Toby Goes to Walmart

Faith, Family Farts

It wasn’t me. The pumpkin tooted.

Totally unrelated to Toby’s tooting, I recently saw an ad for Windows 11 and thought I would read a little about it. Turns out that “older computers might not be compatible with the upgrade”. Oops, I guess you’ll just have to get a new computer. Hmmm, what genius came up with this idea? Electronics are about as rare as unicorns these days. Will new computers just float across the Pacific and land in our stores? With the cost of food and fuel skyrocketing, who has hundreds or thousands to shell out for a new computer?

In my neighborhood, you can’t find canned pumpkin. The only vegetable in the store freezers is broccoli. A neighbor is trying to get his lawn mower fixed, but he can’t due to a parts shortage. The last thing Americans need is to worry about a new computer. I’m more concerned about food…and toothpaste. (And kibble! – Toby)

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Want to get your Christmas shopping done before there is nothing left to buy? Then come visit my store at L Bowman Studios. There are gifts for the whole family – in stock – ready to buy!

Handmade cross stitched patchwork hearts acrylic coaster set.
Cross stitched afghan with roses and bows on it.
Teddy bear next to green and white layette set.
Handknit man's cardigan.
Madison House wall hanging sized quilt.
Butterfly Quilt
Peacock colored Star of Bethlehem quilt.
Handmade ASL/American Sign Language Quilt with stuffed monkey posing on top.
Bear Paw Quilt

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Toby Cooperates

As you can see, Toby makes taking a nice picture of him soooo easy.

No one told me my job was making your life easy.

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Full Length Black Cape with Red Lining will allow you to make a dramatic entrance anywhere. Whether you are going for a night on the town, a theme wedding, a theater production, Cosplay or a party, this cape is sure to make a bold statement.

This cape and many other fine gifts are available from my shop L Bowman Studios.

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Memory Bears

This week I spent time making Memory Bears from the shirts of a neighbor’s family member who passed away.

I tried to incorporate those things which made the shirts unique like embroidered patches and special tags. When possible, I use the shirt’s buttons as the bears’ eyes.

Fortunately I was almost done before a certain stinkymonster noticed what I was doing and wanted to play with the bears.

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Handknit man's cardigan.

If you are looking for a gift for that special man in your life, consider this classic tweed cardigan so you can show your love for him for years to come.

This cardigan and many other fine gifts are available in my shop.

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Troublesome Toys

I don’t see no stinking sock.

I have no idea how that got there.

It wasn’t us.

Blue puppy is to blame for the gloves on the floor.

Must have been a ghost.

Blue Puppy lies amid the trash can carnage.

Um…Achoo?

Toby’s toys have been busy getting into trouble while Toby remains an innocent little angel.

My toys are the bad actors, not me.

I would never steal anything

(and then trade it back to you for food).

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ASL Alien Hand Pillow with Galaxies

Tell someone you love them without saying a word! Too shy to tell that special someone how you feel? Then send them this playful Alien Hand Pillow that will tell them “I Love You” on your behalf.

Alien Hand Pillow and other great gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

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The Circle Closes

A day after Toby killed that chipmunk. we found the brother in the exact same spot. Either these two weren’t very good at being chipmunks, or this one was so despondent over losing his kin that he allowed the neighborhood kitty to send him to the other side.

Either way, I am hoping that the wires in my car will be safe for a little longer.

You should have let me catch that one too, mom.

I would a kil’t ‘im real good.

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Halloween will be here soon. Make sure to grab this dramatic satin-lined black cape to top off your costume. Not only thematic and beautiful, it can also keep you warm as you haunt the neighborhood…or a good party!

Black Cape with Red Lining is available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

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Chippendale (Warning: Mature Content)

What? Death is a mature subject!

While my Geordie was quite the hunter, Toby hasn’t really followed in his footsteps (paw prints?). That is what made his killing of this chipmunk so surprising. Toby was really proud of himself, and I guess part of me was as well…until I saw the chipmunk’s brother looking bereft at the feet of an angel statue nearby. Perhaps it was actually shock at having been nearly killed by a vicious animal, but I read sadness and loss in his body posture.

Yet, what a hypocrite I am. Those blasted little rotters did a number of my truck in previous years. They chewed up all the insulation under the hood and gnawed on my cables. I wished them all dead.

So what is the lesson from this encounter? I guess mostly that I am stupid and anthropomorphize vermin. Unless, perhaps, by not better supervising my pup, I have allowed him to create Mexican Joker Chipmunk…..

You think too much. I am a good killer!

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Cooler weather is just around the corner! Make your special young man is prepared for whatever comes with this stylish, handmade argyle sweater in merino wool. This Hand Knit Argyle Cardigan, and many other fine products, are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

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I Feel Weird

I feel weird. Yeah, me too.

Poor Bitey and Toby. It’s always the kids that suffer.

It is looking like what I thought was a simple case of osteoarthritis is either psoriatic or psoriatic + rheumatoid arthritis. Very suddenly I have lost nearly all the strength in my right hand. (Unfortunately I am a righty.)

For the time being, Bitey and Toby will have to be drawn with my left hand. As you can see, they don’t look quite how they usually do. I am also having the fun of learning to use a mouse with my left hand. Oh the joys that abound in Bitey Land!

Like Job, I am trying to be grateful for this most recent challenge. If you are a subscriber to bootstrapping philosophy in neuroanatomy (i.e. W.H. Calvin’s The Throwing Madonna) , potentially switching hands like this might help to unlock my crippling writers’ block. Of course, I still can’t draw, write or type anything I think up. Hmmm….

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Dream Our World

To find out what trouble my boys have been up to, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside they view the world of art from a canine perspective and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun!

Dream Our World is available from my shop.

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Twelfth Night

I am Sir Toby Belch! Do you think there will be more biscuits and ale? You don't know what belch means, do you?

Now is the twilight of the garden. The last of the veggies have been gathered and the plants uprooted. Tiny Toby has appointed himself my assistant in bringing the harvest down to a more manageable size.

After eating far too many green beans for such a small body, Toby whined for me to take him out. Fearing the potential consistency of such a bean-fueled accident, I rushed my boy outside. Under the watchful light of the moon, I was serenaded by the hindquarters of my puppy with the eternal refrain, “Toot, toot, toot”.

Ahh, the joys of a late summer’s night with a gassy terrier.

Terrier looking up at basket of green beans.

I will get those green beans.

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If you would like to spend even more time with my boys, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams and view the world of art from a canine perspective.

Dream Our World

Dream Our World is available through inter-library loan or at my shop!

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