Squalling
This is what the sky looked like on my drive to work this morning.
I thought about saving this photo for Saturday Sky, but it was too darn pretty to keep to myself. That peachy-golden light right on the horizon . . . the deep blue of the sky . . . that undertone of color on the clouds near the top . . . So pretty.
This is beautiful not only because, well, it just is beautiful, but also because not one hour later, we were in the middle of a snow squall.
Not that it lasted all that long, but it DID dust the parking lot at work with some snow. You know, which was completely gone about another hour after that.
I was so excited, though, that I ran outside with my camera to try to take a decent “snow” picture for you. But, well, when you have about 1/16″ of the white stuff, it’s kind of tricky.
And–look at the sky reflected in my car window. It looks pretty dramatic, too, huh? But you can see the actual cloud, surrounded by lots of clear sky. Frankly, the fact that that cloud summoned up any snow at all, I think is pretty impressive.
So, today was Dad’s actual birthday. Unfortunately, it was too cold for him to golf (though he’s going golfing tomorrow), but he says he had a good day anyway. He got a bunch of phone calls, some cards in the mail. He even got flowers. These are from the same pair that gave me balloons for my birthday in November. (I asked, if they gave me balloons, and Dad flowers, whatever will they do for Mom’s birthday next month??)
He even got some popcorn–he came into the kitchen when I was finishing my lunch, and started to open the cake box, with the last piece of his birthday cake, but I told him no, because Mom and I had plans for that after supper. He looked so disappointed, and so untempted by any of the other snacking options, I offered to make him popcorn. This is a rare treat because we don’t do microwave popcorn–we (meaning I) only make “real” popcorn–in a pot on the stove, served with real butter on top. His little face just lit right up! So yes–I spent part of my lunch break shaking the pot on the stove. (So worth it.)
Dad also got to spend lots of time with his buddy, Chappy. Not only did Chappy happily keep him company (especially when he was eating that popcorn) but . . . and this is a cute story. I think I’ve mentioned before that Chappy waits for permission before eating food we’ve put down for him–and he WILL wait, but the longer we make him wait the more clenched, desperate, and pathetic he looks. You know the look a little kid gets when he’s trying really hard to sit still, or wait to dive into a pile of presents with his name on it? Well, that’s the look Chappy gets when he’s got food right in front of him.
Well, Dad was running out on an errand and grabbed a cookie on his way out, dropping a piece on the rug for Chappy. He says he told Chappy “Okay,” but either Chappy didn’t hear him, or didn’t believe him, or something. Because my Mom walked into the kitchen a little later . . . we’re not sure of the time lag, a couple seconds? a minute? . . . and Chappy was STILL sitting there, drooling onto the floor, and he looked back over his shoulder . . . “Grandma? Pleeeeeeaaaaaaasssssssseeee???” Of COURSE she immediately told him “Okay,” but . . . oh, my poor little, well-behaved dog! I really wonder how long he would have sat there before he decided we weren’t coming back immediately and it was safe to grab the cookie . . .
Hey, did you know my 2-year blogging anniversary is coming up in a few days? I technically signed up while at the office, so my first entry is REALLY short. Not surprisingly, it had absolutely no comments, either. My second entry had three comments–one from an e-friend (the one who got me hooked on Dorothy Dunnett) and the other two from women I’ve never heard from since . . . I can’t imagine why. I was so fascinating! (grin) I think Nancy is the only commenter from entry #3 who still reads . . .
Anyway, I thought about maybe having some kind of contest/prize or something related to my blogiversary . . . any suggestions? I could just go for a random drawing on comments that day, or I could ask a question like, “Why do you bother coming to read my blog?” (bigger grin). Or . . . what? Thoughts?
(And yes, I know, in journalism, that’s burying the lead . . . raise your hand if you read this far!)
