wood duck bird house

three raccoons climbed this oak tree and murdered whatever wood ducks were living in this wood duck bird house in the back yard at daybreak this morning.

the dogs were inside and didn't notice. when they were let out soon thereafter, however, they ran right over to that oak tree and started sniffing around.

well that was quick

it took all of two weeks for my brother & his lovely bride to conceive my first niece or nephew. pretty freakin awesome, due next spring, they're all doing great, i hope it looks just like me!

in the meantime, thanks to an evil panda, i must recommend ciao bella gelato - especially key lime and graham cracker flavor - and you don't have to be incubating a human to enjoy it.

golden retriever so happy to see her dad

porter the puppy

my friend got an 8 week old german shorthaired pointer named porter. he's friendly and not afraid of the big dogs and very calm and snuggly for a dog that age, and his floppy ears are ridiculous.

bossing nacho around

Eli might have peed a little on Nacho

tres amigos, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

went to asheville this weekend, and here's the dog report card from the pet sitter nana shanna -

"My friends were so happy to see me! I got the best greeting ever! After we said our hellos, I put Holden on a leash & outside we went, flashlight & all. They piddled (I think Eli might have peed a little on Nacho, who got just a little too close...I wiped him off w/ wet paper towel just in case) & Nacho & Holden doodied. Eli was too busy getting me to play ball. So I gave Eli dinner while the boys got some loves. Gave fresh water & did one more potty-try outside. Eli finally went & they all sniffed around. I tucked them in with lots of loves and rubs before I left. Oh & we played a little "I'm gonna get you!" - So fun!"

dcuble ccupons

harris teeter rules.

when drinking beer, from time to time i especially enjoy highland brewing's oatmeal porter because it's smooth and dark and sweet and made in asheville. the local harris teeter here in charlotte doesn't carry it, though they do carry highland's gaelic ale which is also delicious.

yesterday i went to the customer service desk looking for a request card to fill out & the girl said to write my name, #, and what i want on this piece of paper and she'd put it in 'her' box. i just got a voicemail from harris teeter that my beer's ready to pick up at the service desk.

pretty good.

geese

these canada geese glided by this morning, under the surface their feet were furious, their honks were sloppy and guttural and flat

heron on the shore in a rainstorm

look! it's an animal besides a squished turtle or snake or spider!

through wine glass out window

indian summer here, not feeling the greatest, not calling it flu, may good health find you and slap you silly

halloween

halloween, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

halloween is easily my least favorite holiday of the year. i don't like the colors orange and black. i don't like spiders. i don't like being scared. i don't like deception and fakery. i don't like girls dressing up like sluts. i don't like high fructose corn syrup. i don't like cats. i don't like circus peanuts. i don't like when the leaves die and fall off the trees. i don't like razor blades in fun size snickers bars. i would like a friendly ghost in my life though.

across the way

across the way, originally uploaded by skippy haha.

nature preserve turning yellow and gold. right now it's being pounded with rain, but a couple days ago was glorious.