tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13731177997411245752024-03-15T20:10:07.859-05:00A Little Brown BlogCarmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-58182103647241001882020-06-28T15:29:00.002-05:002020-06-28T15:30:40.954-05:002020 and I'm Still Here!It has been awhile since I posted. I've mostly been busy laying in the sun. I'm doing fine, if a bit grayer and creakier, as I approach my thirteenth birthday. I know The Pandemic is stressing everyone out but I rather like having Boy#2 home from college and all the extra walks. Hope you are all doing OK.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
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Carmella<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXbgOorxw2cozFkbtsW9eQLJhjPhSTfDhPu3jZS6qeYaqIU0wUK8LtfaFBS9HvY6i-JvAGsY8koBAsTC4oOxjY_cgEEPGmIYT3ZeKi8jfvWT0MAXcW3yfZJAN1lKscc2dA37Bedcz9dFT/s1600/Carmella+treat+library.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXbgOorxw2cozFkbtsW9eQLJhjPhSTfDhPu3jZS6qeYaqIU0wUK8LtfaFBS9HvY6i-JvAGsY8koBAsTC4oOxjY_cgEEPGmIYT3ZeKi8jfvWT0MAXcW3yfZJAN1lKscc2dA37Bedcz9dFT/s400/Carmella+treat+library.jpeg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ECb_jui_snfcAUUWeAit8k0hAhXAVahPjtYuwb4WAl4l7DtbIARhku9yEhMn89bBvKGAVVq39c-AnBXAPUWXq3ddOkMeObCf-LSbRLDo_pXOHArwt8AnGsl76_3VICxwlKumNVgdVU_i/s1600/Carmella+fitness+coach.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1592" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ECb_jui_snfcAUUWeAit8k0hAhXAVahPjtYuwb4WAl4l7DtbIARhku9yEhMn89bBvKGAVVq39c-AnBXAPUWXq3ddOkMeObCf-LSbRLDo_pXOHArwt8AnGsl76_3VICxwlKumNVgdVU_i/s400/Carmella+fitness+coach.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-1269373269140759922015-01-04T15:24:00.000-06:002015-01-04T17:27:21.005-06:00Bran MuffinsLast night, I overheard Susan ask Dave, "What are your feelings about Bran muffins?" What?! Why would anyone make muffins from my friend Bran?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVQVDojHyeVbm2QKqICDAQwYR4D4YJ-ZJkBsQFXESc5_NQ-4rxBTYmQaAKwG5fZD7vnQNaNnYmnOHOMVqpjWbzSuynvN6uE7xJsSkiVndjY7nyYbqgrMQHWvUECB8YAKFX2sHqPf6o4Vm/s1600/Bran-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVQVDojHyeVbm2QKqICDAQwYR4D4YJ-ZJkBsQFXESc5_NQ-4rxBTYmQaAKwG5fZD7vnQNaNnYmnOHOMVqpjWbzSuynvN6uE7xJsSkiVndjY7nyYbqgrMQHWvUECB8YAKFX2sHqPf6o4Vm/s1600/Bran-1.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>This is Bran. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">He is a dog–not a baked good!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">He looks a lot like me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Isn't he handsome?)</span></td></tr>
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Dave replied, he did not care for bran muffins because they are dry. Susan looked determined, muttering about health benefits and whole grains. Happy new year, right?<br />
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The next morning, Susan did indeed make bran muffins and no dogs were harmed. Turns out bran muffins aren't dry. Could be the yogurt...the molasses...OK, likely the butter. Still, if you are looking for a tasty bran muffin, the guys say, "These muffins are better than expected."<br />
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Susan says to tell you this recipe is very forgiving. You can mix and match the oil/fat (or even reduce), swap out the flour (white, whole wheat...), choose your favorite fruit (raisins, figs, dates...), mix and match yogurt (original recipe called for sour cream).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnza3CXqxZv0CSgdqFxFhKEAIgz4ACU8kkuxnlBOS28SVhTsMCFRBBWvBSE4Is0JDJlndWPjjtW4E8VT_OA4NeE2C4ppUENBUbv0aTJIR0bg1WfASS2uPcVASJq0Rb9Gf8fTkVV7B0tVI/s1600/bran+muffins.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnza3CXqxZv0CSgdqFxFhKEAIgz4ACU8kkuxnlBOS28SVhTsMCFRBBWvBSE4Is0JDJlndWPjjtW4E8VT_OA4NeE2C4ppUENBUbv0aTJIR0bg1WfASS2uPcVASJq0Rb9Gf8fTkVV7B0tVI/s1600/bran+muffins.jpeg" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bran Cranberry Muffins</span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">but I would rename them Fumble Muffins, to remind people to </span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">keep a loose grip when the dog is below.</span></span></td></tr>
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Bran Cranberry Muffins</h2>
Adapted from <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/02/a-meatover-and-a-muffin/">Smitten Kitchen</a> who adapted it from <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/13186">Gourmet, October 1991</a>. Makes 12 muffins <br />
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1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, softened <br />
1/4 cup vegetable oil<br />
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar (or less)<br />
1 large egg, beaten lightly <br />
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% Fage) <br />
1/2 cup honey Greek yogurt (Greek Gods) <br />
1/4 cup dark molasses <br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 cup dried cranberries, or other diced dried fruit (raisins, figs...) <br />
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1 cup whole wheat pastry flour<br />
1 cup bran<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt <br />
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon <br />
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In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, oil and the brown sugar. Beat in egg, yogurt, molasses, vanilla, and then stir in dried fruit. <br />
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In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and bran. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, and stir the batter until it is just combined. (The batter will be lumpy.) Spoon the batter into 12 muffin tins, lined with paper cups or well-greased. Bake muffins on center rack of a well-preheated oven at 400°F. oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are springy or toothpick comes out clean. Cool, then eat them over the dog and fumble.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bran muffins</td></tr>
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Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-28594667436855050052014-06-22T15:19:00.000-05:002014-06-22T15:19:52.793-05:00Manifest Destiny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life is pretty good around here these days. My Susan is back on her feet after busting up her ankle in December. That means she's back to walking me. She is pretty pokey but I try to be patient.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsnswi-RRURnwYIXkO25W0QNJP1pd5lHM2aOsCWqjCotfLkEyotcLjn0Iq4uj297UAcqogv4GvIs-Zoni5tWbmWE7rgVxFL8wopOrRA-aARRBHJNZhSJSWcLRx7k92_j8qDjm0dK968E7/s1600/leg-before-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsnswi-RRURnwYIXkO25W0QNJP1pd5lHM2aOsCWqjCotfLkEyotcLjn0Iq4uj297UAcqogv4GvIs-Zoni5tWbmWE7rgVxFL8wopOrRA-aARRBHJNZhSJSWcLRx7k92_j8qDjm0dK968E7/s1600/leg-before-after.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan's leg is mending.. after six months.</td></tr>
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Good thing Susan is back in the dog walk rotation because Boy#1 is gone on some canoe trip up north.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeKLxGxAIFI-jXgOMpiFCC84DPaMdxdgW59MRpTIM488iN98UA8L5Gj8_waD6jKtQMc6-yWZ5ZWUE6nSlMEpJhTYQh7AomRxgHONNUoiIeAJbgN_iCYHVKhAWthnQ14LzYuLNKkiZzE46/s1600/Packing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeKLxGxAIFI-jXgOMpiFCC84DPaMdxdgW59MRpTIM488iN98UA8L5Gj8_waD6jKtQMc6-yWZ5ZWUE6nSlMEpJhTYQh7AomRxgHONNUoiIeAJbgN_iCYHVKhAWthnQ14LzYuLNKkiZzE46/s1600/Packing.jpg" height="185" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooo much gear to pack to survive in the tundra. But it all fit in the end.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Word is that where Boy#1 is headed, there are musk oxen and caribou and bugs the size of chihuahuas. Funny way to spend a summer, if you ask me.<br />
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My main hobby is nearly as challenging as surviving 40+ days in the wilderness: <b>adding permissible furniture to my repertoire</b>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT2Cs3-O6GZRrg60O7RCGshfAXW931cuF8f3pUbO4LarXS0kXqYKZM28Iy21DZBPCDDx_t3WQrstMHl2r2nmuN5OaGBiQoZZ4OI5U3g4JQwfj6tLadmGUQMREyh1FBaT0CJGmt8tAIfnS/s1600/porch-chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIT2Cs3-O6GZRrg60O7RCGshfAXW931cuF8f3pUbO4LarXS0kXqYKZM28Iy21DZBPCDDx_t3WQrstMHl2r2nmuN5OaGBiQoZZ4OI5U3g4JQwfj6tLadmGUQMREyh1FBaT0CJGmt8tAIfnS/s1600/porch-chair.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deck chairs are for Carmella.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObtAASG2U8oaBNgfPrnVD5HTePkkqKgvwGANO3-e7_kuIaXApAs5h9uCZxM6wCfjM3zILAqbE_wS7kIth8fXBm5hp3DXu66sZJsoVhwIvNL0QxG-2fEwXELu-jl8s472N4XI0gSupxGSY/s1600/deck-chaise+loungue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObtAASG2U8oaBNgfPrnVD5HTePkkqKgvwGANO3-e7_kuIaXApAs5h9uCZxM6wCfjM3zILAqbE_wS7kIth8fXBm5hp3DXu66sZJsoVhwIvNL0QxG-2fEwXELu-jl8s472N4XI0gSupxGSY/s1600/deck-chaise+loungue.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This deck chair has been permissible for awhile. But <b>not sharing </b>is the key.</td></tr>
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Recently, Susan and Dave have expanded onto the front porch. It used to be filled with toys. Now it is a breezy, bug-free place to lounge. Looks comfy, right? But not for Carmella!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fMPNrhJQN0Nw9j5KzNl32O8zMiGT5v70Bd2coNn1dvYG3q6GZZktLzNqBeDQLfs2zTwm2oDlYkNDJXne2CuK_uqcua4LWsY6FkaFSCGrd9DFZI35LtJLjN_PZAnI-Rh5o1N633n4HtL9/s1600/porch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fMPNrhJQN0Nw9j5KzNl32O8zMiGT5v70Bd2coNn1dvYG3q6GZZktLzNqBeDQLfs2zTwm2oDlYkNDJXne2CuK_uqcua4LWsY6FkaFSCGrd9DFZI35LtJLjN_PZAnI-Rh5o1N633n4HtL9/s1600/porch.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the new porch furniture is NOT for Carmella. (Stupid cats.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1XvW3wLAgUwjU1o2CPL9Hs_RP8MKdM5JEnjB2onCIU0wHhDrJbXVrLJMDp9hXNRVirp9Juv_8VStz973Aw4XUgUcnSCNGn147z5SVdfNyPyVYvAEX8r_WOfsTDR2dMXoCndGh2Pj9qZ_/s1600/porch-bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1XvW3wLAgUwjU1o2CPL9Hs_RP8MKdM5JEnjB2onCIU0wHhDrJbXVrLJMDp9hXNRVirp9Juv_8VStz973Aw4XUgUcnSCNGn147z5SVdfNyPyVYvAEX8r_WOfsTDR2dMXoCndGh2Pj9qZ_/s1600/porch-bench.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BENCH on the porch seems to be OK. And I can guard the house from here.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaanAktsuxp0AqeszfwK42K-KhzIb282cX5gleS4yVu8t7DDBVH1F6yXbXBt8SUK2vAFFIwapWTp_FV77AXbUp4S6GKpCooQu73mYzyLrM-nhw1xzyWo6-JRF1H1mCAJUmtHWgmco_AlE/s1600/cats-guarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaanAktsuxp0AqeszfwK42K-KhzIb282cX5gleS4yVu8t7DDBVH1F6yXbXBt8SUK2vAFFIwapWTp_FV77AXbUp4S6GKpCooQu73mYzyLrM-nhw1xzyWo6-JRF1H1mCAJUmtHWgmco_AlE/s1600/cats-guarding.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cats think THEY are guarding the house. Puleeze!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoeR3F9hIJX9YW23HMhbRWOouXP6wLQTGyvKy8Cc5DK3HWP730WVPjYG_rwWhgJ2rVQcOxm2Y6JQBlJXLUtxsahgSxGT_1eE2unJQYLeQsdvGJw6fQsWelvehHs9BsFxCzjiXBOhhyz8D/s1600/cat-bed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoeR3F9hIJX9YW23HMhbRWOouXP6wLQTGyvKy8Cc5DK3HWP730WVPjYG_rwWhgJ2rVQcOxm2Y6JQBlJXLUtxsahgSxGT_1eE2unJQYLeQsdvGJw6fQsWelvehHs9BsFxCzjiXBOhhyz8D/s1600/cat-bed-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cats weren't using their cat bed...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnIp4tYalrDUhMSCwfdJCUbsKG5ePvPyb7thKLzCt-prsAsqsJd0Wr7WCUvpzIXY0nknm581XCFWJQf2YXh6YwTnI8ZxHDzNrt3nIZtBId_vczePTiUr6XQTwUf8TccQWKtofVxkFjXgg/s1600/cat-bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnIp4tYalrDUhMSCwfdJCUbsKG5ePvPyb7thKLzCt-prsAsqsJd0Wr7WCUvpzIXY0nknm581XCFWJQf2YXh6YwTnI8ZxHDzNrt3nIZtBId_vczePTiUr6XQTwUf8TccQWKtofVxkFjXgg/s1600/cat-bed.jpg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same story. I am sticking with it.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_arqyUoFtWNPPPxfnIoOokF1p2yqZ3j0oxPCDPXWMnpyFz-pHzyqYSJssS0IMMQoQTk5Ggus7-7gAsiiIp41Z7FLVElgODnbre9KJeEZlAe0UYF3hRNOpGsdyrsH81ZhKfp6c-uLDl2o/s1600/dog+bed+bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_arqyUoFtWNPPPxfnIoOokF1p2yqZ3j0oxPCDPXWMnpyFz-pHzyqYSJssS0IMMQoQTk5Ggus7-7gAsiiIp41Z7FLVElgODnbre9KJeEZlAe0UYF3hRNOpGsdyrsH81ZhKfp6c-uLDl2o/s1600/dog+bed+bone.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If my peeps would buy me a bed like this one, I might be content.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9xriFH_8Q8Fh-U_287rxRuoKbxIcvXr4vW6pDNEU8xcFwkHvdIqfOAFXgTtbbshvaUj9ZApPwMgcKhuZZXUqcihCW54TBQZazihEd0lx4r6YJJH_smMzdYDFlWFXUIya-kkhk3LFPtkT/s1600/movie+night.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9xriFH_8Q8Fh-U_287rxRuoKbxIcvXr4vW6pDNEU8xcFwkHvdIqfOAFXgTtbbshvaUj9ZApPwMgcKhuZZXUqcihCW54TBQZazihEd0lx4r6YJJH_smMzdYDFlWFXUIya-kkhk3LFPtkT/s1600/movie+night.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, movie night is the best! Equal seating for all!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqyNKwByM6MelODYPixIDW4K51wVuj42sWar9aFshODt0vuW5jM6ZGEuAPR4bAok5aaD_sYLRfBXZDCOT6WaBtdidfkrrX-aWjSmpaK73nF5TKzHt91sgtwA_LyyN4Wj4QbMBYgsrv-VM/s1600/mel-bed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqyNKwByM6MelODYPixIDW4K51wVuj42sWar9aFshODt0vuW5jM6ZGEuAPR4bAok5aaD_sYLRfBXZDCOT6WaBtdidfkrrX-aWjSmpaK73nF5TKzHt91sgtwA_LyyN4Wj4QbMBYgsrv-VM/s1600/mel-bed2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess I am a a pretty lucky dog! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Rumor has it, Dave and Susan have a new California King bed arriving in July. Plenty of room for ME. Right?<br />
