It Would Have Been a Beautiful Day

to go to Anclote Key for the lighthouse open house.  Butch dropped Trish and me at the kiosk on the docks and headed on back home to finish getting the tree and decorations out of the attic.  Trish forgot a hat so we crossed the street and bought visors.  When we got in line at the kiosk, there was obviously some kind of complication.  Apparently the boat that was to take us out to the island had lost its stirring and was marooned.  They would have to be towed in to the dock.  So I called Butch and he came back to the docks to get us.

We dropped Trish back at home in Pointe Alexis and on the back to our place, we took a detour through our "attitude adjustment," which is known to others as Fred Howard Park, a Pinellas County beach park.  And what would have been a lovely day for the boat ride became a lovely day for a ride through the park.  The following pictures were taken from the passenger side window as we rode through the park and out the causeway to the beach.

And when we got home, we got the rest of the stuff out of the attic and put the tree in its stand.  I got no further when the first light strand I picked up wouldn't light.  I decided it could wait until this morning.  And I tackled it after THREE cups of coffee to fortify me.  In less than an hour, I was swearing like a sailor and had a blister on my right index finger from trying to pull those blasted little bulbs out of their sockets to test them in a working string.  Butch saw the injury, told me to go bandage it, and then took over.  We never did get that string working.  I did, however, get others working and after a couple of hours, the lights were on the tree.

I stopped for a glass of Harvey's Bristol Cream Sherry.  Just to calm my nerves which were about shot.  I had a little dog "dogging" my every step.  I had stepped on him twice.  He was already upset because we had moved his bed and put the tree where his bed is supposed to be,  He kept trying to walk under the tree to find his bed even though we had shown him where it was a dozen times.

Next came the strings of pearls, my Victorian dolls and other lacy ornaments, and then the crystal and Hummel ornaments.  Then all the glass and porcelain.  And, VOILA!  A decorated tree.  I didn't have one last year because my surgeries prevented me from being able to do the bending and lifting; and I told Butch he didn't have to try to do it for me in addition to everything else he had been doing for me.  So this year, I am doubly glad to have it up.

Soooo...I will leave it up until after Epiphany.  After Christmas, I will buy a new, pre-lit tree and this tree which just turned 25 years old will be discarded.  And all the new tree and the decorations will be stored in a closet as I had some anxious moments watching my husband climb a 6 ft. ladder to climb up into the attic.  Apparently, he needs to access a different part of the attic instead of the area he can get to with the pull down staircase in the garage.  I didn't ask the obvious question.  I wasn't looking for a fight.  I was just happy to have the stuff down safely.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

The "Eyes" Have It!

I saw a picture of a lab on FB today that was just eyes peaking over the edge of a sofa or bed or something.  It made me think of Beau and the many pictures I have taken of him.  Sometimes you can see his eyes really well.  Other times, you may to search for them because he's a little scruffy.  That is when I really love his look.

Here he is freshly groomed.  And looking quite handsome.

Here he is a tad scruffy.  This is where he waits for us for his "nite nite" treat.  That is the intent look on his little face.

This makes me laugh every time I see it.  These are the rungs of "his" coffee table.  This is his favorite place to watch my husband -- or to watch TV.  It upsets him greatly when visitors come and sit on the couch and put their feet in "his" spot.  Ask Eileen.

I will look up from my Kindle or laptop sometimes because I feel someone staring at me.  And it is always Beau.  Looking just like this.  It is his, "You need to pay attention to me...NOW," look.  I take it seriously.  Just after I finish laughing.

This is my beautiful boy just after I have brushed him out.  I love his silky hair AND he doesn't shed!

Occasionally he will sneak up on me when I am napping on the couch.  This is what I see when he wakes me up.  It's his, "I'm ready for dinner," look.

This is his wild puppy look.

I think he loves me.

This is his "Prince of the Manor" look.  Winter coat.

And this is my favorite.  That look of absolute adoration is for my husband whom he loves without reservation.  And those feelings are returned many times over.

And all of these pictures have that one thing in common whether groomed or not.  His eyes are so expressive.  He shares that trait with every other dog alive, I think.  It tears me up to think of how he was abused before we adopted him almost  8 years ago.  He is eleven now, we think.  Still like a puppy in so many ways, but he sleeps a little longer these days.  He's happy, healthy and comfortable in his safe and loving environment.  I get so upset when I see those stories almost every day about dogs and cats and the abuse they suffer.  I cannot understand how anyone can abuse these loyal and loving creatures the way they do.  There has to be something major lacking in their souls.

Those eyes are looking at me now.  It's time to give him his "nite nite" treat and tuck him in for the night.

I drove into the driveway yesterday afternoon and saw what is, I think, a pair of ibis sitting in the oak tree over our house.  I took this photo a couple of months ago but they have come back many times.  They are so neat to watch.  They always travel together and visit several times a week.  If anyone knows what they are, please let me know.  I thought they might be storks but the beak is hooked so that made me think ibis.

The winter skies here are so gorgeous.  It got to 79 today and we have the house open tonight.  No humidity to speak of and so very comfortable.

I don't mind the summer weather here, but for those who do, we have very reasonable condos down here right now.  Buy one of them and spend 4 or 5 months wherever you live.  Good tax situation here for a primary residence and there are a lot of nice ones for sale. ;-)