Jodi, Some Gordons are huge dogs, well over 100 lbs even. THose dogs were bred just for showing, and they also have a lot of wavy hair to groom. I looked for 9 years to find another like the Gordon we had bought in England 18 yrs ago. She was 60 lbs and that was quite my limit in size...could not find anyone breeding down to the old hunting standard for the GOrdons. Then I found Springset Gordons and was utterly enchanted! They breed to a 1932 standard. Here is what I wanted... A nice medium size dog , even smaller then our Bracken was, but with the smarts and nice personality ...the sparkling eyes that we loved! THese are beautiful dogs but lack the heavy wavy hair of the show dog...I do not have time for that playing 'beauty parlor' daily! Josie came from some of the smaller parents that they breed at Springset, and should weigh in at around 45-50 lbs when grown. Even better, she seems to have a natural kindness and enjoyment of life along with superior "dog smarts". I think she will be exactly what I was looking for and well worth a 9 yr wait. I am already thinking...when our little old beagle dies, ...well, maybe should start saving for a 2nd Springset Gordon! I do not want to get into breeding...I think Springset is doing that just fine! But I imagine you understand...if one dog is wonderful, why not two wonderful dogs to keep each other company, LOL. Our little beagle "under 13 inch", Lottie(Princess of Quite a Lot), is grieving terribly for her pal who died 2 weeks ago. All of her first 10 years she looked like a puppy. SUddenly her face fur is turning white and she acts like an old dog. So sad...I wish I could make her understand that Corie is better off then a long, slow, immune compromised death would have been! I remember him with fondness and always will but I do not grieve for him....just remember his lovely chocolate curls and his melting brown eyes, and that "Whuff" of contentment as he settled down at my feet. HE was always "my" dog. I think Josie is "Our Dog". I think DH fell in love with her too on our long trip home. Especially because I paid for her myself, LOL. Have fun weeding! I got 2/3 of my potted dahlias into the ground yesterday. Today I have to start the harder part, cleaning up a bed along the fenceline that has not ever been under the good control it should have been (This garden is starting its 4th year). IT, however, is where I Have put the dahias that I especially love, the ones I grow mostly for myself. Some sre still buried under weeds and grass, and I Imagine I lost a few over the winter. THis bed starts with a 30" bank below it and the field mice seem to like to tunnel in there for the winter. THis is going to be much harder work, and using muscles I AM jsut beginning to. I do not take my muscle relaxer pills until I HAve taken the flowers to the stand, just in case they affect my driving, but Now I am home until evening and took one so I will be able to work. My body really is ready to return to work but I get into tendonitis as I get started. THe meds really help that a lot and I figure stretching them carefully will only help if I do not over do it. I did realize that I Can not bend over with locked knees to work like I used to...trying to learn to go into a semi-crouch. IT worked yesterday. I just can not put off gardening any longer! THe stress factor is worse then the muscle pain! Well, we gotta get after those weeds...Lets go, girl!

I had that too Glenda, right before Christmas and ran a low fever for about three days after I was over the stomach part of it, I think because I was so dehydrated, or maybe that's just the way the virus runs its course. Anyway - I'm pretty sure it was the sickest I've ever been with a stomach bug. Something for everyone to be on the watch for if you haven't had it yet. You got a Kindle! That's where you've been. : ) My oldest daughter wanted one for Christmas and then got a new camera instead. I look forward to the day when my kids can carry Kindles around instead of a heavy backback full of school books. I don't know why it's taking so long to switch over. There are only a few schools doing it now.

I spent ALL DAY out shopping for my pal. Of course, along the way, I couldn't help but look for things I liked, too. I was in one big box store, in the garden section, bent over in front of the citrus trees and looking at the tags even though I knew I wasn't going to pay that much for a little tree. It was very hot and humid. Lady who cares for plants was watering a few isles down. Next thing I knew, she had sprayed (make that drenched) me, right on my upturned backside. She was squealing how sorry she was. I just thanked her for the cool down. Of course, I had to stay out there in the garden center awhile longer 'til I could leave w/o people thinking that I'd wet myself. And I don't even own an "I'm Hot" T-shirt. How'd she know I'd appreci8 a cool down?

thanks plummie... I have 1 pound of red wigglers. been in there for 2 weeks now they are inside about 65 degrees and my bin is a rolling cart 7" high wall one hole in the bottom about 15" square at the moment but there is toom for me to move a partition to make it larger in the near future. thanks again oh i haven't dug through that much but all the worms seem to be in the center of the bin where i put my last feeding in a trench I hope to have time today to take a close look to see what is still visable... thanks