I met this lovely lady Micky 5 years ago. The photo is of Micky in the Austrian Alps. And I have to say that this sweet lady is a life changer. This past weekend we made our trip to the jewelry store to show something for our  5  years together. One Diamond for each year. While we were there.... well we ordered the engagement ring also. Pictures to come in December after I ask her mom and dad for her hand. This will take place in Germany on December 1st. I am a happy happy man, one of our plans is to get married in Austria with her family there and bringing my 3 wonderful kids and my dad and his wife over for a traditional Bavarian/Austrian wedding. Lederhosen and all!! LOL
My daughter  Amanda will be joining us on our trip this Christmas to Mickys parents in Germany, she does not know that dear ole dad is going to pop the question. Going to be a wonderful vacation.
Micky's son Zack seemed to think it was agreeable to him. LOL Just have to say that this lady makes me feel very happy and that I am greatful to have her in my life.

The Hummers are keeping me so busy, I can't go anywhere for keeping The Feeders Full .

And two quick shots that I hope will make you laugh...

It used to be a soccer ball .....
Sleeping Symmetry

Hope you enjoy!  Thanks for lookin!

I was thinking about what gives me the most happyness in life, and aside from my faith, it has to be my family.  So, why am I not posting a picture of them?  My sister has threatened to take me to court if I put a picture of her on-line.  Little sisters, I tell ya!  (She was joking, of course, but I don't want to find out what she would do to me if I put a picture up.)  So, after ruling out that idea, I know that my dog gives me the greatest joy in life, like many of you.  He is always my friend, he doesn't hold grudges, doesn't tell secrets, and always loves me.  He's got a great personality and is loves people very much.  So, here's Mocha

After our odysseys in and around Burlington, Vermont, we met up with my parents and my sister and her family and headed off to the waterfront to catch a boat to "The island". This must be one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Here are some of the highlights:
My dog Sam getting some air
The cousins getting some air
All of the girls
The restored lighthouse keeper's house
The view from the lighthouse
The parking lot
My sister "borrowing" one of my lenses
I dare you!
Huge air
Light, water, and kids
Done
Mothers and daughters
Heading home - the end of a perfect day

Beautiful Male Boarder Collie Named Clancy

Beautiful Female Monarch With Open
 Wings

First of all, I spent the day with my sister and nieces and told them what the new challenge was.  They came up with the idea of showing you this, Mocha Suffering.  We got home from the mall and Lori put a milk bone on the floor in front of his kennel and then I took the picture.  We immediately let him out, and the next shot I got was only his tail.
My brother-in-law is a Body Shop Owner.  One of his hobbies is restoring old cars.  He had his VW that he restored sitting outside this morning so I took some shots of it.  This is The Bug.  It was a mess when he bought it, but it sure looks nice now.

Still too hot to go on an adventure, so took some shots at home.  I am watering my flowers twice a day because of the heat.  Found this Little Guy lounging in the shade of a caladium leaf.  Hope he enjoyed the shower he got before I noticed him!

Here's a Male Gold Finch checking out the buffet on the deck rail...  I swear there is sweat on his little beak!

And my boy Jake says, "Can we got back inside now?  These dog days are killin' me!"

Enjoy!  

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From the archives:

Pup Reflections Ghost Competition Flash12 Flash14

As on many farms, the farm we visited in Iowa had many pets.  When you are sitting around outside visiting the pets come around and visit also.  

Afternoon Drink
Want to Play Ball
What is This
Two Faces
I Want to Run with the Others
Watching the sunset with my humans

A selection of photos from the confines of my own backyard...

The clouds this evening were quite special, so I picked up the camera for the first time in a few weeks.

From that occasion (a few weeks back) we have the impressive flowers of the  Robyn Gordon. Young Oscar was happy to help with the photos.

And finally, a different perspective of some wind chimes.

I walk in the evenings and the dogs come of course.  Buster is amazing to watch, he runs thru the wheat and he'll jump up to see if he can find any little critters.  He gets pretty high sometimes.  I love to watch him.  Here are a couple shots of him in Action!

Flying high

How high can he get?

Sorry, more small shots.  

Enjoy!! Have an awesome weekend!!!  :o)

P.Wee

I would like to introduce you all to my wonderful westie Periwinkel! Also known as P.Wee, P.Dawg, Mr Winkel, P.Nut, Periwinkel-dinkel-doo.

My friend Jackie has a wonderful Westie named Webster.  When she waters her garden, he LOVES to be Squirted with the hose!  He is biting the water, and he may look pretty scary, but believe me, he lives for this game!

When the garden is watered, and the game is over, Webster is content to have a  Swim.

Hope ya'll enjoyed meeting Webster!  And Happy Birthday to my dear friend Jackie!

Went to a Skyhoundz regional competition yesterday: action, action, action!

I want to do some shots of my cousins dog.  My little cousin found Lucky as a tiny puppy alone and starving.  I am usually a person that does not care for pitbulls.  But this dog is so great.  He is full of ambition and has a ton of character.  As you can see he can get good  air when going after a stick that the boys throw.  His little sidekick is Sparky.  He is a totally different story. I was laughing so hard trying to get shots like this that I missed him completely a couple times.  I want your help picking some of the best  shots I took today of him.  So I can print them out for my cousin.  Here are some of the others I took:  Finally I got the stick!   They say I look like Petey from The Little Rascals. (If anyone out there would like to make him look like Petey please do and post it in the comments)
Last but not least...the boys told me Lucky and Sparky had another trick and I didn't believe them until I saw this trick.  Okay so I need your help.  Let me know what ones are your favorites.  Thanks!!

Haven't posted in a while, life is crazy right now.  Work is really busy and I am getting ready for my oldest daughter to graduate this friday.  My family is starting to arrive from out of town. But anyway, I just wanted to share these pictures.

You're playing with my toys!!!  Jealous

What?!?!?

This is Fun!!!

Have a great afternoon!!! :o)

This is my baby girl's firstDESCRIPTION_HERE.  I like the lighting of this picture.  This is my first post and I new into photography, but practice makes perfect!

mesmerized

Black & White
Color

Have A Great Weekend Everyone!

My German Shepherd, Patton, seeks up to his friend. Patton loved other dogs. He also loved diving for rocks and swimming.  He developed hip dysplasia, but it didn't stop him from going on hikes. He crossed over the bridge a year ago.