Jim Dalrymple.com

I’m home one day from San Francisco’s warmth and sunshine and what happens? We get hammered with a winter storm. Not just any first of the year winter storm, this was a dandy.

Nicole and Michael came out to help shovel the side deck, which helped out a lot. Actually, Nicole did most of the work and seemed to have a good time doing it.

Twiggy had a blast. She has a habit of jumping in front of you when shoveling snow getting a face—and mouth—full of snow every time you try to clear the walk.

I hate snow. I hate winter.

If there were a theme for today it would have to be lazy. Besides taking the dog for a walk we didn’t venture to far away from the cottage all day. Most of the day we sat on the wharf and just talked.

We did manage to pile everyone in the car and go to the farmers market after supper to get an ice cream, but that was the extent of our driving today.

Michael and I went in the paddleboat and went across the lake—that was damn tough on an old guy like me. Michael was just paddling along with no problem at all. Meanwhile I had to stop several times.

When Michael saw Nicole and Monique going for a swim, he wanted to go back, which was just fine with me. We cut across the lake and put in for day. I was never so happy to see land.

Of course, there was lots of time set aside for throwing sticks in the water for the crazy dog. She just won’t stop! We have to physically make her lay down before she will take a rest. A couple of times we were concerned she was getting too tired.

All in all another good day for everyone.

I get no respect. I work hard, so when I sit down to eat to a simple sandwich for lunch I expect a little privacy. Apparently, Twiggy doesn’t think I deserve the privacy or the sandwich.

Twiggy is a really intense dog. She loves to play ball or tug or anything else and when she does, she is completely focused on whatever the game is—she has injured herself for the game.

There are very few times in a day that she ever likes to cuddle. One of those times is if you have food. Sometimes, she is very friendly … too friendly.

Yesterday, I was doing some work and having a sandwich. Twiggy went from sitting in front of to coming up on the couch and staring at me, to pawing my arms and laying on my chest. She finally did get the sandwich.

Click on the pictures for larger views.

Our seven-year-old Border Collie Twiggy has been having an ongoing battle with a squirrel that lives in a tree just off the back deck. We leave a few crackers out for the squirrel and Twiggy feels it’s her responsibility to make sure the squirrel doesn’t take them. Lately, the squirrel has brought in reinforcements.

Twiggy lies patiently watching the squirrel and then pounces, chasing it off the deck. Lately though, the squirrel brought another one with her to distract Twiggy so she can get to the food. Twiggy is fine with one, but as soon as the second one shows up Twiggy just short-circuits and goes crazy.

While one eats, the other one runs on the deck railing and in the trees, chattering the entire time keeping Twiggy attention. Then they switch out and the other one eats. Sometimes Twiggy gets so tried she just plops down and pants.

Today three squirrels came and I thought Twiggy’s heart was going to pop. She was running from one end of the deck to the other trying to catch one of them. She never gives up totally, but they really made her work tonight.

It’s been a week of worrying and wondering what was happening to Twiggy, but she is finally getting back to normal. After eating some of the kids treats, then spending days on a restricted diet and a trip to the vet, she is running around happy again.

Read the rest of this entry »