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-55701974944694307832014-05-03T17:11:00.001-05:002014-05-03T17:11:08.602-05:00So Close...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK568W102bXT1Hev2xsxsMakun10lsRKUx4sL_2loycwE8TOhUY2emqllabFwoN0KT8Phnf7R48kfddMnn9EYi31x9LwMVY-heNhcqnQIyyglRb1RNAD0IpXzcCmvWRD_XhrUlObpGYT8/s1600/so-close.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK568W102bXT1Hev2xsxsMakun10lsRKUx4sL_2loycwE8TOhUY2emqllabFwoN0KT8Phnf7R48kfddMnn9EYi31x9LwMVY-heNhcqnQIyyglRb1RNAD0IpXzcCmvWRD_XhrUlObpGYT8/s1600/so-close.jpeg" height="640" width="468" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love what spring brings...but Dave needs to UNDERSTAND. </div>
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-74257114927507212172014-02-01T15:06:00.003-06:002014-02-01T16:52:27.055-06:00Seven Things You and Your Dog Don't NeedIt isn't quite so cold this week but the snow is so deep in the back yard that I can barely keep my head above it. No zoomies for me. So more indoor time. Sigh.<br />
<br />
Here some weird things I found online today.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOqu_R3i7a2tei8dP4K-qxPC-TLw-_pJhZq7I7e0IVgI6cq_EpuJB3E2m9hNYrWtFO254pDNGXaz1DHeGUQDYZ60LYmbohduLUKP7J7R5pLwn0vhXK6CS_iyAwUxR6zTA0Np5cR6TcyPj/s1600/il_570xN.300260910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOqu_R3i7a2tei8dP4K-qxPC-TLw-_pJhZq7I7e0IVgI6cq_EpuJB3E2m9hNYrWtFO254pDNGXaz1DHeGUQDYZ60LYmbohduLUKP7J7R5pLwn0vhXK6CS_iyAwUxR6zTA0Np5cR6TcyPj/s1600/il_570xN.300260910.jpg" height="282" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you smell like peanut butter<br />
and I am in a GOOD mood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyz-YnF3CGAYgVLjB1-gO18md2y2YWiUB8_u-i5nJJ3nkzMwZsIZokDmg84VDHpJXFxjQUoho0VcFfqYCF4CkvAyFrX7IA2z9XSeCjnTcTNIlyl9iVv5dJfryLdnm-ziQstWmfkhNl5pV8/s1600/shopping.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyz-YnF3CGAYgVLjB1-gO18md2y2YWiUB8_u-i5nJJ3nkzMwZsIZokDmg84VDHpJXFxjQUoho0VcFfqYCF4CkvAyFrX7IA2z9XSeCjnTcTNIlyl9iVv5dJfryLdnm-ziQstWmfkhNl5pV8/s1600/shopping.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom nose print pendant <br />
priced by the size of your dog's nose. <br />
This one is a Great Dane so costs $170.<br />
<i>This is just plain weird.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGujRJWJfPvkVEQUAo0u6JshgScbiuMyAU8HSfLJaGvZ-tfyMceYBSswGWJOpG6zFx2x3oKtMd2bCMizLX4QVWjh90ZdLIafiWpxxG0GdPrY7HzuJlzxRoWA5FdVFgBwwjnoQyJcSw3uq/s1600/tdetC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGujRJWJfPvkVEQUAo0u6JshgScbiuMyAU8HSfLJaGvZ-tfyMceYBSswGWJOpG6zFx2x3oKtMd2bCMizLX4QVWjh90ZdLIafiWpxxG0GdPrY7HzuJlzxRoWA5FdVFgBwwjnoQyJcSw3uq/s1600/tdetC.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Dog lips dog toy should never be fetched.<br />
Bury them in the in the woods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlyGMZOzmjEmhLUkxp9Rn94ivYJAWOkRtxPAOOukjGsMA5LYYRtJWNPR3mAxr-B3TZcdgNhGQ7M2uWHzAkk8hydEcW9tzLtW_Jp7jyEZ6B8YmTpKNtltgZDM-jw2vvjtxWx4WfiH3moKn/s1600/il_570xN.548391144_2y7m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlyGMZOzmjEmhLUkxp9Rn94ivYJAWOkRtxPAOOukjGsMA5LYYRtJWNPR3mAxr-B3TZcdgNhGQ7M2uWHzAkk8hydEcW9tzLtW_Jp7jyEZ6B8YmTpKNtltgZDM-jw2vvjtxWx4WfiH3moKn/s1600/il_570xN.548391144_2y7m.jpg" height="400" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat battle armor is only $500. Yikes!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq0Tez7jElUqOAVdmbJte7zZ9KH5jUDIkdLHwtxWKEcP3QLchg3dF3BVbYWh45XJtghSGMXu5KLOugoGoyQ-UkpAypszkRITxMwYZFCjE4DEJ2K71-dyNgkgnQJHoI9daR6JrVvmDdMiQ/s1600/8c546bdd09c6675f2dc2f374051aabbb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq0Tez7jElUqOAVdmbJte7zZ9KH5jUDIkdLHwtxWKEcP3QLchg3dF3BVbYWh45XJtghSGMXu5KLOugoGoyQ-UkpAypszkRITxMwYZFCjE4DEJ2K71-dyNgkgnQJHoI9daR6JrVvmDdMiQ/s1600/8c546bdd09c6675f2dc2f374051aabbb.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">I am not a fan of dressing up your dog. <br />
But this dynamic duo looks pretty good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4j2G4p_CD218xiCdemEvaMZC34jCwoBwDbNqLB95KuvLROd6SJ2gPNHtpkIjq_A_tqZO7OFa9DQd7Vl1W3LxKzPzMRhdefjvDUyixtxmdAA9nNBF_hch7oZ6xJj47WiaxDEFi2jEjOlE/s1600/6e729b35f5165b03505c1270ccaf8004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4j2G4p_CD218xiCdemEvaMZC34jCwoBwDbNqLB95KuvLROd6SJ2gPNHtpkIjq_A_tqZO7OFa9DQd7Vl1W3LxKzPzMRhdefjvDUyixtxmdAA9nNBF_hch7oZ6xJj47WiaxDEFi2jEjOlE/s1600/6e729b35f5165b03505c1270ccaf8004.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey! This looks like me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzk1knl76nDxc16_MR1YpBqp4kNJoccNm3vEo6G6vD6CQ4zg8o7RDpU8mAWJpBohekv9O3Z_Yv8DnT625vizWe81pci9vTYJdUeIjddXe2yGzST1F6hwIPeAOqlZK4vuAOb8D9zugSBCAX/s1600/dog-scratching-post-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzk1knl76nDxc16_MR1YpBqp4kNJoccNm3vEo6G6vD6CQ4zg8o7RDpU8mAWJpBohekv9O3Z_Yv8DnT625vizWe81pci9vTYJdUeIjddXe2yGzST1F6hwIPeAOqlZK4vuAOb8D9zugSBCAX/s1600/dog-scratching-post-3.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dog-milk.com/dog-scratching-post-by-erik-stehmann/">Dog scratching post?!!</a><br />
There's even a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGJzPSe6vs8">video</a> demonstrating how to claw.<br />
(This looks like Stuart...thank goodness he has no claws.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-57301461780597539052014-02-01T14:37:00.001-06:002014-02-01T15:07:44.206-06:002013 AKC Most Popular Dog BreedsAnd the winner is....No surprises here. It is exactly the same as last year. Yawn.<br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">
</div>
<h4>
2013 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.</h4>
1. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm">Labrador Retriever</a><br />
2. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepherd_dog/index.cfm">German Shepherd Dog</a><br />
3. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/golden_retriever/index.cfm">Golden Retriever</a><br />
4. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/beagle/index.cfm">Beagle</a><br />
5. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/bulldog/index.cfm">Bulldog</a><br />
6. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/yorkshire_terrier/index.cfm">Yorkshire Terrier</a><br />
7. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/index.cfm">Boxer</a><br />
8. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/poodle/index.cfm">Poodle</a><br />
9. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/rottweiler/index.cfm">Rottweiler</a><br />
10. <a href="http://www.akc.org/breeds/dachshund/index.cfm">Dachshund</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm">All 177 AKC breeds by popularity 2013, 2012, 2008, 2003</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
But I might just watch the show to see a mutt kick butt in agility!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/richardson-lake-highlands/headlines/20140131-jimmy-a-rescue-dog-from-richardson-to-compete-in-the-famed-westminster-dog-show.ece">Jimmy, a rescue dog from Richardson, to compete in the famed Westminster dog show</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevv5Cra3C5rQe18THlVE1yYfDVpo5jR09H7L26xLV7Ae4sh0x1qTjSLG4MRBJzpRGNRcq5BwBRnyaX7hUESwtvZeNbz-Za9l_Nr42MF3yuf0fbYSD3aF1sznZOe36PKzMZwtcIZDyhZ9O/s1600/NM_29agilitydogB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevv5Cra3C5rQe18THlVE1yYfDVpo5jR09H7L26xLV7Ae4sh0x1qTjSLG4MRBJzpRGNRcq5BwBRnyaX7hUESwtvZeNbz-Za9l_Nr42MF3yuf0fbYSD3aF1sznZOe36PKzMZwtcIZDyhZ9O/s1600/NM_29agilitydogB.jpg" height="341" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Go Jimmy! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-22013353619279507952014-01-07T17:32:00.000-06:002014-02-02T17:09:57.008-06:00Tibetan Mastiff TidbitsI was thinking about that Tibetan mastiff... he/she reminded me of someone else.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuXbR3JdGVzOqZSx0ewUoUSbItG8OoBoXmlSPft7iB1INXTs5_ikrIJFiHBPF0GnU79rRhB87EPqS-cx0xsDtsaApqmAo5wRUJcD8_VvQeGr0FihoKX6SV3IoFCnx95F80alnqjljq0Zv/s1600/tibetan-mastiff_ph1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIuXbR3JdGVzOqZSx0ewUoUSbItG8OoBoXmlSPft7iB1INXTs5_ikrIJFiHBPF0GnU79rRhB87EPqS-cx0xsDtsaApqmAo5wRUJcD8_VvQeGr0FihoKX6SV3IoFCnx95F80alnqjljq0Zv/s1600/tibetan-mastiff_ph1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibetan mastiff</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then it came to me...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f80dsyyuJrGATYSdoOvCQXdnX-anECAFO_HlFkVXHf_zLrVt1l-Y3JrnSJo6SLoDtX45lheTJOFji4ryAQSmFmNSPeCzpUQc4yYO5ZY7H-IYCU516xoR1xOLHFJb-1O9ZZyX0Ar-GORV/s1600/DoctorZhivago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0f80dsyyuJrGATYSdoOvCQXdnX-anECAFO_HlFkVXHf_zLrVt1l-Y3JrnSJo6SLoDtX45lheTJOFji4ryAQSmFmNSPeCzpUQc4yYO5ZY7H-IYCU516xoR1xOLHFJb-1O9ZZyX0Ar-GORV/s1600/DoctorZhivago.jpg" height="222" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lara and Yuri in <i>Doctor Zhivago</i> (<i>1965)</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This got me wondering about Tibetan mastiffs. Do they all look morose and fashionably bedecked in a Russian fur hats? Not so much... But I learned some interesting things along the way. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18XHn4IG_wTLHUE2jmefqTc_x0rWfi_AueDqsE2UqXnC5-tHoEq811L-9XLSEwmQGmSwTfX08T4Lg7LLceYCmFa8Engquf62XpfLtcuNGZIV4jrTbl_2WhrFe4UA0LuAUAPqEl3WKJJgw/s1600/800px-Mastif_tybetan%CC%81ski_2009_pl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18XHn4IG_wTLHUE2jmefqTc_x0rWfi_AueDqsE2UqXnC5-tHoEq811L-9XLSEwmQGmSwTfX08T4Lg7LLceYCmFa8Engquf62XpfLtcuNGZIV4jrTbl_2WhrFe4UA0LuAUAPqEl3WKJJgw/s1600/800px-Mastif_tybetan%CC%81ski_2009_pl3.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibetan mastiffs come in all sorts of colors and weigh 150-200 pounds.</td></tr>
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Tibetan mastiffs are not actually mastiffs. But then Tibeten terriers aren't terriers and Tibetan spaniels aren't spaniels. Those darn Westerners just make stuff up on sight. </div>
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Big Splash, a red Tibetan mastiff, is the world’s most expensive dog, sold as a pup for 1.5 million. <a href="http://factslist.net/2013/02/the-most-expensive-dog-red-tibetan-mastiff/">Read more</a> about that. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHuKBsSXBSP9EYdNUWBoas4w7e0O8nrkLJe-Tp2mgTHYIMKQWTPEjiqG4FBZVcv7zI2GZgeLGfJMONx3b4p5pWaXMW5Q1exAuyGQ9iZJwxiNU5GC2E3F3tPxAUXbh9ZDA5d0GSI96bQhH/s1600/Red-Tibetan-Mastiff-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHuKBsSXBSP9EYdNUWBoas4w7e0O8nrkLJe-Tp2mgTHYIMKQWTPEjiqG4FBZVcv7zI2GZgeLGfJMONx3b4p5pWaXMW5Q1exAuyGQ9iZJwxiNU5GC2E3F3tPxAUXbh9ZDA5d0GSI96bQhH/s1600/Red-Tibetan-Mastiff-1.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Splash, the most expensive dog in the world.</td></tr>
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But buyer beware when shopping for Tibetan mastiffs: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_Mastiff">Wikipedia</a> explains, </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"There have been other similar reports of dogs sold
for astronomical prices; however, most of these appear to be breeders'
attempts to drive up the prices of their dogs. Photos of dogs shown on
web sites are frequently Photoshopped to exaggerate color intensity,
size, and "bone". Buyers have reported getting their dogs home only to
find that bathing removes both color and "hair extensions" from the
coat."</span></div>
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Can you imagine me in hair extensions? </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oT157aUKHzQSUCU-a_OaB5dptvuRqnuzIHWdAnxFwUI08Szz3HZYJSey6iYu6BFbf5FgHn2MIeA949cgj3McfuStPSfX85S382NwfFy3qLGIpY3FAiwIyVpyGGY8gD_C4RdldA6F748A/s1600/carmella-mastiff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oT157aUKHzQSUCU-a_OaB5dptvuRqnuzIHWdAnxFwUI08Szz3HZYJSey6iYu6BFbf5FgHn2MIeA949cgj3McfuStPSfX85S382NwfFy3qLGIpY3FAiwIyVpyGGY8gD_C4RdldA6F748A/s1600/carmella-mastiff.jpg" height="400" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel like a million bucks.</td></tr>
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The last tidbit that I know my friend <a href="http://daughternumberthree.blogspot.com/">DN3</a> will appreciate is that Harry Dresden's dog <a href="http://dresdenfiles.wikia.com/wiki/Mouse">Mouse</a> is a Tibetan mastiff. Funny though, I always pictured Mouse more like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neapolitan_Mastiff">Neapolitan mastiff</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRnqGiQJk6mIzRFjI3Ob2YwggqzmaS4EmjMT3yoOwexkM8s6FF6_KNaWiCE6dJyD5dyCx2F5yfbOC6iUz7ycK-L6_H_2uuu9mbOZGjl-xGK7ZJrGV6AVtgvjnqzlXmFT48bWcLj2ygiEA/s1600/450px-Neapolitan_Mastiff_Male_Head.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRnqGiQJk6mIzRFjI3Ob2YwggqzmaS4EmjMT3yoOwexkM8s6FF6_KNaWiCE6dJyD5dyCx2F5yfbOC6iUz7ycK-L6_H_2uuu9mbOZGjl-xGK7ZJrGV6AVtgvjnqzlXmFT48bWcLj2ygiEA/s1600/450px-Neapolitan_Mastiff_Male_Head.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: left;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neapolitan_Mastiff" style="text-align: left;">Neapolitan mastiff</a></span></td></tr>
