Toby’s Grumpy Christmas

Aaagh!!
What's the matter? I am so angry! I didn't get what I asked for this Christmas.
Wht did you ask for? Bitches and Ho Hos. Did you mean "ho's"?
No, "Ho Hos". I like frozen Ho Hos.
Then what are you doing with mom's stocking? I'm off to make her some homemade "coal".
But why? Well it's obvious Santa doesn't care about puppies, but maybe he'll listen if a human tells him something.

Toby is usually gentle with his toys. Geordie was the one who dealt with stress by destroying stuffed animals. At Christmas, Toby was so agitated by lack of exercise and being unable to poo that he destroyed his gifts as soon as he got them. (Then he went back to the tree looking for more.)

He was really upset when I had to finally take the tree down. I think he was hoping more gifts might appear.

(Sorry. Dopey mommy got tendonitis and is behind in her storytelling as a result.)

*************************

Dream Our World

Come see what my boys have been up to at the Museum of the Imagination as 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 at L Bowman Studios.

Creamed Cabbage

Hey jerk. Hey twerp.
You know how kale is just loose-leaf cabbage, and you can make creamed kale with it? Yeah.
So, if yoiu wanted you could make creamed head cabbage...even using one of those purple ones? I suppose.
Doesn't it seem dishonest that the results would come out all pink and lavender like a tasty confection? I mean, it's cabbage!
By the way, when is mommy's birthday again?

You’ve heard of putting sauerkraut in chocolate cake, haven’t you? Well….

****************************

Combat covid apathy by dressing your young person in a classic, silk necktie. It could be worn for a formal occasion, religious services or even to school for classes. It could also make a very smart accessory for a ring bearer or guest at the next wedding you attend.

Gold Silk Herringbone Tie and other fine gifts can be found in my shop at L Bowman Studios.

Toby Miranda

What's up with the hat, Carmen Miranda? It's not a hat. I just keep sticking my head in my bowl before the food falls in.

No matter how much training we do, Toby frequently ends up wearing his dinner. I imagine his groomer is mystified at the myriad of things stuck to his head.

Dog photobombs picture with dish and toy in background

Personally, I don’t see the problem.

*********************

Thankies, the Thank You Handkerchiefs, are a perfect way to tell someone just how much you appreciate them in a way that is longer lasting than a paper card.  Or, you can use them to clean your puppy's head after his dinner!

Thank You Handkerchiefs and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios. 

One Of These Things…

…is not like the others!

Ha! Now you won’t be able to get that stupid song out of your head all day.

**********************

So, how is the arm thing going? Acceptably. Over time I’ve found that if I sleep as close to sitting up as possible, I have less pain and paralysis. The catch is – as anyone who has ever had a head cold can tell you – you can’t really sleep sitting up. Perhaps if we could do as the astronauts do and sleep velcroed to a wall, life might be easier.

Whoever says sleeping sitting up is hard has never met me!

**********************

Having trouble putting your child to sleep? Perhaps the subliminal message of this Sleeping Teddy Bear and Hearts Quilt will help your little one to drift off to Dream Land. Whimsical quilt would also make a great lap blanket for someone you love. Keep a dear one warm and cozy this winter with the gift of a Handmade in America blanket.

Teddy Bears and Hearts Quilt, as well as other fine gifts, are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

Toby Comments on Thanksgiving Dinner

The strings in these string beans are so tough they're more like guy wires.
You know "guy wire" yet you still sometimes forget and poop in the house?

I do NOT poop in the house. Don’t listen to her.

**************************

While waiting for an appointment with a neurologist, I may have accidentally stumbled onto what’s been wrong with my arms and hands. Mind you I have described these symptoms to half a dozen doctors yet no one brought this up as a possibility.

In the mornings, I wake up with what I refer to as “Barbie arms”. They are paralyzed – frozen in one position. I can’t move my hands or bend my arms. It makes things difficult because I need to use eye drops as soon as I wake, but I can’t pick them up. Also, trying to use the bathroom is quite challenging. Sometimes my arms and hands hurt badly, sometimes not as much. My arms are weak so that I can’t hold them up unless I concentrate it. Last year I had to buy an electric jar opener (not can opener) because I could not grip a lid.

Each doctor I’ve talked to has thought this to be MS, but of all my symptoms, I thought this one was a bad match because the pain and paralysis depended on what I was doing.

