Sassy Says

Education can't make us all leaders--
but it can teach us which leaders to follow.

Buddy says,

HAPPY HOWL-WEEN

Buddy Remembers Kilroy

According to Wikipedia, during World War II, the saying "Kilroy Was Here!" appears to have originated through United States servicemen, who would draw the doodle and the text "Kilroy Was Here" on the walls or elsewhere they were stationed, encamped, or visited.

Eventually the saying, and the cartoon character that often accompanied it, came to represent America's worldwide presence.

Today, it remains a whimsical symbol of the momentous achievements made by an entire generation of Americans during the 20th century's darkest hour.

Wordless Wednesday

Kalaloch Beach

Olympic National Park, WA

2006

Marshall Seese Retires

Unless you are a fan of The Weather Channel, you probably don't know Marshall Seese. Marshall has been with the TWC for over 20 years and co-hosts the popular morning program Your Weather Today with Heather Tesch, Monday-Friday from 7-10 a.m.

This is Marshall's last week at TWC, as he is retiring.

Marshall is the epitome of a professional and has been an important part of the growth and success of The Weather Channel. His replacement has not been announced.

I'll miss waking up with Marshall each morning...chuckle.

Walasi-Yi on the AT

This is the only section of the Appalachian Trail that is covered.

http://www.mountaincrossings.com/index.asp?PageAction=COMPANY

Beautiful Sunset

http://www.brasstownvalley.com/

I can only think of one other place I would rather be this evening, than right here in the beautiful north Georgia mountains...

http://www.talkeetnaair.com/webcam/index.html

Buddy Recommends

There's a great story in the Fairbanks' NewsMiner about a little girl with autism who recently received a service dog.

http://newsminer.com/news/2008/oct/26/service-dog-changes-life-fairbanks-girl-autism/

Sunday is for Family

Grandma (right) 1918

Baltimore, MD

Great Book

I just completed the latest book by one of my favorite authors, Jon Katz. Despite his name, Jon is all about DOGS!!! He understands and respects dogs in his own unique manner.

"In his previous books, New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz introduced us to the delightful menagerie at Bedlam Farm, including Izzy, the unforgettable border collie rescue. Now, in Izzy & Lenore, Katz delves deeper into his connection with the beautiful, once-abandoned dog, learning yet again about the unexpected places animals can take us. Affectionate and intuitive, Izzy is unlike any dog Katz has encountered, and the two undertake a journey Katz could not have imagined without the arrival of a new companion: a spirited, bright-eyed black Labrador puppy named Lenore.As trained hospice volunteers visiting homes and nursing facilities in upstate New York, Katz and Izzy bring comfort and canine companionship to people who most need it. An eighty-year-old Alzheimer’s patient smiles for the first time in months when she feels Izzy’s soft fur. A retired logger joyfully remembers his own beloved dog when he sees Izzy. As Izzy bonds with patients and Katz focuses on their families, the author begins to come to terms with his own life, discovering dark realities he has never confronted. Meanwhile, Lenore–quickly dubbed the Hound of Love–arrives at Bedlam. Her genial personality and boundless capacity for affection steer Katz out of the shadows, rekindle his love of working with dogs, and restore his connection to the farm and the animals and people around him.Humorous and deeply moving, Izzy & Lenore is a story of a man confronting his past, embracing the blessings of his current life, and rediscovering the meaning of friendship, family, and faith. Katz shares an uplifting tale of love, compassion, and the rich and complex relationships between dogs and their humans." (Amazon)

Visit Jon's Bedlam Farm Journal: http://blog.bedlamfarm.com/

GO DAWGS!!!!

Blackout at the Brickyard

The rain didn't dampen the spirits or efforts of the North Hall Trojans as they defeated Chestatee 55-24, in a blackout at the Brickyard.

Mei Lan

Panda Cam has been showing Mei Lan this afternoon. She is Lun Lun"s and Yang Yang's first cub, born Sept. 2006. She is beautiful and fun to watch, when she's awake.

http://www.zooatlanta.org/animals_panda_cam.php4

Friday Morning in Fairbanks

http://newsminer.com/arcticcam/

Sassy Says

"To err is human, to forgive, canine."

Jenkins High School Class of 1971

My long-lost friend, Connie, and I had a private high school reunion for 2 at my house this week. My jaws are sore from talking so much and with all the excitement, I've developed 3 huge fever blisters on my lip. I thought salt and lime prevented those nasty things.

