LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, January 13, 2012

Fridays are Golden

What an interesting week this has been.  The unsettled weather has brought us sunny days and stormy days, highs above normal and highs below normal.  Tornadoes in some parts of the state.  Today is bright and cold and the dogs just love it!  They do not like rain and especially do not like being dried off when they come in.

We can always depend on our Lucy for comedic relief from our concerns about almost anything.  She has such a well-developed sense of humor that we often end up laughing at her antics.  Ellie is typically more reserved although she has been known to crack us up.  She often carries tennis balls around with her.  She brings them upstairs and I immediately throw them back down.  She knows full well that balls are for the den and when she brings them up she acts as if she doesn't even have one (or two in many cases).  The other day she appeared with a tennis ball and a chew toy in her mouth.  Her expression seemed to say, "What tennis ball?  I don't see a chew toy!"


Goofy Ellie pretending she has not broken any rules.





 Mom, why are you looking at me like that?
Because, dear Ellie, I have a feeling you will be drooling soon.  That was one reason for getting Golden Retrievers...they aren't supposed to drool.


Goodness knows we need a little comedy now and then.  We are fortunate enough to receive two networks on television stations that are in South Carolina.  We are unfortunate enough to receive two network stations from SC.  You see?  SC is having a Republican Presidential Primary on Saturday.  There is no air time available for purchase on either of these stations.  Not one minute!  The air time has been bought up by candidates and PACs and the ads are negative and non-stop.

We don't watch much network television, but we do like to check the noon "news" to get the weather conditions.  Of course, every advertisement during the "news" is related to the Saturday primary.  I can only hope the "MUTE" button survives this election.  It surely is used quite a lot.

Presidential election years are always important, and never more so than this year.  There are times when I think the problems of our country are so huge and complex that we will never be able to solve them.  Times when I want to throw up my hands in disgust and draw into my own little community.  After all, our retirement is secure...why worry about all the rest of the people in this country and around the world?  Because like it or not, we are a part of the larger community.  We must continue to do our part to preserve that which is important to us.  Even when we are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problems, we must do our own part.  This was never more true than exercising our civic right (and responsibility) to become involved in politics.

Martin Luther King, Jr., once said words to the effect that faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.  And that is what we as Americans must do.  Take a step even if you cannot see the top.  Educate yourself on the issues and the candidates and go ahead and take a step.


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE!

28 comments:

Rudee said...

The meanness of politics these days is disheartening, but that behavior has been a part of the fabric of our political system for far longer than most realize. I won't listen though. Can't. I record all of the programs I want to watch and then fast forward through the ads.

...or, I come to blogs like yours a marvel at the cuteness of your dogs. It's a good antidote.

Captcha word? ellycoil lol

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

We must have the same TV stations. We get one NC station and two SC (of the ABC, NBC, and CBS) So far we haven't had a bunch of robocalls, so the TV commercials are just comic relief.
Dogs do give us a lot.

The Bug said...

You know, as enjoyable as these pictures are, we just might need a VIDEO of the Golden Girls to survive this election season!

Rae said...

Far too much time spent attacking the opponent in ads. I am sick of the bitterness and inability to cooperate. Yet, I am a political junkie that follows it all.
Ellie and Lucy would be a nice diversion. Such beautiful and smart girls. I think dogs know far more than they get credit for. They certainly have much better behavior than our politicians!

Berts Blog said...

I agree with The Bug. Videos of the Golden Girls would be really great.

As a Golden Boy, I would personally love to see more of them. They are just beautiful.

Bert

Taradharma said...

seems as if every presidential election cycle is filled with negative ads, and people say they don't like it. So why do the pols keep doing it? A pox on both their houses!

I agree heartily that we must stay engaged...if we do not, then we let the bad guys win. Those in power would like nothing better than to have an un-educated, un-enaged populace who fails to show up at the polls.

The girls are adorable, as always, and so clever with the tennis ball diversion!

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

Those pictures are priceless!! BOL!! Our Rose Bud ALWAYS has something in her mouth - whether it is a sock, chew toy, tennis ball or stuffed animal, it is ALWAYS something!!

Have a beautiful weekend!

AROOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

My Mind's Eye said...

I love a good sense of humor and what a treat to have Goldens with an abundance of it.
Hugs Madi
We had to switch to Google Chrome this week...hopefully it won't cause you a problem.

JeanMac said...

My. Mute gets a good working over, also!

Ms. A said...

Hahaha, her having that ring and tennis ball in her mouth surely has to make her drool? How could it not! Lucy is so darn cute. The political mudslinging, not so much.

