Thursday, June 25, 2015

NEXT "UP"PER...

Work commences on the Upper bathroom...

Used to look like this...





The toilet will be placed at an angle to allow room on either side.  A corner shelf will be built.



Looking from the "doorway" in.





For the corner shower.

Toilet.



Wednesday, June 24, 2015

MIL's PORCH...

What was once this....




Has become this...






Toby approved...



















Drake does not approve...

Sunday, June 21, 2015

DOGS' DAY OF FIRST SUMMER...

To celebrate the puppies' first summer solstice, we take them again on a hike on the Lewis Creek Trail toward Red Rock Falls. This time, they got their "pawz-pawz" wet wading at the base of the falls.

Sasha has become well-adapted to hiking with us. She no longer "pulls" us when she is with us. She is a good lead as a trail dog occasionaly turning around to check up on Drake.

As for Drake, he is another story. He seems to think that when Sasha is in front, he needs to keep up. The leash is taut while he is huffing and puffing away. I have to occasionally stop him and tell him to calm down.

Toward the end of the hike, we let Drake lead and he seemed to calm down a bit.

Who dat in the french door wanting to go hiking?









When we returned home, it wasn't too long before both of them were passed out on the front porch.

All of us had fun...

Thursday, June 18, 2015

FIRE WATCH...

Three fires in one day...


Triangle Fire: Mariposa County.

http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1098


Sky Fire: Madera County.

http://www.sierrastar.com/2015/06/18/73672_truck-fire-quickly-spreads-to.html?rh=1

Corrine Fire: Madera County

http://www.sierranewsonline.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=5373:fire-near-north-fork-off-road-222&Itemid=468

At the intersection of Highwy 41 and Highway 49.


Farther north on Highway 41.




Tuesday, June 09, 2015

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

To my second mom who would have been 89 today...

Happy birthday!

Monday, June 08, 2015

FROM DRIZZLE TO SIZZLE

We got 0.01 inches of rain on Friday, June 5, 2015...

Then we got smacked with 100° on Monday, June 8, 2015...

Summer solstice is on June 21, 2015.

Welcome, summer!

There will be more days like this only hotter up until October...as always this time of year.

Sunday, June 07, 2015

HAPPY 6IX MONTHS OLD...

Today, Sasha and Drake are 1/2 year-olds...


How did they celebrate?

A picture is worth a thousand dreams of dog treats.

An update on the dogs...

Sasha has my routine down pat. After taking my morning shower, she is there in the hallway waiting for me. As I put my socks on she nibbles on the socks as if to say, "I want a pair." When I get fully dressed for work, she knows it is "D-O-G-F-U-D" time and when I mention, "Happy dance," she starts dancing and rolling on the floor.

Drake has really become quite affectionate. A major step for both of us. He is still skittish when he meets other male humans. When KC came to visit after his graduation, Drake was very skittish but soon was comfortable around KC.

We don't know how they will react to kids, but I am sure we will find out.

Sasha loves attention. She loves to have her belly rubbed. What dog doesn't?

Sasha likes to chomp her teeth. So, whenever I do it, she, "yips," and starts going into a frenzy by rolling on the floor.

Drake has a unique way of doing "number 1." He doesn't lift his leg like other male dogs do. He does it on all fours. Poor guy gets his fee "wet" but he doesn't seem to mind. Hopefully, my MIL's dog, Toby, will teach him the ways of correct "scenting." Hopefully, no more "four on the floor," and "three for the tree."

Both dogs know how to shake. All I have to do is command them to sit and say, "Paw paw." Drake loves to shake. I can't get him to stop.

We have allowed Sasha to be untethered while outside the confines of the fenced in yard. She stays by our side when we venture out. Drake is another story and we have yet to train him. We don't walk without a leash due to deer and automobiles on our evening strolls near our home.

They got their first baptism on June 6, 2015, the day before the 1/2 birthday, as we hiked the In-N-Out Trail to Bass Lake. There, they waded in the water and had a grand old time. They went as far as their bellies but their natural instincts to paddle kicked in although they did not swim.

Sasha joins us for our crunches and pushups in the morning. Her version of crunches is lying on her back. It is quite a sight. Her version of a pushup is the "downward facing dog."

Drake is not a "piggy" when compared to his sister, Sasha. Come feeding time Drake takes a mouthful of food and dispenses it away from Sasha. Sasha, an opportunist, is quick to devour the food in her bowl and then proceed to what remains in Drake's bowl. No wonder Drake looks a little thinner than her "chunky monkey" sister.

Sasha has become potty-trained. Whenever she wants to go outside, she either whines and goes to the door during the evening or licks my hand to alert me in the middle of the night.

Drake prefers to eat lying down. Sasha prefers to eat on all fours.



Drake is now Mischievous Drake. He is to blame for all of the "chewing" going on in the backyard and for all the potholes. He knows it when we have to pick up his chewing mess and show it to him. The old "tail-between-the-legs."