Last weekend, I had the opportunity to stay with my friend Lola while her Pop was out of town. We had a great time!
The week before, Lola had earned her AKC Canine Good Citizen and Novice Trick Dog certifications – Yay, Lola!
A good time was had by all.
Three years ago, when the neighbors put in their pool, something went awry with my yard; all the grass eventually died. After several attempts to spot treat, I went ahead and had the whole thing re-sodded in March. Finally, it’s coming back into its own.
I’m also happy with what’s going on in the front.
I stripped the deck, got a new rug, and fixed the outdoor lights. Now if I could only get rid of the mosquitos.
Mabel and Fannie are quite happy with their resurrected yard.
My friend Lola lives in a very sketchy neighborhood.
Willow Checking Things Out
Willow in the Blue Bonnets
Happy Willow
Annabelle – Pooped from Mountain Climbing
Annabelle – Johnston Canyon, Alberta, Canada 2004
Annabelle – 2004
I’ve been following the story of Molly, who was rescued by the South Texas Aussie Rescue (STAR). Molly had been left outside by her former owners for god knows how long. When she was saved by STAR, her hair was so matted, she had to be shaved. She had been so neglected, she’d developed heartworms. And the only reason her former owners had essentially dumped her was because she had a small problem with incontinence which has been completely fixed by a small daily pill.
Miraculously, Molly survived the heartworm treatment and is on her way to a full recovery. Last week, Molly was adopted from STAR and is living with a family that will make sure she has the best life possible. So bravo, Molly and her family! And to her former owner, there’s a special place waiting for you in hell, buddy.
Molly, A beautiful Aussie rescued by South Texas Aussie Rescue
Molly, happy and healthy going to her new life
This is my friend, Willow. I’ve posted about her before. She’s my drinking buddy at the Draught House.
I stayed with her on Halloween while her human companion, my friend Jason, was out of town for a hearing. We had a great time handing out candy to the little kids and then just chilling to some Debussy.
I love watching her when her Pop is out of town with a trial or hearing. We had a great time at Town Lake in July. It was hotter’n hell, but she was a super trooper.
Willow and me at Town Lake – July 2017
Post Town Lake – Pooped but a happy camper
Sometimes on Friday evenings, after particularly long weeks, Willow, Jason, and I hang out on his back porch with some great fortifying wine and bemoan how bad our jobs are sometimes. Willow gets tons of scratches, and the week seems to end on a high note.
Willow is a great car dog. Her grandfolks live in Houston and sometimes she travels with them for visits.
All fastened in, keeping Grandpop company
We found out last week that she is very sick. I’m heart-broken; my friend Jason is bereft. We’re going to make her remaining days comfortable and happy. A sweet, sweet soul.
Mabel and Fannie – Christmas Day 2017
I got a new camera for the trip to Perú in September and have been playing around.
Fannie (left) and Mable watching intently
Mabel waiting for popcorn
Fannie, sure that the camera is going to take her soul…
Buddha statutes and portulaca
An interesting coleus
Our new front door
This weekend has been gray and dreary – typical Winter – but not cold enough for my liking. In mid-December, though, it got quite cold for a few days – upper 20s. Cold enough that most of my perennials died off. And last week, it got down to 18 degrees for a couple of nights, killing off the rest.
I took that as my cue to start afresh in 2017. I pulled out everything from all the beds except the major architectural plants. I’ll start amending the soil (or at least trying – it’s probably a lost cause at this point) and hopefully replanting in April after the live oak leaf drop/pollen explosion is done with. But here’s the current state affairs…a bit bleak.
The Back Yard – 15 January 2017
The East Bed – waiting for vines and ground cover
The North Bed – A clean slate
Fannie
Mable – a bit blurry – she never sits still
The Naked Elm Tree
The Holly Tree
Just some random photos from the past month…
Some cyclamens
A strawberry shrimp plant
Outside Christmas Decorations
Christmas Goose and the Trimmings
Fannie and Mabel in Stairway Prison
