Barn Friends

They look pretty pleased to know one another, don't they? The log-cabin type structure is pretty amazing. I don't blame them for not wanting to get their hooves and feet in the snow.  via

Christmas with Kelly

My friend Kelly has invited me to have Christmas dinner at her house practically every year since 2004. My mother stopped going a few years back and I ate my first big meal with her in the early afternoon. We usually dined on Cornish hens and all the trimmings. Last year we had the works here at the cottage because Kelly and her family spent Christmas in Florida and left Piggie with us. Yes, she's Piggie's mom. I had a wonderful time and it was especially meaningful this year. It took the sadness out of my first holiday without Anna.

Original iPad finger drawing converted to an eCard.

This beautiful drawing was done by a friend in Vermont. She didn't use a stylus---just her finger. After cropping it, I added the greeting and frame. I think it became a perfect Mother's Day card, don't you?

Henry and Webster

Webster has another babysitting job this weekend. I'm so proud of how well he gets along with other dogs. He's so gentle and is an absolute prince in every way. Henry, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel adores him. He has been here since Thursday. He came with a picky appetite but that has changed since coming to the cottage. Now he eats with gusto just like Webster does. No between meal snacks and some people food mixed with his kibble was all it took. That's the toe of my sock foot in the foreground. The colored thing leaning up against the sofa in the background is my weighted hula hoop. We just got back from a walk to the way back and I took my hoop down there to get some exercise and I was able to do 191 continuous revolutions before I hit a snag. That is the most so far. I usually pick up and continue until I do 300 at each session several times a day. I had to take one week off when I hurt my back shoveling gravel. I started up again this past Monday.
Have a wonderful Easter. Mother and I are going to brunch at a the home of friends tomorrow. 

Your Best Friend, The Dog

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Piggy's Baaaack

He hasn't been here very long and they are both exhausted. Webster was so glad to see his little French Bulldog friend Piggy again. We have him until the end of the year. I took them for a walk before dinner and they both zonked out after racing around like mad dogs. 

The Owl and The Pussy Cat | A Real Friendship

Honestly this is too wonderful for words. If only this cat could fly and try she does. Interspecies Intermingling of the Day: Fum the cat and Gebra the barn owl live out their days as an Edward Lear nonsense poem. *

The Thanksgiving Pig

Just in case you're wondering about Piggie, he's fine. All is well and he's bonded with Webster and now they play together. Webster went through his basket of toys and pulled out a Babar stuffed toy and presented it to Piggie on the sofa this morning. It was hilarious. Actually Webster wanted his small elephant squeeky toy back and was pulling a bait and switch which did not work. Haha. Webster hasn't played with that toy in years. I was amazed that he found the only other elephant he owns for this failed mission.

A wet sleet has been falling for the last few hours but it melts as soon as it hits the ground. My outside thermometer says it's 40 degrees. I hope this doesn't present a problem later when it gets colder. I have to go out but don't have to drive more than a few blocks to have another feast with friends.

Be safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving.



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Orbit The Orphaned Owl Loves His Stuffed Toy

In his five short weeks of life, Orbit hasn’t met many other owls.

So he isn’t at all worried that his new best friend doesn’t hoot back.

The orphaned chick is perfectly content in the company of the stuffed bird perched next to him and is never far from his side.

Orbit, a common barn owl, was given the toy by Lyndsey Wood, his care giver at Folly Farm, near Narberth in West Wales.

She said: ‘A friend suggested that I find something like a toy owl to stop Orbit from feeling lonely. I thought he might try to eat it, but he just cuddles up to it and goes to sleep.’

All you need is a friend. Somehow I keep finding these wonderful stories about orphaned baby animals and you know I'll keep sharing them with you! I found this one on Tumbler.com



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An Unusual Friendship

I would expect to see a dog on a leash . . . not a sheep. These two look perfectly content curled up with one another, don't they?
Pretty Serendipities II

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Onteora Club | 100 year old letter

I found this delightful letter in an attic years ago and it continues to delight me. Could an email ever replace getting a letter like this in the mail? Richard certainly was busy with his egg business and his bookkeeping too. He wasn't doing too well in math because 117 dozen = 1,404. I wonder if that old Pope Toledo is still around in an antique car collection? Click on the letter to enlarge it for easier reading. Boo Hoo, Old Father Rabbit is dead.

The Onteora Club in Tannersville, NY was founded in 1887. Today it is a private enclave with more than 80 cottages, 6 clay tennis courts, and a private golf club. This young boy's father [E. S. Godfrey] was the superintendent in 1910. The website is divided: members and visitors. Mark Twain is pictured below.

Have a great weekend full of Rest and Relaxation.

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A True Friend Is A Blessing

François de La Rochefoucauld, French Writer 1613-1680

"A true friend is the greatest of all blessings,

and that which we take the least care to acquire."

Why not touch base with a friend today?




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Candle With An Old Books Scent

A friend gave me one of these candles this week for my Unbirthday (there was no other occasion). She always knows what I might like and she's always right. This one is called Ex Libris with the scent of Old Books; antiquated leather-bound volumes of handmade papers and parchment permeate and seduce the senses. The packaging is wonderful...too pretty to open. From Modern Alchemy. Thanks, Jill. I love it.




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My Favorite New Year's Card | Letterpress

This is by far my favorite New Year's card. My friend Richard McGeehan always uses the best letterpress stationery. My photo doesn't do the card justice. The wonderful paper is almost as thick as a coaster and the impression is very deep. Thank you Richard.

Here is his design website: http://www.mcgeehandesign.com/

He is very talented and we have been friends for years. The website is relatively new and doesn't begin to show his true talent.




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