This morning I took a gorgeous hike with Lana and our neighbor's dog. It was sunny and 74 degrees, ideal weather for Fall in Southern California.The views were spectacular; I wish I had brought my camera. My hands were full, though. As we were getting ready to leave, the puppy jumped into the driver's seat of the car. I had to correct her. "I'm driving," I told her. She's very smart, and she understood. She leaned over and licked my face and nodded. She likes discipline.
After the hike, I went and bought some colorful annuals to plant in my front cottage garden. I love snapdragons. I haven't purchased them in years. I am going to try them in pots this time. I put them in the ground several years ago, and they kept getting eaten. I also bought some pink and white begonias. They bloom year round here. I like them in the window boxes. I also found this gorgeous squash. I love how bumpy, pale, and feminine it is.
Lana was very strong and enthusiastic on the hike today. I am amazed at how she has improved this week. She seems to really want to show the puppy what she can do. It's like a healthy competitiveness. She is just a completely different dog compared to last week. I let her go first, (well I should say second, I go first,) through the doorways and into the car. She just loves that ritual, it's so funny. Dogs really do have a pack mentality and a pecking order. Sometimes they jockey to be top dog.
I've been keeping her ecollar on, or else she licks at her sores. She sleeps all day. Last night she was banging around in her bonnet. It was keeping me awake. The sound of the plastic against the wall seemed amplified. It's a challenge to have an older dog. She wanted to go out twice, in the middle of the night. I always go with her, and check for coyotes. She would get out there and look at me like, "What are we doing again?" I think she has dementia. At the same time, she is very funny.
I sent out an order of soap this morning. I need to make another batch of regular goat's milk soap. It's fun to see the turnover. I've got a couple of ice cube trays of goat's milk in the freezer, ready to use. What are your plans for the weekend?
Lana and your neighbor's puppy are very funny. I laughed when I read your stories about them. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the way you package your soap. It's so pretty.
I'm going to make a loaf of gluten free bread and lemon butter cookies this weekend. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Nil. They make me laugh, too. They are so comical. The bread and cookies sound delicious. I plan to do some baking, too. Enjoy!
DeleteThe snapdragons and squash are so beautiful. I love fall colors and food, don't you?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Lana is getting so strong.
Her new medicine might be causing her to get up, but my dog did the same for a while after her sister died. I think she might have been searching for her. She was ok during the day but she made me get up and go out a few times a night and, like Lana, just stood and looked... not sure if she started to worry after she was resting and not busy with things of the day. She did know that we were all supposed to be securely inside on our respective beds at night I think she was just worried.
Good that your weather has changed. When it's terrible hot I find that I do minimal housework and cooking but perk right back up when it gets reasonable.
Hope you have a fun weekend and enjoy working on the garden.
Hi Jill, I actually forgot to give her the medicine last night...I remembered at about 3:00 a.m. and then she settled down. That's interesting about your dog doing the same thing. I feel the same way about the cooler weather, and fall colors and food. It's exciting...Hope you have a nice weekend, too.
DeleteAfter reading your post it reminded me of just why dogs are so special. I'm starting to feel like I know Lana and your neighbour's pup now. They are such characters especially together.
ReplyDeleteKylie
They are. They put me in such a good mood. They are so enthusiastic about the smallest things.
ReplyDeleteYes-yea for cooler weather. The older I get the less I can tolerate hot weather. We are lucky to have a mild sea breeze at the house, but when the air is still (or from the east) it can be uncomfortable. I am eager to replace my summer annuals with fall flowers, but since we are taking a week vacation in early October I need to wait. Zinnias, petunias and vinca are just about done and I am planning on snapdragons, pansies and violas to take their places. This weekend will be spent just puttering. Only 2 more weeks until RETIREMENT!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anita, I love all of those annuals. It sounds like you will have a relaxing weekend. I got most of the planting done. How exciting that you only have two more weeks! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteI love snapdragons! They will add beautiful colours to your garden. My grandparents grew snapdragons and I've planted them here when my son was much younger too. I love to make their little 'mouths' open and close, just as I did when I was small. Meg:)
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing. I'd forgotten about that, Meg. The old fashioned flowers are so charming. I love them, too.
ReplyDelete