It was great reminiscing and catching up on the past 37 years. Connie is a cancer survivor (YAY!!), works at SCAD, has been married 33 years, and she and Mike raised 3 wonderful children. I was fortunate to be with her Tuesday when she found out that a granddaughter (Chandler Rae) will join this loving family in March.

After hee-hawing over our yearbook, we decided we went to school with some funny looking people, including ourselves. We need to get together again soon while we can still remember... "anything"....

Love ya, Girlfriend!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Yukon River

1996

Ab Lounger Works Well...

As a luggage holder for house guests...

Welcome, Connie

Smile

Zack reminds us that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile...

Sunday is for Family

Mother, Lady Dog, Grandma, Uncle Carson

Ft. Lauderdale 1933

Weekends are for Football

North Hall Trojans had a big win over Pickens County at the Brickyard Friday night; 48-0. This win moves the Trojans to first place in the sub-region.

Ring that bell, Sista S!!!!!

GO DAWGS!!!

Sassy Says

"When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long."

Denali the Magnificent

I snipped this live shot from Talkeetna Air Taxi's webcam. The mountain on the left is Mt. Foraker (17,400 feet/1300 m), middle is Mt. Hunter (13,965 feet/4,257 m), and of course, on the right, the Magnificent McKinley, or Denali as the locals refer to it, (20,320 feet /6,194 m).[

For live views:

http://www.talkeetnaair.com/webcam/index.html

And the Winner Is....

JOE THE PLUMBER

I only have one question: Are Joe the Plumber and Joe Six-Pack the same guy?

He sounds perfect for the job...He'll carry around 6-packs of beer, passing them out to all needy Americans. But more importantly, being trained as a plumber, he can deal with all the "crapola" in Washington.

That settles it. I'm voting for Joe!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod

Tonight, at 10:00, the Discovery Channel starts a series of programs spotlighting the Iditarod.


Check it out: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/iditarod/iditarod.html

Buddy in the Newspaper

Several months ago the ajc http://www.ajc.com/ asked readers to submit pictures of Labradors. I sent in a favorite picture of Buddy and never thought about it again. I was checking my regular sites this evening and guess who is on the front page?

Signs of Fall

Congratulations

Mr. and Mrs. DeJong

Our beautiful, intelligent, and poised niece and her handsome fiance' were married Saturday, October 11.
I've never seen a more "radiant" couple. We wish them both much love and happiness.
Welcome to the family.

Dog Fight

The Georgia Bulldogs are in Athens for the annual dog fight with the Tennessee Volunteers, whose mascot is a bluetick hound named Smokey.



According to the UT Traditions website:


"The official mascot is Smokey, a rather pleasant blue tick coonhound that has been on the job since 1953. After a student poll revealed a desire to select a live mascot for the University of Tennessee, the UT Pep Club held a contest in 1953 to select a coon hound, a native breed of the state.
Announcements of the contest in local newspapers read, "This can't be an ordinary hound. He must be a 'Houn' Dawg' in the best sense of the word." The late Rev. W.C. Brooks entered his prize-winning blue tick coon hound, Smokey, in the contest. At halftime of the Mississippi State game, the dogs were lined up on the old cheerleaders' ramp at Neyland Stadium. Each dog was introduced and the student body cheered for their favorite. Smokey was the last hound introduced. When his name was called out, he barked.
The students cheered and Smokey threw his head back and howled again. This kept going and soon the whole stadium was in a roar and UT had found its mascot. The dog is a native breed of Tennessee and a line of dog used for hunting raccoons. The present Smokey is the nineth in a line of such canines and is appropriately called Smokey IX. Rev. Brooks of Knoxville supplied UT with the canines until his death in 1986 when his wife Mildred Brooks and family friends took over the care-taking role."

GO DAWGS!!!!

Sassy Says

Sassy is an extremely opininated and verbose dog. I've decided to share her words of wisdom, from a dog's perspective, on Fridays. Please remember, the opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the management.

Sassy says,

"Some days you're the dog,

some days you're the hydrant."

A Year Ago

Take nothing but your memories...

Leave nothing but your footprints (pawprints)...

