Sunday, February 11, 2007

Cute Overload

Just when I’m feeling a horrible case of blogger burnout, which will probably be the subject of a post soon, something happens to invigorate me. There is so little time in the day for meeting my responsibilities plus finding time for relaxation, which in my case, is creating a form of art called blogging. It’s a peaceful release of energy that I look forward to every day but it’s a challenge to find the time to create something pleasing for myself, first and foremost, and for others who might read along with me.

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Here he is. Mr. Biggins spent a few hours with us this weekend. For those who don’t know Mr. Biggins, his real name is Austin (named after the city in Texas) and belongs to my daughter Gina and her boyfriend Billy, originally from Austin, Texas. But we call him Mr. Biggins because he is three times the size of my two Boston Terriers. Does he look like a mean dog in this photo or does he look worried? Yes, but his looks fool you. He is the sweetest, gentlest male Boxer mix! Mr. Biggins loves pink plush toys with squeakers in them. What I love about him most of all is his affection for Bella, Chloe, Grampa, and Gramma. When Gina brings him through our door, he turns himself inside out with glee and heads directly to the kitchen for a cookie.

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“Off you go!”, I say. “Play outside for a while.” Two minutes later, they are begging for me to come out to play with them. “And, bring some TOYS!” (Cute overload.)

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PURE DOG JOY.
Mr. Biggins and Bella wear each other out. I love my camera and this photo! This action shot would have been a complete blur if taken with my old camera.

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MORE PURE DOG JOY.

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They are spent. Mr. Biggins ran and played until he couldn’t stand on his feet. Chloe asks, “Is it time for him to go home yet?”

There was no time for a walk or watching the feeder birds today but I managed to catch a few. They are especially for YOU, Gina!


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The Cowbirds are back after being gone for a week or two. They try to rule the feeder but the others get their share. I caught this female waiting for me to disappear.


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I’ll probably tire of the Goldfinches soon but until I do, here's another one, “Around and around we go…”

This afternoon I went to a movie with Gina, her friend Lea, and her mother, Ellen. The movie we saw was so appropriate for mothers and daughters, called “Because I Said So”, starring Diane Keaton and Mandy Moore. It's a nice chick-flick that made me laugh alot and cry, just a little. While driving out of the mall complex, passing the restaurants, I saw the sky swarming with Ring-billed Gulls. It’s the first time I’ve seen them in several months!

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While I was stopped at a traffic light I saw a gull perched on a light fixture... I fumbled for my camera and dropped it once, rolled down my window and got one shot before the light turned green. Because I held up traffic for maybe three seconds, at the most, the driver behind me honked his horn. I shouted out loud, “Oh, blow it out your ass!” Then, as I drove through the green light and remembering it’s Sunday, I calmly said, “And have a nice evening.”

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, definite cute overload Mary! I love all of your dog photos, especially the one at the door where they are all waiting for you to come outside to play!
It's amazing how drivers can't wait one or two little seconds for you to capture a photo - that happened to me yesterday, too. LOL to your response!

Anonymous said...

All the pictures are great, but my favs are the 2nd and 3rd ones. Great action shot. How do you keep your windows so clean with all those doggie noses!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

That action shot with feet off the ground is so cool! Isn't everyone horribly impatient in traffic!
makes me nuts but I got a good giggle out of your response!

Annie in Austin said...

Cute dogs, goldfinches, a chance to swear in public and a new chick flick - sounds like a great weekend to me! Lynne is right about how great your action shots turned out.

The Diane Keaton movie didn't get great reviews, but I might go, too - maybe it's that intriguing combination of Diane Keaton & the dad from Seventh Heaven?

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Julie Zickefoose said...

Fabissimo doggie shots. Love those Action Shots. Mr. Biggins is sooo cute. And Chloe is adorable, looking in the door.

LauraHinNJ said...

Mr. Biggins is very handsome! So nice to see all the pooches playing together.

Susan Gets Native said...

I love big goofy dogs. Of course, I also like small goofy dogs.

And that horn-happy driver was way out of line. You were trying to take a BIRD PHOTO, for crissakes.
You tell him, Mary!

dmmgmfm said...

What adorable pictures Mary. Those really boosted my spirits. We are in the yuckiest part (hopefully) of winter right now. The ground and the sky have been the same color for weeks and I'm getting tired of it. Your photos (of the dogs and the birds) really brightened my outlook.

And by the way, I laughed so hard over what you said to the rude driver behind you. "Blow it out your...and have a nice evening". Classic!

Jayne said...

What sweet doggie photos! Mr. Biggins looks like a sweetheart and it's so great that he loves your girls so much. Wait until the goldfinch molt and turn canary yellow... some beautiful photos await.

Cathy said...

I'm so glad I discovered your blog over at Laura's. I'm running this post right up to my husband's den where I know it will give him a smile.

Anonymous said...

I thought I had commented on this but guess I didn't! Love the series of pictures with the doggies! I love the comment about if it was time for the one to go home yet! how we all are like that sometimes!

Anonymous said...

The dogs are cute together. I love the door shot. Isn't it something how fast they learn about a visit to Grandma's house?

sonia a. mascaro said...

Love all photos, all are just great, but my favorite are theAll the pictures are great, but my favs are the 2nd and 4rd ones. They are adorable, Mary!

My current post is about my lovely dog Flora. It's so nice to have a dog with us, isn't?