Early this morning there was some light snowfall, but then it turned to a drizzle.  Now it's just a drip, drip off of the eaves and any snow left in the tree branches.

Willie and I have been outside already this morning and then we worked on his leash skills.  That would also include his trainer's leash skills.  We're slowly making progress.  He still likes to chew on it but the lure of a treat gets his attention.

Today is football watching day and working on preparations for Thanksgiving in-between.   That includes a little cleaning, making the cranberry sauce and moving the big bird from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw.

I have added to my Christmas lights on the barn since one of the strings was out.  It's always a good idea to string the lights up early, before it gets really cold and there's too much snow out there.  

I'm one of those people who like the holiday lights early because it helps with the doom and gloom of time change and heading towards the winter solstice.  Too much darkness for me.  The lights help my mood whenever I look out my window and see them twinkling.

My friend Marianne is on her way to pick up her new border collie puppy, Bridie.  That is one lucky little dog.  I can't wait to see photos of her. 

Happy Sunday!

 The white stuff is here!  It's still snowing this morning and it's the heavy, wet variety.  There's not quite as much as in the two photos above, but enough.  Willie and I have been outside to clean off the satellite dishes so that we have TV and Internet.  He doesn't seemed to be concerned at all about the snow.  

While I was looking at old photos I came across these from Thanksgiving 2006. In 2006 we didn't have as much snow as this morning so the kids were making do with what there was to sled. I think there's about 4 inches today. 

Our neighbor's dog, Thompson, was a puppy and we took care of him while they were in Alabama to visit family.  He was a bit older than Willie is now, but they look very similar.  He and Mollie dog had a lot of fun playing with the kids in the snow.   

 

Willie Report:

Willie is settling in and we're getting to know each other.  He's quick to learn and he loves his crate which means he sleeps all night.  No more outside trips at 3:00 a.m.  House breaking is going well and even though there have been mishaps, the routine is now working which is pretty good after ten days of training. 

He still thinks he's a lap dog and loves to sit on our laps.  We're making a lot of progress with the soft bite on my wrist and he's pretty patient having his paws held and his nails clipped.  

A couple of days ago he was still terrified of the stairs to the basement but that fear has now been conquered.  Whenever he hears the door to the basement open, he's ready to go down there. 

We bought him a small dog bed for the living room and placed it right next to my chair.  It didn't take long for him to figure out that it was his spot.  Also right next to my feet.  He likes to sleep with his head or paw on my foot. 

The leash training is not going so well since he managed to chew the first one in half.  Hmm.  I have a new leash now and need to try again. 

I had my final checkup with my opthamologist on Wed. and the cataract surgery is healing well.  My next appointment will be with the optometrist in a month.  My vision without my glasses is good enough that I can read my music without wearing my glasses.  I did not expect that, but yay! 

I had read that the stores were running out of turkeys, etc. so after my appointment with the doc I went to buy mine on Wednesday.  There were turkeys in every store and I found exactly what I wanted.  

Daughter-in-law Julie will be baking the pies which is a relief for me.  The normal GF 1 to 1 flours for the pie crusts don't work because I can't have corn or rice flours/starch.  She's an excellant baker so I know she's up to the challenge.

We enjoy the food at Thanksgiving but most of all look forward to having family here for the holiday.   It will be time for watching football and playing board games or cards until late in the evening with lots of conversation around the table. 

There's a lot to be thankful for this year. 

 On Tuesday I finally had cataract surgery at Bonner General Health.  I am so glad it's over, especially since I had to cancel it twice due to other health issues.  Everything went very smoothly after checking in at 8:30 a.m.  I left the hospital around 11:15 and was back home by noon. 

For the next few days I have to wear an eye patch at night. I love it.  I've always wanted to be a pirate.  Arrrgh! Matey!  My vision has already improved and according to my doctor it should improve more each day.  

