A Little Dab Will Do Ya

We had a bit of snow yesterday, and this should be Winter's last hurrah. The bushes are starting to get new leaves, and the Spring flowers are starting to make their appearance. Not a moment too soon either. Warmer weather is still months in the making, but it feels like it might be do-able these days.

The snow doesn't phase Caelan in the least. He happily makes his rounds, trotting around the backyard.

Taren turns all pink from the cold, even though we were out just a short while. Him and I agree, a good snuggle on the couch seems like a better idea than the white stuff.

What's that noise?

Nothing snaps their heads around quicker than the woodpecker. I haven't heard him in a while, so I am glad he has returned. Taren is all wide eyed as he listens. What's that?

Taren says, How about that nap? This photo makes me yawn every single time I look at it.

What Lurks In The Shadows

German Shorthaired Pointer Stalking Squirrels

Morning comes early at our house. I feed the dogs straight away, because Taren is pretty sure he is on the verge of starving to death if you do not. I pour my coffee, and nuke it so it is extra hot.  Just the way I like it.  Then drown it in creamer and fake sugar. Yes, I am well aware that somewhere in the world a gourmet coffee grower just heaved a great sigh. I then trudge upstairs, turn on the computer and proceed to drink my coffee. Bothering me before the caffeine flow is firmly established is a bad idea, a badddddd idea. I hear the door open, and the boys rush outside to potty, and then I hear the barking. They normally never bark so I wonder what is out there in the dark. I yell out the window a sharp- Caelan!  His pitch and fervor rise. It's 5 a.m.- Hi Neighbors! Good Morning! Somewhere in our neighborhood I am sure someone is thinking- Gonna shoot me a dog. I run down the stairs, I never want to be *that* neighbor. I get Caelan to begrudgingly come in, and I proceed to drink my now not optimally warm coffee. Grumble.....  As the morning progresses I let KK back outside and he rushes to the edge of the deck, stands, and leans over the railing. His entire body is quivering. I usually throw bread over the edge for wildlife, so I was expecting to see a deer or two. I know, bad habit.  I look over the railing and I see what appears to be a cat. I go back into the house thinking, That was kind of a weird looking cat.  So I look out the window and sure enough it was a weird looking cat, up and until he turned into the light. It appears we have ourselves a possum. I grab Caelan, yell at my husband to come look and make it snappy, and shut the door in a hurry. You know, because they can levitate, hurl themselves at your face and suck out your soul through your nostrils. Okay, maybe not, but their eyes glow red and they growl, and not in a very nice way. Have you seen their teeth?! So while my coffee is now stone cold, I know what lurks in the dark, and am none too happy for the knowledge.

It's Friday! Aroooooooo!

German Shorthaired Pointer

One of the boys has big feet!

It's Friday and not a moment too soon. My friend and I were just discussing how this week has lasted an eternity, maybe two. Anyone have any big plans? It has been so rainy here that we all have a bad case of cabin fever. I think we will head into the big city, as opposed to small town America were we live. The boys will head to doggie daycare to romp with their buddies and burn off some stream. One of their favorite friends is a girlie. A 200 pound Mastiff, with a very dainty name like Daisy. Daisy is anything but dainty and is more along the line of slobbery, but she always makes me smile. Their other best bud is a wild black Lab, and I do mean wild. That should not surprise any of you in the least. He is owned by a very, very, petite older woman that gets drug across the parking lot every time she drops him off. We just hold open the door and get out of the way. He makes our two look like perfect angels, which they are of course. (ahem) I love doggie daycare. The boys get to socialize and they come home exhausted and sleep the evening away. However, the best part is they do anal glands for three dollars. Three! Squeeze away! You weren't eating were you? =o) I would pay ten times that not to have to do the nasty, but I am keeping that little secret to myself. The boys play away the day, and get groomed. Mom and dad spend the day not having to worry if we are straining anyone's bladder. It's a win-win in my book. So how about you? What's up?

Happy Friday!

Catching Snowflakes-Happy Anniversary

We received a bit more snow, and I do mean a bit. Small, dry flakes that lasted till morning. Enough time to get in a little fun though. I can't decide if Taren is catching snowflakes, or expressing how he really feels about these cold blustery days.

Some of you know that Grey Dog-and His Speckled Brother Too, is really my secondary site. A year ago today I posted my first photo on Rainer Blue.  It was a collaboration between two friends and we committed to no less than one year. As my skills improved, and I found my way around the Blogger format, Rainer Blue gave way to Rainier Blue Photography. A site that I felt reflected my growth and vision. Rainer Blue speaks more to the person I am than I could ever express in words. It was a project born of my heart, a labor of love to be sure. With tremendous, tremendous sadness I have decided to close the door on Rainier Blue and its sister site. For one reason, for a hundred reasons. I believe in signs, and I was given one yesterday that sealed its fate. I do not know what the future will hold. Take a last look around if you please, and wish me a happy anniversary. I'll let it be for a small while.

