The short month is not yet stormy

The weather remains reasonably acceptable.  It is winter after all.  Hovering at the 0 degree point, the days start with sun, cloud is present by noon and light remains in the western sky until the cocktail hour.  Without the cloud, it would be colder so balance is what it's all about.  Our Ken is staying busy - this week it is spring cleaning that occupies his thoughts - and that, of course, occupies the thoughts of all around him . . .  This may be in response to Lee's organization mode and the loss of his treasured painting shirt.  Stirring up dust is a sure way to begin Lee's allergy reaction. 

The kennel is easily managed in the winter.  On this day, an Airedale was repatriated as a result of the death of her owner.  She is four, is a lovely girl and will be found a new home in due course.  Until then, she is the new playmate for Sarah and Scarlett. 

Haircuts are the order of the day for Our Ken's Airedales.  Little Gabe is looking spiffy and is enjoying learning the ropes on the grooming table.  Charlotte is sporting a new look, as is Rocky.  The rest are in varying degrees of update, depending on their coat type and their enjoyment of the outdoors.  Dolly, the nose of the weather, spends her day shadowing Lee.  As the exterior doors open, Miss Dolly to tests the temperature with that nose and turns her back with a disgusted humph.  Her people are sadly lacking in their ability to warm the outside temperature, much to Dolly's disgust.  That gives license to putting herself in the line of sight of every activity in the house.  Falling over Dolly is on-going winter fun.  These days are a challenge for Piper.  With colder weather, there are additional Airedales in the house through the day.  Normally, that is Miss Piper's domain.  Her sleep is interrupted as she invokes her right to insert herself between Lee and any other sentient being.  She stumbles through early evening and tortures Lee to go to bed by 8 pm.  Of course, that means Lee must accompany her so she meets with some resistance.  Only when the insistence becomes too pitiful to bear does Lee succumb but that hour is pretty darned early.   

Dinner was pot roast - a perennial favourite of Our Ken.  Followed by Hagen Daz with Lee's warm brandied peaches, it was an acceptable winter meal. 

Winter has arrived

Winter had arrived and it is cold outside!  It has been an interesting few weeks - there is a reason smart animals hibernate.  The best news in recent days is that Phil the Pheasant has returned.  The missing male pheasant has given cause for concern since late fall.  Today he has surfaced - in good form and happily chowing down under the chestnut tree.  The Philomenas have been in attendance since late November but Phil has been MIA so his return is cause for celebration - heaven knows there has been little else to cheer about.  Lee in intent on decluttering.  Our Ken is concerned with the amount that is departing Regalridge and is finding his hours well filled as he turns to his raccoon side, diving headlong into the bags intended for the trash for evidence of treasure being wrongly disposed of.  The cracked bowl brings sighs of 'I was going to fix that' (there are 50 uncracked bowls resplendent in their completeness) and the discovery of a sheet fitting no bed for decades a mutter of 'that would make good cleaning rags'.  At the bottom of each bag is the 'Ken-stuff' requiring a concerted effort and deep insight to be unearthed and repatriated.  The sixth sense often prevails but on occasion, it actually makes it to the trash on Friday. 

The kennel is perking along.  Sarah has company in the person of Marilla's sister - Scarlett.  Marilla-like in every way, Scarlett is active, bright and ready for every adventure.  Given the age of these girls, it is apparent they will never 'grow up'.  June's crew have returned home, having learned new ways of viewing the world and all that it offers - much to June's continued amazement.  Morgan is quite certain that he is an Airedale and has new manners to prove that concept.  London approves.  Talea hasn't noticed yet. 

