Dog Door

I am in Bakersfield, California, at the very VERY exclusive Super 8 motel.  Children are playing in the pool, with shouts and laughter.  I will be heading for Metro Galleries soon for the First Friday event.  If you are nearby, I will be there from 5 to 8 pm with some new work.  Before I change clothes I thought I would write a short little message to all of you, my dear blog readers. 

Pono the fuzzy dog now has a new dog door.  We have played "fetch" with the ball through the door, so that he is accustomed to going in and out the door.  He isn't quite ready to use it on his own, just yet.  He still comes to find me when he needs to go out.  But I am confident he will learn.  Just a few fun Pono and the door photos to share:

He might be my angel, but he's still a dog.

I started another painting in the new series yesterday, but I was too busy running around, getting ready to leave to photograph it for you. 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! 

Some Fun on Friday

Hot, humid days have made us hope for rain.  The rain fell on either side of us, but no rain here on the dusty dirt road.  Just enough thunder to make the dog retreat to the safety of the bathroom.  (Who thought the bathroom would be a safe place?)  I wish I could explain to Pono that thunder is not going to hurt.  I've tried.  He just curls into a little ball and shivers.  I am grateful for Rescue Remedy.  A little bit of that on a treat does seem to calm Pono down.  He's been afraid of thunder and other loud noises (fireworks, gunshots, bombing at the Marine Base in 29 Palms, etc.) ever since he was a puppy. 

I have been stretching linen this week, and I will have some photos to show you of the process next week.  But today is my birthday, so I only want to have a fun post.  Therefore, you get to see Pono and the hula hoop.  (for those of you who missed something similar on facebook.)

I am developing my technique for shooting a video WHILE hula hooping.  Multi-tasking at its finest.
One more.

Have a fantastic weekend, dear blog readers!

Ocean Fix

Got to go see the ocean this weekend.  Even though our walk was foggy and chilly, I could not resist taking off my shoes.  Toes in sand....so good.   I admit, they were a bit numb by the end of the walk, but I have no regrets.

I find that lately I am quite in love with the shorebirds.  They have long legs, long bills, and BOY can they move when a wave approaches.  Redheaded women with cameras also have the same effect.   Now that I have a fancy camera and a zoom lens, I can get shots I never could before.

I have been trying to identify these spotted birds with my National Audubon Field Guide to North American birds, but I am not certain what they really are.  Maybe one of my birder friends can tell me.  Anyone?  I am impressed at their yoga abilities. 

Our beloved Mr. Pono has been ill again with diarrhea.  He woke me up last night with a cold nose and a "HUFF" at midnight, at 1 am, at 2 am, and then again at 5 am.  So, we have just returned from the vet.  He has been given some medicine, but do say a little prayer that he will feel better, so that we have a happy dog once more.  (and, selfishly, so that I can get a good night's sleep.) 

Drumroll, Please...

Other bloggers have had their pets help them pick the winner for their giveaways, and since Matthias is out of town, I decided Pono could help me. So I wrote down all the names on a piece of paper, cut the paper into little pieces, and spread them out on the kitchen floor. This is what happened:



I guess it isn't really that interesting for dogs. At least, it isn't nearly as interesting as that itchy part of a leg that needs chewing on. So I sweetened the deal a little for mister Pono, by putting a tiny bit of peanut butter in the corner on each and every piece of paper. It worked!!! Pono picked a winner, and the winner is....
NANCY of Nancy Medina Art!!!!! Congratulations, Nancy! Please email your address to me at weenfish@gmail.com so I can mail your lizard to you. Thank you everyone who left a comment. And stay tuned. I may do another because that was so much fun!!!

Sorry I didn't post another video of Pono actually choosing the winner. I was having trouble directing and filming at the same time. I guess this film making stuff is not for me!