You and Me Against the Squirrels

 

I heard the song "You and Me Against the World" on the oldies channel and with all due apologies to the songwriters for Helen Reddy, I could NOT resist.---

You and me against the squirrels,

sometimes it seems like you and me against the squirrels,

When they steal your treat and run away,

I can’t count on you to stay.

Remember that car ride for burgers in our town

How you were frightened by the clown

Wasn’t it nice to hear me say

next time we’ll go to Chick-Fil-a

You and me against the squirrels,

sometimes it seems like you and me against the squirrels,

And for all the times you tried you always knew

they’d just  grab the treats and hide

And when one of them is gone

there will be ten more to carry on

Remembering will have to do

of that one that got away, it’s true

Think about the days of trees and you

of you and me against the squirrels.

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful. . .

 If it's OK with you Mom I'm going to stay in here where it's warm with my big hamburger pillow while you finish shoveling the driveway.  If you give me an extra treat I won't tell Dad the HBO words I heard you muttering while you shoveled when he gets back from his trip.

Farewell to Night

One of my dearest friends, a retired professor of composition from an Illinois University, a poet, a novelist, and a "farm wife" and her husband lost their beloved dog Nightbird this week.  This photo was taken at their house when I last visited, Night in his favorite little corner to lay in and keep an eye on everyone who might drop something in the kitchen.

From Every Moment Holy by Douglas McKelvey

 "We are thankful for the many blessings 

 of knowing this your creature,

 and for the lingering imprint 

 of such a cherished presence in our lives. 

 We are grateful for these good memories of sweeter times."

Let it Snow

;

Wilder Days

I'm a fan of natural, organic skincare.  In my younger days, I'd just load up on whatever was on sale at the mall body goodies store.  As I got older and needed a little more care for my dry, sensitive skin, I looked into natural products specifically those made by small, family-run farms/ companies.  It helped my wallet, my skin wasn't itchy from all the lab experiment level ingredients, and I was getting carded into my late 40's, even better. (Now I get whistled at by nearsighted construction workers, but hey, I'll take it).

One of those companies that I found in Alaska years ago I always went to for some specialty products for the severe cold we can get up in the MidWest (as my relatives in Montana read this and go "WIMP!")

In the '90s Air Traffic Control Rick Wilder had a dream of forming a community of people driven to restore the fading concept of the multi-generational, family-owned, and operated small business.  Twenty years later, Taproot Farms was achieving that as true-life farmers prizing the land and being good stewards of the resources they have, using what is available locally to provide heat, water, and power for their community. 

This winter I went to make my order and could not find them - wait!  They've re-branded.  Taproot Farms is now Wilder Supply Company, still making great products as well as several new ones, including some essential oil-based serums which I've added to my unscemted goat milk body lotions with great results.  As always, they have a line of essential oils, goat milk soaps (the only soap I can use with eczema), and argan oils which are lifesavers for me, with eczema and really dry skin on my body and scalp (the argan oil is fantastic if you have dry. easily irritated skin and can be used on the hair, beard, body, or face)  They even have an Elderberry Herb kit for just $20 so you can make your own elderberry syrup during cold/flu season (the store-bought syrup is REALLY pricy). As I type this my home smells like the Hippie Dippie Essential Oil which is an orange patchouli fragrance, great quality for the price as unlike a lot of essential oils you find at the health food stores, they are not diluted with carrier oils and they are very affordable as well.  The Frankincense which is like "dope for dogs" during thunderstorms and fireworks (with the Vet's approval) and about the only thing that calms them is half the cost of what I'd been using before.

So go check them out or just stop in and say hello.  Shipping is easy and they've got plenty of supplies in stock.

• Wilder Supply Company

Click on their name above to go to their new website.

The Look of Labs

 

A Tale of a Tail

A Dog's Tail Is:

Mood Indicator
Rudder
Fan
Metronome
Perpetual Motion Machine
Tabletop Cleaner
Source of Amusement/Chew Toy
Alarm Clock When Used with the Dresser when Human Won't Wake Up

But Most Importantly:  A Dog's Tail Never Lies

Special Delivery

I think Lorelei Lab has mail-ordered a large poodle.