old friends, new friend

We have, here in Lexington,

one of the best bookstore

I have ever seen.

Besides the obvious,

they also have an excellent bistro.

This is where "the ladies" and I

met for lunch today.

We try to have lunch together

at least once a month.

We had a fifth person join us today.

Bonnie already knew everyone.

Everyone that is but me.

It was a perfectly seamless addition

to our little lunch group.

We laughed and told stories,

learned a thing or two........

I hope Bonnie will want to join us

for our future lunches.

Meeting new friends always makes me smile..................

Donkey's back....Donkey's back!!!

As you may know,

we have a donkey that lives

in our neighborhood.

He is just a boarder

but we all see him as

one of our own!

Over a week ago,

I watched, helplessly,

as donkey ran away.

I was upset to see him go.

More for Emily than for myself.

Emily is very fond of the donkey.

He is often her sounding board, her confidant.

I never told Emily that the donkey was gone.

The call came yesterday

from our "Golden neighbor",

"donkey's back!"

Sure enough.....here he was,

standing there as if he had never left.

I rolled down my window

to take a picture and welcomed him back.

As if he recognized my voice,

donkey brayed and ran over to the fence.

He looked as if he was saying...

"Hey I'm back, I've missed you"

Looking into those big brown eyes

really made me smile..............

A day filled with blessings

A myriad of good things happened today.
The girls went back to school,
(although this seems to depend on who you are!)
Dennis got to Korea safe and sound,
(although his bag didn't make it)
and Bentley graduated from
beginner's dog training class!
(This is the only one for which I have a picture)

He came through with flying colors,
and I must say, he is a changed dog
and a pleasure to have around.
Still young, at 10 months,
and having miles to go,
he listens much better.
Next is intermediate training,
tricks and beginning agility.
Watching him obey in class
and making me look good,
makes me smile.............

You just have to laugh

As most of you know,

Bentley got his first grooming

over the Holidays.

He came back a completely different dog,

in looks and personality.

If he didn't answer to his name,

I would swear she gave me the wrong dog!

It has taken a few weeks,

but he has finally grown into the cut.

You know how a new haircut

doesn't look right for a couple of weeks?

Well it seems to be the same for dogs.

Bentley also experienced his first snowfall this week.

He REALLY likes it!

I let him out the front door in the morning,

and a little while later,

after he has taken care of things,

and played with Chum a little,

he shows up at the back door.

Most often covered in snow.

This morning, this is what greeted me,

when I answered the " OK, I'm ready to come in" bark.

How in the world can that be any cuter?

I had to laugh.

He looked so cute and so happy.

All day, each and every time I thought of

him standing there,

I smiled.............................

toe your bow

The girls had an archery tournament today.
It was a welcome activity after being cooped up
for the last two days, because of the snow.
It is always a thing of beauty
to walk into a pristine gymnasium,
with targets lined up and quivers at the waiting.



The girls enjoy the sport and so do we.
They participate in as many tournaments
as time permits.
They have good form and are becoming
quite good at it.

(not the best example of it but it is hard
to get them all at the same stage)
Today, Emily and Kayla tied
and Ashley got her best score ever.
Watching them, standing there
toeing their bow,



makes me smile........

sleeping soundly

It snowed all day yesterday.
And part of the night.
It didn't amount to too much,
maybe 3 inches....maybe.
Kayla and I shoveled the driveway
so it wouldn't get too slippery.
But overnight, it got covered again, in places,
because of wind
and additional snow showers.
When Dennis left for work this morning,
I looked out the window,
from our bedroom on the second floor,
and saw these prints in the snow.

It occurred to me
that when we are all tucked away,
sleeping soundly,
safe and warm in our beds,
there is a whole world going on out there,
without our knowledge.
Last night we had visitors.
Rabbits, no doubt.....or very, very small deer....
and although I know
they are only waiting to devour
my garden in the spring,
seeing their little foot prints
in the snow this morning,
made me smile.......

Snow days = Happy days

I AM BACK !!!!!!!
After two weeks of being away,
writing my blog again
makes me smile.........


We had our first snow day today.

When school got cancelled this morning,
there was not one snow flake to be seen anywhere.
But it was coming.....
It has snowed all day
and, as of this writing, around 3:30 P.M.,
we have about one and a half inches
on the ground.
Well on the railing on the deck anyway.


It is bitterly cold and we are told
this will feel balmy compared to what is coming.
The dogs are enjoying this weather.
(See Kayla's blog, a picture a day, for pictures of them
frolicking in the snow).
After three days back at school since the Christmas break,
the girls were more than ready for a day off!!!!
How can you dislike the snow
when your daughters are happy
and get to stay home?
Sitting near the fire looking outside
at the pristine,white blanket of snow
not having anywhere to go
or anything to do but enjoy the beauty of it all
makes me smile...............