Let's S-T-R-E-T-C-H out and take a nap...........

Baxter in one of his favorite spots.   He's a Mastador (half Mastiff, half Labrador) so I guess he get's his lazy side from the Mastiff part.  His rowdy playful side is from the Labrador.  One minute he'll be snoring and the next roaring around the house like a racehorse.  If you want a seat on that couch you have to beat Baxter to it!

Trying something new

Yesterday I went kayaking for the first time, what a blast!  My sister recently built a house at the lake.  She bought herself a kayak and very bravely attempted to navigate the lake alone, without any knowledge of kayaking or being on the water really.  After a time or two she discovered that she LOVED being out on the quiet lake with all the beautiful nature scenes and wildlife to see.  She bought a second kayak and all the gear so that when she had friends visit (or her sister, me) they could enjoy kayaking together.  I had so much fun once I got the hang of it and quit worrying about flipping the kayak over.  A huge blue heron flew right over our heads, maybe only a couple feet above us.

My sister snapped this picture of the blue heron after he landed (click on the picture to make it big enough to see him).  She also got a picture of some geese taking a break and just chillaxin on a small dock floating in the lake.

And finally, a picture of my sweet sister loving life.

Update on my adopted rescue puppy

This is Baxter the rescue puppy I adopted in November.  He has turned into quite a handsome boy, don't you think?  When the Animal Control picked him up he was emaciated and they were going to put him down.  A rescue group stepped in and saved him.  Since I adopted him six months ago we have been walking about 3 1/2 miles each day.  He is building muscles and filling out nicely.  I think he's gorgeous of course.  Since Mom passed he has been my constant companion and I'm blessed to have him that's for sure!  If you are thinking of adding a pet to your home, please adopt or rescue.

We Miss You So Much Maw Maw!

My mom (Maw Maw) went Home to be with the Lord March 3, 2011 at the age of 89.   This picture was taken six days before she passed.  Mother's Day without her is going to be SAD,  we all miss her so very much.  We know Maw Maw has gone Home to a much better place.  I think of her a thousand times a day, and hear her "voice" in my ear when she would tell me how to do something.  I laugh when I remember some of the funny things she would say........Rest in Peace sweet Maw Maw,  you will be with us always,  I love you with all my heart!

                                                  Beautiful Maw Maw last Mother's Day

I wish I could tell you one more time how special you are.......

Settling Into His New Home

Baxter came home to live with me last Friday.  He is settling in pretty well, although I think his first Thanksgiving Day was a little too exciting.  He looked like this after everyone had gone.

Has it really been that long since I posted..........?????!!!!!

Life has certainly gotten in the way of my computer time!  Not to mention that my computer is limping along on it's last leg as I type this.  I made a big decision yesterday and adopted a precious rescued dog.  He is a Mastiff mixed with Boxer or Lab (maybe both).  He was rescued from the Animal Shelter minutes before he was to be euthanized by Carolina P.A.W.S.   He's right at a year old.  Ain't he purty?  He is 5 weeks into his 8 week training in the New Leash on Life program.  That's a program where the rescue group and a low/medium security prison work together to train dogs.  It's a win win for all involved.  The prisoners love learning to train, working with, and living with the dog they are responsible for.  The dogs come out with basic, advanced, and agility training, ready for a forever home.  This sweet dog is the top of his class and will graduate November 19th.  I get to take him home with me after graduation, can't wait! 

There has been a little knitting going on, but the pictures haven't been taken yet.  Hopefully that will happen soon.   

Who knew bees would chew up wood?

Okay, so now I've learned another lesson about living out here in the woods.  The weather has been beautiful which got me busy working outside.  Living in the woods I have mountains of leaves to get out of my landscaped beds and blown back into the floor of the woods.  As I came in for a snack break I noticed something on my front door.  When I stooped down to see what on earth was on the door I saw this guy (or gal).

Oh, okay, it's just a bumble bee, so I grabbed a broom and knocked it off the door.  This is what I saw.........

and this.................

This would be the threshold where the chewed up wood fragments fell from the hole the bee made in my door.  I have to say that I LOVE my beautiful wood front door and I'm more than a little upset to have a giant hole bored in it.  After I discovered the damage to my door the giant bad ass bee bumble bee had an unfortunate accident and is no longer with us.  Awwwwww, I feel really bad about that.

Let's recap my encounters with woodland visitors since I've moved into my new home.  First off there was the baby copperhead in my garage, that was fun.  Then the marble sized black widow on my screened in porch, thank heavens it was on the outside of the screen.  After that it was the Super Pooping opossum that took up residence in my garage and destroyed just about everything including the walls.  Now I have bees chewing up my doors.  It's a good thing it's beautiful and peaceful here because I'm beginning to think it may be hazardous to your health!

I googled wood eating bees and the best I can tell is that it must be a carpenter bee.  Evidently they don't eat the wood, they bore a hole and nest in it.  Well now, that makes me and my door feel much better.  On a good note it also said that they are usually solo, so maybe my door will be safe for awhile.