Life is not a spectator sport. ~ Jackie Robinson
Winter has arrived and the cold weather means I’m not taking as many pictures on our weekly outings. I managed to snap a few pictures last week before frostbite threatened to set in.
The dogs love to run when it’s cold.
Luka enjoys patrolling the fence line.
When I snapped this picture I had just told him not to jump the fence (he does that sometimes).
Running around in cold weather requires fuel. The dogs’ favorite fuel is peanut butter. The favored peanut butter delivery method is a Kong.
Luka looks a bit too comfortable in front of the computer (I need to check my credit card statements for any unexpected charges 
)
Sadie has no time for such nonsense. There is napping to do.
Finally, the Fishermen’s Wool project is coming along.
Some people never go crazy, what truly horrible lives they must live. ~ Charles Bukowski
A huge snowstorm hit here on Friday. I came home from work early (and just in time…the highway closed shortly after I arrived home). I was planning on hiding inside all afternoon (a foot of snow and 30mph winds are not my cup of tea). Luka, however, kept giving me expectant looks.
After a couple of hours of these looks I bundled up and we went out in the storm for a walk. The snow was very deep.
I nearly froze to death but I made this guy happy and that makes me happy.
Besides, how can I deny a Malamute the joy of playing in the snow?
If Sadie had her way I suspect she’d skip the frozen walks and stay on the couch.
She is a dog who treats napping as an art form.
Yesterday morning I was sitting on the couch when this happened next to me.
I was sure that once Luka realized Milo was there the moment would end (Luka loves to bug/chase Milo).
I was wrong.
Maybe my boy is finally maturing.
Being trapped in the house this weekend has had its advantages. My Fishermen’s Wool project is taking shape.
I still can’t comment on Blogger blogs that utilize word verification, but I am reading.
The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul. ~ G.K. Chesterton
Goodbye, 2011.
In 2010′s year-in-review post I closed with these words: “My life has been such a roller coaster in recent years that I no longer try to imagine where each new year will take me. I have no idea where I’m going in 2011 but I’m looking forward to the journey.”
I was a wise woman a year ago.
2011 was a wild year.
When I think of 2011 I think of one word: expensive.
In June I bought a new (to me) car. I knew exactly the type of car that I wanted and more than one arrogant salesman told me I’d never find it.
Ha!
Not only did I find it, but I found it in less than one week.
The moral to this story: never underestimate a crazy dog lady.
My other major expense came in September when Luka had emergency surgery. I may grumble and gripe about how much that dog cost me but I am so very thankful he made a full recovery.
Despite Luka’s attempt at death-by-garbage, 2011 was a year where I did not experience the loss of a pet. (Long time blog readers know that such years have been rare lately.) I am so happy that everyone is here and (most importantly) healthy.
Sadie lost 4 lbs. this year for a total of 32 lbs. since I adopted her. Ideally, the vet said she should lose a couple more pounds but she’s finally at the point where she’s at a healthy weight. Her obesity left its mark (arthritis in her knees) but it doesn’t really bother her and she continues to love to run.
With the notable exception of September, it’s been a good year for Luka. The furry guy continues to surprise me (in good ways).
Just a few days ago I pulled over to let an ambulance pass. As the vehicle approached (lights flashing and siren wailing) I suddenly heard a low, mournful howl from the back of the car. Luka was wooing! It was only the second time he’s done it and it was so cool. He’s a challenging, silly boy and I’m so happy he’s okay.
As I hoped for last year, Romeo and Milo have become friends.
They play together nearly every day and while Milo sometimes gets too rough (Romeo is 15 so I’m very watchful of their playing) they also enjoy quiet moments together.
The biggest pet shocker of this year has been the taming of Luka at the hands paws of Milo. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would ever see this in my house.
Luka still has his moments of being a jerk to the cats (he loves to chase them) but these moments are now rare and usually stop with a Milo paw to the face.
This taming of Luka has led to Romeo becoming more outgoing. Romeo doesn’t have claws, but I don’t think Luka realizes that. All Romeo has to do is pick up his paw and Luka stops being a pain.
To say that Milo is a joy is an understatement. He has been the perfect addition to the family and I am so glad I found him.
There wasn’t a lot of knitting this year. I finished four pairs of socks and one scarf.
One sweater is still in progress.
My yarn diet is nearly intact after two years. I only broke it this year to buy the Homespun needed for the above scarf.
The summer of 2011 was another summer of adventure. Each weekend was spent exploring the trails
and splashing in the water.
Our hiking season came to a screeching halt when Luka had surgery but as soon as the snow melts in the spring we’ll be back on the trails.
I have no idea what 2012 will bring.
I just hope it’s calm.
Idleness is not doing nothing. Idleness is being free to do anything. ~ Floyd Dell
Remember when this used to be a knitting blog? Let’s (briefly) return to those days.
This is the Purple Ass Burr Scarf.
Earlier this month I got a burr in my ass about knitting a purple Homespun scarf. I cannot explain it. It’s something I had to do. So I bought the Homespun (my first yarn purchase in nearly two years) and banged out the scarf in a couple of days.
It’s exactly what I wanted but I haven’t worn it yet. I can’t explain that, either, but it’s done so I’m happy. Full details are on its Ravelry page.
Over six months ago I dyed this sock blank.
Last night I finally finished the socks.
These socks are fraternal on purpose. I knit each sock from a different end of the sock blank. I didn’t want to lose any of the blank colors and that was the best solution. Full details on the Ravelry page.
