Easter Sunday II

One of spring's first crocus blooms.... Life springs anew.

Hi G-Fans!

Have you ever seen the Easter Bunny?

I am starting to wonder about all the talk of giant bunnies who give treats out.  Especially since I have never had a whiff nor seen a hair of this outsized creature.  And especially since I have never been left a basket of goodies!

I am pretty sure that the Easter Bunny is fictitious, in fact I hope it is since I really wouldn't know what to do if I saw such a mythical manifestation.

And don't get me started on how Tessa and Bertie would respond to what the Easter Bunny would leave as a trail behind him.... you know.... his "pellets".... although I have heard that bunnies can be like kitties and use a box to take care of their "business".   If the bunny can find all these kids, and manage all that candy and toys, then I am pretty sure he can be litter box trained.  

So, enough of that.

What I really want to let you all know that Riley was ok yesterday and even on first outs this morning,   But something happened and I have had to keep my eye on him all day.  The concierge gave him medicine to help relax his muscles and gave him some stuff to stop him from hurting.  He didn't go on the evening bog walk with us, but the concierge took him solo, he said it was a round the block.  He said the concierge practically did cartwheels when he peed and then somersaults when he pooped!  He was looking pretty jaunty upon his arrival home.

He is resting comfortably now.

I included a picture so you are assured I am sticking close and keeping an eye on him.

Well, I am getting some odd messages from the blog "concierge", so I am going to cut this short in case it is a hacker trying to steal precious info from me!!

All is well, may you treasure the blessing of friendship in your life each and every day.

TTFN!

-G

Bunnies on wheels.... amidst lemon squares....

Happy Easter!

Hi G-Fans!

Well, another Saturday come and almost gone.

Tomorrow is Easter and the concierge has been talking about a sunrise service which will mess my breakfast schedule up.  I will need to review the situation with the concierge and make a workable solution.

As far as today was concerned spring was definitely in the air.  

We walked Eel RIver preserve today which was loaded with new smells.  It was making us all berserk.  It was fun.

Earlier in the day was loaded with trauma.

We were on enforced fresh air because Harry's "sister" (human version) got rid of all our dust bunnies, slime, drool, stinky sticky residue and layered hairs on all surfaces and in crevices and cracks that we had diligently been working on for many weeks now.  I thought we had an understanding.  I guess not.

It was traumatic.  Very.

I don't care that the sun was shining.

I don't care that it was pretty much 60 degrees.

WE WERE LOCKED OUT!

We missed our morning nappies!

We missed our lunch time cookies too!

 Now, Harry's concierge tried to bribe me to not include this, but I have my journalistic integrity you know.  Harry's concierge was overseeing our midday routine needs and she basically blew us and the birds off because we were out and she figured that we were ALL SET!  Honestly, of all the people to blow us off!!  Shocking!  And then to try to bribe me from entering it into the blog.... even more shocking!

I will admit that after my concierge arrived home after doing some work related junk and helping our old babysitter out, she figured out quite quickly (with Raphael's help) that we were in need of cookies and the birds needed attention too.

So tragedy, from a human standpoint, averted.  From a dog's point of view, I will never ever recover from such an ordeal.  This is going to cause some severe psychological scarring to be sure.

So, good luck in all you do and may you avoid the doo-doo in life!

And, as the sun rises in the morning, remember all your blessings!

TTFN!

-G

Click here to see how we dogs are traumatized every day...

Brown trucks and other excitement.

Hi G-Fans!

Blessings to you on this Good Friday!

Well, the internet is up and running and I am back in blog-business.

I can tell you even in the concierge's extended absence today we have been busy.

The brown truck came and left a package for Snagglepus and ourselves.  Let me tell you, he would think twice about getting closer than an arm's throw from our house!  We met up with him last week in another neighborhood on our way to the bog and boy did we have trouble trying to maintain composure and dignity.  I doubt the concierge would have categorized our behavior as "under control".  

Oh well.

Then there was unauthorized activity from across the street and we yelled and yelled, but on deaf ears.  I guess no items were removed, but ...... and how scary for Lady (she is a tiny poodle and has no muscle or backup).  The police came later.  Not to mention the usual comings and goings of our sitter... (Harry's concierge).

Just so busy.

Well, I would like to write more, but the concierge has fallen asleep three times while I have been dictating and I am sick of repeating myself.

So,

May your rest tonight be deep and still.

I know the concierge's will!

TTFN!

-G

 Some sighs of spring.....

Technical Difficulties....

Hi G-Fans!

The concierge was unable to fix the problem with the internet until tonight.

