This last weekend we visited Smith Island and had the most amazing experience. Blessed with perfect weather on this Easter weekend, we kayaked Tangier Sound, read on the water front porch, watched stunning sunsets, ate incredible food at the aptly named Inn of Silent Music and we visited the Pelicans. The Pelican nesting area, called a rookery, was populated by thousands of pelicans, some cormorants and a few sea gulls. Most amazing was the fact they allowed us to walk through their nesting area, staying just feet away from us. These incredible, prehistoric looking birds created hundreds of 18" round ground nests each filled with one, two or three eggs. As we quietly watched, some pelicans returned to sitting on their eggs while other seemed to be discussing whose nest was whose. Most were simply chillin'. I just kept thinking this is how it must feel to visit the Galapagos Islands. 

This hearty, wheat colored grass just may be the solution to the muddy back yard syndrome created when you have an active dog living in your household. However, while the individual  "plugs" take root,  the jury is still out. I am determined to get this mud thing under control before I go crazy. I wonder if there's a book out there called "Landscaping Your Back Yard for an Active Dog". Perhaps I should write it?

I've added a fun Widget to my website that allows you to scroll through to see a variety of dog breeds and learn a bit about each one. Want more information on one? Just click through to puppy finders and you'll get typical breed characteristics and a chart with the need to knows like size and weight. Any feedback is appreciated...

Ahhhh...sunshine!

I'm off this week and will miss all my furry friends but I'll be back  next Tuesday refreshed!  

Museums this week...DC/Hirschorn on Tuesday, Irvine Nature Center, Wednesday, NYC/Guggenheim, Thursday, and Ft. McHenry on Friday! Then we're taking a risk with the weather and visiting Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay for Easter weekend! Rain could make it a pretty quiet weekend, but that's all OK! Peace and quiet is a good thing...bring it on!

Rain Rain go away, come again another day!

P L E A S E!!!

 Do you remember Erma Bombeck? You probably won't if you were born after 1960.  She could spin a side splitting domestic tale about mundane household occurrences, something that never failed to surprise me because my mother had no sense of humor when it came to household cleanliness. I, on the other hand, have always owned my chaos, preferring a messy life...albeit a happy one. My mess may be well disguised, but don't expect much when you open a drawer or a closet!  My husband calls me "the stuffer". 

Recently a line has been crossed with the addition of our new family member, Hobbes. He is wonderful addition mind you, a springer spaniel with lots of heart. But I had forgotten what  a  dog going in and out of a yard muddied with April showers could produce. My husband says we could plant grass seed inside and it would grow because of all the mud. Yuck!  Spring is lots of wet weather. Actually, let me say that a different way; Spring is lots of mud. I have mud everywhere. Our dust is brown. Dusting just makes more dust and when I wet wipe, well...it's back to mud again. 

I briefly considered  giving up and paving the back yard but my gardening husband  is determined to "re landscape" for a dog friendly yard. Still, I think that means less grass and, shall we say, more terraced areas? Even our lariapes, pachysandra & hostas are smooched and dying. I guess the important thing to remember here is that there is joy...