Heather chose our Beloved "Scooter".....


Dogs have been with me throughout my entire walk on this earth. My earliest childhood memories are flooded with an "Old Yeller" type who I used to catch laying in the summer sun, I would lay down with him and with my head on his stomach, sleep the summer day away

I had a German Shepherd who knew my inner most dreams and desires with conversations during walks across open fields and through forests.
The day I had to put her down, almost 15 years on this earth was a task that I still grieve to this day.

My Wheaten Terrier, Scooter, in the photo is my loyal friend who cares not whether I am successful, famous or rich. She is there at the end of a long day, waiting for me with no expectations other than knowing that she is loved - I wish life could be as simple as the unconditional love shown by a dog.

4 days off to take a Christmas break!

Good Morning on the day after Christmas! I hope Santa was good to all and you are enjoying some time off and time with the family and friends.

I am going to take a break from the blog for 4 days and will be back up with a new photo on next Thursday , New Years Eve. Hopefully when I return...I will have some pictures taken at the house where I was Santa on Christmas Day. In the meantime....on these next four days I will post the photos that the winners of our contest in November chose...Dawn Treader, Cynthia, Heather and Sunny.

E N J O Y T H E H O L I D A Y S !!!

Dan

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s T o A l l !!!

D a n, K a r e n, Z a c h and S c o o t e r

T'was the night before Christmas....

And all through the house...not a creature was stirring...not even a mouse.....
The Children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.....

More rapid than eagles
his courses they came,
And he whistled and shouted
and called them by name

"Now Dasher, now Dancer!
Now Prancer and Vixon!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donder and Blitzen!".......

So up to the housetop the coursets they flew,
With Sleigh full of toys - and St. Nickolas too.....

I heard him exclaim
as he drive out of sight,

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s T o A l l !
And to all a Good night!

Dan

Packages wrapped, the lists are all crossed through, plum pudding is in the oven...another Christmas is upon us.

Everyone has their own traditions at Christmas. We celebrate ours on Christmas Eve. My wife and I are both only kids and we each celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve while growing up so we have kept up the tradition.

Tomorrow we celebrate the Arrival of Santa and the Birth of Chirst...to each of you, I really hope this Christmas beings you joy, peace of mind and closure to any strings left untied from the past year. Thank you so much for the friendships, kind words, sometimes tears and many times rolling on the floor laughter this past year. You all will be on my mind tomorrow.......

Dan

Dianne and Australian visitors...this is for you.

Of course here in the states, we are headed into the Winter season but you all are headed into Spring/Summer. I came across this the other night and when I saw it...it reminded me of the excitement of those first Spring days and of thoughts turning to a garden. We have a while yet but you will be our muse in the coming months as we gaze outside our windows onto freshly fallen snow dreaming of the smell of Spring earth, blooming dogwoods, the return of our Hummingbirds.

Until then we will make do with the beauty of snow covered landscapes.

Dan

This old house seemed to smile at the chance to feel the warmth of the Winter sun.

Even in the gray season, after the leaves have fallen and the 3 months of Midwest monotonous weather has set in...there are still things to be thankful for. The old houses downtown often come alive and show off their facades often hidden by the heavy shade and thick leaves of Summer.

I noticed this house in passing and truly it did seem to smile at me as I passed by...stopped...backup and took it's picture.

Dan