I've decided not to try and dig up one of the cardinal vines from the bayou; I just don't think that I would be able to untangle one without damaging it too much. But. . . the all of the vines are loaded with seed pods, so I'm going to collect a bunch both for next year and to start right away. We'll have good growing weather in this part of the country through October. And maybe seedlings from these plants will be more hardy than the ones I started earlier this year; those seeds where from Holland of all places.

I also managed to catch a honey bee with the macro function.

And the bayou, besides being over run with mosquitoes, is totally overgrown. No more pretty wild flowers, just grass. The last few years, someone that lived on the bayou would use their riding mower and mow a path up and down the bayou, but not this year. I hope the county comes out soon to scalp the bayou, because the kids are starting to disappear. Actually, Mikey has turned this into a game. He'll go lay down in the grass and I'll pretend I can't find him and shout 'Where's Mikey?' and wander around like I can't find him, and then Mikey will come jumping out and run up to me like, 'I fooled 'ya mom, didn't I?' He's such a goof ball. Sometimes Holly gets into the act, hopping around on her back legs trying to look over the grass looking for Mikey too. They're such a pair!

Here's Mikey 'hiding'.Would you like to play find the cardi with me? There are two in each picture.

Just started re-reading 'Not Without My Daughter' by Betty Mahmoody and William Hoffer.

Holly and Mikey say 'Hi'.

A Plague Upon Our House

A plague of mosquitoes! All the rain we've had this summer is growing mosquitoes like crazy! And with all the plant I have around the front door, and back door, a few fly in every time we go in and out. I've gotten really good at the grab and squish move, but really, every time you sit down at least one is buzzing around. Holly tries to help by snapping at them. And needless to say the bayou is a nightmare. As long as you're moving it's tolerable, but at soon as you stand still for an instant, you're swarmed. I always wear long yoga pants, which helps, but the little farkers do bite through clothes. Of course the kiddos don't suffer quite like I do; the mosquitoes mostly seem to go after their ear because there is too much hair to get through everywhere else, whereas I'm just a walking buffet. I am SOOO ready for fall!

Speaking of our front porch, I don't' think I've ever posted pictures.

Elephant ears and bird of paradise plants (raised from seed).

Corn plant and fig tree (that I stupidly cut back this spring, used to be as big as the corn plant).

Assorted leafy stuff.

Back porch.

Back porch.
Just finished 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' by J. K. Rowling.

Holly and Mikey say 'Hi'.

More Pics from the Reliant Show

The BIG Show

I really thought I would have time and energy to post how we were doing at the show over the weekend, but I didn't have enough time or energy, so here 'ya go. I'll post a few pictures today, and post more over the next few days.

Mikey was entered on Thursday (the Bluebonnet Club specialty) and Saturday (the designated specialty). Nope, he didn't get his last points to finish his Champion. He took third in his class on Thursday, and first on Saturday. It seemed really close on Saturday, but no dice. However, Mikey showed better than he ever has in my opinion, and I think I did a better job of grooming him than I ever have. Obviously I'm disappointed that he didn't finish, because I'm really ready to move on to other things with him, but overall I was happy with how well he showed and we both had a good time. These are pictures from the Bluebonnet Specialty on Thursday.

Holly was simply awesome! She was entered in Rally Novice on Friday and Saturday (and oh! how I wish I had entered her on Sunday!). Friday Holly got a 94 (out of 100 possible points) on Friday for second place in her class and a 98! on Saturday, again for second place. First place on Saturday also had a 98, but finished their course a few seconds faster. Saturday was a good day for the corgis; first place was a Pembroke. Lowrider dogs rule!

And my dad and Meg did great too. I can't remember his scores off the top of my head, but he went second in his Rally Advanced class Friday, Saturday, and I think Sunday for three Q's and and new title!

Singing In The Rain. . .

Well, not really singing, because dogs have such sensitive ears, but when was the last time you took a walk in the rain? Try it some time, it's really kind of nice. . . And we saw another rainbow over the bayou, although I didn't catch it with the camera.