Oregon Coast

Happy Birthday, Honey

October Light

Tennis Balls

We don't play tennis, but we still go through plenty of tennis balls around here. Labs and tennis balls go together just like labs and water.
All 3 dogs love to chase balls, however, Sassy is the only true "retriever". She brings the ball right back, lays it at your feet, and immediately starts barking for you to throw it again. Buddy gets the ball and then wants you to chase him.



Zack also loves to chase the ball, but his motives are different.


Zack destroys tennis balls. He starts by pulling off the fuzzy cover, which usually gets stuck in his teeth in the process. He then chews on the ball until he pops a hole in it. It makes Sassy so mad, she gets in his face and barks.




Just a few of the dead tennis balls I have found in the dog exercise area.

If you have any old, flat tennis balls, we gladly accept donations.

Sunday is for Family

Traditionally in this country, Sunday has been a day for relaxing and spending time with your family.
I may not presently have a family, but I had 2 wonderful parents, a loving step-father, and grandparents, all who I loved and miss very much. Beginning today, I will post old family photos on Sunday.


(I realize I could have cropped the edges of this photo, but I wanted to retain the original, aged appearance).

My Parents, 1950

My parents met on a blind date in Savannah, my mother's hometown. My dad was from Erie and stationed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, just across the Savannah River. Mother always said it was "love at first sight" for her, but I think Daddy is the one who looks "smitten".

Friday Night Lights

I went to a great football game last night. North Hall defeated White County, 13-10, in an exciting game! The turnovers by both teams kept fans (at least 2 of us) on their feet.

But the MOST exciting moments of the game were provided by Senior Kicker Jake Dunn. As stated in the Gainesville Times:

"With less than five minutes remaining, Christmas sent out kicker Jake Dunn, who nailed the 23-yard game-winner.
It was Dunn's second field goal of the game, as the senior kicked a 46-yarder as time expired in the first half to give North Hall a 10-3 lead."

The kicker's mother had a great game too.

I would also like to congratulate White County's kicker, Mark Bardenwarper, who kicked a 22-yard field goal. When I taught Mark in 2nd grade he played football and challenged others to run races at recess everyday. I remember Mark as always being a good athlete and a great sport even at that early age.

Updated in the Times:http://gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/9519/


Here's a cool article concerning high school football above the Arctic Circle in Alaska:
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/oct/04/barrow-prepares-first-playoff-football-game-above-/

Snowy Friday Morning in Fairbanks

I snipped this from ArcticCam: http://newsminer.com/arcticcam/

Check it out throughout the fall and winter for some amazing weather.

In case you're interested, there are no "SNOW DAYS" for Alaska school children. The only time school is cancelled is if temps hit -50 or below. Can you imagine?

We have been there when the temp was -36, and no one seemed to notice.

This is the cabin we've rented several times during the Christmas holidays. What a treat! The folks who own the cabin go out on their snow machine, cut us a small tree, and provide us with a box of decorations.

For more info on the cabin and lodge:
http://www.atasteofalaska.com/

VP Debate Drinking Game

If you know me or have read my blog at all, you know that I rarely discuss 2 things: religion and politics. I received this email from a good friend today and it is too good not to share. (Thanks, Anna)

Subject: VP Debate Drinking Game

For those of you who might not be as SUPER excited about the VP Debate tonight, here is a suggestion. On Q100 this morning they introduced the “Debate Drinking Game”. Before the debate you make a list of likely phrases uttered by the candidates. When you hear those, you take a drink. It's that simple. This should make things much more interesting for those of you who need it to be. Some of you, I know, can be interested without a boost!

Below are some of the suggested phrases:


“The Great State of Alaska”
“Soccer Mom”
“Maverick”
“Shake Up Washington”
“The Good Ol’ Boys”
“reigning in”
“my opponent”

If Biden refers to Palin by honey, doll, sweetheart, etc..
“shore up”
“microcosm”
“recession”
If Biden goes over allotted time.

Have Fun!

Signs of Fall

I love to see and smell neatly stacked firewood in the garage...a sure sign that the days are getting shorter and cooler.

According to Wunderground Weather, the low at Turner's Corner hit 39 degrees at 6:00 this morning.

My post this morning was going to show an empty hummingbird feeder. Yesterday was the first day since April that I did not see a hummer. But sure enough, this morning I had a visitor, stopping by for some nourishment before continuing south.

Wordless Wednesday

D and "Lone Ranger"

1952