Neighbor update: They still don’t know what’s wrong, but she’s home again as of about 5:00 tonight. She has doctor’s appointments next week and is forbidden to drive until then (because, you know, passing out while driving is a bad thing). Fingers crossed that they figure out what’s wrong SOON. Thank you for all your good wishes! For my mom’s mouth and my dad’s birthday, too. Really, you guys are the best readers….
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House Calls
glad your dad had a good birthday — I love real popcorn too!
also glad to hear that the neighbor is home — that’s good!
Ging gets the same “pleeeeeease” look on her face waiting for me to release her to eat, so I can totally visualize Chappy doing it. Hee.
early blog posts are so cute!
My whole blog goal this year is not to miss my blogiversary. The first two passed me by and I didn’t realize it until a month later. Obviously, you’re more observant.
OK – it took me 3 tried to correctly put in the anti-spam code. Think I need new glasses?
My cats could learn a LOT from Chappy. Charlie mostly sits up very tall and waits politely for handouts, except if he’s hungry. Then, there is NO protecting your meal. Tim, on the other hand, cannot manage even that much…
And my dogs know that if it hits the floor, it’s theirs!
Happy birthday to your Dad! I read your blog because it is entertaining–but wait DH says I am easily entertained. And you like my PUPPY photos. My mutts just fight over any food that makes it outside to them.
That sounds like a pretty fantastic birthday (aside from not getting to golf). I’m so glad your dad had a great day!
Congrats on the upcoming anniversary!
Hmm, Congrats on your Blogiversary coming up! You remembered to tell Dad that I wished him a Happy Birthday right? Max did too with lots of kisses, but since I’m not sure if your Dad would like the kisses I told Max that lots of wags would do.
Hmm, I started reading your blog when we signed up for the Fiddlesticks Knit along. You finished yours, and I didn’t, but I did have some serious canine help in that decision.
After 2 starts were foiled by a 90lb dog I decided it was fate. The yarn went to another but very deserving reipient. 
And I kept reading because, well, I like you!
I hope your Mom is feeling better. I’ve had surgeries on my gums before and it is seriously no fun.
Give Chappy extra snuggles from me!
So, what did you do with the b’day cake that you couldn’t let Dad eat it? Huh? I’m dying from the suspense.
I like ‘real’ popcorn, too – so much so that I received one of those fancy popcorn popper thingys for the stove for Christmas a few years back…
Beautiful sky! We got snow yesterday, also. It made me very, very happy!
)
Happy Blogiversary! Very good job training Chappy – makes for a dog people want to be around. Cami won’t touch her food until she gets the OK (and usually looks at me with those big browns asking “sure? are you sure?”), but any found food is manna from heaven and gone in a heartbeat. She is pure lab!
Love those winter skies – maybe you’ll get more snow next time.
poor chappy. sounds like he was desperate for that cookie.
i like stove-popped popcorn, but with the kids, it’s much easier to let them do it in the microwave. while they are 12 & 14, the thought of them working with that hot oil gives me the heebie jeebies.
Early blog posts are definitely different. Amazing how fast two years blows by isn’t it? I switched to stove top popcorn this weekend while mom was hogging the convection/microwave with a turkey breast. It is far superior to micro popcorn and really not that much of a bother. I might just stick with it.
Chappy is really an amazing dog. How very disciplined of him to simply stare at the cookie bit until given permission.
Thanks for sharing your beautious weather! My dog would never have waited. She’s good, but if it’s on the floor, it’s hers! i know you’ll post on your bloggiversary! The early days seems so strange compared to now huh?
My 2nd blog birthday is coming up next week. I’m still amazed time has gone so fast. I’m glad your dad had a good birthday.
No clue about for any contest ideas for you – sorry!
I’ll keep your neighbor in my prayers – I hope she gets better soon and they figure out what’s wrong with her.
That is one gorgeous sky.
Happy Belated Birthday to your Dad! My Dad’s birthday is today, and he’s going from one decade to another too.