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The final fact I learned about Tibetan mastiffs is that they "don't smell bad like other dogs." Huh. </div>
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Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-24332185562938074172014-01-06T15:17:00.000-06:002014-01-06T15:19:45.917-06:00Shake Those BootiesToday's topic must be The Cold, as the State of Minnesota is pretty much closed today and tomorrow. And why not? Frozen flesh in minutes is pretty daunting. Though I imagine Minnesota school children are staying plenty warm dancing jigs. <br />
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I am not a cold weather dog. I'm just a southern-born, hound mix. When I boarded the Kentucky rescue van, back in the autumn of 2008, I had short, short fur.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTRh52Zxo503986wU_fqY9w2SXunRE-_M8-Y4IYNYdkQvaH1aLTK6efPQjch5ydGiwCOmyJaiMsOsN38ViOWDVeW-TYAIW03Q9bcfKko1TKpoE88xkA-Ioyq_E4fvMzqHQJCzgDFm-x8x/s1600/mileyL-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTRh52Zxo503986wU_fqY9w2SXunRE-_M8-Y4IYNYdkQvaH1aLTK6efPQjch5ydGiwCOmyJaiMsOsN38ViOWDVeW-TYAIW03Q9bcfKko1TKpoE88xkA-Ioyq_E4fvMzqHQJCzgDFm-x8x/s1600/mileyL-1.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My adoption photo. <br />
Back then, I had very short fur and a gorgeous, muscular physique.<br />
Feel free to comment that I still retain the latter.</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_691114319"></span><br />
Needless to say, when I got to Minnesota, I got right to shivering and growing some more fur. But even after six winters in Minnesota, I just don't have the undercoat of say...my neighbor Johann.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsHSuh-XhXtVKCd7pF57FORHb98n70D5Dlo4_jfg2oTguCujJJVqxzu-V7mup8VL2i07vbJ_8x8pQXhrcvqaXL9jRYqZmv2VnDFhaw8JiRFQqLNnj94Gw5o3a_pxAW9hfP7dQcuf6iykR/s1600/Johann-fur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsHSuh-XhXtVKCd7pF57FORHb98n70D5Dlo4_jfg2oTguCujJJVqxzu-V7mup8VL2i07vbJ_8x8pQXhrcvqaXL9jRYqZmv2VnDFhaw8JiRFQqLNnj94Gw5o3a_pxAW9hfP7dQcuf6iykR/s1600/Johann-fur.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johann has an impressive undercoat, which he needs help disposing of each spring.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There are certainly dogs better suited to arctic temperatures than me. Here are <a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/dogs/The-Best-Cold-Weather-Dogs.html#gallery-photo-1">The 20 Best Cold-Weather Dog Breeds</a> according to <i>Outside</i>. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm2nclsZYFYCtrv-PbdvaK1sJBGx6iGE9nZaJlhmY1pujMbPygVYJmz0CbYB8bbAPCmXoHLqTXWeYIlqMHFxGGFH7pPXClDH31nn9eXBnIkXLJwRrA2ZCciRj97h_3_Cu9tm70SKJFFv8/s1600/tibetan-mastiff_ph1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm2nclsZYFYCtrv-PbdvaK1sJBGx6iGE9nZaJlhmY1pujMbPygVYJmz0CbYB8bbAPCmXoHLqTXWeYIlqMHFxGGFH7pPXClDH31nn9eXBnIkXLJwRrA2ZCciRj97h_3_Cu9tm70SKJFFv8/s1600/tibetan-mastiff_ph1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite is the Tibetan Mastiff. <a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/dogs/The-Best-Cold-Weather-Dogs.html#gallery-photo-20">credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Today is too cold for my guys for walkies so I am making due with backyard forays and pacing the house. That is <i>not</i> to say I want to wear <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/dog-by-any-other-name-would-smell-as.html">my stupid dog coat</a>, as I have made perfectly clear in my previous post: <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/dog-coats-are-from-hell.html">Dog Coats are from Hell</a>.<br />
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But staying warm its not just about fur. If it was, we'd all have feet like an arctic fox.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZuFSNQyjpRpYGnWkkncbfd_Tfi93DuOrAfpyzhVdLQk4zqHi1phDEpSGRkvDJY_Eh6M_lOsAzYJsmxMzdVzzzKXf5I1w6v4FbItMcf0e5ijsMsSEzaQry2Mz5LIrnI2eXAXKwPOarMSL/s1600/foot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZuFSNQyjpRpYGnWkkncbfd_Tfi93DuOrAfpyzhVdLQk4zqHi1phDEpSGRkvDJY_Eh6M_lOsAzYJsmxMzdVzzzKXf5I1w6v4FbItMcf0e5ijsMsSEzaQry2Mz5LIrnI2eXAXKwPOarMSL/s1600/foot.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arctic fox foot</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMr2Ix48omcY9CUweIay5HL6SeOmS3U2jgcLemj75chyphenhyphen3PmREf_CjT0D4jUi5_4PIc-yGMleU93_8lULtnj82RrXQ8Qw7Q1_Sz4UasXRA57Co4FlZcTj3eXWz-MZXJSyyHhrYNbbNkmxg/s1600/IMG_8036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMr2Ix48omcY9CUweIay5HL6SeOmS3U2jgcLemj75chyphenhyphen3PmREf_CjT0D4jUi5_4PIc-yGMleU93_8lULtnj82RrXQ8Qw7Q1_Sz4UasXRA57Co4FlZcTj3eXWz-MZXJSyyHhrYNbbNkmxg/s1600/IMG_8036.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmella's foot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Looking at my lovely paw pads, you might think I need to wear booties to keep my feet warm. You would be WRONG. <br />
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You might be thinking, well, those tough sled dogs wear booties so Carmella must <i>really</i> need them. You would be WRONG. Those hardcore racing dogs wear booties to protect their paws from the abrasive snow but they do not add warmth. Dog feet stay warm the same way penguin wings and dolphin fins stay warm.<br />
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When humans get cold, their bodies shut off the extremities to protect vital organs. Since dogs (and penguins and dolphins) are more sensible than that, we have evolved a different system than humans. Scientists call it a "rete mirabile" or "wonderful network" of veins in dogs' feet and legs that work as a heat exchanger, warming cooled blood to maintain a constant temperature. <br />
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Using electron microscopes (and very cooperative dogs), Japanese scientists found: <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"that the very close proximity of the arteries to the veins in the footpad meant that heat was conducted from one blood vessel to another. So when blood in the paw's veins cooled on contact with the air or ground, warm blood pumping from the heart - through the neighbouring artery - transferred its heat. The blood was therefore "warmed up" before it returned to the body - preventing the dog's body from cooling down, whilst also keeping the paws at a constant temperature." <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16426276"><i>Pet dogs keep their feet from freezing</i></a> by Ella Davies, Reporter, BBC Nature</span></span><br />
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So cancel that Amazon order, your dog does not need booties to get through the winter. Although a patch of sunshine would be nice.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4Rp9VUafhQRXPJoTB5bTDIKo8meJSjA3pBU2Xu8WRsavgA4Hm-hEfzAOXI0zTGPYjnX2KpqkcUNRdOct_F-ZNOfSAr4QcfY9i62gzXSeRPX89stIjnrGWE4-8xuwXDXfN5jX5lXCCA9h/s1600/sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4Rp9VUafhQRXPJoTB5bTDIKo8meJSjA3pBU2Xu8WRsavgA4Hm-hEfzAOXI0zTGPYjnX2KpqkcUNRdOct_F-ZNOfSAr4QcfY9i62gzXSeRPX89stIjnrGWE4-8xuwXDXfN5jX5lXCCA9h/s1600/sunshine.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://youtu.be/uGDd_lr7U7U">YouTube compilation of dogs in booties</a><br />
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-59839474517294806192014-01-05T13:44:00.000-06:002014-01-05T13:44:45.855-06:00Breaking BadlyI'm back. Or shall I say, my typist is back and available to assist. My Susan has been "too busy" lately to help a little brown dog get her thoughts posted. New job...blah blah blah.<br />
<br />
But now she is laid up with a busted ankle in the dead of winter. I am a huge fan of bones. So it breaks my heart that Susan mashed hers up so thoroughly. No zoomies for her. Heck, she can't even drive until spring. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtjaMSNTU5I288LB6FE74TLNW7CBKrkL6vsajO4dF1i73boOxqQ96zgFnfhvad7O5p5MTAAWXV8DArBA5nIlActLcHQaZV80l5-fZEV6XJbKTrTztXkWimyreEMKKkB-Vw4cs0uI0vvWb/s1600/cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtjaMSNTU5I288LB6FE74TLNW7CBKrkL6vsajO4dF1i73boOxqQ96zgFnfhvad7O5p5MTAAWXV8DArBA5nIlActLcHQaZV80l5-fZEV6XJbKTrTztXkWimyreEMKKkB-Vw4cs0uI0vvWb/s400/cast.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas, Susan!</td></tr>
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It wasn't my fault. Everyone hears she slipped on the ice and thinks I had something to do with it. I wasn't even there. Which is good because I don't think I would have been as grateful to the paramedics as they loaded her up and took her away. FOX News would have loved that headline: "A Little Brown Dog Takes Out Ambulance Team on Grand Avenue."<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7kbQe2qblY75MWTa6lnlHJo9NkGQuliVJwM87IKaJ0FmI6FOgQJgLpFjvk7RMRpSFfxjxyAp5TDOuWKQolAPf5Rzs8b11u2LyEeOPHpoaK6Sb7qquVCOoNEOW5HOSHf6AMnC_CfjbTqs/s1600/susanleg2.0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7kbQe2qblY75MWTa6lnlHJo9NkGQuliVJwM87IKaJ0FmI6FOgQJgLpFjvk7RMRpSFfxjxyAp5TDOuWKQolAPf5Rzs8b11u2LyEeOPHpoaK6Sb7qquVCOoNEOW5HOSHf6AMnC_CfjbTqs/s400/susanleg2.0001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just don't think Bones McCoy would approve of 21st century medicine.</td></tr>
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Susan came home from the hospital all goofy, smelling funny, with a leg full of metal. Worst of all, she stopped walking me, feeding me, or even letting me out the back door. Good thing we have a pack!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaL-xuIilmQ9u_kFkU-SOqtUCozskc3Ra1Ptg995_xtq1jUrWqFP02No9IIGnsBf2QoF2Tig9Ana0jBYOxn4bFc5Gc_SdcuNvgNaXUb3Ss8d3sS6hRwloD3FB0htkEcolcoK3GoQABcYX/s1600/sad+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaL-xuIilmQ9u_kFkU-SOqtUCozskc3Ra1Ptg995_xtq1jUrWqFP02No9IIGnsBf2QoF2Tig9Ana0jBYOxn4bFc5Gc_SdcuNvgNaXUb3Ss8d3sS6hRwloD3FB0htkEcolcoK3GoQABcYX/s400/sad+dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No walkies for Carmella.</td></tr>
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Our pack has grown a lot bigger these last weeks. A stream of friends and family come by with food, household assistance, social time, and back scratching...mine, that is. I admit I find the comings and going a bit stressful. But I am trying my best. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTfC82FbE6CEWCD51tM9fF4P-tGJzYwEjMVDgE9nH_aJ_v5zIOa0kV5ugpxh3GvfFYplX9YRbP1WY8vxCTpo5_DVdAZcnnZIOIglKAHXPIBfJMU_TuxSwZMpwK5FVigBpzMogR67kLotl/s1600/xmas2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTfC82FbE6CEWCD51tM9fF4P-tGJzYwEjMVDgE9nH_aJ_v5zIOa0kV5ugpxh3GvfFYplX9YRbP1WY8vxCTpo5_DVdAZcnnZIOIglKAHXPIBfJMU_TuxSwZMpwK5FVigBpzMogR67kLotl/s400/xmas2013.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
The extended pack brought Christmas to our house this year.<br />
I approve. I just wish they weren't all such skilled feeders<br />
these days. Kids are much better at sharing.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The cats are pleased. She thinks they are sweet. But I know better. Now they have round the clock access to her body heat. Sorry Susan, nothing more.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchYYM5ueQz-Ty3QyOTCAVORfIM1OdLwf1pTrjH89dEQeXPcmoS-boaR7H9FoP8aRJHRJKWnVO_L23WCQoVu50AplfR7wnVObPy8A3qjFOiw0AfUuQi4_qHLGxOXl5DMQgnZoQEQgmLXbT/s1600/cat-snuggle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchYYM5ueQz-Ty3QyOTCAVORfIM1OdLwf1pTrjH89dEQeXPcmoS-boaR7H9FoP8aRJHRJKWnVO_L23WCQoVu50AplfR7wnVObPy8A3qjFOiw0AfUuQi4_qHLGxOXl5DMQgnZoQEQgmLXbT/s400/cat-snuggle.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Even with her confinement, it has been hard to convince Susan it is time to get back to my blog. I have been giving her non-stop adorable eyes for over 20 days now.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQISM5EO4VAd6r1ilS3XwxMQ-fS0MVVuzRQH5qifELYJj9Znjh_LiR5hg3J7JTx8Vndny0YPWrte-eWha96tdo6scRkjjbbxd_58xMlKPDWc7bqp6IeHfV_Jll3S8JlHcsIegeuA1k91S9/s1600/dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQISM5EO4VAd6r1ilS3XwxMQ-fS0MVVuzRQH5qifELYJj9Znjh_LiR5hg3J7JTx8Vndny0YPWrte-eWha96tdo6scRkjjbbxd_58xMlKPDWc7bqp6IeHfV_Jll3S8JlHcsIegeuA1k91S9/s400/dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pleeease?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Finally, she has relented. So we're back.<br />
<br />
I leave you with this link which made Susan laugh harder than I have heard in awhile. I have never seen <i>The Graduate</i>, but she says that one is the funniest. <a href="http://www.uproxx.com/webculture/2014/01/dog-romantic-famous-movie-scenes/">Man Passes Time At Work By Recreating Romantic Movie Scenes With His Boss’s Dog</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-50633281995106741562013-07-17T13:25:00.000-05:002013-07-17T13:26:25.147-05:00Door Manners for AllI am pretty good dog. For the record, good dogs are supposed to guard their territory and their pack. That was a big reason why canines and humans started hanging out together - an early warning system for humans (and free food for dogs).<br />
