Wild Weather in the West & Other Stuff

Storm warnings heeded!  We get out the door in an attempt to get the morning walk in before it gets too crazy.

It was too early for  even the bravest of the golfers to have started Ting off yet so we did a NO- NO and walked on the golf cart paths.

We ran in to a huge flock of turkeys and a hare and Ralle on his long line got to do a bit of chasing and loved every moment.

It was a "two golf ball" day too.  Every day we find some on our walks.  The record being a "five golf ball" day.  We have Pinacles, Callaway, Noodle, Nike and Titleist plus oodles of striped driving range balls.  For me it is a bit like it was with the peacock feathers in Mariposa.... it is not "right" to just let them lay there!  We find them at the edges of the streets where we walk everyday. If you are in need of golf balls just call us!

As we were "speed walking" on the golf course this morning we had a woman come running out of her house in her robe!  "My name is Valerie," she said.  "I see you walking so often and I just want to meet your dog".  There we are, the wind is ripping at her robe, Ralle is really exited as he was just chasing that rabbit, so he is really animated as we stand there and chat about what a delight he is!  Great fun for all of us!

Then we came home.  Brewed a PROPER pot of tea and settled down to check on the internet news.

"A daily drink can help bones" caught my eye.  Sure enough, Urszula Iwanec at the Oregon State University did a study and published an article about "a moderate amount of alcohol for women over fifty-five years of age have a lower risk of osteoporosis if they consume a glass of wine or two a day".

"A moderate amount of alcohol protects the bones and slows the rate of bone turn over and therefore these women have higher bone density".  Hmmm.  I like that report thank you very much!

Then as I read yet another article that said: "Tai chi prevents falls" and I new I had hit the jack pot! Problem was I thought it said Chai Tea another one of my most favorite drinks.... Oh well, you can't win them ALL.

The BIG Birthday Boy!

Yup, another year older!

Our Vi'Skalys' Ralph Lauren ....
better known as Ralle
has a birthday today!

Our eight year old BIG GUY
is our treasure...
our heart.

Not a day goes bye when someone does not make a kind comment regarding this proud, gentle and beautiful dog!

What a gift!

How glad we are to share our home with him
.... and yes with Mister too.

Happy Birthday Ralle.
Grattis till Dig.
Feliz Cumpleaños nuestro amado amigo.

Ralle and Company in Harvey Bear Park

Sunday morning walk in this beautiful area was made even more awesome after the rain!

Hooked up with Maria, Ray and Linnea and their constant companions Buddie and Gemma.

We hiked the California hills for well over two hours.

Grumbled a bit as the roads were tacky from the moisture and made soft.

Grumbles over the UP hills!

Grumbled over the DOWN hills!

Met cows!

Saw some Birds, Coyotes and flocks of Wild Turkeys.

We enjoyed every moment!  Grumbles and all.

Here are some of the images from our walk.

Betting you wished you had come along.

Ralle and the rest of us, yea we got a good work out!

Mister Cat's Birthday!

Today has been designated "Mister's Birthday" by "my people."   Everyone needs one!  It might not be the actual factual day but close enough.  For a cat I have sure lived an adventurous life.

I was born amongst all those big beautiful Great Pyrenees dogs at Kennel Vi'Skaly's and I pretty much think of myself as a dog.  After all I have spent my entire life, one whole year, with a Pyrenees.  Ralle and I are truly BEST BUDDIES!

I have lived in a mill in Sweden!

I started out with every one thinking that I was a She -- veterinarians included! Talk about confusion!  And those people are supposed to know what they are doing, college educated and all.

I have lived in a cottage in Mellbystrand!

I have spent a night in Frankfurt Germany at the Animal Airport Hotel after a flight from Copenhagen.
And, I flew ALL the way to San Francisco together with several dogs.

Lived with two whippets!  Buddie and Gemma!  Now talk about living "on the edge".

Now I live on a golf course.  Have bunches of golf balls to play with as those are found all around when Ralle gets to go on his walks.  Golf balls are especially fun on hardwood floors where  they both rattle and roll.

For breakfast today I got Albacore Tuna!  Ate the whole can I did!

Now it is time for a cat nap!  =^..^=   Dreaming of a new exiting year.. zzzz

Neighborhood Mail Boxes

Mail boxes have a personality of their own inspired by their owners.  Yes, mailboxes are slaves.

Don't you think it is an extra special day when someone sends you a personal note?

Even just a line or two..

I treasure those letters.  Emails are just not the same.  Not
as personal.

The mail box is really just the same old piece of tin
embedded in a monument of sorts.  Some are more
elaborate than others.

The mail boxes here are as colorful and varied as the houses.

You can have your feet washed on a rainy day
when you collect your mail at this box.

Some plain, some fun!

I wonder if junk mail appreciates the ornate accommodations that is provided for them.  Bills, do they care.  I wonder what the mail man thinks.  Maybe it makes his day more fun or maybe he just doesn't notice.

This simple beautiful box belongs to a house built in an Oriental style.  This box was specially made to exact
specifications.

Does this mailbox know that it is in a fake brick or
stone edifice?  It would have been more dignified
if the mailbox was mounted on a regular 4x4.

This box could be mistaken for a bird house!
If the door would be left open would a bird
make a home of it?

My guess is the family that lives in the house "belonging"  to this "no box here" does not get much mail.
If it is not windy or rainy would the mail man leave the
mail on the platform?

Some are painted with birds or fish or flowers.  Others just plain.

Flip the red flag up is a signal to the mail man that you have mail to send!

The mailboxes for the townhouse might be called townhousemailboxes.

Here a mail box "the way it used to be" is on the front of the house.  The mail man walks from house to house delivering mail.  Someday that will go away just like the milkman front door deliveries.

Why not a giant golf ball mail box.  We live in a golfing community after all.

How about this stylish copper creation?  I wonder if the
bill for this was delivered in it?












Want some mail in your box.  Jut let me know. I will send you some...

 Does this mailbox give water?

Now here is a mailbox being held by a frog wearing golf clothes, leaning on a golf club, and smoking a
cigar.  Now that is a fancy mail container.

I wonder if the mail appreciates it.  But, maybe it puts a smile on the mailman.

Oh, by the way I should not say mailman, but mail person.  I think there are just as many women
delivering mail as there are men.