LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, October 2, 2009

Fridays are Golden

This may be our favorite time of year. The summer tourists are gone and the leaf lookers (or peepers) haven't yet filled the mountains. We often take mid-week day trips to re-visit some of our favorite sites. We have a wonderful dog walker whom the dogs just love. He is retired and loves dogs so he makes extra pocket money walking them. He leaves us a written report as extensive as any babysitter we've ever had. So we have no concerns leaving them for a day.

When we get home we spend a bit more time with them outside.


Here Lucy trots along the walk.


Rats! Ellie saw me with the camera. If she notices the camera she automatically sits and poses. Nothing natural about this.


A bird flies past and catches Lucy's attention. She loves to watch the birds.



Exhausted after some active play, the girls relax. Ellie selected the bed first and there is absolutely no room for Lucy. That never stops her even though there is another identical bed only a few feet away. She pushes and makes a place for herself.



Lucy simply loves to snuggle next to Ellie even if it means contorting her body or (more likely) using Ellie for a pillow.




While we were outside, a little hummingbird decided to have a snack. I can't resist taking photographs of them during the waning days of their presence. Oh, I will miss them.



This week is National Banned Book Week. If you missed most of it, you still have the weekend to go to your local library and check out a banned book. Find a list of "controversial" authors and books and pick up a few. You don't have to read them this weekend...just check them out.
Our thoughts are with the people suffering throughout this planet we share, most especially those in the Pacific Islands affected by recent tsunamis. Looking at the devastation should make you grateful for what you have and what kind of life you enjoy. So this weekend, get out there and enjoy it.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND. OCTOBER TRULY BRINGS AUTUMN TO US AND THE PROMISE OF WONDERFUL DAYS AHEAD.

26 comments:

Rae said...

I never get tired of seeing photos of the girls. They are the sweetest and most beautiful dogs. Thanks for the tip on the books.

George said...

It's great that the girls have a good dog walker to look after them while you're away. Enjoy the mountains while you can -- it won't be long before the peepers are there.

Carol Murdock said...

Great shots of the girls! I wish my hair shined like theirs! :)

Twisted Fencepost said...

Love the pictures of the dogs, as usual. And the hummer, too.
Such devastation....you are right. I am thankful for my home and all I have.

Golden Samantha said...

Thank you so much for the being grateful reminder. You are so right. But LOVE seeing the girls cozy up to each other so closely. Dat's LOVE!
Have a great weekend and enjoy the hummers while you can - we have them in our garden too!
Hugs xo
Sammie

KB said...

I love Ellie's regal look when she poses for you! I also love when dogs snuggle together, so very comfortable with each other.

Our hummers are gone - thank goodness for their sake - it's been too cold for them. Enjoy yours a bit longer!

Sam said...

I like this time of year, too. Everyone is back to work and school, so it makes going out and walking really peaceful.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I always enjoy seeing photos of the beautiful dogs--Lucy and Ellie. They are so adorable. The hummingbird on the purple flowers was beautiful, too. My prayers are with the people in the Pacif Islands with the tsunamis. There's just so much tragedy in our world. I hope you have a great weekend. I'm also looking forward to the fantastic foliage here in our mountains.

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Beautiful pictures and beautiful dogs. They just love each other so much!

Tina said...

Your dogs always look so comfortable when they are relaxing in their bed! I'm glad you have such a nice person to walk your dogs..that makes such a difference in how your day goes..when you have peace of mind back home!!
Have a great weekend!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I always love seeing your Goldens, Carolyn. Got a little more color over there now???? We had more rain today... BUT--it's supposed to clear up and will be in the 40's tonight.

I'm very sad today. My sweet brother died this afternoon. It's a true blessing --but I'm still sad just thinking about all of the deaths in my family. I'm the only one left in my immediate family.

Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Yes, it is that cusp, that crossroads, between summer and fall, and yet, I feel that we are making the turn now.

KGMom said...

I always love photos of "the girls"--but the hummer photo is just wonderful. Thanks for including it.
And, oh yes, I know it is Banned Books week. Censorship of the very worst kind--not that there is any good kind.

kks said...

i love how lucy always wants to snuggle with ellie....my dogs are not that close, my first two goldens would snuggle together...lovely pic of the hummingbird!
have a great weekend.
co

Cedar ... said...

Always great to see the girls,... Love Lucy's expression!

D.K. Wall said...

I love Lucy and Elle snuggling like that. Such a great picture.

We love this time of year, November, and April too. It is almost like the mountains become our own private playground in those months.

Beth said...

Your girls really know how to snuggle, don't they? I'm sure that's particularly nice when the weather turns nippy. :-)

What a beautiful shot of the hummingbird! We have had one or two passing through on their trip south. They seem to really like my morning glories.

1000 Goldens said...

I love your girls so much - they are so sweet! I also love the picture of Lucy looking at the bird :)

Janie said...

How lucky you are to have a reliable caretaker for your dogs when you're gone. Funny how Ellie will pose when she sees the camera. Great hummingbird shot!
I've been looking over the banned books. I'm amazed at home many of them I've read and can't help but wonder why in the world they were banned. Why is a different idea so obnoxious to some people? (Rhetorical question, I guess, because there's really no good answer.)

Kathryn Magendie said...

I just laughed at the posing! Your girls are so beautiful...

I love this time of year too - it's been very quiet in the cove

Dorothy said...

Beautiful pictures we visited Lake Placid ad Lake George and what a wonderful trip.

Your doggies is wonderful and what great shots..

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com

Dawn Fine said...

nice that you have someone to take care of your pups so you can go out for the day....
they look quite happy...every friday...
Thanks for sharing your golden fur babies.

JeanMac said...

Your girls are just the best!

Thistlebrooms said...

I've learned at an early age to be Thankful for what we have...My parents were married during the depression and ever since then I can appreciate the Small wonders that they has always taught me...

Always enjoy seeing photos of your Lovely ladies...Well mannered & Beauty (with a side of trickster) is what Golden's are ALL about...

Enjoy the Beauty in every Autumn Walk you Take...

My Best...Marilyn

Cheryl said...

The photograph of the hummingbird is just so perfect.....they are such delightful creatures....you are so lucky they visit you....

The golden girls never tire or bore me.....they really are the sweetest dogs......

It must be wonderful to have someone to walk them when you are away for the day......does he do UK by any chance...lol

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone. We are indeed fortunate to have a wonderful dog walker. He likes our girls so much he has even said he will stay at our house overnight if we need him. He doesn't do this for anyone else.

KB - But I do wish I could get more candid shots of Ellie.

Donna - I was certain you knew about Banned Book Week. Amazing, isn't it?

Dorothy - Thanks for dropping by.

Cheryl - Welcome home. We know how fortunate we are to have our wonderful dog walker. We guard his identity like we used to guard our best babysitter.