Our puppy drama is is also improving. We're getting to know each other and Willie is a sweet puppy.  Don't get me wrong, he's still a very active little guy but he also thinks he's a lap dog.  He spends a lot of time in Jon's lap.  I'm trying to picture this in 6 months.  

Willie likes his crate as it's a safe place for him.  The other safe place that he's discovered is underneath our dining room table.  Right in the center.  With all of the chairs in, it must seem similar to the crate for him.  That's where he takes his naps during the day. Those chair legs are also fun to chew on.  Hmm.

He already knows the words "good" and "no".  We're still working on "down".   He has learned to "sit" to get his treats. 

Willie also knows where his toys are in the basket by the chair.  He also thinks that sometimes it's okay to chew on socks, slippers, shoes and rugs.  At the moment he has a very short attention span so it's easy to distract him.  So far the old people are hanging in there and winning out over the youngster's antics.

Today is a special day. Veteran's Day. 

The Cougar Creek Band, along with Scotchman's Peak Wilderness Organization, marched for the past ten years with a float in the 4th of July parade in Clark Fork.  We always supported veterans.

There were a lot of veterans in our family, from those who served in WWI and my dad and Jon's father who both served in WWII.  

Jon and I had numerous uncles and cousins who also served in those wars and the Korean War.  

Jon is a Vietnam Veteran and I have always been proud of what he did for our country. 

We honor all of them today plus our nephew, Tanner Jon Champlin, who is currently serving with the Marines and was deployed for the withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

For the first time in twenty years, America is not at war.  I am thankful for that.

Thank you to veterans and also their families.  

Honor

Courage

Truth

Respect

Compassion

Commitment

Wilson Russell

Our trip to pick up our new puppy was uneventful.  We didn't encounter any snow, but there was a lot of pouring rain and wind.  

After meeting our puppy we decided that Sparky was not the right name.  On the drive home the entire family  weighed in via text on what his name should be.  We have finally settled on Wilson.  Wilson Russell Burkhart.  Willie, for short.  

Yes, our favorite quarterback had some influence on this, but that's not all.  One of my favorite movie soundtracks is from Castaway.  And then there was Wilson.

 He didn't mind being in his crate and slept most of the way home.   Then we had some great play time with him.  We managed to get through the night with only two trips outside.  

This morning we have already walked what we call our loop trail in the woods.  He's pretty border collie active, but that's to be expected.  Right now he's taking a nap.  Whew.

Jon is on this shift. 

It was a long day, but a good one.  We discussed our Thanksgiving plans with JP and family and it was good to see them even if it was only for a short time.

I can report that it's very cold and windy outside.  I think the snow might actually land here tonight.  

 November 6, 2017.  Brrr.  Cold.  Frosty. Winter.  Oh no!  Too soon!

As I was browsing through my photos this morning I ran across more pictures of Maggie and also of Thompson, Maggie's best friend and neighbor.  Thompson left us to cross the Rainbow Bridge last summer.  

They both spent hours with us on hikes and walks wherever we went.  He was the infamous "firewood stealing" dog.  Thompson was a very vocal dog and liked to talk to us whenever he stopped over here, but on his way back home he also liked to pick up a piece of firewood out of Jon's woodpile and pack it with him. 

I actually do have a photo of him with a piece of firewood in his mouth (firewood theft proof), but I couldn't find it for this post.

A couple of days ago I was talking with my friend Marianne Love about our border collies and how much they are a part of our lives.  Jon and I have been walking around these past few days missing Maggie so much.  She was involved with almost every minute of our lives.  

After we finished our conversation I decided to go online to look for a puppy.  Craigslist. Pets. Border Collies Puppies for Sale. 

 We will be welcoming Sparky to our family today.  

              

We are pretty sure that Maggie sent him to us. 

We will be going to pick him up today.   

We are hoping that we won't encounter any of this white stuff on our drive.

 I am so sad to tell you that Jon and I had to say goodbye to our Maggie on Monday.  What a wonderful dog she was and we miss her terribly.