I've learned some new things this week. Things that are easily forgotten after living in Florida for 30 years. I've learned that one must allow at least 10 minutes in the morning for the car to defrost - unless one is ingenious enough to think of using a plastic putty knife to scrape the frost off of the windows (which by the way works extremely well). I've learned that horses that sleep standing up outside in the pasture (yes we have a barn, but they choose to stay outside) will have a layer of snow on their backs in the morning and it doesn't even phase them. I've learned that a puppy (or a grown dog) will not have to go outside to do their business until well after dark when the cold wind is blowing and the temperature has dropped to 25 degrees or less.

Speaking of the puppies . . . it's been a bittersweet week here at the creek. The puppies have weaned themselves! They no longer require or want bottle feeding every few hours. I was actually a little depressed at that idea until I realized that although they have become very independent in their own little way, they still enjoy snuggle time in the evenings - something both my hubby and I relish. Speaking of my hubby, I've learned to read him like a book! He got that "far away look" in his eyes the the other night during puppy snuggle time. I knew he was thinking of our old friend Buck and how much little Clyde's personality reminded him of Buck. So, being the sentimental old fool that I am, I asked him if he wanted a puppy for Christmas. He just grinned and proceeded to tell Clyde that he didn't think Clyde was a suitable name and has renamed him Buster. Now tell me, who has who wrapped around their little finger (or paw as the case may be)?



Our little lost beagle found a new home this week too. We think she may be in the family way, so we had decided to take her to the animal shelter. We didn't feel that we could handle the responsibility of litter of puppies in the dead of winter. Evidently the volunteer at the animal shelter has a soft spot for beagles, so she was going home with him. Whew! Now if we can just keep the neighborhood dogs from dropping off their stray friends on our doorstep . . . . .

Blessings from the creek ya'll!