Ain't it the truth. I have one entirely empty bed in my yard (7 years now). Visitors always ask me what I'm going to do with it. And I reply, "I'm waiting for inspiration to strike". They always look at me funny. But you know, sometimes the creative process cannot be rushed. When you see something you really truly like, you just know that eventually you'll find the right spot for it. I LOVE that gate. So unique, and the color of it...WOW.

Thanks for all the kind comments. Harry is blushing with the praise; Sam is just trying to chew it up. LOL There's never a quiet moment around here, except during Sam's two daily nap times. Cynic...They've had a few more magic carpet rides, but none as perfect as the first two. Sam's getting a bit heavy for the fast flying. It seems that when I get my camera out, they stop being so comical. Granlan & Pattico...It's hard to tell. Harry doesn't really dislike Sam. And he does treat him much better than he does the dogs we sometimes "babysit" for. When either dog is in the a kennel for some quiet time, the other one will try to "free" the captive. When that fails they plop down and stare at the incarcerated pup. I don't know if it's sympathy or gloating! LOL Harry plays with Sam, a lot, and usually instigates the play. Still when Harry's had enough, he's not any too gentle letting Sam know to "bug-off." And Sam just keeps coming back for more. Harry enjoys the time after Sam goes to bed (at 7 p.m.). The rest of the evening is all about Harry and puppy-free. Sam sleeps in a kennel in our bedroom. Once we tuck him in, he doesn't make a peep (except for some surprisingly burly snoring) until morning. Did you see the photos of the two boys out on the prairie (it's on page 2 now)? Sam loves going out for their runs when the weather permits. He can't take the cold and deep snow like Harry so they only stay out a few minutes at a time if Sam is along. He really tries to keep up with Harry. Harry usually just shoots off toward the horizon and leaves Sam in his wake. Sam won't get that far away from Wes. He's still a little dude and he likes to feel protected. Sam knows the commands "Sit," "Place" (means to lay down), "Off" (as in don't jump up on people) and "Come." Actually responding to "Come" every time is still hit or miss. He also knows he doesn't get fed unless he sits quietly while we fill and place his dish. He's really good about this. When Harry eats (and Harry is always fed first) Sam sits quietly on the other side of the room, waiting his turn. He is so cute when he's doing this.

JasDip, Sam is a little PzzAnt. He and Harry have never "liked" one another and I'm still a bit resentful that DH insisted of getting a puppy before it was time. Harry was no problem in any way; two dogs are far too much mental, emotional, and physical work. I was so sick the first two years we had Sam; Sam irritated Harry and disrupted our good vibes. I wasn't able to focus on Sam's training. Harry has never been anything but joy; Sam started out being a real painful problem. I do love Sam, but I have to watch him constantly. He will rough house, get overly excited, and knock Harry down. He was biting Harry's legs. He bullies Harry, and Harry won't stand up for himself. Sam and I have had a couple of very serious "This is how the cow chews the cabbage" discussions and he's much better at leaving Harry alone now. Still, I can't leave them both outside and run to town; I just can't risk Sam knocking Harry down. Sam and Harry don't hunt "together" either. Harry and his mother, BeeGee, were a great hunting team. Sam is too aggressive and territorial so Harry just walks away. It's been a disappointment to DH that he can't get The Boys to hunt as a team. He's not been able to train Sam as well as Harry. Of course, Harry had all his attention, and daily 2-3 hour prairie hunts for six years. When he threw Sam in the mix training for both dogs suffered. Sam is very independent and loves to be outside in the summer. He chases squirrels from tree to tree. He patrols the fence. Of course I let him inside any time he comes to the door, but he's very content to stay outside on most summer days. I make him come in when the temps reach 85. Sam sleeps in the mudroom; he has a blanket bed and a kennel bed. I feed Harry first, Sam second. I monitor all feeding and treat times so neither dog gets an upset tummy. Sam, for some reason, adores me. He knows he's loved but he also knows that any nonsence toward Harry will unleash the dogs of war, in the form of an angry old woman, upon him. He's smart; he knows to not push the issue.

PC - I found another tomato motivational song - this one by Guy Clark - that may help the Brandy Boys and other varieties !! I'll have to let the tomato plants listen to this tune next year - it already has me motivated to get going on another season - haha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAJq6sHNktc Lyrics Well, there ain't nothin' in the world that I like better Than bacon and lettuce and homegrown tomatoes Up in the mornin', out in the garden Get you a ripe one, hey, don't get a hard one Plant 'em in the spring, eat 'em in the summer All winter with out 'em's a culinary bummer I forget all about the sweatin' and diggin' Everytime I go out and pick me a big one Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes Now you can go out to eat and that's for sure But it's nothin' a homegrown tomato won't cure Put 'em in a salad, put 'em in a stew You make your very own tomato juice You can eat 'em with eggs, eat 'em with gravy Eat 'em with beans, pinto or navy Put 'em on the side, put 'em in the middle Put a homegrown tomato on a hotcake griddle Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes If I's to change this life I lead I'd be Johnny Tomato Seed 'Cause I know what this country needs Homegrown tomatoes in every yard you see, yeah When I die, don't bury me In a box in a cemetary Out in the garden would be much better And I could be pushin' up homegrown tomatoes Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes Only two things that money can't buy And that's true love and homegrown tomatoes, alright Songwriters Clark, Guy