<br />
So yeah, I bark at people at the door... or near the door...or across the street if they look creepy. And heaven help you if you want to come in the backyard.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwf67VVJF9MppGuZP_CZOXw8VNoYJodUdy7qFZ5xV5rw2YqmuAiaiY9P7PYnzS9ulW3pImc6BX-L7BUzwd9DoYtTGz1C7gkC-CnCk02uVOXM0mO87ax17ax7yNAt_tP5DoZusosMGMMxt/s1600/backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwf67VVJF9MppGuZP_CZOXw8VNoYJodUdy7qFZ5xV5rw2YqmuAiaiY9P7PYnzS9ulW3pImc6BX-L7BUzwd9DoYtTGz1C7gkC-CnCk02uVOXM0mO87ax17ax7yNAt_tP5DoZusosMGMMxt/s400/backyard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is no reason I can think of for non-pack members <br />
to come into my backyard. <br />
Except for neighbor Mike. He's OK.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Let me be clear, I am an excellent guard dog. I have a deep bark of authority. When I bark at visitors I am 100 percent effective. Folks who don't belong here ALWAYS leave. Sometimes it just takes awhile for them to get the hint.<br />
<br />
Convincing a gal like me to NOT bark at visitors is pretty challenging. I find it baffling that my family doesn't seem to want my services. They are no good at guarding the house. Most of the time they don't even notice someone is at the door. So it mystifies me that they have been working at modifying my guard dog behavior since I got here.<br />
<br />
At first, this is how it would go.<br />
<br />
Stranger at the door: <i>Knock knock</i><br />
<div>
Carmella: <i>BARK BARK BARK!</i><br />
Agitated family member: <i>NO BARKING! NO! NO!</i><br />
Carmella: <i>BARK BARK BARK! BARK! BARK!</i><br />
Angry/exasperated family member: <i>NO BARKING! STOP! BAD DOG! BARK BARK BARK BARK!</i><br />
<br />
OMG! Obviously, my peeps were very upset about visitors too. <i>Someone's at the door! BARK BARK! </i>The whole pack goes<i> BARK BARK BARK! </i><br />
<br />
Clearly I was right. Visitors are BAD NEWS and everybody should bark until they leave.<br />
<br />
Please note: my pack would get so wound up about visitors, they'd get confused and end up yelling at ME. Every time someone came to to door, I ended up in the dog house. Very stressful. And proved me right! Best to keep pesky visitors at bay...<br />
<br />
Clearly, we had to come up a with door warning system that would please the whole pack. Now, when we have visitors, this is our new routine:<br />
<br />
Stranger at the door: <i>Knock knock</i><br />
Carmella:<i> BARK BARK BARK!</i><br />
Calm, relaxed, cheerful family member: <i>Good girl! Someone is here. Thanks for telling me. Now, in your bed. Go lay down...</i><br />
Dog goes to her bed (reluctantly) which is away from the door and WAITS (on alert in case she is needed).<br />
Relaxed family member (with treat in hand): <i>Stay!</i><br />
Door opens, family member greets stranger and then either:<br />
<ol>
<li>talks to stranger and makes them GO AWAY (then the adorable, waiting dog gets a treat) or </li>
<li>invites visitor over the threshold - transforming them to welcome guest (sort of welcome). Dog gets a treat, dog is invited over for a brief sniff, dog gets another treat from visitor, then dog goes about her business until needed. </li>
</ol>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V-dYiI6YDxMI-AE6mlliNljO45VD-3ZAHplrY5_sekFS19iWd966waej1eu1w9xBhyfHOOdRSTQaUGbBD3KxT0KDt-nvpKAvZPQQ493WR2shYPy5ILN9sm9__pi7_Hu1QqDhj970hHeR/s1600/waiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V-dYiI6YDxMI-AE6mlliNljO45VD-3ZAHplrY5_sekFS19iWd966waej1eu1w9xBhyfHOOdRSTQaUGbBD3KxT0KDt-nvpKAvZPQQ493WR2shYPy5ILN9sm9__pi7_Hu1QqDhj970hHeR/s400/waiting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is hard to wait and trust my family can protect the pack.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This might seem complicated. And indeed, it is hard to train all the family members to do all the steps well. It is hard for me to let go and trust my pack can defend our territory. It is hard for my family to remember that I am a good dog doing my job -- they should NOT yell and bark at me. For success:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>They need to remember to be <b>armed with treats</b> (we keep them by the door) so I have a <b>positive focus</b>. </li>
<li>They need <b>make the visitor wait behind a closed door</b> while I settle into my bed -- which is hard for them as they were taught not to make people wait. </li>
<li>Then they need to <b>keep enough of their attention on me</b> to be sure I stay put until I am invited over. (I hate this part)</li>
<li>All the while, they need to <b>coach the visitor to ignore me</b>. <i>Do not stare at me! I don't like stranger hands all over my adorable ears. I just need to sniff the visitor and give the "all clear" to my pack. </i></li>
<li>People need to <b>get past their stereotypes about dogs</b>: <i>I don't want to make friends - live and let live is as good as it gets. Not all dogs are extroverts... Leave me be... unless you have peanut butter and will scratch my back (but that comes later...much later...)</i></li>
<li>Most importantly,<b> everyone's behavior must exude positive calm</b>. <i>We LOVE visitors. Thanks for letting us know we have one, Carmella. What a good dog!</i></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
Whew!<br />
<br />
Why so much effort? Because I don't rule the world and so visitors are apparently inevitable. As my pack practices this door ritual, things are more peaceful at our house. We now have a permanent sign on our front door that says:<br />
<div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Dog in Training</b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Please be patient.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Help me with my door manners.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I must </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">lie down</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> and </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">stay</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> for the door to be opened.</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Do not greet me</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Just ignore me</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Do not bend over me(it scares me).</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If I am good, I will get a treat!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Obviously, I did not write that silly sign. But d</span>id I mention I get treats?</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOks-pL7OapFLe7vmbaEhTDDE0k2AL_xUvQ2j3L54e-ks_RgvARpBL8l9R4rIa_uF_GWVf4iV-7G31nfhvqEdEN6i0fnIJcvCFUy2oEXoY0Fg-5q8C19UpG4vu4bx093s5ljintN4A9qy1/s1600/smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOks-pL7OapFLe7vmbaEhTDDE0k2AL_xUvQ2j3L54e-ks_RgvARpBL8l9R4rIa_uF_GWVf4iV-7G31nfhvqEdEN6i0fnIJcvCFUy2oEXoY0Fg-5q8C19UpG4vu4bx093s5ljintN4A9qy1/s400/smile.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-44384725908710568372013-05-31T14:30:00.000-05:002013-05-31T14:30:44.010-05:00Recycling for a Better Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStdYfVkV59Mvdrvxxcee_l4j3VWirWoSc1rqh_Ons7l5dhlAI9vuDESjPavaSk3G6LHadIqP5ngiL8KpQkVSP2yaFrXz3j2Z9mToItpYHTlpePVICcu96whgH47tI7f0AkezCWxF7wOAe/s1600/Stu-recycling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStdYfVkV59Mvdrvxxcee_l4j3VWirWoSc1rqh_Ons7l5dhlAI9vuDESjPavaSk3G6LHadIqP5ngiL8KpQkVSP2yaFrXz3j2Z9mToItpYHTlpePVICcu96whgH47tI7f0AkezCWxF7wOAe/s400/Stu-recycling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I was trying to help out around the house by putting some things in the recycling. But then I read the sorting guidelines. Rats!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Sorry, we do not accept household goods other than clothes and linens.</b><br />No appliances<br />No books, tapes or CDs<br />No hardware or tools<br />No games or toys<br />No kitchen goods<br />No chemicals or hazardous waste<br />No cosmetics, creams or nail polish<br />No computers<br />No cats</span><br />
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-8730968204973412602013-03-22T13:41:00.001-05:002013-03-22T13:41:58.478-05:00Find a Patch of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSBpsTq_BmnKq5agb_u2laz3X87x9BsWBBenXtMftC2ZAbM9cwKgAmNJBG9vajYwA6B37eUMQWQVlCre0ly9UinnpcUgXYjUINGRNDORS2KtlnEPm7wggU7c3Vr-RY6N2pbjj5Qn9FtCd/s1600/photo-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSBpsTq_BmnKq5agb_u2laz3X87x9BsWBBenXtMftC2ZAbM9cwKgAmNJBG9vajYwA6B37eUMQWQVlCre0ly9UinnpcUgXYjUINGRNDORS2KtlnEPm7wggU7c3Vr-RY6N2pbjj5Qn9FtCd/s400/photo-17.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-90987614422307960852013-03-20T17:39:00.002-05:002013-03-20T17:40:30.890-05:00More Firepits, Some Death Stars, Always Hot Dogs, and a Volcano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My blogger pal <a href="http://sparrowtree-janice.blogspot.com/">Ms. Sparrow</a> commented on my <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/relax-by-fire.html">last post about fire pits featuring burning animals</a>:<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I would rather see a volcano one. That would be awesome! Seeing trees and animals threatened by a forest fire is not pleasant, but I could watch a really active volcano for hours!"</span><br />
<br />
I think she is right. Even though I would never ever want to set paw anywhere near a <i>real </i>volcano, I agree that they are pretty amazing - at least when I've seen them on TV. I wondered if there were any volcano-design fire pits out there. Sadly, no.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the closest to a volcano fire pit that I found for Ms. Sparrow:</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoAjCEDIw1FZI9Hn0q_z18vf9lOZ_HtK4EWUEDBrd4zwAhkeJINRZy23mlEpsIxL6Db0LUtWnLHephmWTOB1up1nI4UGkZn9gSgLlVI8sMH8mwz4s5Ss2p2sZc7LaPKEdTa28MF4Bf3I-/s1600/Mountain-Sunset-Fireball-Fire-Pit-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoAjCEDIw1FZI9Hn0q_z18vf9lOZ_HtK4EWUEDBrd4zwAhkeJINRZy23mlEpsIxL6Db0LUtWnLHephmWTOB1up1nI4UGkZn9gSgLlVI8sMH8mwz4s5Ss2p2sZc7LaPKEdTa28MF4Bf3I-/s1600/Mountain-Sunset-Fireball-Fire-Pit-4.jpg" /> </a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thefirepitgallery.com/g-alpenglow-mountain-sunset-fire-pit.html">"Alpenglow" Mountain Sunset Fire Pit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think the best fire pits feature designs of things meant to be burning hot. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Like the sun:</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM0CpYUXAljNNZ4xTWwtdEnzgV-HQbu8csgkmpZK1xdt1Z5-By5zUwFqfaKp7asetoUWQckdC6RPUu3haA-ysjrvSH_gszVdH66Fmr-q4jAMSiuYCfO7RNCpAjxLTkiRQVvG5aosfQb6E/s1600/Fire-Pit-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM0CpYUXAljNNZ4xTWwtdEnzgV-HQbu8csgkmpZK1xdt1Z5-By5zUwFqfaKp7asetoUWQckdC6RPUu3haA-ysjrvSH_gszVdH66Fmr-q4jAMSiuYCfO7RNCpAjxLTkiRQVvG5aosfQb6E/s400/Fire-Pit-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://custom-firepits.com/g-solar-flare-sun-custom-fire-pit.shtml">"Solar Flare" Custom Fire Pit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or dancing 'round the campfire at a full moon party:</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6BPnBGeRGvafCrEEaY8jpXYgZSpHD4NbhbogWwFwh-AJNuczqUtylTtZBdla5SEPme8vQnZf0-aPxZnwhGd8mYq03GwG_UKKhvygT5MpYFErWE8NXdJZIUuZ5Q1eW6Q6mWRbm6Om8-3U/s1600/copper-fire-bowl-with-full-moon-party-fire-dome-fb-3-m-3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6BPnBGeRGvafCrEEaY8jpXYgZSpHD4NbhbogWwFwh-AJNuczqUtylTtZBdla5SEPme8vQnZf0-aPxZnwhGd8mYq03GwG_UKKhvygT5MpYFErWE8NXdJZIUuZ5Q1eW6Q6mWRbm6Om8-3U/s1600/copper-fire-bowl-with-full-moon-party-fire-dome-fb-3-m-3393.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.backyard-firepits.com/products/good-directions-copper-fire-bowl-with-full-moon-party-fire-dome-fb-3.aspx"><span id="ctl00_content_ProductImage_ucProductDetail_lblProductBriefDesc">Full Moon Party Fire Dome</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC0EdmjePffuKN30vuj5xNUeKEwHiddW8gAflG4bhNHb5hqUGRl-h2Lj3NhWR89_nTh6pfqbwCCFLm-iua-oHDPmcmJrY6JNr1ngRdpUPyPwzpyGFccOEel6y8OGlvOyJ52IDB5iCxIYo/s1600/deathstar-fire-pit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my Susan's favorite. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She says she would buy this one for our backyard </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or the cabin we don't have (but it is $2000). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just hope the creepy people don't come with it...</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIz9r-bfACIHRS7WqwGbcmeLcd1StHyJyPygDnbYVk4AiCSMiW-zdcAsUIuJuwwy4CnMsEykorA8Ffqt734NqFEu1Fz9zRR5DGnKNDvDyiHHqn3_2K4ymxrwiLj0tVacAsZ3GCo7F4PsT/s1600/fire+pit+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIz9r-bfACIHRS7WqwGbcmeLcd1StHyJyPygDnbYVk4AiCSMiW-zdcAsUIuJuwwy4CnMsEykorA8Ffqt734NqFEu1Fz9zRR5DGnKNDvDyiHHqn3_2K4ymxrwiLj0tVacAsZ3GCo7F4PsT/s400/fire+pit+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://art.johntunger.com/2005/05/recycled_steel_.html#.UUoZwKXv0rh">The Great Bowl O' Fire</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a truly epic fire pit!
