After all, we got it on a "training" vacation in the Texas hill country. It came from the last Gibson's store in the world. I had no idea how attached DH was to the flashlight until I had sent it out into the night with the unknown neighbor - that word again - and was reminded by my sweet boy.]
DH caught up with us a block or so down the street. He was still missing a small yellow flashlight, but did have a great story.
It seems the neighbors searched for Abby most of the night. The flashlight came in handy. They finally found her near a fried chicken place about two miles away. [I am sure they just set the flashlight down and collapsed when they got home.]
So, there you go, a little Thanksgiving miracle.
[We will update you on the status of DH's flashlight. I may have to drive to that Gibson's to get a new one for his stocking!]
Today, as we were walking past the house with the red door - halfway to the park (where Abby's owner said they lived and where we KNEW they lived as Abby often barks at us as we pass by on our walks), the young man from two nights ago ran out of the red door. His arms were full of books and we surmised he was a student, almost late for class.
I shouted, "Did you find Abby?" He looked up and said they did. "Are you the neighbors (don't you love that word?) who loaned me the flashlight?" Then he ran back into the house to retrieve it.
The dogs and I kept walking and DH waited for the flashlight. [After all, we got it on a "training" vacation in the Texas hill country. It came from the last Gibson's store in the world. I had no idea how attached DH was to the flashlight until I had sent it out into the night with the unknown neighbor - that word again - and was reminded by my sweet boy.]
DH caught up with us a block or so down the street. He was still missing a small yellow flashlight, but did have a great story.
It seems the neighbors searched for Abby most of the night. The flashlight came in handy. They finally found her near a fried chicken place about two miles away. [I am sure they just set the flashlight down and collapsed when they got home.]
So, there you go, a little Thanksgiving miracle.
[We will update you on the status of DH's flashlight. I may have to drive to that Gibson's to get a new one for his stocking!]
Sunday, November 24, 2013
It was a cold and rainy night.
The dogs were going wild tonight. They barked as if preparing to repel an invasion. They barked madly - first on one side of the yard, then on the other.
DH and I jumped up (we were waiting to bring them inside - it will be a long long night - they need as much time outside as possible - the bad weather expected will likely keep them inside for much of the day tomorrow) and ran into the rain, into the darkness. I stopped only for a flashlight. DH was right behind me (I am not going to say that he "poo-poos" me when he thinks something is not serious, but sometimes I have to nudge him a bit. And we both essentially trust the other's judgement.).
Upon arriving outside in the dark drizzle we had barking dogs in one ear and a shouting, clapping young man in the other. I moved the flashlight around and yelled to him. [Every now and again Paddy escapes. We were only half afraid that she was out of the yard, protecting us and terrorizing the shouting neighbor.]
Our guys were at the gate - still safely in the back yard. But other dogs were not so fortunate tonight. It seems the young man's dog had escaped. He was blocks from their house calling for her.
He walked over to us, described the dog (boxer) and gave us her name (Abby). I asked if he lived halfway to the park. "Yes," he said, "red door." I handed him the flashlight and he assured me he would bring it back. I suggested he leave it on his front porch. We will walk by and pick it up tomorrow or the next day.
The man (we never asked his name) headed back into the storm, calling for his pup. We calmed Paddy and Scruffy - our potential disaster averted.
We can only think that he must have accidentally let Abby out of the front door and she "took off." He didn't even have time to stop for his coat or a hat or a flashlight.
I was a little miffed at myself for not offering at least a cap, but I only thought about it after he was gone and we were back inside drying off.
This will be one of those nights - not fit for man nor beast. Hopefully Abby will tire of her ramble and return home.
[Faucets are covered, sheets are thrown over tender plants, and we are almost ready for the cold front due in the early morning hours.]
DH and I jumped up (we were waiting to bring them inside - it will be a long long night - they need as much time outside as possible - the bad weather expected will likely keep them inside for much of the day tomorrow) and ran into the rain, into the darkness. I stopped only for a flashlight. DH was right behind me (I am not going to say that he "poo-poos" me when he thinks something is not serious, but sometimes I have to nudge him a bit. And we both essentially trust the other's judgement.).
