Winey Weekend

This was a weekend devoted to the grapes.....from planting to indulging, there was fun to had by all. Saturday started with the annual "planting" festivities at a friend's vineyards. This year we planted/re-planted a stock of Cabernet. Also learned how to "rub" the grapevines as a finishing task. Sunday was enjoying the art of wine from the other side-drinking! We attended the Spring Open House at beautiful Chateau Morrisette. This is ALWAYS a great time-nothing beats a little hometown Cabernet Franc! Ellie also enjoyed flirting with the Black Dogs themselves. Do yourself a favor and visit this winery-gorgeous land and awesome people await you.

Let the Games Begin!

Well, the time has arrived. After a few cocktails and some half-hearted promises, somehow I ended up at All-Star Lanes tonight to fill out the paperwork for the "Summer Friends League". Be warned...Team Gold Diggahs has entered the bowling arena. With an average handicap of 130, we are a true force to be reckoned with in the Valley. I had forgotten the pure joy of entering the world of 10-pins and cheap draft beer. The damage count tonight was 1 pinched sciatica, 1 strained coccyx, 1 hip mis-alignment, and 1 sacrificed beer (sorry, Dave!)
I have no doubts that the bar can only be raised next Wednesday night. Stay tuned for updates from Team Gold Diggahs ("I'm not saying we the..."). Tip for the night: It's all about the dots and arrows.

Lovin' Spring in VA

Thanks to our friend Mocha's dad, we found an awesome hiking trail at Carvins Cove yesterday. The best part is it's only minutes from my house! Ellie, Mocha, and Dugan had a big time (so did their humans). Good training for many more hikes to come........

Duck, It's Dick!

Vice President Dick Cheney threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington National's season opener today and received quite the welcome from the crowd. Normally I would advise "better stick to your day job", but.........

Power in Music

Beautiful new song from Pink and the Indigo Girls......check out the slide show that Rosie set to the tune......awesome.

Rantings From Camp Dittohead

This fool never ceases to amaze me. What is most bothersome about Rush Limbaugh, is the seemingly large group of mindless followers that he has, otherwise know as "dittoheads". While I respect the need for diverse groups in our society, this particular one is a stretch for me.
During one of his recent programs, Capt. Dittohead referred to the alleged victim of a rape by members of the Duke University lacrosse team as a "ho". You be the judge....

Fear the Turtle

Not sure what all of the hype was about the Men's NCAA Championship....if you wanted true, edge of your seat action, it was all in Boston tonight. The Lady Terps rallied an awesome 13 point comeback and extended the play action into OT before nailing a 78-75 win over Duke. It was basketball (not just women's basketball) at it's best. Shout out to both teams for fine performances!!

Happy Birthday, Ellie!

A BIG Birthday shoutout to Miss Ellie who is turning 3 today! (She accepts all donations that are peanut butter or rawhide in flavor).

"There's facts about dogs, and then there's opinions about them. The dogs have the facts, and the humans have the opinions. If you want the facts about the dog, always get them straight from the dog. If you want opinions, get them from humans."-- J. Allen Boone

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring -- it was peace. "-- Milan Kundera

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."-- Ben Williams

Congratulations, Miss Ellie!

Today was a big day for Ellie-she successfully completed the testing to become a certified Delta Pet Partner. This will allow her to make therapeutic visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. She is very excited and I am SO proud of her!!
Ellie also continues her Search and Rescue training (which means lots of hide and seek games in the woods....big fun for a lab gal like Ellie). She is actually already very good at it....it's her mom that needs more training. :)