Is is Summer Yet?

In summer, the song sings itself. ~William Carlos Williams

It snowed last night. I took Dakota out at 2:30 a.m. and it was snowing. A lot. And had been snowing a lot for a while. Clearly I am not paying close enough attention to the weather reports, as I had no idea it was supposed to snow. Or perhaps I am in denial.

My local Agway has their seeds out. And the starter kits and peat pots and other horrible temptation. I don't have a greenhouse. I need one, oh-so badly, but I don't have one. So when I opt to start seeds, they end up taking over all the windows in the house. Since I usually start in March and can't plant until the end of May... it's a little crazy. Last year I chose to buy plants instead, and I probably will this year as well. But those little packets of seeds? They call to me.

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Dakota has her AKC Canine Good Citizen test today. Excuse me while I laugh..... :::collects self:::
Okay. The simple fact is this: although she is a sweet, smart dog without a mean bone in her body -- she doesn't always behave. She's a baby with a bundle of energy and tons of goodwill toward nearly everyone.

So? "Sit for a greeting"? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Nope... she stands with her entire body wagging. She doesn't jump (much), but to keep all that excitement under control enough to SIT while she meets someone? Doesn't happen.

Then there's the ever popular "Heeling through a crowd". Note: that's a "crowd" of people AND dogs. So, uh... nope. She's supposed to not pay any attention to anyone, and simply stay calmly glued to my side. There are two flaws to this plan. 1. The 'heel' part. You all have been with me since the beginning and know that I have NOT been able to leash train this girl. 2. the "through a crowd" part. She's ridiculously friendly, and wants to say hello to EVERYONE.

The rest of the stuff is a no-brainer for her. She sits, lies down, stays, doesn't care if you handle her at all (look at her teeth, ears and paw? No problem... see: (forgive the sepia tones -- I have a budding professional photographer on my hands)



She doesn't have separation anxiety ... so that's all good. But the fact is, if she flunks one part, she flunks the test. There are no grades here -- it's Pass or Fail.

Ah, the joy.

Still... she's cute and even smiles for the camera:



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Prologue

Never do anything that you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics. ~Author Unknown

There was great drama at our home yesterday... well, not at our home precisely, but involving people who live at our home. I want to include photos when I discuss it, and that's not possible currently, so I will post about the great drama later today.

In the meantime...

I don't think I need to worry that I'm underwatering my house plants...



And, a skill I firmly believe everyone should have. From WikiHow:

How to Draw an "S" Made Entirely of Straight Lines

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You Are Bold When it Counts

You don't make a big fuss about getting what you want... unless it's really important to you. Then you're as bold as you want to be. You just go for it! You're often up for a little excitement and adventure. Well, as long as the cost isn't too great. You enjoy risk, but not for it's own sake. Let's just say you've learned a few lessons about risk in your life.

Are You Bold?

Some Photos For Your Viewing Pleasure

The photograph itself doesn't interest me. I want only to capture a minute part of reality. ~Henri Cartier Bresson

First off... if you didn't read Laurel Bradley's guest post from yesterday, please do! I didn't get it posted until late and would really appreciate it if you'd give her some feedback! Sorry again, Laurel!

Not much today... bear with me. Life is crazy. Would you believe DD fell on her bike yesterday?? Scraped her knee, the back of the other knee and her elbow as well as bumps and bruises. This on top of her fall from the slide. And THEN when we came in, she fell up the stairs.

**sigh**

So, for now, I'll leave you with this -- some pictures.

Okay, here's the little garden I built for Bailey. The greenest bush is the dogwood we bought for her. Eventually, this will be really gorgeous, but everything is still so small yet.



I'm still shocked at how quickly the red lily beetles came out this year! Here is one clump of very small lilies they've all but decimated! In fact, if you notice, there is one (now DEAD... ha!) lily beetle ON this plant.



Here is what they should look like (though, again, if you notice there is a --NOW DEAD, ha!-- lily beetle on this plant, too).



We pick them EVERY day all summer. The larvae are nasty little buggers who cover themselves with their own poop to keep the predators at bay. But, HA, doesn't phase me.

DD got artsy, too, and took some pictures of her dragonsblood seedum:



And here is DD tickling Dakota's one white paw:



Here is one of Dakota's favorite past times -- knocking the couch cushions off... she pretends it's because she's lost a toy, but I know better!





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You Would Be a Pet Dog

You're friendly, loyal, and an all around good sport. People love to be near you. You are very open with your feelings, and you're quite vocal in expressing them. You are sincere and kind. You love many people - without any sort of agenda. Why you would make a great pet: You're content to chill out with your friends Why you would make a bad pet: You always find yourself getting into trouble What you would love about being a dog: Running around and playing What you would hate about being a dog: Being left home alone while everyone else is out having fun

What Kind of Pet Would You Be?