Tuesday, January 5, 2016

TUESDAY TRAVELS

Wow! I am so thirsty.

Can't figure out why.


Somewhere in Colorado.

Back in the day.

When my beard was still reddish-brown.

Monday, January 4, 2016

THE UGLIEST DOG IN THE WORLD

It's a Mexican hairless dog which we encountered on the beach in a village called La Manzanilla.


He was essentially hairless except for a few tufts here and there.

He seemed not to belong to anybody as he roamed and scavenged for food.

I learn upon checking The Great Google that these types of dogs are known by the rather regal name Xoloitzcuintle.

Contrary to his appearance the Mexican Hairless or Xolo, as it is more commonly known, is one of the oldest breeds in the world, dating back over 3,000 years.

And there's more:

Ancestors of the Aztec Indians brought hairless dogs called "Biche" (meaning naked) with them when they arrived in Mexico from Asia. The Aztecs enjoyed the hairless dogs as pets, but also found them useful as bed warmers, food and sacrificial offerings. The toasty warm body heat of the toy hairless dogs made them in demand as ancient hot-water bottles, relieving stomach pains and rheumatic joints, or simply for warming beds during cold nights. Extreme cold made for a "Three Dog Night." The breed's palliative qualities magnified until its "healing powers" became a cure-all. Clay figures and remains of these dogs, dating from 300 to 900 AD, have been found in burial sites, where dogs guided the souls to a happy afterlife and furnished nourishment until it was reached. The Xolo is native to Mexico and is widespread throughout South America. It is named after the ancient dog Xoloti. At the end of the nineteenth century, it became completely a companion dog. The warmth from these dogs is still enjoyed today, particularly by the elderly. The Xolo is no longer in danger of extinction and is not in danger due to lack of interest. The Xolo today is being acknowledged with increased interest for its companionship, loyalty, cleanliness and flexibility to do it all! They make great companions, show, agility, obedience, therapy and service dogs.

Here's what one looks like when it's well-cared for.


Quite a difference from that one on the beach, eh?

When we would go to the beach in the latter part of our days in Mexico, we would pass through the city of Colima.

We once went to a museum there and learned about what we called "the Colima dogs."

They were the toys of this breed and we learned that they were frequently raised as food by the indigenous tribes centuries back.

As for the clay figurines, they have been copied by modern generations and are sold widely to tourists.

As tourists, we acquired several.


Their fat little bodies make them cute (until they reach the barbecue pit!)

Some of them even dance to entertain.


The Colima Dogs adorn our bookcases today, conjuring memories of our happy days in Mexico.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

HEH-HEH-HEH

Gentle Readers, it's earworm time, courtesy of Miss Nina Simone, to mark the beginning of a new year.




You're welcome.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

CHIRP, CHIRP

The other night I didn't top off the bird bath/drinking fountain before I went to bed.

The next morning there was a fringe of very light icing on which an early morning visitor could perch to get his drink.


After I added water and the sun came up, I think he was happier.


I thought at first he was a Goldfinch, though he looks stockier than those I identified during the summer months and he doesn't appear to have as much yellow as the ones in my bird books.

This guy I spotted this morning most resembles a White-Crowned Sparrow, notable for the vertical black and white stripes atop his head, not very visible in my photo.


He's got big feet for the size of him, useful for perching.

As for the new banner photo, it seems like a good way to begin (seriously, now) a new collection of days, weeks and months.

It could be a view in a Mexican restaurant but it's actually another photo from Pappadeaux in Phoenix, a Cajun restaurant chain's house.

The last time I was there a guy in the next booth was sampling alligator for the first time. 

He enthusiastically told me it was delicious.

I may try it some time.

Friday, January 1, 2016

FRIDAY FUNNIES

OMG! It's 2016. And only 312 more days of fretting over who our next President will be!


Can you believe people are actually beginning to say it could be Donald Trump?


But there are other more serious things to consider on this first day of the new year.


And there's that threat to our national security. (Don't try to deal with it if you've been drinking.)


Some people say our protection is not what it used to be.


Of course we still have our K-9 cops.


And our technology-challenged senior citizens.


If you begin to feel over-stressed in the new year there is one other solution.


But enough worrying about the new year.

Here, kitty-kitty.


I hope the year ahead is wonderful for you . . healthy, prosperous, and above all - - - full of laughs!

Thursday, December 31, 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR THE BIRDIES

After reading my post about the ice in the birdbath the other day, SWMBO said "I think I can fix that."

She said her dad had rigged up a small light bulb underneath the basin in his wife's birdbath which kept the water warm enough that it didn't freeze.

So she found a small bulb and jammed it up inside the pedestal under the water dish with some aluminum* foil.

She added some duct tape to keep everything in place, ran the wire out the bottom of the pedestal, connected it to an extension cord which was connected to another extension cord which was plugged into an outdoor socket.

The Weather Gods tell me it got down to 15.8 degrees F. (-9 C.) here last night.

So I was mightily curious when I rose early this morning.

I couldn't tell from my window spy position until a bird finally showed up and took the first sip.

Not a bit of ice!

For the first time in days!

My early morning ice-chipping days are over!

SWMBO (and her dad) are brilliant and she is reigning triumphant today.

The birds seem as grateful as I am.

They've been swarming it for a couple of hours, having their morning drinks.



*Have you noticed some of the cooks on the Food Network saying they used some "tin" foil in a recipe. I think it's all aluminum these days.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

How we used to ring in the New Year.


How I ring in the New Year in more recent times.


Whichever it is for you, my Loyal Gentle Readers, may your New Year's Eve be a safe and happy one.