Sooooo, last night's entry is being sent now.

Tonight's to follow shortly.....

So, without further ado.....

Hi G-Fans!

Well, there were internet difficulties so this is going to be a delayed transmission.

The concierge spent around two hours trying to fix the problem to no avail.  She even tried to borrow the internet from Harry’s concierge, again, without success.

Needless to say she is pretty frustrated right now.

She enlisted the help of Harry’s concierge, which seemed promising, but was not fruitful.  And the other person who might have proved helpful was more than likely snoring like a chainsaw at the time she called.

And now it is too late tonight for her to look any further into the issue.

She was going to try to take the blog from me again tonight.

I, again, said, “NO WAY”.

She wanted to tell you about my behavior today.

But, there is really nothing to tell.

So what if I have been coaching Bertie all this time in how to be a lunatic at walk hook-up time.  So what if I showed Bertie how to slap others when he is excited (especially around walk time).  So what if a princess decides it is more fun to be a ruffian.

I say, “SO WHAT”!!

The concierge has a few choice words, but I choose to attribute her rude behavior on the lack of internet services and being thwarted from fixing it.

So, that is it, I need my beauty sleep and the concierge needs sleep so she isn’t grumpy.

So I will sign off for now and hope to post this in the morning.

Sorry to have another interruption in your “Notes from Grace” “Fix”...

TTFN!
-G

A Taste of Medicine

Hi G-Fans!

Spring is definitely winning the wrestling match with winter.  Another nice day.  Yay :)

The concierge threatened to take the blog over tonight, but I told her in no uncertain terms that it is my blog to  utilize as I see fit.  It is my domain.  She is just mad that I gave her a taste of her own medicine tonight.

Last night, I kept it to myself, but no longer, the concierge saw no reason that she shouldn't snug up to Bertie on the couch leaving no room for me.  None.  I came three times and asked politely to get my spot and no one moved (unlike what Tessa would have done, she just crawls all over everyone to get where she wants to go.... no social mores at all!).

Well, I may have found another location to nap, but I did not nap I will tell you.  I plotted my revenge.  The opportunity came sooner rather than later.  The concierge wasn't home yet and our helper concierge had already fed us and we were relaxing waiting for her to come home.  The tight spot on the small couch was unoccupied.  I snuggled my fuzzy butt into that spot and didn't move even when the concierge arrived home and came through the door.  I gave her my most bored look and hugged in tight to the helper concierge.  I made the message loud and clear.  She was NOT to treat my affections with the finesse of a Household Waste Engineer (Garbage "man"). 

So, I let her (later on) give me her special between-me-and-her kisses as a gesture of truce.

We will see.

OK G-fans, I gotta run, I need my beauty sleep.

TTFN!

-G

Duck butts and dog treats

Politics Schmolitics, find the algae!

Hi G-Fans!

What a gorgeous day.  There was a smattering of white first thing this morning, but no shoveling was involved or necessary.  So, we didn't get to go sledding, but we did enjoy 50+ degree temps today.  Nice!  And Sun :)  Double nice!  And we took a moonlit walk.  We did the partial bog walk and the moon was so bright we had shadows.  

In fact, it is fortunate that there was no snow from yesterday or we would have needed our 

cheap sunglasses!

That reminds me of something.....

Anyhoo,

The duck butts are political animals as they reside in D.C.

The rest are of Bertie being Bertie.

That reminds me of something too....

Hmmm....

So, that is really it for tonight.  Apparently the concierge is doing a quick outing in the morning and then coming back to enjoy lunch with us... Excellent!

And just so you know, the cookies are being kept in the 'fridge and I haven't managed to figure out how to get them out of there without assistance.  So, for now, the treats are being parceled out twice a day and it is less than adequate in my opinion.

So, may you have a quantity of treats that stay fresh and keep you happy on a daily basis.

TTFN!

-G

Bertie thinking about a new blankie or towel to carry.....

Bertie thinking about a new yoga pose.

Bertie said he couldn't find the tennis ball that was missing ANYWHERE!?!

Bride of Frankenstein

Hi G-Fans!

I need to make this short, the concierge has a long day planned tomorrow.

She needs her beauty sleep you know!

Seriously!

She really does.

You should have seen her dragging in the house tonight.  She told us before she left this morning that we would be walking in the daylight today. NOT.  She came home hours later than she promised.  And she came home looking like the bride of Frankenstein.  Not pretty if you get my drift.  The least she could is keep herself presentable.