The house dogs are well and content to snooze winter away on the comfort of the dog beds in the warm den.  Patti is revitalized, is running in the yards (in short bursts) and eating well - particularly when her favourite additions are prominent among the kibble.  Jack is having a great winter, largely because of the addition of a large stuffed skate boarding toy that was received for Christmas.  This fellow has become his friend, his confidant and his muse.  A paw around his shoulders is standard but in sleeping moments and Jack holding the toy in his mouth (it is Jack size) greets the people of the house each morning.  Admiration of his friend is necessary prior to Sir Jack deigning to depart his crate.  He is occasionally to be found in Jack's water dish or food bowl - apparently when Jack is in the mood to share.  Undemanding, Jack has taken on his responsibility for his pal with alacrity, keeping in mind that
 this is the same Welsh who 'discovered' the joy of balls this past summer at the advanced age of 13.  Madonna is not the only one who can reinvent herself. 

Meals have been adequate.  For Superbowl Sunday there was a lovely bourbon based sauce to accompany the chicken wings and a Guyanese rum cake to assuage the pain of the house as the Giants prevailed.  Shepherd's pie has presented itself, much to Our Ken's enjoyment.  A lovely cheese bread from The Bread Bible appeared on the week end, has been well enjoyed and is perhaps the most time consuming and finicky loaf ever to have been produced.  Our Ken is uncomplainingly working his way through a batch of date squares.  And the news of the winter - the meat market across the road has stayed open this winter, is busy, well stocked and an outlet for Our Ken's wandering ways. 

January 2012 has departed

February has dawned and the longest month of winter is behind us, although little winter is in evidence so far.  A couple of cold days came and went, a couple of snow squalls came and went and the winter's ever-present ice is in evidence.  There was a very quick trip to Maine last week for a visit with Gary and also with Lee's brother.  Billy enjoyed the road miles logged.  A bicycle from Woodstock came home for a grandson and Our Ken is now in the business of checking all bikes he passes, muttering contentedly that his acquisition is of far better quality than the offerings locally.  Lee's brother has a high end bike business and was pleased to be able to provide a Norco mountain bike to meet the needs.  The trip did have its moments, however, and Our Ken had a miserable cold by the time the Regalridgemobile began its return journey.  And always one to share, the cold was passed to Lee by mid-week, resulting in two less than sprightly adults managing Regalridge this week.  Lee is working her way through a backlog of reading material (look out Dawn!) and Our Ken has memorized Mr Romney's statistics, ads and all else Republican as carried by CNN.  Piper is saying 'uncle' and very much looking forward to a return to a quiet den.  For a little added fun, new government regulations have dictated a new heating system for the kennel - no more wondering what the 2012 project will be. 

The kennel is relatively quiet.  Marilla's sister Annie-Scarlett is in residence until late March as her owner works in another area.  She has settled in to the routine and is making friends quickly, a personality similar to Marilla's.  June's crew landed last week and are having a whale of a time.  Morgan is a delightful Welsh, easy going and happy regardless of circumstances.  Talea the Norfolk is rolling through life, obviously hasn't missed a meal and is taking her kennel stint in stride.  London is in the house on crate rest, having pulled a hamstring to add a little activity to June's life on departure day - timing is everything.  She has improved greatly, is again weight bearing and looking forward to her owner's return to prove that being abandoned in her hour of need is OK with her - guilt anyone?

The house crew are enjoying this less than impressive winter weather.  The warm days and occasional light snow work for them, followed by long naps on the ever present dog beds in the den.  Our Ken is working through grooming sessions; shaggy Airedales return to the house in Airedale clothes.    Patti is managing admirably, moving easily through the house and looking after her yards in Patti-fashion.  Charlotte, sporting a polished look, is thriving, able in Charlotte-style to get the best bed (provided by Dawn and Jimmy) through occasional speed but more often manipulation of Machiavellian propensity.  Running to the window and barking with fervour never fails to bring reinforcements.  As the others bark and look expectantly, Miss Charlotte circles back to land on her bed of preference, recently given up by her friend who is now looking sheepish at having again fallen for the trick. 

Food has come and gone.  On the better days Lee has managed challah, a fabulous chocolate mousse and date squares.  A Guyanese cake is in the making (fortunately not time dependent) but other days have occasioned a Costco offering or soup.  It will be good to get back to a routine.