I’m in the middle of my annual vacation from work. My workplace shuts down for 10 days at the end of the year. I added some vacation time to that so I’m enjoying 17 days at home. Like last year, I’m realizing just how much Sadie loves the couch.
She has been sharing the couch with Milo.
I love the look on her face in this picture.
Luka has been no slouch in the relaxation department.
It’s a rough vacation around here, but we’re all managing.
Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory. ~ Albert Schweitzer
Four weeks ago tonight Luka had surgery. Today, finally, he was released to full activity.
I took him to a nearby school to take advantage of their fully fenced grounds.
I set the beast free.
I think he’s happy.
It’s going to take some time before we’re back to walking three miles a day and hiking on the weekends, but we are on our way.
During the time off from our long daily walks Sadie has been following Milo’s lead and practicing for the Sleep Olympics.
This is her favorite place to sleep: snuggled up against my leg.
As cute as Sadie is, she is still not as skilled as Milo when it comes to sleeping.
I have been knitting and I finally took pictures.
The latest socks.
And a sweater.
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. ~ George Bernard Shaw
A long time ago (March 2009) I dyed this sock blank:
I immediately cast on the socks.
I loved the socks while I was knitting them, but it took me 28 months to finish them.
Fittingly, I cast off on Independence Day.
Milo was overcome with joy.
I put the socks on for their photo-shoot and (if I may be bold) I think they look fantastic.
Looks can be deceiving, though. The socks are so tight I can hardly get them over my heel. I fear that if I wear them I will blow a hole in the heel (as I’ve done with two other pairs of super tight hand knit socks in recent months).
That’s right, I spent 28 months knitting these socks and they don’t fit.
:: sigh ::
Luckily, my mother’s feet are two sizes smaller than mine and she likes pink. When she’s in town later this month I will give them to her.
Until then, Milo thinks they make a stylish pillow.
I have been bucked off the sock knitting horse but I’m going to get right back in the saddle. This yarn is going on the needles next:
The kitties enjoy sitting in front of the door and watching the birds play in the dogs’ water bowl. The birds are about three feet in front of the cats in this picture and they were both cackling like crazy.
As always, full details for the socks can be seen on the Ravelry page .
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. ~ Oscar Wilde
Summer has definitely arrived in my neck of the woods. The dogs and I headed out very early yesterday morning so we could hike before the heat set in.
We missed a couple of walks last week so running was the main activity.
The heat quickly arrived so we took a couple of breaks along the trail.
Our breaks allowed me to photograph the gorgeous day.
Some of the cactus (cacti?) were blooming.
The reservoir was a welcome relief from the hot weather.
We missed a couple of our walks last week because I was busy purchasing a new (used) car. For the past eight years I’ve driven a Saturn sedan. I loved that car and it was always solid as a rock (nothing other than routine maintenance). However in the past few months it started having major issues. Considering the car had 172,000 miles on it I had to face reality and get something different.
As much as I loved that car, it was not good for hauling dogs. The tiny back seat meant that Sadie and Luka (and every other dog I’ve owned) had to contort themselves whenever we went for a ride. As I started looking for a new vehicle my main consideration (beyond the obvious price, mileage and safety) was to get something that was more comfortable for the dogs. (I think picking out a car based on canine comfort officially qualifies me for the Crazy Dog Lady Club.)
Mission accomplished.
We took the new car hiking this weekend. On the way home I turned around at a stoplight and saw this:
I think they like it.
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
Remember when this used to be a knitting blog?
Let’s revisit those days.
A couple of months ago a friend gifted me with a sock blank. I broke out the Kool-Aid and created this.
The blank became these socks.
I love them!
Full details are on the socks’ Ravelry page.
Since I am a crazy dog lady, I took portraits of the dogs with the leftover yarn.
Sadie shared a zen moment with the yarn.
Luka was supervising the photo shoot.
After Sadie serenely posed with the yarn she enjoyed one of her favorite past times: rolling around on her back. Sadly, my yard is mostly dirt so she got a bit messy.
Luka is much too dignified to engage in such behavior.
The dogs and I have gone hiking a couple of times since my last post. These hikes are the highlights of the week.
The dogs always spend the first hour or so running off their pent up energy.
We usually take a break or two on our way to the reservoir.
The dogs know when we turn on the trail that leads to the water and they take off running.
By the time I arrive they’ve already jumped in.
Luka isn’t fond of the drowned rat look and always like to shake when he’s standing right next to me.
Every hiking trip ends the same way: with the dogs sound asleep on the way home.
The napping continues once we arrive home.
Milo fears his standing in the Sleeping Olympics may be in jeopardy so he practices harder.
Finally, the smoke from the Arizona wildfire hung over this area for several days last week. It was very annoying during the day (a thick haze and smell of smoke in the air) but the sunsets were spectacular.
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things ~ Robert Brault
Things have been a bit nutty around these parts lately. The knitting has slowed down a bit, but the socks are making progress.
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned it but Sadie is a rather dorky dog. That’s why I’m especially fond of this nearly regal picture of her.
Finally, a recent sunset.
If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves. ~ Maria Edgeworth
The red sock blank is making lovely socks. They are flying off the needles. I turned the heels Saturday night.
Over the weekend Milo participated in the Sleeping Olympics.
One year ago today I spotted this at the Humane Society.
I cannot believe it’s been a year already. I’ve had so much fun getting to know Luka.
Well, most of it has been fun. That day last summer when I arrived home from work and discovered he’d shredded 15 rolls of toilet paper and 5 rolls of paper towels was definitely not fun (at least not for me).
Happy anniversary, buddy.