You'd think she had a unexpectedly long day or something.  I mean, what about me?  I had to hang with the riffraff all day.  Brutal!  Well, at least we got an evening walk that was longer than the cul-de-sac.  That was nice.  It started spitting at us from the sky on the walk though..... not too bad but I heard MORE snow is on its way.  Just in time, tomorrow is Tuesday!  We seem to be on a Friday/Tuesday schedule for the snow storms.  So we will see.

The concierge parked at the end of the driveway so she doesn't have to shovel as much if it gets.

Well,

I guess that is all for now, the concierge is toast and she is starting to type gobbledygook so I will end for tonight.

May you find the good and the humor in each day:)

TTFN!

-G-

Nighty night.

Enjoy some more family photos from our walk...

Treats, saws and smells...

 Hi G-Fans!

Another successful weekend day :)

The sun was shining, we got lots of fresh air and sunshine today.  YeeHa!

We also have been enjoying our homemade treats :)

Today we went to the bog, but there was a mission.  The concierge and her human peeps were focused on removing a large tree that fell during one of our storms right across our route to the bog.  So we left the royal domicile with six dogs, four humans and a chain saw.  So, while two humans worked on the fallen tree, the other two hung onto our leashes.  But, then those two decided to take advantage of a good photo op, so one human held all of us while the other took pictures.  There are good ones of all of us, even if I do say so myself :)  I included some of the pictures that were taken to memorialize the day.

Aside from the walk and the great weather and treats the concierge did one thing I am somewhat peeved about.  She made some human treat in the morning to try and ameliorate the delightful smell of peanut butter and sardines from yesterday's baking.  The smell had seeped into the nooks and crannies of the royal cave and I was thoroughly appreciative of that.  The concierge tried to use cinnamon and strawberries, butter and walnuts to try to remove the odor.  It was fairly successful, but when I breathe extra deeply I can still snag a whiff.  At least we have the actual treats to eat for a few days despite the lack of odiferous ambience.

 So, I wish for you delights to fill your senses and make your day obstacle-free.

TTFN!

-G

The Chainsaw carrier and some of us walking..... that is RIley monitoring the rear-end safety features.....

Getting ready to eliminate the obstacle.....

The crew :)

One of our better family photos :)

Home made beats all

 Hi G-Fans!

Well, what a day!

There was some sun, a little cold but not brutal, and a bog walk and the hot box was used!!

It was used as an implement of torture.

The concierge decided to whip up some grain free goodies (with some helpers) for myself and the minions.

She whipped up two flavors, three tray-fulls!  Amazing.

The first flavor included sardines, carrots, and pumpkin along with other ingredients (turns out to be Raphael and Riley's favorite flavor) and the other flavor is banana, carob (Doggie chocolate), avocado, molasses and peanut butter along with additional ingredients.  Maybe if the concierge used measuring instruments and some sort of organized way of making them she would have encouraged me to include the recipe.  The banana, carob and peanut butter is my favorite (Tessa and Bertie's too).  Harry is neutral;  he wants them simultaneously, without discrimination.

If I could describe the smell in the house while those babies were baking you would have to stop reading.  It would make your brain freeze up.  It was amazing.  The concierge, however, kept wrinkling her nose and making funny gaggy noises saying she wasn't keen on sardines.

So I included a rather foggy and blurry picture for you to get a peek into the evening cookie handout.  We were trying really hard to behave so we could get the bigger piece.  We will have to play that one by ear.

So, far, we got pretty much equal parts.

Except Harry, he was sent only a sample, he didn't get a stash, not yet anyway.

So, there you have it.  

Home made goodies for the realm.

It is a good day.

TTFN!

-G

(I need to study the refrigerator door, that is where these treats are being stored...)

Maybe you can notice the cookies in her hand, she has two for Raphael and Riley and the rest for us.  Sooo good!

Another Spring day...

Hi G-Fans!

Another Monday through Friday portion of the week over.  Onto another Saturday.

Today was somewhat uneventful.  That was, of course, aside from Raphael deciding that Riley's bolster pillow (it helps keep Riley cozy in the family room) was a creature of indeterminate intentions; everything was status quo.  Raphael shredded RIley's pillow with a vengeance.  There was pillow stuffing in the family room EVERYWHERE when the concierge arrived home.  It took the concierge awhile to pick up all the fluff.  It was like it snowed inside and outside.

Writing about snow....

Lots of the gathered snow disappeared as quickly as it appeared.  So there are some areas with snow, much of it has gone.

So, while snuggling on the couch with the concierge, and even though I was keeping a close eye on her for cookies and bedtime, I have to admit I dozed off.

Apparently so did she.

Next thing we both know is her evening tea of peppermint and chamomile is gone.  She was pretty sure she didn't drink it all, but there was nothing left in the cup.  Including the chunk of ginger she had put in there.