Our weather has been pretty weird, too.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, Great to hear from you. I'm surprised you didn't get the snow this time. We got about 2 inches yesterday/last night --and it was 18 degrees when we got up this morning. You usually get more when we get some. You must have barely been missed this time...

Love reading about your precious dogs... It's the dogs and birds --and being out in nature which makes me happy. Watching politics on TV (Both sides) is disheartening to say the least...

Hugs,
Betsy

Sam said...

I hate when campaigns are negative.. seems to take away from the things that the candidates SHOULD be thinking about!

Our primary here in NY isn't until April, I believe. I'm not in either party, though, so I can't vote.

Karin said...

I've occasionally dropped in on the American Channels, but can't handle it. Who is speaking truth? So hard to decide! No wonder I'm not into politics - yours or ours!

Love coming here to see your fun loving girls!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Ellie is not only goofy...she is very smart!
Wise words today; politics are not enjoyable, but it is necessary!

George said...

The pictures of Ellie are adorable. I can only hope the 'excitement' of the primaries is over by the time ours roll around.

KB said...

I always had the feeling that Ellie was not one to break the rules. I smiled seeing her antics!

I can only imagine how intense the campaigning is in those early primary states. Oh my... I'd be hitting the mute button too. At least you're not getting the phone calls...

I enjoyed your MLK post. Thanks.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Its been awhile since I stopped by your blog, and I've so enjoyed my visit today! Your girls are just lovely and reading about them, reminds me how lucky I am to have the Goldens in my life and how much I miss our Rudi who also had a pretty well developed sense of humor!

Unfortunately, there is not much humor in politics these days and we really do have a long way to go until November, don't we? But you have brought up some good reminders of why it's important that we stay tuned in, even when we'd rather be watching the antics of our pups!

Enjoy your weekend!!

Ginnie said...

It's amazing how the different parts of our state are so unlike others. Here in the Sandhills it's actually been fairly warm & lots of rain.

Barb said...

I get the weather & read about issues on the Internet. Very little TV for us. We had cable taken out in the city and only keep the mountain TV for recordings. Lies and political pandering no longer serve as "news." I find this to be true of both parties. On a lighter note, Ellie and Lucy do keep me smiling.

KGMom said...

Love the innocence of dogs--our Ziva finds a cat toy, e.g. a spring or a fuzzy ball, gets it in her mouth and then goes around with a "what cat toy?" look on her face.

I don't live in a state that has an early primary and already I am SICK of it all.

Vicki Lane said...

My husband is watching football and I've just heard three different ads for the R candidates that had my yelling, 'Liar, liar, pants on fire!'

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Happy Sunday. Your girls always make me smile and I love visiting here. I hope you have a wonderful and warm day, maybe watching some more football?
Give the pups a big hug from me.
Noreen

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to have DVR so I can fast forward - ohhh, it's an invention of the ages!

I don't watch a lot of tv, but I do enjoy it - because it takes me away from my thoughts, but with DVR I have more control over content - whoop!

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

I've heard that television this week is horrible if you are near South Carolina. It doesn't seem to matter who people are for, we don't need all those adds.
Talk about drool, We had a Great Pyrenees She has been gone for years but I think some of her drool is still around.
nellie

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Rudee - ellycoil...I like it.

Janet - Thank goodness our NC primary will be later. I hate those robocalls.

Bug & Bert - Believe it or not I have never tried a video despite the fact that one of our cameras has that feature. Perhaps I will look into it.

Rae - I'm with you. I'll take dogs over politics any day.

Bert - Thanks

Tara - People SAY they don't like them but far too many will believe every thing in them without searching for the truth.

Boon - Interesting how some Goldens need to have something in their mouths. Lucy hardly ever carries anything around.

Betsy - A few flakes but no snow here so far this winter. Quite a change from last year.

KB - You are right. Ellie very rarely breaks the rules. Well, except for the one about "no tennis balls."

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I just have the network stations period!! I get so sick of the elections. It is like we care or could do anything about it!!!!
Love your pups!!
I was without a computer 18 days!!!
I now have a new to me mother board. It is totally different then the one I had!!!!!
I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year!!
xx, Zoie & Fern

Cheryl said...

They are such fun. They would bring cheer to anyone who felt a little down :)
It still puzzles me how they manage to hold such much in their mouths......

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Amen sweetie...they way I see it men have lost their lives so I have the freedom to educate myself to vote.

God bless ya sweetie and have a fantastic week!!! :o)