LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Friday, April 5, 2019

Golden Dog and Golden Granddaughter

Life has been blessedly uneventful for us.  Lucy is certainly no worse and we are grateful for that.  It's already spring downtown but is a bit slower up here on the mountain.  We've enjoyed  sunshine most of the week although it's a bit chilly for this time of year.  Unfortunately we are expecting rain over the weekend.

The bike ride "Assault on the Carolinas" will occur tomorrow, rain or no rain.  Limited to 1,000 bicycles, there are two rides, a 50K and a 100K.  Neither is for the faint of heart.  The 100K is 66 miles over hills and dales with an ascent of 3,700 feet.  It goes up the mountain, then  down to South Carolina and then up the mountain again.  The 50K has a 1.1-mile hill climb with as much as a 15% grade.  Traditionally, fans will line the highway in certain areas, ringing cowbells to cheer on the riders.  Both routes go past the gate to our community and both routes begin and end downtown.  Needless to say, we do not plan to be on the highway during that time if we can possibly avoid it.  Sharing the road with bicycles in the mountains is difficult enough.  Sharing with 1,000 bicycles is near impossible.  Even with rain in the forecast, lots of fans will stand by to cheer and welcome the riders at the various drink/rest spots.

Lucy is really looking rugged in spite of being groomed often.  She has become a rather shaggy dog and as she sheds her winter coat, we have lots of dog hair around.  But she doesn't seem to mind so neither will we.

Curled up and waiting for her maximum sunbeam.


Meanwhile...someone gave Violet an Easter Duck outfit.  And yes, it does remind one of Ralphie's bunny suit and she seems rather overwhelmed by it.  Yes, it quickly came off and was worn only briefly for the photograph.

I don't get it, Daddy.




This bright sunny day started out as bubble-chasing fun.  Then Violet discovered the shadow that copied every thing she did so it became more of a shadow game for a while.

Lift up your foot, shadow.  Just like me.


Because she celebrated a birthday this week, it is appropriate that the quote comes from one of the people I most admire, Jane Goodall.

"I think my message to the politicians who have within their power the ability to make change is this:  'Do you really not care about the future of your great-grandchildren?  Because if we let the world continue to be destroyed the way we are now, what's the world going to be like for your great-grandchildren?'"


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK, EVERYONE!
DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE PLANET
IT'S ONE EARTH, ONE PEOPLE

13 comments:

Nance said...

Love the Cool Kid picture of Violet in her sunglasses, dancing with bubbles. Kids and bubbles--what could be more lighthearted?

Busy Bee Suz said...

I'm SO happy you've had an uneventful week. I can't imagine the traffic that the bike ride would create-smart to stay home!
I had a nice giggle at Violet in the duck outfit; I think her face said it all. :)

Have a nice weekend at home. XO

Barbara Rogers said...

So happy that you had a good week...as well as your Lucy and Violet. Yes, the costume was for the joy given to the adults, not so much for Vi herself! Maybe in years to come! Have a great (tho wet) weekend!

Anonymous said...

Good to know you had sunshine in an uneventful week. Always love seeing Lucy and Violet. The Jane Goodall quote is sad and perfect for these times. Sigh.

Arkansas Patti said...

Interesting that a lot of us have reached the stage when uneventful is our goal. Lucy has mastered the art of relaxing in the sun. Too bad Violet didn't like the outfit, she is adorable in it. She has the prettiest eyes.

Goldendaze-Ginnie said...

Violet in her duck outfit is adorable but I agree that she's much more at ease chasing shadows. I love the Quote.

KB said...

I'm so glad that Lucy is holding steady. I think that she's looking really good. Who cares about dog fur? That's my attitude!

That sounds like quite a bike event. I'm sorry about the forecast though. That will ruin some of the fun for everyone.

Violet is quite simply adorable! Those eyes...

Vicki Lane said...

Pretty adorable, even in her hesitation about the duck garb. And dancing with shadows is the best!

We use a Furminator for grooming our dogs -- best done outside -- it really lifts of amazing amounts of undercoat.

The Bug said...

Oh my goodness - Violet in the duck outfit is too much! She is so adorable! And those bikers are insane. Just saying. :)

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Bikers can be a wild bunch and apparently dedicated ones will bike in any type of weather. Yes, the duck outfit made me think of Raplie in the bunny PJs and violet showed the same lack of enthusiasm as he did. Chasing bubbles and shadows on a sunny day is the best. Glad Lucy is also enjoying the sun.

troutbirder said...

Methinks in our "Golden Years" blessedly uneventful is often the very best. Though the arrival of one grandchildren is always very special...:)

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Nance - I think all of us remember the fun we had with bubbles.

Suz - Yes, her face shows who bewildered she was in the outfit.

Barbara - I'm sure that will become "one of those pictures" that they laugh about in years to come.

Robin - There are few people in the world whom I admire more than Jane Goodall. And unfortunately, her statement is far too accurate.

Patti - Strangers come up to my son and mention how lovely Violet's eyes are. I do like uneventful more and more.

Ginnie - She really had fun with the sun and shadows along with the bubbles.

KB - Actually, the rain stopped early in the morning and it was a better day than expected. And with Lucy spending her time on one floor now, we do indeed have a lot of dog hair.

Vicki - We also use the Furminator. We get so much dog hair each time we put it in a cage for the birds to gather for their nests. They love it.

Bug - Actually that bike ride is not the longest uphill climb. There is an assault on Mt. Mitchell that starts in SC and ends up at the top of the tallest mountain in NC. It's 107 miles, mostly uphill.

Beatrice - You are right. We see bikers on the mountain roads in all sorts of weather. Most of them have plenty of the right gear.

Troutbirder - We are indeed happy with uneventful after the year we have had. And grandchildren are the best.

Lowcarb team member said...

So pleased to read that Lucy is no worse.
What gorgeous photographs of Violet.

All the best Jan