So she squeezed her bathrobe and felt around my personal space, and realized that she had not only dozed off, but dumped her warm tea on both herself and me.  She chuckled and said at least it made my butt smell better.

I am incensed!  That was just way too familiar and crude for my taste.  Then she tried to accuse me of eating that ginger candy.  I didn't (yeuch) and she did finally find it embedded somewhere between me, the couch and her bathrobe.

I know it sounds insignificant, but my butt is still wet and she still smells like peppermint and chamomile.  I suppose I could think of worse smells to smell like.

So may you come by your smell on purpose and not by accident!

TTFN!

-G

Spring Day #2

Hi G-Fans!

Say What?

It is Day # 2 and it is snowing with conviction.

Can anyone who lives near me believe this weather?  And more on the way?  I know I have been going ad nauseam about the weather the last few months.  But isn't it justified?  I mean, the concierge cleared the deck off after 9:00 p.m. tonight and when when she let us out a little while ago for our "last outs" It was totally covered again.  I thought I heard it was only suppose to get to a dog foot's worth.  We are at two dog's foot's worth in less than two and a half hours.  So again, I say, "What?"

The fun thing we did was take a late walk in the snow.  It felt like Christmas.  That hush quiet that happens when the snow is coming down and muffling all the sounds.  Everyone busily doing things inside so the outside is really peaceful.  And even though there was tons of snow, which means there probably is tons of clouds, the light wasn't too bad.  We see better in the dark than the humans anyway, but it wasn't bad.  And we walked in the wooded path on the way to the bog instead of the sidewalks that makes the concierge a little tense and tight.

So, we were relaxed and enjoyed our short jaunt.  I included two pictures from the walk.  The concierge had hoped for a better sense of mood in the pictures, but the snow flakes interrupted the picture so it didn't translate.  C'est la vie!

When we returned we were all coated with a rather thick layer of snow, the concierge too.

It helped when we shook it off.

Some of us did, some of us didn't .

Now, what I really want to write about.

As we retired to the royal chambers something disturbing happened.

I went to my usual spot, hugging up to the pillows on my side of the bed.  The concierge followed and was being a complete jerk.  Yes, I wrote it, a jerk.

She kept telling ME to MOVE!

I can't believe she hasn't gotten the picture by now.  She is kind of slow. I have tried to be patient with her, but enough is enough.  She needs to get with the program and stop this nonsense. 

I sleep where I want to sleep and she needs to get on board.

Trying to move me is very traumatizing to say the least.

She resorted to not only bullying tactics, but giving me RASPBERRIES on my nose!  How RUDE!

Needless to say, I was not amused or impressed.

I decided I didn't like that spot and did eventually change my position, but I can assure you that it had nothing to do with the concierge.

Nothing.

So, may you be treated with the dignity and respect that we each so richly deserve!

TTFN!

-G

The streaks are snowflakes.

This doesn't convey any of the ambiance of the street lamps that were lining the street and the quietness of the moment.

Happy Spring!

Hi G-Fans!

Another day, and yet, we had sun and it is human-officially spring.  We had the concierge midday and plenty of other hands came to let us out and/or feed us as well.

I would like to complain about the cleaning that keeps happen, but the concierge has been sneaky lately and keeping the kingdom clean in sections.  One day it might be our bedcovers.  Another it might be the rug powder and vacuuming. Mopping on another day.  So it is never sparkly clean so I can complain, but it keeps the smells and dirt to a certain level.... It is very thwarting to me in the tantrum and pouting department.....

Inf act tonight she cleaned behind the box that has been out of use for awhile now.  And with the help of Raphael, it is not only clean again, but it is ready to make poultry and snacks for me and my entourage.  She has been saying that she would make something for us when it started working again.  I wonder if she will try to make more excuses to get around making some for us.  

I like treats.

Especially homemade treats.

I wonder if they will be mackerel and peanut butter or carrot and liver.  Mmmmm.

What do you like for treats?

TTFN G-Fans!

Sleep well on this first night of Spring!

May you successfully tackle a nagging task in celebration of the expected improving weather!

-G

Here us Raphael helping in another way.  He is very helpful in keeping Tessa's ears clean.   Tessa doesn't seem to mind too much.

Little Helper

Hi G-Fans!

Wow, the last day of winter and we get more of the white stuff.  It held up the official start of the day.  Snow is fun at the beginning of the season, now we are just ready to dg holes and eat dirt.  Enough snow cones and poopsicles.