Oh, and we forgot to 'steal' the cardinal vine this morning, maybe later today.

Not Dead

Dead tired, maybe. Been too, too darn busy.

So, what have the kids and I been up to? Holly and I had our last Rally-O class (last before Reliant) last weekend. I think Holly and I are ready; we'll practice a couple of more times this week, but I think she's doing great. Remember Holly is only entered Friday and Saturday, so no chance for a title, but two legs would be really nice!

Mikey and I went to our old handling class the last two weeks. Mikey got a great compliment from the instructor, M (she is a herding group judge). She hadn't seen Mikey since this time last year, and the first time she examined him on the table she made the comment that he will make a nice special. Such a great thing to hear to give me a boost of confidence right before Reliant!

Unfortunately, I had to work today, so I took the day off on Thursday and gave Holly and Mikey baths. Mikey will still need a partial bath Wednesday evening, but hopefully I've given myself an easier day tomorrow, with less to do to get ready for the show. Last year I took the day before Reliant off to get ready, but I'm being more careful with my vacation time this year and don't feel like I can take three days off for the show. Because I (and the rest of the science team) worked today, I'm getting a freebie, so even after taking this Thursday, I'm only using two vacation days.

Here's Mikey and Holly after their bath and blow dry. Mikey really does have a rock solid level topline, he was just being a pickle about having his picture taken. And doesn't Holly look like a little doll? She's just got the sweetest face. Of course, I'm kinda partial. . .

If it's not still raining tomorrow (it's storming right now, including thunder and lightening and tornado watches and warnings), I'm going to vacuum out the car and partially load the car. Also planning on 'stealing' this cardinal vine from the bayou. I lost the one's I tried to grow from seed again this year. This cardinal vine is growing 'wild' from a little area that used to be a garden patch, but the people mowed the entire area down this spring. Now all kinds of wild stuff has grown up in that area, mostly weeds. Guess these vines came back from seed from last year. I just love cardinal vine's feathery leaves! Also, this is the first time I have played with the macro feature on my camera (really got to read that section in the manual).

Also, some random pics of the kids and clouds from last week.


Currently re-reading 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' by J. K. Rowling.


Holly and Mikey say 'Hi'.

Why Are We Up So Early?

I don't know, ask them! The kids just have no respect for 'holiday' or 'yippee, no alarm clock this morning'. Although technically 6:15 is sleeping in compared to our regular wake up time of 5.

The plan for today is a puppy pool party, weather permitting, and dinner with the family. Mikey and my parent's dog Meg love playing in the baby wading pool. Holly mostly likes to stand in the middle of the smaller pool and bark at everyone for having too much fun. She holds the title 'Fun Police' for a reason, you know! The weather doesn't look good for our plans right now, but whatever fun we manage, I will share pictures!

Holly and Mikey say 'Early to bed, early to rise. . .'

Oops! I Forgot!

No posting, no grooming, no nails, no paw trimming tonight. Cardi Club board meeting. Ugh! I'm tired already, and the week has barely started!

I Know, I Promised

A longer post today, but the day has just slipped away from me. But I did get a lot done today, so maybe I will have time to catch up on everything going on with agility, getting ready for Reliant, etc tomorrow. On the other hand, I didn't get to grooming, nails, or trimming hairy paws today. . .

The storm clouds just circled around us all day, but not a drop of rain at my place, even though the weather called for an 80% chance. We just got back from our evening walk. Have I mentioned that it's really, really humid here? and hot? even at 8 o' clock in the evening? Steamed hot dogs anyone!?!

Currently re-reading 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' by J. K. Rowling.

Holly and Mikey say 'Hi'.

And the Storms Roll In. . .

There was also a rainbow over the bayou this morning, but it was so hard to capture with the camera, especially considering that my lens was fogging up (can you say humid?). The first is the best of the original pictures, and then a couple of attempts to enhance that photo.