Police Help A Black Bear

A few weeks ago my father encountered a black bear while at a club be belongs to.  It is in an area that is many acres of undeveloped woods.  They both minded their own business.  The family joked about my father only having a staple gun in hand.  A staple gun would have been unless had he needed to defend himself.  Apparently, the bear was limping a bit and had very distinguishing physical characteristics.

Last night my parents called and were all excited because when they pulled out of their driveway, they were stopped by 2 state troopers who had their cars set in the 3 lane road stopping traffic (photo above is the exact location).  Crossing the road was the same bear.  It was 10-12 miles from the place my father saw it almost 2 weeks ago.  My parents were going on and on about it being the same bear and how it was possible as a bears territory is large, etc.  My father was so sure is was the same bear.  

So I wondered...isn't the fact that 2 state troopers were escorting a bear across a highway more interesting than the fact that it was the same bear?  How did the police know it was crossing at that time?  Hmmm?

I am inspired to go paint a bear.  I'll let you know how it comes out.  

Peter Carl Faberge 166th Birthday

gracie the greyhound dressed as a chicken in a faberge egg, a photo by martinichick on Flickr.

I found Martinichick's photo on Flickr.  It seems very appropriate for a sighthound lover like me to use to acknowledge the birthday of Peter Carl Faberge.  Plus, Gracie looks just like our Sweet Pea.  Peter Carl Faberge was born 166 years ago today.  Yes, Google keeps me well informed about important and not so important dates and anniversaries.

Faberge changed the way Russian Tzar's thought about jewelry.  His amazing work featured the highest quality craftsmanship and not necessarily lots of precious gems of high monetary value.  Lots of gemstones, to show off their monetary wealth, had been what the royals had previously desired.  This is a change someone like me who loves handcrafted art can appreciate...also, I will never have a royal's purse. 

These eggs always remind me of the 1970s craft kit I was given as a child.  It had a plastic egg, which was to be decoupaged, hinges attached so that the egg opened, metallic trim to glue on.  It was  thing of beauty when I was done.  I say that with much sarcasm.  It really was a huge gluey mess, with doors barely hanging on.  What fun!     

This site has an interesting historical summary of Faberge, the Russian Romanov's, and other tidbits of info:http://sxuhero.com/faberge/

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, a photo by Frums Glass Menagerie on Flickr.

I may be a lazy blogger (Yes, it has been months and months since I last posted), but never too lazy to make pie.

Coyote

Coyote Fall 2002, a photo by Frums Glass Menagerie on Flickr.

We heard coyotes yipping and howling to one another the other night. They sounded really close; maybe in our neighbors yard. While we are already mindful of never allowing our dogs into their fenced in yard alone, it was a good reminder to be ever vigilant in protecting our dogs. There have been way too many cats and small dogs snatched from their yards in this neighborhood. 

I found the above photo, which was taken about 9 years ago, from my kitchen window.  This coyote was eating wild pears that had fallen from that old tree.  Coyotes are nocturnal, so seeing them in the day is unusual for us. 

One of the blogs I visit frequently is all about a coyote named Charlie: http://www.dailycoyote.net/

Happy New Year 2012!

Pea card ornament 2011, a photo by Frums Glass Menagerie on Flickr.

Wishing everyone a very healthy and happy new year. 

I thought I'd sart this year with a few photos I did not post earlier: 

Our holiday card with the ornament I received from my Etsy Team Pets Jubilee gift exchange.  The sculptured poly clay ornament was custom made of Sweet Pea in her hat.  Sasha of the Etsy shop, SassySashadoxie sent it along with a lovely bone shaped italian greyhound Christmas stocking.  I suspect Sasha's human owner and slave had a lot to do with assembling this cherished gift.

The second photo shows Pea in her Max hat.  The Grinch would be honored to be the inspiration for such a cute hat...even before his heart grew.  Both hats are made by Diana of Etsy Shop StylinDogsBoutique.

More dogs in hats....My nephew's drawing from Thanksgiving.