that it kisses them so gently?
till the summer comes again.'"
We recently received a fresh blanket of snow. A mere dusting compared to what many are dealing with, but still, cold is COLD.
My water wicking under armour & favorite fleece pull-over would be the call if I was going out in IT ~ but I'm not ~ so instead, I've chosen the warm hug of one of my favorite hand knit sweaters.
Soft and warm, and made by hand with love.
I'm referring to a growing army of men who are winding down with needles & yarn.
Seems that men have been clicking their knitting needles for centuries!
Some time ago, about 200 A.D., fishermen who were frustrated by only being able to catch one fish at a time on a single line, started forming loops with yarn and devised fishing nets!
Enter the 16th century, man invented machines that mastered millions of stitches per minute.
During World Wars I and II, American schoolboys were taught to knit squares to be sewn into blankets for troops.
Best selling author, Andre Dubus III, says that, knitting required me to focus and it allowed me to drift too, the way running a long distance required my feet and legs to do one thing while my mind could do another.
As a matter of fact, an art gallery owner, knit by hand the two beautiful sweaters that I've photographed for this post. Classic crew necks with deep ribbed edges ~ lovingly knit together using beautiful cranberry and oatmeal colored yarns ~ by my Uncle, Charles Adams.
"i started when i lived in the west village. i took knitting lessons from a woman who had a yarn shop on greenwich ave. it was 'diverse endeavors.' all i ever learned was a pattern for that raglan sleeve crew neck. she set me up with four sizes. i had the gallery on bleecker and wanted something to do with my hands while i sat in the gallery. I ended up not knitting in the gallery but reading and knitting in front of the tv at night instead of snacking. the fastest i ever did a sweater was once at the cabin when i did one in a weekend. i knit them in four pieces. the front, then the back, then the two sleeves at the same time on the same needle, then i would piece them together and add the neck. i would never knit for kids. they grew too fast. i've probably knitted less then 30 sweaters. sometimes i think about taking it up again but i can't remember how to cast on. love chas"
That was him ~ back in the 70's, knitting on the front porch of our family cabin near Santa Fe with his sweet boy Hugo. Also from the 70's, an interesting story about my first trip to NYC to visit Uncle Charles,When I was A Young Girl.
My mother is still trying to get past it!
Thanks again Uncle Charles for the warm hugs.
In case you haven't heard, our friends way down South are learning all about living with the white stuff ~ snow.
Along with snow plows, salted sidewalks, school closings, and worst of all, the dreaded ice.
Until they realize on day two that mom can't get the car out of the driveway! This means they can't get to the mall either…oh joy!
I swear, ice cream is the best but ice storms are the worst!
Downed trees mean downed power lines. Just when temps start to rise & ice begins to melt, icicles & thin sheets from siding and windows can fall and cut like glass! This means that even stepping outside the front door can be hazardous.
Speaking of going outdoors ~ remember your best friend and the title of this post ~ Happy Dogs During Winter. Snow can be fun for some of the more adventurous pets. Ice can be miserable & downright dangerous!
Good news though…unlike kids, keeping dogs happy in winter is easy.
Add a few simple, yet important steps to their daily routine, and they will still be your best friend come Spring.
Fresh water is a must at all times.
Pets are not able to get enough water from licking ice or eating snow.
Use durable plastic water & food bowls outdoors.
They will go to drink & yes, even doggy tongues can stick to metal.
Be aware if your pet starts to slow down or begins to limp.
Dogs walking in icy or snowy areas are prone to painful paws.
Ice can form on fur between their pads and salt and chemical de-icers will cause dry, chapped, and sometimes cracked paws. Ouch!!!
This will encourage them to lick - a lot!
Ingesting the salt & chemicals will cause severe stomach upset and dehydration & then you've got a much bigger problem!
Here's what worked best for Gracie.
We trained her so every time she came in from the snow she would gladly head towards a big clean towel and lay down in exchange for a treat. I would slowly & gently spray her feet using a spray bottle full of warm water.
Go slow & your pet won't freak out. Get each paw dripping wet, especially between toes and then towel dry.
Your pet will sincerely thank you!
Dog booties are great too & offer protection to those dogs that will tolerate wearing them.
Older arthritic friends deserve a bit more care.
Arthritis is worse during cold and damp weather. Take special care to handle your pet gently, and provide soft (and possibly heated) bedding.
One slip on ice can cause major problems for any animal, especially an arthritic one.
The obvious being injury, immediate pain and soreness after – it can also cause hesitancy to want to walk outside again to go poo!
Snow and ice tend to cover up scent markers which can leave your dog disoriented & circling for what seems like an eternity. Because our patio and yard usually turn into a skating rink, we created a sturdy path from the house out to her favorite "spot" using all our summer beach towels. At night we tossed the crispy towels into the dryer and then put them back out the next morning.
If you think for a minute that you may lose power and need to evacuate, make sure your animal has up to date tags and medications. Call hotels for reservations and know that not all are pet-friendly. Ask if no-pet policies could be waived in an emergency. If not, know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can care for your animals in an emergency.
So, I say to my Southern friends ~ keep the wood pile, pantry, fridge and bar well-stocked.
May you, your family & pets be safe & be happy!
Ending this snowy post on a somber note ~ we lost our beloved Shirley Temple Black today.
Wonderful Artists & Watercolor Apps.
Over the last few years, while writing this little blog of mine, I've come to know some incredibly talented artists. It's been a privilege to feature their work here, and I'm especially honored to call a few of them friends.
Oh my goodness they are such a talented bunch!
I also have come to know some "pretty" talented gals who know a thing or two about,"pretty" much everything!
Including the latest & greatest app called Waterlogue!
If you're socially connecting with others ~ then you've probably noticed a sudden abundance of watercolors gracing the pages of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram ~ welcome to the addictive world of Waterlogue!
With a quick upload from Apple ~ you'll suddenly find yourself water coloring your days away ~ it's very relaxing.
Upload a photo and with their assortment of virtual brushes & paints, you'll turn it into something Waterlogued.
Check out this beautiful photograph & Waterlogue by the oh, so, talented Linda Merrill at Surroundings!
Saw these on her Instagram & about fell over ~ I think they look fabulous displayed on this lovely settee!
This week I was also reading one of my favorite blogs written by the multi-talented & sometimes techy Slim Paley. She writes with great character & charm & she's always got her camera near by. Waterlogue for Slim was a no brainer!
Slim gives us all the details about Waterlogue, here.
All of the beautiful easels courtesy of 1st Dibs.
All of the beautiful artwork courtesy of some wonderfully talented friends & Waterlogue.
Show and share your Waterlogue watercolors using the hash-tag #WaterlogueWednesday!