Finally my pain started localizing on my upper arms. Out of curiosity I looked up that part of the arm and learned that the ulnar nerve is located there. Compression of this nerve can cause cubital tunnel syndrome – a very common relative of carpal tunnel syndrome. So why did no doctor recognize it? I’ve told everyone to the point where I’m sure they are sick of the sound of my voice.

I found some stretching exercises online that are supposed to help with this syndrome. I know that the root of my problem is related to sleeping position, and I don’t know how to fix that, but maybe these exercises can give me some of my life back.

Yet another thing to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!

Hope all of our Bitey World friends had a nice Thanksgiving too (even if it wasn’t technically Thanksgiving in your country)!

***********************

Dream Our World

The holidays are coming! Don’t forget to pick up a copy of Dream Our World for all those you love. Not only will it be a gift of love and laughter, but you can say that you know the author. (Toby and I can sign the copy, if you’d like.)

Dream Our World is available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

Snowman Aftermath

Ow, my back! Boys, bring me my pills!
What happened? She's too old to build a snowman. Owie owie owie owie!

Yeah, I’m too old to build a snowman.

Cairn terrier pup standing in snow.

I could have told you that.

So what are we grateful this Thanksgiving? Advil.

************************

Bear Paw Quilt

The weather might might be mild this week, but it will soon be cold again. Protect yourself against chilly evenings and rising fuel costs with this colorful, handcrafted Bear Paw Quilt. Bear Paw Quilt is large enough for a full sized bed but could also be used on a twin or as a throw for the couch. The geometric designs and earthy colors make it a perfect gift for the man in your life.

Bear Paw Quilt and many other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

Mommy Eats Worms

What happened? She was turned down for two jobs this week.

She says nobody loves her, and she's going to pretend that plate of spaghetti is worms. Should she really be eating if she's not working?

I earn my keep. You need to earn yours.

It’s funny that even with a worker shortage, I can still find plenty of places willing to say “no” to me.

*************************

Christmas is right around the corner! Make shopping for the men in you life easier by picking up hand knit merino wool sweaters for everyone on your list.

These sweaters and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

The Snowman

Look, it's snowing! I think I'll build the boys a snowman while they're sleeping.
They're going to be so surprised.
The next morning...
Hey guys, come see what I've done!
Yay, a pee man! If I give him my hat, can I bring him to life?

Yesterday was the first snow of the season. I took Toby outside to play, and we decided to build a snowman. As I rolled the snow across the ground, I picked up pee spot after pee spot after pee spot. When I was done, I had more pee than snow. Toby was thrilled and even kicked the dirty snow into my face. (Thanks, Toby.) It was one of the grossest experiences I’ve had.

After some of the pee melted off, we decided that the snowman looked like a despondent cat.

Cairn terrier pup standing in snow.

You didn’t like my pee snow? I don’t believe it.

***********************************

Bear Paw Quilt

Looking for a gift this holiday season? Consider giving the gift of warmth with this hand quilted Bear Paw Quilt! Heating costs are projected to be 28% higher this winter, so a nice, cozy quilt could help keep utility bills down. Plus, what is more fun than snuggling up together with someone you love on a cold, blustery evening?

This Bear Paw Quilt and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

Toby Makes Dinner

You're making dinner tonight? Sure am! What are we having?
Poo Helper. And mommy is OK with that? She said she's tire of cooking and whatever I make will be great.
Hey Toby, what's for dessert? Earth chocolate! Ooh, that sounds so natural and earth-friendly!
She has no idea what earth chocolate is, does she? And that's my problem, how?

Earth Chocolate

Cairn terrier puppy stuffs himself with all sorts of chocolate.
Toby! You're not eating dirt again, are you? Nooo....?

I went to the store the other day to find that the cost of a loaf of my bread has risen to $9.19. Needless to say, on top of everything else I have to prepare from scratch, I’m now baking my own bread as well.

Before you wax nostalgic about the tactile joys of kneading dough, I eat a rice-based diet. The less you handle it, the better. Baking bread with a non-glutinous grain is more of a series of science experiment than something you remember doing by your loving grandmother’s side.

If I could get Toby to do even part of the cooking, it would make life so much easier. Sadly, he just eats the ingredients.

Cook whatever you want, I’m taking a nap.

********************************

Dream Our World

If you’d like to see what else my boys have been up to, pick up a copy of Dream Our World. Inside the boys visit the museum of their dreams and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.

Dream Our World would make a great holiday present for someone you love without breaking your budget. Order a copy for everyone on your list!

Dream Our World and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.