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would want a lever to pull that would make it shoot flames 10-20 feet.<br />
It would keep the partying, peeing college students out of our yard.<br />
And the cats. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYqFzlVYSa8WZhRGtGRwFtuRCSSrE2fT4m4CjMm7V0qJmFpqT65xGHjuu61MjwP6TC2JF1nHFA5Nld6IAbYI5pgPkkGmOOgsnfYtTBxc929RwxaBCrFOzTMnTy6GVAThQdTBhvjBlJZnh/s1600/Epic-Dragon-Fire-Pit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYqFzlVYSa8WZhRGtGRwFtuRCSSrE2fT4m4CjMm7V0qJmFpqT65xGHjuu61MjwP6TC2JF1nHFA5Nld6IAbYI5pgPkkGmOOgsnfYtTBxc929RwxaBCrFOzTMnTy6GVAThQdTBhvjBlJZnh/s400/Epic-Dragon-Fire-Pit.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYqFzlVYSa8WZhRGtGRwFtuRCSSrE2fT4m4CjMm7V0qJmFpqT65xGHjuu61MjwP6TC2JF1nHFA5Nld6IAbYI5pgPkkGmOOgsnfYtTBxc929RwxaBCrFOzTMnTy6GVAThQdTBhvjBlJZnh/s1600/Epic-Dragon-Fire-Pit.jpg">Epic Dragon Fire Pit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is a fire pit for my three Star Wars lovin' boys: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC0EdmjePffuKN30vuj5xNUeKEwHiddW8gAflG4bhNHb5hqUGRl-h2Lj3NhWR89_nTh6pfqbwCCFLm-iua-oHDPmcmJrY6JNr1ngRdpUPyPwzpyGFccOEel6y8OGlvOyJ52IDB5iCxIYo/s400/deathstar-fire-pit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.geekologie.com/2012/05/one-giant-thermal-exhaust-port-fake-deat.php">Death Star Fire Pit which is probably fake</a> but funny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I would prefer <i>this </i>Death Star, for obvious reasons. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Susan says, yeah, and the chocolate would be the death of me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uh huh. I think people make stuff up...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxjHv10e0JqdpXscPZEVkStknirBrSRi-QvWst1xVm0H9qteXRHIZZmRPdLqlUWs9DttDLTOO0S56-8_i-SbZkbV9TRIkWTN_grbqAOznxQe99hqLaOjwa-rPFO9qfFEgbrQuDaGspRu8/s1600/death_star_cookie_jar_cz5s1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxjHv10e0JqdpXscPZEVkStknirBrSRi-QvWst1xVm0H9qteXRHIZZmRPdLqlUWs9DttDLTOO0S56-8_i-SbZkbV9TRIkWTN_grbqAOznxQe99hqLaOjwa-rPFO9qfFEgbrQuDaGspRu8/s400/death_star_cookie_jar_cz5s1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hometone.com/star-wars-cookie-jar-bringing-space-wars-kitchen.html">Death Star Cookie Jar</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Dave would like this Death Star even better. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLY5Bl95ywORv_gtKevB15x3a4UwyagwwYEMYYSom_AojvRBIyGMg3o50Q0BQMzPMu2HEbPqt1DHQlYjc0sog4QPEbc3HUeOdmohG61XCw9BFI1M_OFxGchUxm4Lke8BmeO3mqSYjwyh2/s1600/death-star-ice-sphere-mold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLY5Bl95ywORv_gtKevB15x3a4UwyagwwYEMYYSom_AojvRBIyGMg3o50Q0BQMzPMu2HEbPqt1DHQlYjc0sog4QPEbc3HUeOdmohG61XCw9BFI1M_OFxGchUxm4Lke8BmeO3mqSYjwyh2/s400/death-star-ice-sphere-mold.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f0b6/">Death Star Ice Sphere</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Wait...where was I? Oh yeah. Fire pits...</div>
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<br /></div>
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I don't really like fire. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But I do like activities involving roasted sausages, marshmallows and the like. </div>
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These dawgs are all for Carmella! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZXNAY9NX1Ewot6rUVd10T0RYROM0oqLjf9BfbbQLg3e2XxD6DqIpT5mwwne5d9Ixtjwz5XpfFSs-CEQ3MKo_8b12J1i_CwQNwSJ3AySA8NphQzZMbppf-8hfLXoIuckzHWyJQ-XCUHby/s1600/weinerroast1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZXNAY9NX1Ewot6rUVd10T0RYROM0oqLjf9BfbbQLg3e2XxD6DqIpT5mwwne5d9Ixtjwz5XpfFSs-CEQ3MKo_8b12J1i_CwQNwSJ3AySA8NphQzZMbppf-8hfLXoIuckzHWyJQ-XCUHby/s1600/weinerroast1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farmgirlfollies.com/2009/05">credit</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I leave you with these rather sad images:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XBFInCjqMzjL0zgN2_v9Yo2ZH1XX27Ahg7L7aqlCRgoivZyY5Ol-5w5BU36qMRoZyDgCwWlqEb7yu6HEmYGnHBSRNb2ewtGJER1jd1jz00A7eVxmQBqjJLKfjYMbMyww8_cL571EozKU/s1600/insectlore_campfirekidsroastingstickswithhotdogsandmarshmallows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XBFInCjqMzjL0zgN2_v9Yo2ZH1XX27Ahg7L7aqlCRgoivZyY5Ol-5w5BU36qMRoZyDgCwWlqEb7yu6HEmYGnHBSRNb2ewtGJER1jd1jz00A7eVxmQBqjJLKfjYMbMyww8_cL571EozKU/s1600/insectlore_campfirekidsroastingstickswithhotdogsandmarshmallows.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Campfire Kids Indoor Camping Gear: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Pretend to roast your marshmallows
and hot dogs! </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Who wants to PRETEND? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Plastic food is pointless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Use with Campfire Kids Campfire (sold separately)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs4k-oo5zXuVeQtFrhItcr6c2ubgDIOw1ItIqV_xOAiM1JjWaHtgj0_NKrtIAq6293t_ufByNZz-sfiiIZmnkseaxoR2jX-gRZ5Va83BwKAeP4MtzgJaeZnG4OOQunpFyfU3722SdtEwg/s1600/1003724_51007_A_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs4k-oo5zXuVeQtFrhItcr6c2ubgDIOw1ItIqV_xOAiM1JjWaHtgj0_NKrtIAq6293t_ufByNZz-sfiiIZmnkseaxoR2jX-gRZ5Va83BwKAeP4MtzgJaeZnG4OOQunpFyfU3722SdtEwg/s320/1003724_51007_A_400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Fun for kids who aren't fans of the great outdoors. It
brings that play inside!" </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That is so sad. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Somehow, I just don't think Ms. Sparrow meant this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfJQ53MdOPPlMdiIAENG230JAIvEa_ZkGy1CaF_9ucJy374MCEYemqXNTrNU5mmZKPLpbboHuvE09v1B2ZoiPFQGWMssu34JiZ3PjfhKEqN8mSZbD_pgfTvGVXQniboxzZDIpHYEP_Y0L/s1600/41xDYTAOJyL._SX300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfJQ53MdOPPlMdiIAENG230JAIvEa_ZkGy1CaF_9ucJy374MCEYemqXNTrNU5mmZKPLpbboHuvE09v1B2ZoiPFQGWMssu34JiZ3PjfhKEqN8mSZbD_pgfTvGVXQniboxzZDIpHYEP_Y0L/s320/41xDYTAOJyL._SX300_.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Small-Natures-Fire-Interactive-Volcano/dp/B005OLZ3PW"><span id="btAsinTitle">Small Nature's Fire Interactive Volcano</span></a>
</td></tr>
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<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-75842770862195105252013-03-19T20:40:00.000-05:002013-03-20T17:40:11.794-05:00Relax by the FireI posted awhile back about an unusual fire pit of the earth on fire: <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/global-warming.html">Global Warming</a> <br />
<br />
Apparently, there are even weirder fire pits to be had. <br />
<br />
Here's one of Bambi's dad. I wonder if the other side has Bambi's shot-dead mother.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XcieyGeAHO2otWHeXoRBxZDqt1FSW9bhvlupLNHZ7P5IDsRC6W7nY1hq94rzUH7Qvl1ktPLMue-dfVEdwhqVmjEPFblZ_qSzCp-CHTjq7EJ52YRAcRfWAuPWQx5AbUF-MuqdOwfvx1N2/s1600/Up-North-Fire-Pit-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://thefirepitgallery.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Run! Fire! </span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_NjIPe0wxH9n96AVoL2ejGSFRcuAKs1ffa97kTfIUCrC7gB06tBqDe805K-HaH7crSlXKDsOsCdlEi4xjFRardFOkKsGi7irag-2gUZo1_YlG5H137zMCpii0jvdAzfZHehEmzaIFtoQ/s1600/wildfire-horse-fire-pit-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_NjIPe0wxH9n96AVoL2ejGSFRcuAKs1ffa97kTfIUCrC7gB06tBqDe805K-HaH7crSlXKDsOsCdlEi4xjFRardFOkKsGi7irag-2gUZo1_YlG5H137zMCpii0jvdAzfZHehEmzaIFtoQ/s1600/wildfire-horse-fire-pit-3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://thefirepitgallery.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ah! A relaxing underwater scene. Boiled fish anyone? Man, that fish looks like its in pain!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qeFJEoQNzNUpvUZvaBrtVpaZUq3v5g6_iGjkimrrYjd27_gizxpk8pNpWDEM-DnnlWHUuXNV5QcK6ghVLq9AjEgGCquGPrtyLeWuKxmVop8qadyOPfQ1VNH4VbtAnZ_updGtyfyLDDPj/s1600/red-lake-fish-fire-pit-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://thefirepitgallery.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As they say on<a href="http://thefirepitgallery.com/"> their website</a>: </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"A fire is a great way to spend quality time with your family and
friends. Whether roasting marshmallows with your kids on a laid back
summer night or spending a romantic evening relaxing by a warm crackling
fire, it's a wonderful way to get out of the house and enjoy each
others company."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Burn, baby, burn! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUWkTAO50FyLiuQAtVchCsHlbnMNYZ3nzcwBQRFgSsMZ7aXtlNJbZheJUJZyLL2fD7dA49Qh00KAUHxXpSws_ArToBcBZMThK0p6g05yy38XM-yA0FDO3w9cLQZLkYWgjW9OsxTELXeUK/s1600/Tree-of-Life-Fire-Pit-fireball-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUWkTAO50FyLiuQAtVchCsHlbnMNYZ3nzcwBQRFgSsMZ7aXtlNJbZheJUJZyLL2fD7dA49Qh00KAUHxXpSws_ArToBcBZMThK0p6g05yy38XM-yA0FDO3w9cLQZLkYWgjW9OsxTELXeUK/s1600/Tree-of-Life-Fire-Pit-fireball-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://thefirepitgallery.com/</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-91378401341850729702013-03-10T11:14:00.000-05:002013-03-10T11:20:59.158-05:00Hold the Ketchup<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuLe4viyqzRDIGAGJf2EPra8Yci_Vnp3T-pGc_Su9xsmiPLxeFthLnRW_1YomCJzBKQD93un7qlkrGd-JlAei3LMvZeQASGR1QAEMM-pZ7oSDwtlcjdnc4Kx8ml4FqYa1PNrj7lzQdTpM/s1600/hotdogpuppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuLe4viyqzRDIGAGJf2EPra8Yci_Vnp3T-pGc_Su9xsmiPLxeFthLnRW_1YomCJzBKQD93un7qlkrGd-JlAei3LMvZeQASGR1QAEMM-pZ7oSDwtlcjdnc4Kx8ml4FqYa1PNrj7lzQdTpM/s400/hotdogpuppy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I know - the joke's been done. And I have said before that buns should be banned. But come on! It's a puppy. A baby wiener dog. In a real bun. Ah!<br />
<br />
But what really makes it funny is the perky alertness of said puppy. It isn't a good gag with sleeping, trusting puppy. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGPij73UHmeJdcPqG0Hjgnr8VNPQ45AcTRd9wGDjNVWplEN65oLxH3RqJqtv7DxYuf6MDjrwFp0Y44XW7pdKCH8HPIOzgkEnxfyngRBnxqL2JsOpuRqZjczbda793W486nBBUNeN11Wt9/s1600/hotdog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGPij73UHmeJdcPqG0Hjgnr8VNPQ45AcTRd9wGDjNVWplEN65oLxH3RqJqtv7DxYuf6MDjrwFp0Y44XW7pdKCH8HPIOzgkEnxfyngRBnxqL2JsOpuRqZjczbda793W486nBBUNeN11Wt9/s400/hotdog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run away, little guy!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfileZF-htxEgdNy-X8abJ7_W3Bt8X_dc0xwSaM9tWGxKYFW7SWqKPvqTDUE9ogYsHQyLXwSHrWPY92VXsKv5P427r7bUHrv2xrOvaJLl44KzQ7-bIl-tG3E3psZLmNoTR7YTQb7JTNFeT/s1600/hotdog-race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfileZF-htxEgdNy-X8abJ7_W3Bt8X_dc0xwSaM9tWGxKYFW7SWqKPvqTDUE9ogYsHQyLXwSHrWPY92VXsKv5P427r7bUHrv2xrOvaJLl44KzQ7-bIl-tG3E3psZLmNoTR7YTQb7JTNFeT/s400/hotdog-race.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://www.coolchaser.com/graphics/221184">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Other dachshund posts:<br />
<a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/ban-buns.html">Ban the Buns</a> <br />
<a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/just-because-you-can.html">Just Because You Can...</a><br />
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<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-68625488568162232612013-03-09T12:06:00.000-06:002013-03-09T15:20:33.334-06:00A Rug for EveryoneMy Susan took Boy#2 to the orthodontist to get some appliances. I was expecting a new toaster oven or a crockpot. Wishful thinking, I guess.<br />
