what a ruff day all around

what a ruff day all around

Today was not a banner day, but rather than whining I’m just gonna drop a photo that depicts how I’m feeling…

Dharma's mood is blah.

Tomorrow will be a better day!

I’m sure of it. 🙂

Today I Learned: The US government owns 80.1% of all the land in Nevada, 61.3% of all the land in Alaska, and 24.7% of all the land in the US.


what a difference one day makes — especially in Indiana

what a difference one day makes — especially in Indiana

I took a photo of the same landscape on two separate days in a row. Crazy how much the weather can change in such a short time.

foggy view over field in winter

I know Indiana isn’t the only place where you can get all 4 seasons in one week, but this state can hold its own when it comes to fickle weather conditions. It’s one weather alert after another around here. Now we’re under a dense fog advisory — difficult travel due to visibility.

She’s not sad, I promise.

I grabbed a photo of Dharma as she was laying on the wet deck… in the rain. She looks so very sad. But she wasn’t sad at all! This is her “for crying out loud would you leave me the heck alone” face:

Dharma looks so sad.

Dharma didn’t want to come inside the 73° house. She preferred to keep her heavy coat of hair outside where it was around 50° with drizzle. Merida was inside and the ole’ girl just wanted to be left alone out there where it was quiet and comfortable — comfortable to her anyway. 🙂

Now you know: In the 1950s and 60s, people could buy plastic screens to colorize their black & white TVs.


security camera overkill? how much is too much?

security camera overkill? how much is too much?

Security cameras that are prominently displayed can act as a visible deterrent to criminal activity. Potential thieves are less likely to target a property if they know they are being monitored and recorded. Agree so far?

If true, this place is like Fort Knox…

I don’t know what we’re guarding here — it’s not like the barndo is full of valuables. But the photo below shows only 6 of the 9 cameras on the lookout for would-be bad actors here…

6 of 8 cameras at the barndo

All cameras are activated by sound and movement, and all light up when either are detected. There are alarms on selected ones, and that’s not all!

Outdoor security monitoring even when it’s sub-zero outside!

Merida and Dharma on patrol

While security patrol isn’t constant or consistent (these are indoor hound dogs), they alert barndo occupants of anything suspicious outside… including birds, rabbits, fox, and more.

While no security system is foolproof, I figure the comprehensive security strategy implemented here is decent.

Is your home protected by security cameras?

We have 2 separate systems and both work great. If you’re looking to up your security game, check out Wyze Cam and Zosi.

Now you know: Among all the civilian jobs in the US, workers spend on average more than 60% of their workday standing.


navigating life’s frosty moments by embracing the cozy

navigating life’s frosty moments by embracing the cozy

No blizzard or squalls here in the Ville, just light snow and frigid wind that will freeze your face off in about 10 seconds. It’s miserable. And it’s not even pretty… nothing special.

a little snow on a deck

Embracing the cozy…

Might as well make use of the downtime to snuggle on the couch with whichever hound makes it to the coveted spot at my feet first. It happened to be Merida this time around.

Merida napping on the couch

Time stuck inside looks different for everyone. My Momma is working on a puzzle, and Perry, Ben and I are playing video games. Ben’s a dwarf miner in his game, Perry is a fabulous baseball player, and I’ve been trying my hand at horticulture — strange horticulture.

Strange horticulture characters in video game

No one around here has been playing chess – and no axes have been used. 😉

Now you know: Chess games are banned at Russian Antarctic Stations because in 1959 one researcher attacked another with an axe out of anger after losing a game.

Week #3 of “52 weeks of the hound.”

Dharma has this thing she loves — standing between the legs of anyone for butt scratches…

Dharma loves scratches


water hating lab is the one that needed a bath

water hating lab is the one that needed a bath

Black, water hating lab, Merida, has been scratching because the winter air and inside heat is drying out her skin. My experience is that an oatmeal bath with coconut oil applied afterward gives her immediate relief. I wrestle her into the bathroom and shut the door.

Dharma is butt hurt and wants the entire county to know it.

As I’m doing my best to wrangle Merida in the tub, Dharma is barking at the door. Unlike Merida, she loves water and was feeling unloved and left out. Even though a break between dogs would’ve been nice (I’m covered in water myself by the time I’m finished with dog #1), big brown has zero patience when it comes to water.

Dharma loves a bath.

After an exasperating, water drenching experience, both dogs were bathed but not dried… and it’s barely daylight. AND they want outside where it’s cold so they can probably roll their round, freshly scrubbed bodies in the mud. Of course, I still have a bathtub to clean and a floor to mop before doing a load of towels.

I’m not sure who was more worn out by the time it was over… Merida or me.

Bath time makes Merida sleepy

After body blocking Merida to prevent escape while trying to rinse off shampoo, and lifting Dharma out of the tub because she’s afraid she’ll slip, I’m positive it would just be simpler if I had a couple teacup foo foo dogs. 🙄

Now you know: The only state in the U.S. that requires shoes while driving is Alabama — and that’s only for motorcycle riders.