LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, November 16, 2012

Fridays Are Golden



Our Ellie follows the rules.  Most of the time.  There is one rule that she simply cannot abide.  You see, she is addicted to tennis balls.  In the den she loves to chase them.  And they are supposed to stay in the den.  But most of all she loves to carry them around.  So several times a day, she will go downstairs and come back up with a tennis ball or two.

She loves to chase them in the den and will constantly beg for you to toss them for her.  But she does not ever want to play with them upstairs.  She just wants to carry them, or lay them in her bed.


Maybe if I don't look at her she won't notice.




But, Mom...I can't help myself.




I love these tennis balls.


Sometimes we immediately toss the balls back downstairs.  Other times Lucy grabs one and trots downstairs  with it.  And since there really is no harm, we sometimes just leave them alone until one of us accidentally kicks one we didn't see, sending it flying across the room.



A typical sight.  Ellie was resting on the bed with her tennis balls.
Lucy decides to share the bed.
This is Lucy's idea of "sharing."



And so we find ourselves in mid-November!  The sun sets far to early in the evening.  Our Thanksgiving Day is this coming Thursday.  As we gather around the table this year, our thoughts will remain with those still suffering.  And we will be even more grateful for our blessings.

Many people are discontented right now.  So many things trouble us and we become frustrated with events over which we have no control.  It is appropriate that we reflect on the words of Marcus Aurelius:

"You have power over your mind---not outside events.  Realize this, and you will find strength."



HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!!



18 comments:

The Bug said...

I just love those pictures of Ellie with TWO tennis balls in her mouth. I wonder if she ever tries to carry three at a time? :)

Anonymous said...

Ellie really look so cute with two tennis balls in her mouth!

The light is changing so fast now. I looked at the clock yesterday, it was 5:15 pm and it was already DARK outside. In just over a month though, on solstice, the sun will start its beautiful trek back.

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, Ellie is so beautiful, even with a fat mouth(mouth filled with tennis balls). Hope you have a wonderful weekend and a great week leading to T-Day.
Hugs, Noreen & Hunter

Ginnie said...

All three of my children have dogs that love to play with tennis balls but not one of them has ever carried more than one at a time !
Your Ellie is truly talented.

How Sam Sees It said...

Sam has the same thing for tennis balls, but Monty doesn't let him over do it.

Sam

Ms. A said...

For some reason, I seem to have no power over my mind.

Ellie looks so sweet with those tennis balls. I wouldn't be able to resist!

Karin said...

Lovely visit with your beauties - so much fun to play with tennis balls! Our daughter's mini chihuahua loves his mini tennis ball and we always get to play with him!! What a hoot!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Vicki Lane said...

That second picture is priceless! Such a serious and silly girl!

Anonymous said...

I think that takes real talent. I'd like to see how she picks the second one up. :)

troutbirder said...

First a dog who can hold two in here mouth at the same time. My Muffy (a Chessapeaks) worked for years on the three in the mouth record but never made it.
Second, anybody who can smoothly quote one of my favorite Roman emperors can't be all bad...:)

Carolina Linthead said...

Oh, that Ellie! She really is sweetness and light, with a dash of mischief...

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I see our dogs in your post! We have the same thing with the 'outside toys' that have to stay in the garage when we come in--We make the dogs leave them but if we go out there, they'll quickly grab them off the work bench--I think all Goldens think alike when it comes to toys!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Taradharma said...

hysterically funny photos!

You know, sometimes we don't even have power over our own minds. So, I'm even more grateful when I have the ability to exercise that power.

So much suffering, I am feeling very humble approaching this "Thanksgiving." Worried about hurricane victims in the northeast, the people of the Middle East and all war torn areas. It brings me to tears sometimes. I will savor my family and delicious food this Thursday and thank my lucky stsrs.

Hope you have a lovely holiday.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

Dogs are so funny with their toys. Our ball dog has to keep his outside. Sometimes we find it under the dining room table...hmmm, how did that get in here?? Head down...slink away. hahaah
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Skoots1moM said...

jumped over from Bug's...
love the doggie shots...
i found a tennis bone last week at the store

Rudee said...

Ellie looks so cute with those tennis balls stuffed in her mouth!

Jayne said...

Love seeing your girls loving one another so completely. :c)

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Bug - Yes, she can indeed carry three but it doesn't seem as comfortable. She picks up the two with great ease. Occasionally Lucy will be able to manage it but with great difficulty and for a very short while.