<br />
I think Boy#2's teeth look fine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggee2JzhN8N-KoDgsfOkqsinvHEJSJ47JrKVM4g3Ou30c3hHhIpfXV1NFq0faI3hQTSXaCKkGXG0fVPzoYTyEIuAxBmIjDGZsVT4VgvULTC_nMAOrByeK2pYCMRYwMzKac_emiQ1eKCm7X/s1600/teeth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggee2JzhN8N-KoDgsfOkqsinvHEJSJ47JrKVM4g3Ou30c3hHhIpfXV1NFq0faI3hQTSXaCKkGXG0fVPzoYTyEIuAxBmIjDGZsVT4VgvULTC_nMAOrByeK2pYCMRYwMzKac_emiQ1eKCm7X/s400/teeth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Not as nice as mine, of course. He'd never be able to hold on to a squirrel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJoBBo9Cytp3UsU3Ba8yZU5PfAqDBQMlimULawpElyB6u9qRvB2e2ihB7aCLeb0jJn_bMP3ujGzXT0U67ktIYrOHiBeGHwDCKX9tHlYFxzRhHi_TfIq4FRm9B5dxO-SK2On9RD4-wTJmq/s1600/teeth-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJoBBo9Cytp3UsU3Ba8yZU5PfAqDBQMlimULawpElyB6u9qRvB2e2ihB7aCLeb0jJn_bMP3ujGzXT0U67ktIYrOHiBeGHwDCKX9tHlYFxzRhHi_TfIq4FRm9B5dxO-SK2On9RD4-wTJmq/s320/teeth-dog.jpg" width="278" /></a></div>
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While they were waiting for the new appliances at orthodontist, Susan came across this picture in a magazine and thought of me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzGomMxxX-8ZaxWHLDOocml6LrNMrkrSND9Ne_72Rx-6AP1DPx9vCxuGkvUDAU0kl9PZ0BJZMT9FuicfWE7iui0b9dWses373F2IgMOSYkNZc9TGLhad2LgiWBAPo3U1RENUBJ93g1Ixv/s1600/rug-reflections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzGomMxxX-8ZaxWHLDOocml6LrNMrkrSND9Ne_72Rx-6AP1DPx9vCxuGkvUDAU0kl9PZ0BJZMT9FuicfWE7iui0b9dWses373F2IgMOSYkNZc9TGLhad2LgiWBAPo3U1RENUBJ93g1Ixv/s640/rug-reflections.jpg" width="509" /></a></div>
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I chose not to be offended. I haven't peed on the floor in a long time. Not since I was a frazzled new adoptee in a strange new land. <br />
<br />
But this fellow surely looks regretful. I think that's why they named the rug design "Reflections."Although the pattern also does such a nice job of looking like reflecting pee puddles.<br />
<br />
I also appreciate the power of the guilt trip. "Our Looms. Your Legacy." (Dog pee <i>is</i> pretty hard to get rid of...)<br />
<br />
I am not sure who would want a dog-pee patterned rug. But there are a lot of rugs in the world that are pretty odd.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1hlzH_q0nCcSglx_xIIx7_SJWQEj8zIhPmzMkoyeLVhGjGgYavp0uMrHnDMMMKtVPWKLkyfoIsDrlofHbNW9v3gOvhozdp2tdK7OLVpFHVkCiPaCe0w5bu58DFrmTopd7t-FZO8TMtzr/s1600/dog-rug.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1hlzH_q0nCcSglx_xIIx7_SJWQEj8zIhPmzMkoyeLVhGjGgYavp0uMrHnDMMMKtVPWKLkyfoIsDrlofHbNW9v3gOvhozdp2tdK7OLVpFHVkCiPaCe0w5bu58DFrmTopd7t-FZO8TMtzr/s400/dog-rug.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">In case you don't have a real dog to trip over constantly. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/:%20http://artkrush.com">source</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KYVsaLTQZ3DenbDMi0gv_VtcXXtvGhVd3qHiXCRCOtBX37YGaHCs6CiVBD30zoHenS5mWHER28LlTV44kgQTfJbICkc06PJ6rCVw9RkobNBapabSuAiyKrksRAFYSqj9YSzhHob6yKg_/s1600/egg+rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KYVsaLTQZ3DenbDMi0gv_VtcXXtvGhVd3qHiXCRCOtBX37YGaHCs6CiVBD30zoHenS5mWHER28LlTV44kgQTfJbICkc06PJ6rCVw9RkobNBapabSuAiyKrksRAFYSqj9YSzhHob6yKg_/s400/egg+rug.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Don't you want to bounce on the yolks? <a href="http://www.blinkdecor.com/decoratorsdish/?p=150">source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VY0GD8obCxvJgDeu-ACxUnv1veVSV_JLLOs8kupz45vyUla9SpA_Niwh_87nIHHS0P1Q62F0Kf8GNrWlvflXoyJnYUIcFxVi1rDkAOYwPSYr5YSRN4qscRjF9NcZI3ThL6nY_doocYox/s1600/rug10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VY0GD8obCxvJgDeu-ACxUnv1veVSV_JLLOs8kupz45vyUla9SpA_Niwh_87nIHHS0P1Q62F0Kf8GNrWlvflXoyJnYUIcFxVi1rDkAOYwPSYr5YSRN4qscRjF9NcZI3ThL6nY_doocYox/s400/rug10.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">I like to watch Susan cringe when she looks at this rug. <br />
Is it because she is done, done, done with March? <br />
Or simply her deep aversion to the anarchy of <br />
a truck driving across a white, indoor rug? <a href="http://www.amazedltd.com/main.html">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrQ4E19Toqj3eHOdsFuQ0zRmd23IODM2h_ey0my6uneBOgZtslKjE1sfLG-7INF7KZMPnj94kxkySKbChygh-QDK_EFpGPQcB4iP09dD2RfQojItZurBNqFWK4ZzH122PMh-E5IrC2Oqo/s1600/rug11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrQ4E19Toqj3eHOdsFuQ0zRmd23IODM2h_ey0my6uneBOgZtslKjE1sfLG-7INF7KZMPnj94kxkySKbChygh-QDK_EFpGPQcB4iP09dD2RfQojItZurBNqFWK4ZzH122PMh-E5IrC2Oqo/s400/rug11.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy#1, on the other hand, would love this rug in his room. <a href="http://www.amazedltd.com/main.html">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7tN49Alzhob2CQHdsNa_5zs2bfjBPjwASmJxcfWggRPP_CiBwJk05LU6OkeVjwRNvxPLsfVPJSHXYD-8A3qtxba5hdKXg7kYgCRLREYGhUMSuseSKhFAtu405SNeOrrkNJ7j3b_ySMW-/s1600/rug12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7tN49Alzhob2CQHdsNa_5zs2bfjBPjwASmJxcfWggRPP_CiBwJk05LU6OkeVjwRNvxPLsfVPJSHXYD-8A3qtxba5hdKXg7kYgCRLREYGhUMSuseSKhFAtu405SNeOrrkNJ7j3b_ySMW-/s400/rug12.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Here's one for Dave. He knows why.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gvpURqaYMa5yp5aqBnIDBb4lVFBMSBQAeKKk4y8HQFGY5x8mKIls2E3ExaUwx5GB54m2YV_EhG8tySL8SwWBtBIEMvkyHaT8rUu8-4fmZSYGxNTTWgY7VXA6u90XIl4oesx_wjd9zQo7/s1600/rug4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gvpURqaYMa5yp5aqBnIDBb4lVFBMSBQAeKKk4y8HQFGY5x8mKIls2E3ExaUwx5GB54m2YV_EhG8tySL8SwWBtBIEMvkyHaT8rUu8-4fmZSYGxNTTWgY7VXA6u90XIl4oesx_wjd9zQo7/s400/rug4.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">I know our Grandma Elizabeth would love this rug. <a href="http://www.amazedltd.com/main.html">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYnsEQ69N9jhgxXX5_a2A9j18wGVBMsprGaR6cIqA7RBB5c6FqKJ9Z3GS8OTLqrlyHy_eARkubkI6dewC1dPs5CyaO4tXE0DS1EeEgep78X1YNJCE03bofY0i9WZzOGoCFp-cUk8zoHgA/s1600/rug-wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYnsEQ69N9jhgxXX5_a2A9j18wGVBMsprGaR6cIqA7RBB5c6FqKJ9Z3GS8OTLqrlyHy_eARkubkI6dewC1dPs5CyaO4tXE0DS1EeEgep78X1YNJCE03bofY0i9WZzOGoCFp-cUk8zoHgA/s400/rug-wood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption">Here's one for Uncle Andy. <a href="http://homehow.net/2010/05/chic-rug-design-with-wood-looking/chic-rug-design-with-wood-looking-l-cool-rug/">source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD6G5poTHW4XgNcwvFY_yLT0TVI5XpAA9sDHVzNkUPi3lLcQDE8gAzJQuu5O-yGEdd4IPUlDZeL_Imhe9i2r8_Lf0c-rw8y1Lqp1kfEkqGc9FGGfSg908WI3dFkND2LRFxKS_35bIgpH5/s1600/rug13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD6G5poTHW4XgNcwvFY_yLT0TVI5XpAA9sDHVzNkUPi3lLcQDE8gAzJQuu5O-yGEdd4IPUlDZeL_Imhe9i2r8_Lf0c-rw8y1Lqp1kfEkqGc9FGGfSg908WI3dFkND2LRFxKS_35bIgpH5/s400/rug13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Boy#2's rug request. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/17730571/crochet-pizza-rug">source</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTW-ciPYFmBxwNflLymexMaXfgJJ9BMoj1SwZGvogv8LJcJqdBESSB0dWBhkP3IFzb3GGlfKxTxwUFNAGcmOEjPLPr7ifXeYBSZpeTFAqTKHhH9NhYLlIWRD3qIEF3H77vwEG-QjEF9Mk/s1600/rug+cat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTW-ciPYFmBxwNflLymexMaXfgJJ9BMoj1SwZGvogv8LJcJqdBESSB0dWBhkP3IFzb3GGlfKxTxwUFNAGcmOEjPLPr7ifXeYBSZpeTFAqTKHhH9NhYLlIWRD3qIEF3H77vwEG-QjEF9Mk/s400/rug+cat.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
And finally, a rug for Carmella! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I wish this was me...it sure looks like Stuart. <a href="http://animeals.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/love-the-new-rug/">source</a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As you can probably tell, we are trapped in our house by March freezing rain and sloppy ice. Clearly, Susan doesn't want to do taxes or vacuum. Happy, Saturday!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-35842384213498900282013-01-26T12:22:00.000-06:002013-01-26T12:57:18.919-06:00Open Door PrisonsI think everyone around here feels a little cooped up midwinter. Walkies are perfunctory. I don't ride along for errands when the car temps are so low. Backyard patrol is as needed only.<br />
<br />
Because it is winter, over the fence moments are few and muffled by winter layers. We haven't yet heard why six fire trucks and a dozen plus firefighters visited our next door neighbors some days back (they appear to be fine).<br />
<br />
And we haven't yet met the new babies on our other side or down on the corner. My auntie Lizabeth commented that last year her neighbors went in for the winter and came out with a fully formed baby without her even knowing they were pregnant. That's a long winter.<br />
<br />
Of course, this is self-imposed isolation. It isn't like we are locked up. The happiest Minnesotans are the ones who bundle up and head out the door. But there are those new episodes of Downton Abbey to be viewed...<br />
<br />
Some folks are locked up for real, of course. Until they aren't. Apparently there are now over <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/26/world/africa/15000-crocodiles-escape-from-south-african-farm.html?_r=0">15,000 escaped farm crocodiles bobbing in the Limpopo River in South Africa</a>. Their keepers opened up the river gates when flood waters threatened. Out they floated. That's a lot of crocs!<br />
<br />
The best way to recapture crocs is at night because their eyes glow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUf2ehaLtgTp-ZLSUudMkmY5yaUSsXcWTxMQGm64TwcDZwQ_qQOz2QYstiMnAxGLUXZ49M43gBF8y-BnkypgiDJG3UVwuchu0nP6UbZZvflmihYGRjjmKajxvgxJI15gaHvqSvV4tlp8T/s1600/caiman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUf2ehaLtgTp-ZLSUudMkmY5yaUSsXcWTxMQGm64TwcDZwQ_qQOz2QYstiMnAxGLUXZ49M43gBF8y-BnkypgiDJG3UVwuchu0nP6UbZZvflmihYGRjjmKajxvgxJI15gaHvqSvV4tlp8T/s400/caiman.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are South American caimans. <br />
But their eye shine is probably similar <br />
to those escaped crocodiles in South Africa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrVOfRVvrWaUAuqrO9tuq4dTygj8QoXV9DACChPxGRNVB-jOFMu9qHxmQEiMw5InzUqoI8cG-Nc_TquVrTU8MZZ1NIakcrppgZKdUY7_XiwdjeQ7uCNFKKmh0snl_yEygxCsZ9SBf9573/s1600/demon-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrVOfRVvrWaUAuqrO9tuq4dTygj8QoXV9DACChPxGRNVB-jOFMu9qHxmQEiMw5InzUqoI8cG-Nc_TquVrTU8MZZ1NIakcrppgZKdUY7_XiwdjeQ7uCNFKKmh0snl_yEygxCsZ9SBf9573/s400/demon-dog.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may have some croc in me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If I was a crocodile and my destiny was to be a pair of shoes, I would certainly take advantage of an open cell door. <br />
<br />
Apparently, there are also jails with a rather generous open door policy. <a href="http://www.newsoftheweird.com/archive/">News of the Weird </a>reports:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Fulton Jail Will Get Working
Cell Locks," read the Dec. 19 Atlanta Journal-Constitution headline. The
county commission serving Atlanta had finally voted to break a
longstanding 3-3 tie that prevented buying new jailhouse locks -- even
while knowing that inmates could jimmy the old ones at will and roam the
facilities, threatening and assaulting suspects and guards. The three
recalcitrant commissioners were being spiteful because a federal judge
had ordered various improvements to the jail, costing $140 million so
far, and the three vowed to spend no more. The 1,300 replacement locks
will cost about $5 million -- but will not be installed right away.
[Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12-19-2012] </span></span><br />
<br />
I think it is interesting the prisoners only leave their cells for the specific business of harassing the guards or stretching their legs. They don't actually leave the prison. Sort of like free-range chickens. I hear they often have access to the outdoors but never go through the door. Minnesota free-range chickens must be the worst.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span>Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-53621534127471187702013-01-21T14:52:00.000-06:002013-01-26T12:29:48.434-06:00Midwinter Day with My PackConsidering it is -2 degrees outside, today is a pretty good day. That's because my pack is all home and busy around the house. <br />
<br />
Dave is working up in the attic, of course. He just got back from a trip to Spain so having a normal Monday on a holiday is his penance. But his day will improve because tonight is his birthday party! Dave is turning 49 this time around and is a little baffled how he got to be almost 50. <br />
<br />
Susan is puttering around the kitchen preparing Dave's favorite birthday dinner: pesto pasta, herb bread, pear/blue cheese salad, baked goat cheese stuffed zucchini, and flourless chocolate torte. Everyone will need extra walkies after eating that!<br />
<br />
Dave requested flourless chocolate torte for his birthday treat...
otherwise known as Death to Carmella, as it includes a full pound of
toxic chocolate. I can't even lick the bowl! I wish it was a liver
torte. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXHjOkmbQYj3N8kfgW84AzwrMOM1iJjVCZvAaH6JRK3WzBfaZkIKhnpNAaOyWj0rnyOWxMHo1mIl1_3EGLD31woy-vaRhctjlac3X5ezyu5U8nypQzcXQPqtqTzGE3kYsFtZrX3kvh9ho/s1600/photo-74.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXHjOkmbQYj3N8kfgW84AzwrMOM1iJjVCZvAaH6JRK3WzBfaZkIKhnpNAaOyWj0rnyOWxMHo1mIl1_3EGLD31woy-vaRhctjlac3X5ezyu5U8nypQzcXQPqtqTzGE3kYsFtZrX3kvh9ho/s400/photo-74.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave's flourless chocolate torte. Sigh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Boy#1 is alternating studying for finals and cheerfully helping get ready for Dave's family party. I am counting on him for a good walk this afternoon, as he complains less about things like cold than anyone else in the family. He complains about lots of other things but physically, he pretty tough.<br />
<br />
Boy#2 is pretty scarce because he is supposed to be cleaning his room and taking a shower. He hates baths almost as much as I do!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2A4mWLl66KkQoVXDIaQPC0WUW8_XxEhJbig490l5hB2EzT-ONpA2WugY-yi4TciG9mfbuvpc6YnJXQSEFx01sQWQQXTZW_CflO1TpOWDOdxUmGbtD4_lZpJWu5k_msq4rvRp_OG7DJ2O/s1600/bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2A4mWLl66KkQoVXDIaQPC0WUW8_XxEhJbig490l5hB2EzT-ONpA2WugY-yi4TciG9mfbuvpc6YnJXQSEFx01sQWQQXTZW_CflO1TpOWDOdxUmGbtD4_lZpJWu5k_msq4rvRp_OG7DJ2O/s400/bed.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am helping Boy#2 clean his room by inspecting his (rarely) made bed.<br /> I rate it four paws up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Boy#2 is also relishing setting up a new laptop for his dad who hates PC's but needs it for testing things at work. Although Dave fears losing a beloved family member to Microsoft Madness, there is something to be said about having someone in the house know how to make such a beast behave. Boy#2 is happy to finally have a laptop at his beck and call. But like I said, he supposed to be cleaning his room.<br />
<br />
The cats are their usual selves. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhKLF3U_hz86X6RXZM8tB6p6CC-jMWI8TBnv7U53J4cbfYV2D8G29E84UeJ90KMeS-Qxj66hWHBaL3kJP5_6xf1dojKvgG6lIHuhHUfOzE1cc5XlPo_hR018A-VaKjbPxkCRvEks7-1iv/s1600/photo-78.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhKLF3U_hz86X6RXZM8tB6p6CC-jMWI8TBnv7U53J4cbfYV2D8G29E84UeJ90KMeS-Qxj66hWHBaL3kJP5_6xf1dojKvgG6lIHuhHUfOzE1cc5XlPo_hR018A-VaKjbPxkCRvEks7-1iv/s400/photo-78.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie helps the clean sweaters dry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB0FhTaBIqCUNoiXe2YBj4c_hWyqA1bvDnQyweDDUoj-Itvadr0K-9G2TN6Ooq64pOxskZulOQ6L1umIRBgQFx7lLpOvG_b7bokyRmTEQ0-TvTrUxxGjNDrey_Gm0YDLZMNl9j39L_6Gb/s1600/stu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB0FhTaBIqCUNoiXe2YBj4c_hWyqA1bvDnQyweDDUoj-Itvadr0K-9G2TN6Ooq64pOxskZulOQ6L1umIRBgQFx7lLpOvG_b7bokyRmTEQ0-TvTrUxxGjNDrey_Gm0YDLZMNl9j39L_6Gb/s400/stu.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuart helps Boy#1 with his Warhammer 40K model building. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Susan is also getting to some projects she has delayed for years. She finally framed a series of postcards by her sister-in-law, fiber artist <a href="http://www.eliawoods.com/">Elia Woods</a>. Lia gathers inspiration from her gardens to make gorgeous art quilts using photo transfer techniques and natural dyes. Susan thought the exhibition postcards looked beautiful too - so she put them together to hang in our dining room. Someday maybe we'll get to see Lia's quilts (though I suppose I won't be allowed to lay on them).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImVoaBRu702OaXgdE5ZrPVngGz-PSWGAZRFWDW6lWd9lirZH3ncBIJRO6FtFtNrNydHCL_cJq7xy1HFmUK7SPuLyF1vhFmCmNTSn5RfO93wF6u0cmeMXaUH7ByQfGKeyLZfVCnZS9UdSo/s1600/elia-woods-art.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImVoaBRu702OaXgdE5ZrPVngGz-PSWGAZRFWDW6lWd9lirZH3ncBIJRO6FtFtNrNydHCL_cJq7xy1HFmUK7SPuLyF1vhFmCmNTSn5RfO93wF6u0cmeMXaUH7ByQfGKeyLZfVCnZS9UdSo/s400/elia-woods-art.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postcard series of details of <a href="http://www.eliawoods.com/">Elia Wood</a>' s art quilts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is nice that everyone has hobbies. I hope everyone is having a peaceful, productive day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiiJrm_BUK4ffALfckWEOPJ_oQm4fOspJYu_UscpQpSzEHy93BkCaYGWRSLdGHg94sj3YvAGvFHLumBFDyL5eQ1S28NpZRYChQgmKrqZ-rJw5_QoizgNdWMO9yIGD9kn2JQLziOaa41yk/s1600/photo-75.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiiJrm_BUK4ffALfckWEOPJ_oQm4fOspJYu_UscpQpSzEHy93BkCaYGWRSLdGHg94sj3YvAGvFHLumBFDyL5eQ1S28NpZRYChQgmKrqZ-rJw5_QoizgNdWMO9yIGD9kn2JQLziOaa41yk/s400/photo-75.JPG" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carmella's hobbies include shredding potpie tins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-77883639415849833522012-12-09T16:19:00.000-06:002012-12-09T21:11:46.810-06:00Sunday Snow DayWe all woke up to a nice Minnesota snowfall - our first measurable snow since last February! Since it was Sunday, there was no wondering what to do about it. So everyone rolled over and went back to sleep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj-hv-Tb_PYZipVEwvWFt4kafzwkhoVdRAddvSOJqxgvDw3AVY_PYmzR9yBP4RfvkPQuImnhfuS4HCBb7JZsNztmFMWHHYxJRjx4MyVQ_qr6Y83QkJmM0KFKXcHtJcHbM13yg6hqvjTMh/s1600/IMG_1802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDj-hv-Tb_PYZipVEwvWFt4kafzwkhoVdRAddvSOJqxgvDw3AVY_PYmzR9yBP4RfvkPQuImnhfuS4HCBb7JZsNztmFMWHHYxJRjx4MyVQ_qr6Y83QkJmM0KFKXcHtJcHbM13yg6hqvjTMh/s400/IMG_1802.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
My peeps really need a snow day. Dave is still suffering from general malaise. His feverish glow gives the Christmas tree some competition. Especially since the top light strand pooped out. <br />
<br />
Boy#2 was up all night barfing into a bucket. Generally, I approve of barf. The cats supplement my meager rations by leaving piles of yum all over the house. But this was different. Boy#2's mother got kept getting up - to check the bucket for his innards, I guess. It sure sounded that way. But then, I sleep about a foot from Geo's head - so it was pretty spectacular.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, we are all pretty tuckered out. Except for Boy#1 who seems to be powered by plutonium or something. Even after shoveling out the neighbors corner lot and part of ours, he is bouncing around like Tigger. He's my man for walkies, today!<br />
<br />
His mother is nostalgic for the days when the boys would run to the window barking with delight at the first snowfall. They'd bundle up and head out for hours. Our backyard is pretty quiet these days. Younger generations have taken up the snow fort construction business.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gEVI2xi9ZCX4D1a5tumW6VIdldGumYY7dqWcMzvQ1KUagvflcvUdNJPgDf-iL_C_aod3XaVBSTja6Agds1asQYLgfV5iD2enV6EUzThgJkmDo1mlB-MGvqBAwEDMVwJgLtTh9esYxMZ0/s1600/IMG_1795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gEVI2xi9ZCX4D1a5tumW6VIdldGumYY7dqWcMzvQ1KUagvflcvUdNJPgDf-iL_C_aod3XaVBSTja6Agds1asQYLgfV5iD2enV6EUzThgJkmDo1mlB-MGvqBAwEDMVwJgLtTh9esYxMZ0/s400/IMG_1795.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The neighbor girls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I did do some bounding about in the snow. It isn't too cold. The smells are great in fresh fallen snow! My friend Niko was out a lot today too.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHMuahJMLJAvKcomog_ylvhXeu92KdqxL93nfrTS9Sq0wBtrscM5xRuQWBgMz8eLST7YFYevwVLMCBHraXYj7J-iCRbRNwlTQMMbIWvfPLeTmPsugQw7mEswbfrMjah4GmvqSyBo75hsl/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHMuahJMLJAvKcomog_ylvhXeu92KdqxL93nfrTS9Sq0wBtrscM5xRuQWBgMz8eLST7YFYevwVLMCBHraXYj7J-iCRbRNwlTQMMbIWvfPLeTmPsugQw7mEswbfrMjah4GmvqSyBo75hsl/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="377" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Havanese dogs may not be the best snow dogs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope Niko got warmed up. The best part of going outside in the winter is coming back in!<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Sunday snow day!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i9Zgfscde0DyltA8QmpcKcvGBv9CgHp2WONwH_bSV3G0VHz0q2KcEj_co6_H1l6G-d86d5SoR6KL-a92Lar6fJZMH5EoDS_ZIMv0eW1emK1vQ0E1TyVNz56D593BkFU1sLjVGTu40ZSS/s1600/IMG_1801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i9Zgfscde0DyltA8QmpcKcvGBv9CgHp2WONwH_bSV3G0VHz0q2KcEj_co6_H1l6G-d86d5SoR6KL-a92Lar6fJZMH5EoDS_ZIMv0eW1emK1vQ0E1TyVNz56D593BkFU1sLjVGTu40ZSS/s400/IMG_1801.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-80440266980883077162012-12-07T17:07:00.001-06:002012-12-07T17:07:27.864-06:00Burger DreamsAnd after I eat my turkey bacon, I will need a nap in my burger bed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqmJjPwmE1s93ulMjq-cCzV2axyQjR-ofNxQbSgngZ0Z-IHegbTVjM9a-hvp2i-S7gTHVP5CL6kidHZ9gD-8zVJmc8KYgDa-FBhAu_lLmk-QyEQSAtj_Bf04N_UkQvbcLTTyJSDN-iGmz/s1600/182349_10151332672177891_445923066_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqmJjPwmE1s93ulMjq-cCzV2axyQjR-ofNxQbSgngZ0Z-IHegbTVjM9a-hvp2i-S7gTHVP5CL6kidHZ9gD-8zVJmc8KYgDa-FBhAu_lLmk-QyEQSAtj_Bf04N_UkQvbcLTTyJSDN-iGmz/s400/182349_10151332672177891_445923066_n.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://whatthecool.com/post/3485352926/burger-bedding/">credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-17984069457472019712012-12-07T08:35:00.000-06:002012-12-07T08:36:22.269-06:00Turkey BaconI wouldn't complain if someone tossed me some turkey bacon, even if it isn't as good as the real thing. But here is turkey bacon I can certainly endorse. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZQT3vh7kvmslSUmLBVr246GlyqzOwWOlKxGgf-7b4UNooAVQPPdpqQjrZAQ0vFA_RYjekcSvUMfZHNB36A7rG_C5k9OpszMwhDo71IKZzY0Bs_XGUhSszsBWF4I-LrSPluO7F7c4UJHC/s1600/turkey-bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZQT3vh7kvmslSUmLBVr246GlyqzOwWOlKxGgf-7b4UNooAVQPPdpqQjrZAQ0vFA_RYjekcSvUMfZHNB36A7rG_C5k9OpszMwhDo71IKZzY0Bs_XGUhSszsBWF4I-LrSPluO7F7c4UJHC/s400/turkey-bacon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-2389165428412437272012-12-02T15:47:00.000-06:002014-02-02T18:32:45.477-06:00Portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise Thélusson, Countess of Sorcy and Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQb3_c8o_H1m_prt-lu54V95MxRFJTzDapXUw9c8T8FpW_BhbqV-oiUUJwqIS_ynIsGLm_Z7BiN3Lryka5PJ0Ka-beurxrvSHy-iZlj0MM9y7BuXIJSZsweOScjAKvnWFsL3EJya58G4R/s1600/Ann-Marie-Carmella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQb3_c8o_H1m_prt-lu54V95MxRFJTzDapXUw9c8T8FpW_BhbqV-oiUUJwqIS_ynIsGLm_Z7BiN3Lryka5PJ0Ka-beurxrvSHy-iZlj0MM9y7BuXIJSZsweOScjAKvnWFsL3EJya58G4R/s640/Ann-Marie-Carmella.jpg" height="640" width="483" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="description"><i>Portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise Thélusson, Countess of Sorcy, and Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte</i></span><br />
Jacques-Louis David <span class="description"><i></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Content and Criticism</b><br />