I actually thought the concierge was trying to adopt the schedule I proposed yesterday.  Apparently not.  The weather just slowed her down a little.

Oh well, I can always hope.

Even though we had a really sloppy day of precipitation, I got a pretty good walk today and yesterday.  For some reason the concierge got home when it was still light out so we got to go on a pre-bog walk, which is mostly better than a school or Victory walk.  Although there are merits to all walks.

I forgot to mention that Raphael was very helpful yesterday and I have included pictures of him helping to install some sort of contraption.

I also included pictures of the rest of us "helping".

I hope this last day of winter finds you shaking off the snow and rain (btw, it is snowing, again, as I write this!!) and making way for the warm rays of spring to soak through your skin.

TTFN!

-G

Raphael is always at the ready to help in any project.  Here he is overseeing quality control and offering insight as to the best practice to complete the job.

Here is Tessa adding to the helpfulness. 

And me, ditto.

And Riley, ditto.

And Bertie, ditto.

Putting Forth A Schedule

Hi G-Fans!

Sometimes I hate Mondays.  I think humans have it all wrong.  I think if they paced themselves every day, there would be no need for Mondays.  Every day would be a natural flow of naps, walks, meals and relieving oneself.  With the occasional moment or two of work.  Maybe even a couple hours of work.  But all this hullaballoo of working from dawn past dusk and doing it five or six days straight is a bunch of inefficient nonsense.

Wouldn't you agree?

What would life be like without the coveted human calendar?

Really, what?

Get up, potty, meal, potty, socializing, rest, bark at random dust specks, potty, play, snack, rest, bark at shadows of unknown origins, potty, investigations,  meal, potty, walk, social time, rest, potty, treat, bedtime.

Repeat daily with some variation.

Infinitely better than what most of you do each day, wouldn't you agree?

With that schedule there would be little or no need for weekends and the world would be in much better shape humanly speaking!

Well, may you find a schedule to suit your needs and one that promote a sense of balance and well being...

TTFN!

-G

A couple of guys chillin'....

Beginnings and ends

Hi G-Fans!

So, another weekend closing in around us and the start to a new week.  What will it bring?  I have heard buzz words that have become quite commonplace this winter such as, "storm", "snow", "slush", "bad driving", "rain", and so forth.  It has become so commonplace that I yawn in its general direction.

Today was a shamrock holiday.  It was a holiday that Riley enjoyed more than the rest of us.  If you knew his whole name you would understand.  But if you knew his whole name, it would be a Rumpelstiltskin scenario, so I am sworn to the utmost of secrecy.  Suffice it to say that there are several "Mc"s and "Mac"s in it.  I am serious, several!

Sometimes the concierge forgets one or two, and there doesn't seem to be any particular order that they fall.  But they are all part of his name.

Anyway, I am a little surprised there were no shamrock shaped cookies for snack today, nor was there anything green, nor did we have anything boiled... 

The good news on that, we won't be breathing in anyone's farts tonight from the boiled cabbage.

That is always a bonus.

We did, however, take a lovely walk on the bog with a little change up in the routine due to small folks on bicycles that were moving in nearly a backwards pace which made the concierges indecisive as to a course of action.  You see, Harry goes nutsos with bicycles and that makes us nutsos because he is going nutsos.  So, the concierges preferred no nutsos and wanted to choose a path for the most serenity.  Mission accomplished, but not without a tad of gambling as the four adult humans accompanying the two short humans on bicycles were less than meandering.  My concierge was upbraided on more than one instance by Harry's concierge for having fresh things pop out of her mouth.  I guess she has spring fever and just can't help it.  It isn't like anyone but us could hear her.... She pretty much wouldn't have said the fresh things if anyone could have heard.... I think.....

Anyway, all in all a fine walk in the sun with brisk temps.

We even walked by a strange man leaving his truck and walking in front of us with a lot of funny looking equipment.  I heard the word, "photographer" when we were walking in back of him.  He didn't respond when the concierge greeted him.  I think we made him nervous.  Good.  I like it when that happens.  Since they make us nervous....

Ok then...

Time to end the night with a happy thought.

May the luck of the Irish be something you never require!

TTFN!

-G

Looking forward to signs of spring...
Ending with winters gloominess and beginning with the new promise of spring color and smells....
Forsythia is a favorite with its riot of yellow blossoms and making it look like the sun is shining even on a cloudy day....

When the Daffodils and Hyacinths are in full bloom we know Spring has arrived :0

Apple blossoms and Weeping Cherry Tree blossoms are always a delight....

We know spring is playing peek-a-boo with us right know....

We always enjoy the May hunt for Lady Slippers....