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thank you all for all your comments and prayers regarding my dear sweet presley. he is doing much better altho still walking like a drunk sailor. he has been diagnosed with canine ideopathic vestibular disease which basically is a neurological disorder in older dogs which makes it very difficult for them to ascertain the position of their body in relation to the earth. he was not able to stand on his own when we brought him home on saturday but is walking on his own now although weaving and spinning with an occasional fall or wipe out. in the above photo he is starting a clockwise spin which he simply can't control. our vet has nicknamed him mr. wobbles and it is most appropriate. if all goes well he will continue to improve over the next week or so altho he may always have the head tilt to the right. we are encouraged, overwhelmingly grateful and lavishing him with tons of love and attention!!


we had a dessert contest at work on friday and i entered grandma j's butterscoth pie along with the above tag. no ribbons for me but it was fun anyway!

as promised here is the revised birch grove cabin. i like this cabin much better. it is almost hidden in the background and is a nice little surprise when you discover it. just the way an autumn get-away should be!!


my 3 1/2 year old granddaughter jenna spent the night with us saturday and i introduced her to magic pencils (my watercolor pencil set). she was enthralled and i'm sure these will be one of her fave things to do at grandma julie's house on each visit!


and, finally, here is our mama mallard duck back in her little protected spot behind my asiatic lilies in the east flower bed. this is her second nest sitting this year. we leave her in complete peace and i think she enjoys the solitude, quiet and occasional drink of water when i water the flower bed. oh how i love living as one with nature . . . even if it is in the suburbs!!