We Interrupt This Series...

To wish a very happy birthday to my Arthur (far right) and his siblings.  It is his second birthday.  They were all together on their 1st birthday party at the breeders; they went to families all over Ohio and Pennsylvania.  It was so fun to meet them all!  You can read more about the party here...

Arthur is a true blessing in my life.  One of God's gifts that brings joy every day...

Rainy Day at the Horse Camp

A rainy day on the farm...

...only one horse out...

and how Arthur pleaded with Ed to go outside.  So we made the best of it inside.

Good day to get feet ready for flip flops...

Enjoyed some coffee...some reading...some journaling (notice Arthur's ball that also could not go outside).

And I worked on some stills...these flowers were here when we arrived.

Now...before you start to feel sorry for Arthur being housebound...

We took him out cruisin'...him in the driver's seat, no less.

But at the end of the day...the storms gave way to a beautiful evening.

Party Over Here...Party Over There: A Reunion

Arthur kept asking all morning, "Is it time yet?"

Arthur knew there was going to be major party action today in Shaker Heights...

A Corgi convention...

I felt like I was in an illustration from a Tasha Tudor children's book like Corgiville...but it was a PARTY!!!!!

Dr. David Newmarker, a dentist and Arthur's breeder...invited all of the pups, i.e. Arthur and his siblings, to celebrate their first birthday together...

With an amazing spread...

Each dog had his/her own goodie bag attached...

to a mylar balloon...

and each doggy got a blanket, too!

And a cake with all their names on it...

but none of the pups knew how to blow out the candles.  But the pups were the stars of the show...

Dana, Isa, Oliver, Kevin, Dorothy, Muffin, and Arthur...

Isa was the only tri-color of the litter...

And Oliver, in my opinion, looks the most like Arthur...

And then they were one...and Arthur and all had a GREAT time!  And so did I!

And Then He Was ONE!!!!

Well today my lovely Arthur turned 1!!!!  He has brought such joy into our lives!  So, we gave him a few bites of a cupcake...and called him "birthday boy"...and Saturday we have a party in Cleveland with Arthur's breeder, his mother, his grandmother, and his great-grandmother...along with his six siblings...four of which went to other good homes...so we will get to meet other Corgi parents!

Film at 11...pictures to come.

Takin' It To The Streets - Sans the Doobie Brothers

I'm a little behind in my Beyond Beyond course...but I took it to the streets today!  Kim challenged us to take our camera out around people...and snap some candids...

So Edster, Arthur, and I wend down to the Cuyahoga Valley today for a Sunday road trip...

Indulge me for a second here...

You have to see how Arthur takes road trips...NO not in the back...ALMOST in the driver's seat...

With his head out the window...as if he could fly.

So we headed to Szalay's...which I knew would be hoppin' on a Sunday afternoon.  It's a produce farm known particularly for their great sweet corn...and have other attractions.  Very folksy!

I was amused by this young lad's despair...then became envious that my age doesn't allow me to squat like this anymore and get up gracefully!

There was a wonderful saxophone player making jazz with glorious style.

But THIS is Szalay's!  Buying a hot, roasted, buttery ear in the hull...and enjoying its succulent goodness!

Arthur had to settle for ice cream...life is tough...

The simple life is SO good!

Choose Life - The Battlefield of the Mind - Day 5

If you've been reading my blog for awhile...you have read about our new addition to our family...Arthur! This 5-month old (today actually) started obedience school. What a trip! Arthur's not a small dog...he just has short legs. (SMILE)  That's true about all Pembroke Welsh Corgis!

What I learned that first night is that it takes 42 days for a new habit to be developed...and it also depends on the breed. For humans it is 21 days. But for man or his best friend, it takes consistency, constant repetition, and practice-practice-practice.

When it comes to the thoughts that naturally come into our heads...it takes the developing of a habit to do otherwise. And, of course, it is the negative and blaming thoughts that slip right in. But we have a choice (I don't think if I were God that I would have been brave enough to give humans the capability to choose...I'm too insecure). However, we have been lavishly afforded the ability to choose. And with that power to choose, comes responsibility.

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him for he is your life.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20a

So we can choose to develop the habit of thoughts that are in line with God's character and what His word assures us...but part of that daily habit is reading His love letter to us on a regular basis...(and if you're REALLY serious, in addition to the above, you can add a rubberband to your wrist and smack it every time you are aware that you've just fell prey to your thoughts...laugh but this has been a technique used by therapists...)

And you know...in part of loving my Arthur is training and socializing him. Part of loving him is ensuring that he follows me, so I can keep him safe...although as a herding dog, he is wired to drive and lead cattle and sheep. And so, what if, he leaves me a little gift on the carpet or occasionally doesn't respond when I say come (only looks at me with those big round black eyes)...he's learning, he's in training, he's maturing, he's growing...and none of that affects my deep love and commitment to him.

How much more does God love and embrace (there's my OLW) us?