<span class="description"><i>Portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise Thélusson, Countess of Sorcy, and </i></span><span class="description"><i>Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte</i></span> (1790) is a painting by the French artist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Louis_David" title="Jacques-Louis David">Jacques-Louis David</a>. David is better known for his paintings <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/la-mort-de-carmella.html">La Mort de Carmella</a> and <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-death-of-socrates-and-his-little.html">The Death of Socrates and His Little Brown Dog</a> but the artist also painted formal portraits of the cultivated upper classes and aristocracy.<br />
<br />
In 1790, a year of social
calm before the French Revolution, David painted two portraits of the Rilliet sisters: the Marquise d'Orvilliers and the Countess de
Sorcy. David painted Jeanne Robertine and
Anne-Marie-Louise, both married to rich and titled husbands, sitting with dignity and ease, wearing the simple fashions of
the day. Anne-Marie-Louise also insisted her little brown dog Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte sit for her portrait. <br />
<br />
Portraits of aristocrats with their dogs were quite popular in the 18th
century. Lapdogs were beloved companions. They were something to talk
to and interact with long before there were smartphones.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3rf_YTtu34uJJGLkwa0Xnu53yKSznoVH5UqzGejhisFSkmR-RZBpei64wrY6h3EUn4faUbvogQz-lWnBlQNnvqiwjeUJR5Yt1j_1ST_IwPr5hgoC6Bpov0y8tq1eWIDIkQAXPGpnUPJ_/s1600/Louis-Michel_van_Loo_Princess_Ekaterina_Dmitrievna_Golitsyna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3rf_YTtu34uJJGLkwa0Xnu53yKSznoVH5UqzGejhisFSkmR-RZBpei64wrY6h3EUn4faUbvogQz-lWnBlQNnvqiwjeUJR5Yt1j_1ST_IwPr5hgoC6Bpov0y8tq1eWIDIkQAXPGpnUPJ_/s640/Louis-Michel_van_Loo_Princess_Ekaterina_Dmitrievna_Golitsyna.jpg" height="640" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="fn">This pug is another fine example of dogs in 18th c. portraiture. <br /><i>Princess Ekaterina Dmitrievna Golitsyna</i> (1720–1761) by </span><span class="fn" id="creator"><a class="extiw" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis-Michel_van_Loo" title="en:Louis-Michel van Loo">Louis-Michel van Loo</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In addition to their entertainment value, lapdogs (or in the case of Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte, larger but more attractive companion dogs) were
also said to attract the fleas off their human friends. With her fine head of fur, Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte no doubt performed this service doubly well. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVvtxV81eD_3VJ5Ae8fSnvcDMWbUOVX_mUSSTk9nnAkCC5ruXxLXhDaKiEoUIZVfiGlbIcfqsqNA0mJ_Ex-5liaGpqTlsAzAr7PQhkZYAGOaro8bFeHIAsZR8lV8j8sGA8EITT3Oc6up2/s1600/robertine-tourteau-marquise-d-orvilliers-1790.jpg!Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVvtxV81eD_3VJ5Ae8fSnvcDMWbUOVX_mUSSTk9nnAkCC5ruXxLXhDaKiEoUIZVfiGlbIcfqsqNA0mJ_Ex-5liaGpqTlsAzAr7PQhkZYAGOaro8bFeHIAsZR8lV8j8sGA8EITT3Oc6up2/s640/robertine-tourteau-marquise-d-orvilliers-1790.jpg!Large.jpg" height="640" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_de_la_marquise_d%27Orvilliers">Portrait of the Marquise d' Orvilliers</a></i> by Jacques-Louis David.<br />
<br />
Anne-Marie-Louise's sister Jeanne Robertine did not like dogs.<br />
She was also resentful that Anne-Marie-Louise and <span class="description">Carmella-Estelle-Charlotte</span> had superior hair.<br />
It is likely the Marquis d'Orvilliers suffered greatly from fleas. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<div>
<a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-hound-by-artist.html">More Art Hound</a> (by artist)</div>
Jacques-Louis David's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:David98.jpg"><span class="description"><i>Portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise Thélusson, Countess of Sorcy</i></span></a><br />
<br />
<span class="description"><i> </i></span><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/110000543"> </a>Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-31230902741960448592012-11-25T19:48:00.000-06:002012-11-25T19:49:31.061-06:00The Death of Socrates and His Little Brown Dog<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUxL1FMjTRnkGTbformCW8KddpxXFs8eKN4XhrQkuuJNS0Kiq63MUDU9pWzc2oBfHKWpOyMzHLt-hDm8wvv5sBeK9_ur3PMyu_9cDdnQXc6nqvLz6JeFvLJ4rf-Rqbuv2jWd9in8tGuM9/s1600/David-Death-of-Socrates-Carmella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUxL1FMjTRnkGTbformCW8KddpxXFs8eKN4XhrQkuuJNS0Kiq63MUDU9pWzc2oBfHKWpOyMzHLt-hDm8wvv5sBeK9_ur3PMyu_9cDdnQXc6nqvLz6JeFvLJ4rf-Rqbuv2jWd9in8tGuM9/s400/David-Death-of-Socrates-Carmella.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Death of Socrates and His Little Brown Dog</i> (1787) - click to enlarge<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Louis_David" title="Jacques-Louis David"></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Content and Criticism</b><br />
<i>The Death of Socrates and His Little Brown Dog</i> (1787) is painting by the French painter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques-Louis_David" title="Jacques-Louis David">Jacques-Louis David</a>. <br />
<br />
Accused by the Athenian government of denying the gods and corrupting
the young through his teachings, Socrates (469–399 B.C.E.) was offered
the choice of renouncing his beliefs or being sentenced to death by
drinking hemlock. David shows him calmly discoursing on the immortality
of the soul with his grief-stricken disciples. <br />
<br />
In this painting, a red-robed disciple hands a confident Socrates the goblet of hemlock. Socrates'
hand points to the heavens indicating his reverence of the gods and
fearless attitude to his death. The painting also depicts both Crito and Plato, with the former sitting ruefully at the edge of the bed and the latter clutching the knee of Socrates.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo2IA1DEdgCWz461OlVwIUq8-18yvNvKxYlliIj7L8ZI9AIuZgHJM2ezYH7b4T1_NbHMUYDWMLrGZT9FyblNHiuH32COCk0uyzvTmI64s8Roxd9pkmok9rUYQvFSk-Ef5qS_FFfcL0UAU/s1600/David-Death-of-Socrates-Carmella-detail-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBo2IA1DEdgCWz461OlVwIUq8-18yvNvKxYlliIj7L8ZI9AIuZgHJM2ezYH7b4T1_NbHMUYDWMLrGZT9FyblNHiuH32COCk0uyzvTmI64s8Roxd9pkmok9rUYQvFSk-Ef5qS_FFfcL0UAU/s640/David-Death-of-Socrates-Carmella-detail-2.jpg" width="419" /> </a></div>
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Socrates' faithful hound Carmella waits patiently under the bed,
ignored as usual, while he pontificates. The dog's own bowl of hemlock is
placed unceremoniously on the floor and she waits for a signal from her beloved master that is is time to drink.<br />
<br />
Contemplative in the shadows, perhaps Carmella represents Socrates' self-doubt and fear, which he never shared with his disciples. Yet the artist's placement of the little brown
dog lying on the open shackles reminds the viewer that Socrates and Carmella
are bound not by iron chains, rather by the strength of their resolve. <br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-hound-by-artist.html">More Art Hound</a> (by artist)</div>
Jacques-Louis David's <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/110000543"><i>The Death of Socrates</i> </a><br />
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Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-25700647285871822542012-11-25T08:24:00.001-06:002012-11-25T08:29:07.485-06:00Sister Hound MaddieI came across <a href="http://maddieonthings.com/" target="_blank">"Maddie the Coonhound: a super serious project about dogs and physics"</a> a few months ago when my Dave sent Susan a link that made her bark out loud. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoghfdM3mS5HKTox6ZBGMaoQenFd0eJQQOhE_dpj_fT8YcYrW8PuFcEulQbl8CBgCJNyQRZSidk27bBnAeVNuHVhmSHWIsRrTva0Ys-8JcVk5o_dJKJDzMFeDG_kYuSyQO2XPu91WhWltn/s1600/tumblr_mcrvituzkB1r9164to1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoghfdM3mS5HKTox6ZBGMaoQenFd0eJQQOhE_dpj_fT8YcYrW8PuFcEulQbl8CBgCJNyQRZSidk27bBnAeVNuHVhmSHWIsRrTva0Ys-8JcVk5o_dJKJDzMFeDG_kYuSyQO2XPu91WhWltn/s400/tumblr_mcrvituzkB1r9164to1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last minute costume idea from Maddie. Happy Halloween! <a href="http://maddieonthings.com/page/3" target="_blank">credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can check out more photos of Maddie on her <a href="http://maddieonthings.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. There is also <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/maddie-on-things-theron-humphrey/1112434544?cm_mmc=googlepla-_-book-_-q000000633-_-9781452115566&cm_mmca2=pla&ean=9781452115566&r=1" target="_blank">a book</a> and even an app. She is a very patient gal. I guess she loves treats as much as I do. Maddie is most known for her balancing but I like her serenity. She is quite beautiful - she looks rather like me!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUsGfMEpGRgJJsi20ybCBeTsGhubDDKTgt8-C1sKRtbutF7gf7XKJxQ-_K65Qe_trkYSuOKutexW85X9VkS79KKqlgZ1i6BeDKE5keY7StnOwv78OXrRZ6wMnkE89m_0Fx9BHPCxBOCFh/s1600/Maddie+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUsGfMEpGRgJJsi20ybCBeTsGhubDDKTgt8-C1sKRtbutF7gf7XKJxQ-_K65Qe_trkYSuOKutexW85X9VkS79KKqlgZ1i6BeDKE5keY7StnOwv78OXrRZ6wMnkE89m_0Fx9BHPCxBOCFh/s400/Maddie+.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://maddieonthings.com/page/10">Maddie on Things</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Maddie the Coonhound project is an off-shoot of her person's project <a href="http://thiswildidea.com/" target="_blank">This Wild Idea</a>. Maddie and Theron spent a year traveling all the states and collecting stories. I haven't had time to peruse them yet but I bet they are pretty cool.<br />
<br />
Here's a nice <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/laura-serra/paws-for-the-cause_b_1865717.html?just_reloaded=1" target="_blank">interview with Maddie's person</a> about how he and Maddie work together.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"It's pretty simple, and I think she's always up for it, especially since
the photos only take 30 seconds. Over time she has learned when I pick
her up I want her to stay. She knows if she stands still she will get a
treat and eventually a "Go!" command allows her to run around really
fast. She really loves that command." Maddie's person Theron</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgKrUf1xyNtvz_4joCn3nLj2JGlaAcL6LM0On-Apu-IDwVXFy2iUc3mepddbFrtW-sPYPqitB_XfVPUTOItVlTVpbJ979isKbdI_A2CI62J5svQFZMMjgwobtMtqqyBe-582pJ9TEUO2H/s1600/tumblr_mdaek0yEWd1r9164to1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgKrUf1xyNtvz_4joCn3nLj2JGlaAcL6LM0On-Apu-IDwVXFy2iUc3mepddbFrtW-sPYPqitB_XfVPUTOItVlTVpbJ979isKbdI_A2CI62J5svQFZMMjgwobtMtqqyBe-582pJ9TEUO2H/s320/tumblr_mdaek0yEWd1r9164to1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie the Coonhound <a href="http://maddieonthings.com/" target="_blank">credit</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I expect she got the bacon, in the end.<br />
<br />Carmellahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16495293007097058017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1373117799741124575.post-14688744405702097012012-11-24T09:44:00.000-06:002012-11-24T10:12:26.820-06:00Fat Cat ArtI always keep close an eye on cats. Especially when they sidle into my territory. I know I am hardly the only dog on the interweb who's into art. But this Russian cat gives my <a href="http://alittlebrownblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Art%20Hound">Art Hound</a> chase. Well done, <span id="wwl-content-154"><span dir="ltr" lang="en"><span class="wwl-translated-fragment">Zarathustra!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
Here are my three favorites.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoy6z2EPVd9iIs0latzADvBd7Xfv4VjzqigmEciQ89pBh1rPkewMsdP8pPbklkM-zrVvaok22o2ogrMCaaOlSRSch7KhXwnM6Zob9jKwpk8GCGiq7Rm26UHVYtj8MCCwoE92jqIzLmu63/s1600/famous_paintings_cats_7-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoy6z2EPVd9iIs0latzADvBd7Xfv4VjzqigmEciQ89pBh1rPkewMsdP8pPbklkM-zrVvaok22o2ogrMCaaOlSRSch7KhXwnM6Zob9jKwpk8GCGiq7Rm26UHVYtj8MCCwoE92jqIzLmu63/s400/famous_paintings_cats_7-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fatcatart.ru/">http://fatcatart.ru/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRbRgmmvoK4hzcoV9rFtFvG0AFGaYE2IccMqPbzGvPa_Ny2GvEubzabE80lS-1xL-8dJsyOuUfeeONw6CXeeOhFdhBaMnmZWXjMTQenN6rh3tWT2ljvHNQeWhKIvlOpoitdw-qXUhNT5A/s1600/manet-a-bar-at-the-folies-bergere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRbRgmmvoK4hzcoV9rFtFvG0AFGaYE2IccMqPbzGvPa_Ny2GvEubzabE80lS-1xL-8dJsyOuUfeeONw6CXeeOhFdhBaMnmZWXjMTQenN6rh3tWT2ljvHNQeWhKIvlOpoitdw-qXUhNT5A/s640/manet-a-bar-at-the-folies-bergere.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fatcatart.ru/">http://fatcatart.ru/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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