Upon arriving outside in the dark drizzle we had barking dogs in one ear and a shouting, clapping young man in the other. I moved the flashlight around and yelled to him. [Every now and again Paddy escapes. We were only half afraid that she was out of the yard, protecting us and terrorizing the shouting neighbor.]
Our guys were at the gate - still safely in the back yard. But other dogs were not so fortunate tonight. It seems the young man's dog had escaped. He was blocks from their house calling for her.
He walked over to us, described the dog (boxer) and gave us her name (Abby). I asked if he lived halfway to the park. "Yes," he said, "red door." I handed him the flashlight and he assured me he would bring it back. I suggested he leave it on his front porch. We will walk by and pick it up tomorrow or the next day.
The man (we never asked his name) headed back into the storm, calling for his pup. We calmed Paddy and Scruffy - our potential disaster averted.
We can only think that he must have accidentally let Abby out of the front door and she "took off." He didn't even have time to stop for his coat or a hat or a flashlight.
I was a little miffed at myself for not offering at least a cap, but I only thought about it after he was gone and we were back inside drying off.
This will be one of those nights - not fit for man nor beast. Hopefully Abby will tire of her ramble and return home.
[Faucets are covered, sheets are thrown over tender plants, and we are almost ready for the cold front due in the early morning hours.]
Cold autumn day...
Finally the foot was feeling better. I talked DH into a quick walk before the threatened winter weather closed in.
I have been meaning to capture the changing colors of the foliage in the neighborhood for days, but never had the chance. It has rained many days. On others I have raced to the office and returned after dark.
Today would have to be the day.
The grey sky kept the full brightness of the leaves from showing, but perhaps these photos will document that we do have seasons here...though some are very short.
DH and the pups and I were late this morning, but there was little traffic. The cold temps seem to have kept people in their beds. There were still newspapers to be moved closer to the doors of our elderly neighbors. [DH was in control of the dogs for part of the walk. I was taking pictures. He made a point of gesturing to the newspaper and the neighbor's porch, reminding me of my duty as the dogless one.]
We noticed more trees, weakened first by the drought, damaged by recent storms.*
Our intermittent park creek was still flowing from the rains. We wondered if it would be only edged in ice tomorrow, or if the ice will cover the surface. We will walk and see if there is only snow. We won't walk (slide) on the ice.
OK. That's it. Well, that's it except for the tuxedo cat we saw in a window. He watched us as we walked by, probably wondering why we were out on this cold day.
* http://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/2012/09/25/the-final-numbers-are-in-over-300-million-trees-killed-by-the-texas-drought/
I have been meaning to capture the changing colors of the foliage in the neighborhood for days, but never had the chance. It has rained many days. On others I have raced to the office and returned after dark.
Today would have to be the day.
The grey sky kept the full brightness of the leaves from showing, but perhaps these photos will document that we do have seasons here...though some are very short.
DH and the pups and I were late this morning, but there was little traffic. The cold temps seem to have kept people in their beds. There were still newspapers to be moved closer to the doors of our elderly neighbors. [DH was in control of the dogs for part of the walk. I was taking pictures. He made a point of gesturing to the newspaper and the neighbor's porch, reminding me of my duty as the dogless one.]
We noticed more trees, weakened first by the drought, damaged by recent storms.*
Our intermittent park creek was still flowing from the rains. We wondered if it would be only edged in ice tomorrow, or if the ice will cover the surface. We will walk and see if there is only snow. We won't walk (slide) on the ice.
OK. That's it. Well, that's it except for the tuxedo cat we saw in a window. He watched us as we walked by, probably wondering why we were out on this cold day.
