Lady, It's Cold Outside.

 Things dogs don't understand when it's minus 6 degrees out.

Why do I have to be in the house when:

(1)  The garbage trucks are out.

(2) There are other dogs outside in the cold barking at the trucks

(3) Yes, there's $200 worth of dog toys in the house, but there's a stick in the yard! 

(4)  I need to go for a car ride to the Vet to see about my Cheese Deficiency.  You took Dad to the doctor for Third Degree Sideburns or something, and HE got a ride in the CAR. 

(5)  No one is barking at the birds - a Lessor Spotted Timberdoodle may show up and how will I alert you?  

(6) Squirrels are plotting world domination.

(7) Did I mention there are other dogs outside barking at the garbage trucks?

Trust the Experts:

Cold - with a Chance of Cold

I don't know where this first week of January went. My husband got sent out of state on a business trip just as we were hit with an Arctic blast.  The snow was only a couple of inches, but we had freezing rain on top of that, so the driveway/sidewalks were an ice rink. The photo above?  My kitchen window as the sun came up. The backyard is fenced, and though it was slippery, Sunny and I got some outdoor time with her favorite toy since walking wasn't safe. I wore a stylish white parka that I thought would make me look like a glamorous ski model but instead made me resemble a giant, walking marshmallow.  But it was warm.  

Just to give you an idea of what winter in Chicago usually looks like, here is our fully grown senior rescue  - Angel Abby Lab, plowing through the yard about 8 years ago.  

Brigid and Sunny

Waiting for the Ball to Drop

New Year's Eve at my In-Laws farmhouse.  They rescue/foster Schipperke dogs and usually have a half dozen at any given time, the very senior ones often staying as "foster failures."   Have a wonderful New Year, everyone - The Johnsons

Holidays with Geeks and Their Dog.

Each year, my husband and I exchange an assortment of gifts only a geek could love.  None expensive, all silly.  This year was no exception.  Whatever your New Year brings you, may it be filled with wonder (and a grin or two)

A mini catapult for the desk and a Corner Gas key fob.

Monday morning telework pants.

And an appropriate T-shirt to match.

If all else fails, load up on sugar and play a came of Smart Ass. 

For sharing at the next in-person meeting.

Please address me as MISTER Pooper Scooper.

Hand-made foragers bag.  

You can't fit the body in here, but it will hold a lot of mushrooms, herbs, or tool parts.  

Another hand-carved addition to the Secret Squirrel collection.

New bow ties - the Constitution and a circuit board. 

From the U.K. - this IS going to be hanging up in the bedroom. 

There always has to be a reference to The Dr. at Christmas. 

New hats - because Godzilla playing chess with a monk is more interesting than a Taylor Swift hat.

Burlington Railroad coffee mug.

Let's see someone take my sandwich from the work refrigerator NOW.

OK, we have to have some books.

Putting to bed that myth that men can't wrap gifts.  

Framed record album - Yellow Dog Blues.  Appropriate in our house.

We didn't forget Sunny. . .

Thanks for the couch Dad, hope you're enjoying reading in that tiny, hard chair. . .