Rainer Blue Photography

Rainer Blue

Snow 2010- Oregon Style

Prior to the end of the year we had a snow storm-Oregon style. It lasted all of 30 minutes, maybe. Go ahead and laugh it up my snow bound friends. I'll wait. Hey, rain, not snow is our claim to fame. At least in the Willamette Valley.  So you will have to cut us a little slack. This is my backyard. I live among the trees.

Every time it snows I rush the pups outside, so we don't miss it. I am always woefully unprepared. Summer shoes, of course, all the better to soak up the water, and never a coat to be found in the down stairs closet.  Caelan loves the snow. He always has the zoomies. Weeeeeee!

Now the other way.

Even Taren my water phobe gets in on the fun. They zoomie separately, they zoomie together, they zoomie side by side. Zoom, zoommm, Zoomie.

Caelan is thrilled with the snow.

Taren is over it. Me too. Our feet are wet, our noses are cold, and we are covered in snow. So goes the great snow storm of 2010. Taren and I head in the house and we leave the day to Caelan.

Actions compliments of the ever generous and talented Rita.

Actions and Presets

Nap Time

Weimaraner, Taren

Around 3 o'clock every day, I could seriously take a nap. Maybe because I am a life long insomniac and that is when it all catches up with me, or maybe it's that proverbial mid afternoon crash advertisers use to sell us energy drinks, coffee, and other such energizers. Mmmmmm....Coffee sounds really good right now. I rarely indulge in a late afternoon nap, but yesterday I caved in. Maybe it's Winter and it has been chilly, but I threw some pillows on the floor and grabbed one of the zillion blankets we have laying around and laid down on the floor. It did not take long for the pups to follow, as I knew they would. The late afternoon sun streamed through the blinds creating a very inviting picture. Enough so, I wished I had my camera. The wind was blowing and the tops of the oak trees were swaying in the breeze. That was the single most reason we purchased this home nearly five years ago to the day. On the upper floor we have a bonus room, or depending on the region you live in, may call it a family room, or a media room. Nonetheless, we stood in this room to gaze out on nearly an identical afternoon, among the tree tops, only to see a baby deer laying in what would become our backyard. Sold! On this day though, as I laid under the covers I had a speckled dog laying along side me, my arm around him and his head tucked under my chin. Taren was lying on the other side, his head propped up on my leg, both asleep. It was wonderfully warm and comforting and you come to realize this is the stuff life is made of. Simple moments with those you love in the quiet of winters grasp. An afternoon nap- I highly recommend it.

As always, textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Jerry Jones of Shadowhouse Creation.

Rainy Season

It is rainy season in Oregon. For those that do not live in the Pacific NW the rain starts on a bad year in October and lets up sometime the following June. It has been bad this year. The rain has been oppressive. It is dark and grey. Everything is water laden and sloppy. It makes it hard to be a pup that doesn't like to get his feet wet. The last few days in particular it has just poured. It is cold and windy. Taren does the potty dance and I take him down and he runs to the door. Hurry up momma! Hurry up! I fling open the door and he takes one look out, screeches on the brakes, and heads back up stairs. Lather, rinse, repeat throughout the day. At some point I tell him- Bubba, you are going out to potty like it or not. He can be horrifically stubborn and refuses to move. I end up lifting his back hips gently off the floor and steering him out the door. It is the only way. He is much too big to lift fluffie style and use the heave and toss method I see so often deployed by the owners of our smaller, hairier and more yappy cousins. The long suffering finally gives in and walks out into the rain, but not before giving one last look over his shoulder to his betrayer. Ya, the momma knows. Here's the phone, Animal Welfare is on speed dial. In the end he gets his final revenge, as he shakes off and his muddy paws leave a trail on my white tile.

Then there is the mighty squirrel hunter. I laid out some nuts for the squirrels for Christmas. I got a lot of bang for my nut bucks. The squirrels went crazy and Caelan is in stalker heaven. I cannot get the door open quick enough. He often clips the side of the door as I fling it open. I have glass french doors and I do not think they are long for this world, I can see a little sit training in our future. Nonetheless, he cannot get out there fast enough. He stalks and quivers, jumping on and off the deck racing along the fence. Back and again. All the while the squirrel chatters and throws down nut shells, teasing. Caelan is getting wetter and wetter. The rain running off his coat. I call him in, he hears me, as he glances over his shoulder and goes back to watching. Bad boy! I give him a bit more time, and go get a towel. I call him again, a bit more sharply. Nothing, the dog does not move. Note to self, train, train, train. I am kind of like Taren, I glance out and decide if I am going to have to go out in the rain barefoot and drag Caelan back in the house. He is just sopping wet. I finally go get the treat bag and shake. He comes running, as does Taren from upstairs. The clearest way to a dogs good sense is through his stomach. He takes his turn shaking water all over the house and I dry him off. Summer cannot come fast enough for any of us, especially my poor, poor carpet.

Textures compliments of the ever generous and talented Rita.

The Coffeeshop Blog: Action and Presets