 | |
| I have been watching THIS TREE! It has been so lovely. |
 | |
| Tuxedo cat watching the dogs. |
 |
| Seriously - this guy was not sure what he thought of the pups. |
 |
| 1/3 of this pecan split in the last bad storm. |
 |
| Pecan in the park damaged as well. |
 |
| Dogs weren't sure what I was doing, but stopped to look. Movement of camera into and out of the pocket is the same as cookies in the pocket so I suspect they were looking for a treat. |
 |
| Stream with water! |
 |
| Stream was running clear. |
 |
| One of my favorite park trees. |
 |
| China berries - need a sibling for a china berry fight! |
 |
| Red leaves in places in the neighborhood. |
 |
| Walking companions |
 |
| I think our neighbors planted this tree just for me. |
 |
| Look at these maple leaves! |
 |
| Just outside our back door - the pecan leaves and nandina berries remind me of my grandmother's house. |
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Walking towards the fire
DISCLAIMER:
I should apologize, first to the dogs, then to those who enjoy my walks "second hand," and finally, to my waist. I have hurt my foot. It's not a big deal. It simply needs ice and an Ace bandage and rest. But it is a slow heal.
So I am not walking often and I am not walking far. Adventures are few. So I am catching up here. There will be a mixed bag of posts until I have more stamina and less pain (I am a wuss. Ask my family.). But I am motivated. My warm blue jacket that has walked the hills of Ireland is more than snug. Time for change! And change is coming. [More about that over the next few months.]
WALK:
Today we were up early - "No, I don't want to walk at 5 on a Saturday," growled DH. And then we were up late - "It's 7. Let's go!" encouraged the sore-footed walker.
We "geared up" as it was 68 degrees in the house. Who knew how cold it would be outside (apparently 50 or so). Coffee made, pockets filled with keys and cookies and plastic bags, but cell phones were AWOL. "My cell is dead, where's yours?" "Call me on the house phone." [Yes, we still have a home phone, perhaps for just this reason.] Ah, there is is...with all the pocket detritus of yesterday.
As we headed down the street we noticed the sun was rising in line with the street. It was as if we were walking towards a fire.
We continued down the street until the dogs "did their business" as my uncle used to say. [This is not a political or social comment. This is simply what my uncle called it. It was a different time. There were no hundetoiletten.]
As I stopped to be a responsible dog owner, DH continued back up the street with the pups. Paddy would have none of it. She stopped, legs splayed. She turned her body to look towards me. I had to laugh. Whether she thought I had more cookies for her or she recognized I was injured and moving slowly or she just didn't want me to be left behind, she stopped cold and waited.
So, it was short cool walk on a bright Saturday morning. Time changes tonight. It will be dark on future walks.
I should apologize, first to the dogs, then to those who enjoy my walks "second hand," and finally, to my waist. I have hurt my foot. It's not a big deal. It simply needs ice and an Ace bandage and rest. But it is a slow heal.
So I am not walking often and I am not walking far. Adventures are few. So I am catching up here. There will be a mixed bag of posts until I have more stamina and less pain (I am a wuss. Ask my family.). But I am motivated. My warm blue jacket that has walked the hills of Ireland is more than snug. Time for change! And change is coming. [More about that over the next few months.]
WALK:
Today we were up early - "No, I don't want to walk at 5 on a Saturday," growled DH. And then we were up late - "It's 7. Let's go!" encouraged the sore-footed walker.
We "geared up" as it was 68 degrees in the house. Who knew how cold it would be outside (apparently 50 or so). Coffee made, pockets filled with keys and cookies and plastic bags, but cell phones were AWOL. "My cell is dead, where's yours?" "Call me on the house phone." [Yes, we still have a home phone, perhaps for just this reason.] Ah, there is is...with all the pocket detritus of yesterday.
As we headed down the street we noticed the sun was rising in line with the street. It was as if we were walking towards a fire.
 |
| DH wastes no time and walks ahead with the pups so they don't shake the camera |
 |
| We walk towards a bright orange sky. |
 |
| The light is blinding as the sun....rises. |
We continued down the street until the dogs "did their business" as my uncle used to say. [This is not a political or social comment. This is simply what my uncle called it. It was a different time. There were no hundetoiletten.]
As I stopped to be a responsible dog owner, DH continued back up the street with the pups. Paddy would have none of it. She stopped, legs splayed. She turned her body to look towards me. I had to laugh. Whether she thought I had more cookies for her or she recognized I was injured and moving slowly or she just didn't want me to be left behind, she stopped cold and waited.
So, it was short cool walk on a bright Saturday morning. Time changes tonight. It will be dark on future walks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)