Dear Ellen,
I decided to find a means to do a brief post while on this trip — otherwise I will keep waiting for enough time for a proper post and will never get one up at all. So here are a few photos and some minimalist comments to accompany.
Max hates squirrels. They have no place in our yard. Here he is diligently on guard for the squirrel who has had the audacity to make a nest in the tree growing next to our fence. Technically the nest is outside of our yard, but as the branches do emanate from our tree, he feels it is a violation of policy. When the squirrel comes out of the nest, Max barks ferociously and chases the squirrel along the fence till he/she (I have no idea which) leaves the area. 
If he/she does not leave the area, and instead chooses to chatter at Max from the fence corner post, Max will charge said corner post and nearly scale the upright to try to make it clear to the squirrel that this is totally unacceptable. As a result, Max will sprain his ankle and be required to wear 
fashionable leg wear in the form of sock and bandage to help provide support and compression. He also got to have ice compresses…and seemed to enjoy all the babying. This was just over a week ago and he is trotting around just fine now. Ruby pretty much slept through it all.
I have continued to enjoy knitting with the “Spinners with Altitude” group. Here’s a shot from the meeting two weeks ago at “Table Rock Llamas.” The lovely space in which we are seen knitting (okay, I’m not seen — I’m taking the picture) is the back room where there is some extra storage and where classes are held for dyeing, knitting and especially spinning. The problem with this group is that they are trying to tempt me into yet another craft by offering the claim that spinning is really just a “companion craft” to knitting — not to be considered a detriment to knitting time. 
I don’t know, but I must admit it truly is starting to tempt me. Flash (Anne’s new baby) is not tempted by spinning, but he does enjoy a comfortable sweater (Anne’s Enchanted Forest sweater). I have a feeling that Flash could be spun into a delightfully soft yarn and all that would be left would be a cute little bark.
We are all moved in now — my office is making progress. This photo is about a week old and there has been much improvement to include the stashing of the stash in “cube” shelving that I put into the closet. When I finish I will post photos of the completed effort to prove that my office/craft room was very neat and organized at least one moment in time.
The day before our birthday I had a surprise party and cake at work, the day of our birthday I was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by both NPR (coincidentally they sang “Happy Birthday” to their listeners to embellish a story about wacky copyright issues) and the Colorado Navy community at the annual picnic. There were two huge cakes at the picnic, one chocolate and one vanilla, and I was told I was expected to have a piece of each. (NPR did not provide birthday cake.) That evening Dale had a few friends over and we had red velvet cake that he baked himself. (He is truly mastering high altitude directions!) So, that made it a 4 cake birthday…guess there’s some good in turning 50 after all! I hope you had a wonderful day too!
Love, Jan
Jan and Ellen are identical twins who have always had an innate fashion sense. Crafting is an integral part of their lives and they stay stitched together sharing their love of knitting, family and community.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Wow!!! A five cake birthday!! Especially that one was a home made Red Velvet- is just Marvelous. (That happens to be MY Birthday cake of choice as well - I knew you and I got on so well for a reason
).
I must admit, that spinning bug is niggling at me as well. Rick says that I have to give up my counted cross stitch stuff if I am going to take up another hobby…. decisions decisions.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Happy birthday to both of you! Five cakes sounds about right
And as unhelpful as it is, I must say that I’m loving the spinning thing — and it means more yarn for knitting, never a bad thing. In fact, I’m about to facilitate a friend of mine who just turned 50, too, who has expressed a desire to spin. I figure she needs a spindle and some roving to start the year off right. Maybe you do, too? 
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Cheryl, when you come in September we may have to enable each other with a trip to Table Rock. They specialize in spinning. Jocelyn is not helping by offering further rationalization.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 am
I have my fingers stuck in my ears. I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you, all of you siren spinners!
By the way, my coolest birthday gift was my all edge brownie pan from Jenny. (Technically, it was the laptop cooler from Wilson.) And my warmest gift was that ball of quiviuk that my twin gave me. I wonder what her twin will give her?
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Oh, and your description of Flash, as well as Flash him/herself, is pretty darn cute.
July 27th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
31 bunnies………………WOW!!!
Love the donkey picture:)
August 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I’m glad Max is keeping the world Safe from Squirrels, just as Petey does with Chipmunks. Sometimes when there is a particularly fat and happy yard critter living the good life in our yard, I chastise Petey with a withering look and a disdainful, “And you call yourself a beagle…”
I expect the yard critters to at least be thin and worried-looking.