Weekend Update (no, not that Weekend Update...)

I didn't get as much done in the garden as I wanted to--in fact, all I really got "done" was watering the things already planted.  There is lettuce (almost enough to pick) and kale (doesn't look so good...I don't think it likes the warm greenhouse) and a lot of sprouting things in both the greenhouse and the garden (I think, but I'm not sure, because the list is not right here:  asparagus (2 stalks, 5th year...I think I need to plant another plant), beets, cilantro, lettuce, kale, carrots, peas, lots of green onions and mint, some garlic, maybe some winter potatoes (or they might just be weeds).  The peach tree and grape vines both have blossoms and the tiger lilies are poking up in the front yard...probably we'll get snow this week, right?

We spent Friday night at the ski apartment--the girl stayed with a friend, so it was just The Boy, Mr. IM, the dogs, and I.  The snow is starting to melt and it is definitely mud season.  We're planning to keep the apartment through the summer and probably for next season as well, so we spent some time cleaning and sorting what was up there to switch out winter for summer stuff.  We also had a nice walk around Breckenridge and picked up some tourist magazines to decorate with. This was the first time the "new" cats stayed home "alone".  They all seem to be alive, so everything must have gone well.  (Their new game is for Alice and BOGO to chase each other and see whose tale is the fluffiest, while Sid watches)

Saturday I graded a giant pile of neglected papers and Sunday after church we spent some time looking for a new bed for The Girl (the rickety loft was removed a couple weeks ago).  In our search The Boy found his dream bed--a loft with a desk underneath (Um, wait...didn't we just remove that bed?)

So, an exciting weekend all around!

Last, but not smallest

Currently the Suburban Ranch is home to two parents, two kids, two cats, and two dogs.  The girls do out number the boys--as The Girl and I are joined by Alice the Cat, Indy the Dog, and Liberty the Dog.  And let's face it, Tigger is pretty girly...
Ever since we realized that Indy is clearly not a St. Bernard or Bernese Mountain Dog we have talked about getting a "real, big dog".  Well, Mr. Ranch has talked, I've mostly "umm, hummed".  Last summer, Mr. Ranch discovered the Colorado St. Bernard Rescue and spent the summer finding the perfect dog for us.  In August a young (between 12 and 18 months) St. Bernard became available.  I was convinced that Indy, being a dominant female, would hate her...but they surprisingly became almost immediate friends and the rest, as they say, is history.
Liberty has some quirky behaviors for a Saint...for example, she likes to run.  And jump.  And leap.  The other day I watched her run down the stairs and leap from about 8 stairs up, easily clearing the baby gate at the bottom and continuing her sprint through the living room without ever breaking stride.  She also also the world's largest and most stubborn toddler...the last time I took her to the kennel she refused to go in.  Just sat down in the parking lot.  The groomer came out and carried her in.  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She is a good companion for Indy though--we had to convince Indy to stop chewing on her ears though...Indy's fungus saliva apparently caused an ear infection.  (Ick...have you ever tried to put ear drops in a 110 lb toddler's ears?)  Liberty is very protective of Indy, except for when she is dragging her around the kitchen by her tail.  They seem to be typical siblings.
Liberty's most entertaining trait has to be her fear of cats.  For the first several months she lived with us all we had to do was pick up Alice the Cat and hold her in front of Liberty to inspire full-fledged panic and hiding under the couch.  (Of course, that is quite often my reaction to Alice the Cat, so maybe not so quirky after all)

 For a "shelter dog, she has been remarkably good with the kids and other pets.  You can see in the pictures above how scrawny she was--the picture below was this week--she isn't chubby, but certainly looks healthier.

 We have a bad habit of fattening up shelter pets, so we're feeling pretty good about her being a "healthy size".

In other news, since school started for me on the 19th, I guess the daily posts might start slacking off.  Or not, school is always interesting.  I wonder if I have to create code names for all my students and co-workers too?  Sigh..

This is Indy

This is Indy...she gets to claim the title of "2nd oldest pet currently living at the ranch".  When she was slightly bigger than in this first picture, she swam across the Georgetown Lake.  I thought I would have a heart attack.  Indy is named "Indy" partially because Indiana Jones had a dog named Indy and partially because when she used to get moving it was like the Indy 500 in our living room.  She used to be able to clear a 3 foot baby gate without a running start.  A few years ago she "blew out" both knees.  We asked the vet what to do and were given the dire "$10,000 or else speech".  So we called friends who owned cattle dogs (Indy is part border collie) and their answer was, "well, she'll either heal, or she won't.  If she heals, then she probably won't jump as high or run as fast, but hey, that could be ok, right?"  Ultimately she did heal ok and is still going strong at 13.

 Indy was part of a surprise litter of puppies that "appeared" at Mr. Ranch's law partner's house one dark night.  The story goes that Indy's mom was a shelter dog, allegedly spayed, who was adopted out "a little chubby".  Mr Ranch's law partner had her running every morning and evening.  One night, about two weeks after the adoption, Mr. Ranch's law partner's wife (follow that description) woke up because "the cat was making a funny noise".  She turned on the light and reportedly said, "oh, it's just a puppy".  Light off...and then back on..."A PUPPY?!!!".  Several (seven to be exact) puppies later, everyone went back to sleep and the next morning the shelter was contacted by an very angry (well, at least agitated) couple.  The puppies were eventually placed (with their mom) in "doggie foster care" (I'm not kidding) for 6 weeks.  During that time, against my better judgement (?) we fell in love with what we thought was a Saint Bernard or Bernese Mountain Dog mix.  As you can see below, when compared to our other dog, who really is a Saint Bernard...she is clearly not a St. Bernard...

 These days Indy spends a lot of time resting...and looking pretty, but she has had plenty of adventures

 Camping with a much smaller Girl

 Talking with The Girl

 A very young Indy "guarding" a very young Girl

 The Boy and Indy, um, playing?

Oh, Indy...