Ithawca

How not to start your morning: slip on the ice outside while walking your dog and fall, then slide about 15 feet until you land in the remains of a snowdrift. In your pajamas.

That was how Queezle and I started our day, and though no injuries were sustained, I don't recommend it.

It is now a beautiful day in Ithaca - sunny, blue skies and 55 degrees! While exceedingly pleasant, the thaws and freezes that we've been having all week have made life on the hill a very slippery business.

Queezle and my midday walk led us to the park, along with several other people out enjoying the weather. Our outing wasn't to be a simple walk in the park though. Like everywhere else that doesn't get plowed, the park's well-packed trails have turned to ice, and in several places have also become little rivers for melting snow to head down to the creek. These conditions make it the perfect stage for an America's Funniest Home Video bloopers reel.

To get into the park, you have to go down a slope and around an old stone embankment, then up and over a ridge before you reach the level area that leads back to the waterfall. I opted to inch slowly down, picking where I put my feet and hoping the spots would hold (and shrieking and flailing my arms when they didn't). One man opted for the run-and-hope-you-make-it version, and did a 360 as he slid down! A young couple almost got to the top of the ridge, only to slide back down, and a girl came crawling up from the other side on her hands and knees, covered in snow.

Getting back out of the park was just as complicated, because the front of the park is largely blocked by the embankment, a cliff and an old foundation, with the icy entrance path as the only formal entrance. Queezle and I sort of half-climbed the embankment, grabbing onto the park bench on our way and then using the foundation for support. The young couple had parked in the lot up above, so they chose to climb over the foundation. Once clear of all that, it was a quick slide to the sidewalk and safety!

Watchdog at Work

In our apartment, the room that Queezle and I spend the most time in has two windows that face the apartment complex next door. Queezle has for the most part gotten used to people walking by our windows at all hours of the day and night, but for whatever reason, the guys who live in the apartment on the end like to make their phone calls outside. No problem right?

Wrong. Whenever one of them makes a call, he paces back and forth in front of his apartment, in full view of both my couch and the lounge chair, Queezle's two favorite spots. I can sympathize, as I myself am incapable of standing still while talking on the phone, but to Queezle, pacing is a very suspicious activity, especially where strangers are concerned. Watchdog that she is, she barks and/or growls to make sure that strange guy stays far away from her territory.

The guys probably aren't thrilled that my dog barks at them every time they try to make a phone call, but to her they look like they're planning an attack or have something wrong with them, and in either case she wants no part of it. For my part, I tell her to be quiet and consider myself lucky to have a 24-7, no-batteries-required security system.

What's out there Queezle?

Westminster!

Queezle and I have been watching Westminster (in lieu of studying... whoops), and while she is unimpressed, I am thrilled that the Scottish Deerhound, GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, went Best In Show! What a stunning bitch, and how cool for her to go BIS over some really top dogs.

This was also supposed to be her retirement weekend - talk about going out with a bang!

Flash's Anniversary

13 years ago, I was in Connecticut picking up my very own Corgi puppy. Flash is still going pretty strong, running around barking and eating every treat she can get her paws on. I love you Flash!

And a Happy Valentine's Day from Queezle, who does not agree that Flash is the best.