Blogging, a Beach Break . . . and I’m Back!
Posted: December 5, 2017 Filed under: Places I Like | Tags: Alabama, Beach, Blogging, Dauphin Island, Dogs, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, Hurricane Nate, October Photo Challenge, Pet Friendly, Pet Photography, Pets, Photography, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee 31 CommentsDid you miss me? I sure missed you. First let me say thank you to everyone who joined me for the October Daily Photo Challenge, and thank you for all of your sweet comments. My human mommy/blogging assistant and I got a bit behind with our replies, but we read and enjoyed each and every single message you shared. After the challenges of daily posts in October, we took a little break in November. And what better place to recharge your blogging batteries than a beautiful beach.
Tallulah and I supervised the humans as they loaded the chariot and we all set out for Dauphin Island, Alabama. It’s slightly more than a two-hour drive from New Orleans, but when we arrived we felt as if we were a world away.
By the time we unloaded the chariot and settled into our home-away-from-home, Mother Nature was welcoming us with a breathtaking sunset.
I gazed out at the Gulf of Mexico and wondered what adventures the next day would bring . . .
. . . and then Tallulah and I crashed.
We were up with the sun the next morning.
Tallulah had her eye on the water . . .
. . . and before long her toes were in the sand. It was nearly impossible to keep Tallulah on dry land. She hopped over and through the waves, proved to us that she really can swim, ran along the beach, and then did it all over again and again.
As for me, I did my best Baywatch lifeguard impersonation and warned Tallulah and my human daddy to stay near the shore. Mommy says I was slightly obnoxious. I prefer to think of myself as a concerned and loving older sister.
Our second sunrise on Dauphin Island hinted at rougher weather to come. The island is no stranger to meteorological challenges. Just weeks before our getaway, Hurricane Nate made a little visit.
The storm’s winds and tidal surge covered the main road with about six feet of sand. The sand has since been plowed to the roadside and will eventually be sifted and returned to the beach, but for now it makes the road feel a bit like a tunnel.
The slightly rougher surf of our second beach day did little to deter Tallulah’s inner mermaid . . .
. . . but the cooler temperatures and overcast skies drove our humans to the beach house’s deck, where I caught up on some much-needed sleep after a busy October and Tallulah kept an eye to the sky as she tracked every single pelican and seagull that flew overhead. The poor girl might be slightly confused about exactly what it means to be a bird dog.
We watched the sun set on our last full Dauphin Island day with a determination to return as soon as possible. The little barrier island off the coast of Alabama was the perfect place to get away from it all and recharge before a busy holiday season . . . and it was the perfect springboard to bet back to blogging.
October Photo Challenge Day 30: HALLOWEEN THROWBACK
Posted: October 30, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Costumes, Dog Costumes, Dogs, Golden Retriever, Halloween, Halloween Throwback, Harper Lee, Hula Girl, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Thek9harperlee 7 CommentsWhy oh why did some human include HALLOWEEN THROWBACK in the October Photo Challenge? This one goes way back to 2013 when I met our little trick-or-treaters dressed as a hula girl. Despite my complete humiliation–and my inability to fill out that top–I somehow managed to strike a dignified pose. Tomorrow I’ll be attending a Halloween party at Children’s Hospital New Orleans . . . and Mommy says that I’ll be reprising my role as a hula girl. Only those sweet children at the hospital could get me back into this costume!
Tomorrow is the final day in my October Photo Challenge. Any guesses what Tallulah and I are going to be for Halloween 2017? You’ll find out tomorrow. 🙂
October Photo Challenge Day 29: PUMPKIN
Posted: October 29, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Dogs, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Pumpkin, Thek9harperlee 4 CommentsWe sent my human daddy out to do the PUMPKIN shopping this year. I don’t know about you, but I think he smashed it. (That’s a little reference to the alternative rock band Smashing Pumpkins. I have very eclectic musical tastes, especially for a Golden Retriever.) Tomorrow evening we’ll carve the big pumpkin in the back in anticipation of all the ghouls and goblins who will come trick or treating at our house Halloween evening. Tallulah and I are really looking forward to the carving because rumor has it that we just might get a little taste of pumpkin. Yum!
The final two days of the October Photo Challenge will involve costumes for me. Why oh why couldn’t October have had only 29 days?
October Photo Challenge Day 27: FUN EVENT
Posted: October 27, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Apple Bobbing, Apples, Bobbing for Apples, Dog Treats, Dogs, Fun Event, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, Healthy Dog Treats, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee 6 CommentsWhen my human mommy planned this FUN EVENT for our Friday morning, she had absolutely no idea just how fun it would be. Tallulah and I went bobbing for apples. This was so exciting that a single photo could not possibly portray it. So I present to you a series of photos depicting Tallulah’s excellent apple bobbing skills. Mommy says that if the American Kennel Club gave ribbons for apple bobbing, Rhythm’s Tallulah Bee for Harper Lee would be an AKC Apple Bobbing Champion.
A note for Harper Lee’s Mommy: I was so stunned by Harper Lee and Tallulah’s apple bobbing skills, not to mention their absolute joy at going after the apples again and again and then finally sitting down to devour their prey. And, by the way, apples have a number of health benefits. We’re all for good healthy fun at our house. If your dog hasn’t bobbed for apples yet, I highly recommend this experience. Hope your weekend is filled with fun events. Cheers!
October Photo Challenge Day 26: DRINK
Posted: October 26, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Dogs, Drink, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee 3 CommentsTallulah and I are big drinkers. Oh, not like that. Our DRINK of choice is water. Tallulah likes hers on the rocks. I’m a straight up kind of girl. We’re very respectful of each other when it comes to food. Tallulah eats on one mat and I eat on another about two feet away. Only after I’m completely finished with my food does Tallulah venture over to lick my dinner bowl. But when it comes to drinking, you’ll often find us side-by-side over one bowl. It’s nice to have a drinking buddy.
My human mommy is super excited about tomorrow’s fun event . . . even though she has absolutely no idea whether or not it will work out. Wish us luck!
October Photo Challenge Day 25: SELFIE
Posted: October 25, 2017 Filed under: Places I Like, Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Dogs, Ghost Manor, Ghost Manor NOLA, Golden Retriever, Halloween, Harper Lee, Irish Channel, Magazine Street, New Orleans, NOLA, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Selfie, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee 5 CommentsLast night, Tallulah and I accompanied our humans on a little stroll to see Ghost Manor. Let me take just a moment to state the obvious: My family really, really needs to step up its SELFIE game. Can you believe that we took literally dozens of selfies and this is the best we have to offer? This selfie is, as the kids would say, definitely not on fleek. But it got just a little embarrassing to continue the attempts as the crowds milled about, so this is what you get. Selfie failure aside, Ghost Manor at night was even better than I’d imagined when we visited a couple of weeks ago in the daytime. (Click here to refresh your memory.) The skeleton quartet serenaded us from the porch. A beautiful lady danced in an upstairs room . . . before she was consumed by flames. And all the while giant eyeballs peered down on us from above. Creepy!
OK, friends, we really need your help. What are your best secrets to capturing the perfect selfie?
October Photo Challenge Day 24: HOODIE
Posted: October 24, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Autumn, Dogs, Fall, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, Hoodie, LSU, LSU Football, LSU Tigers, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Scarecrow, Thek9harperlee 11 CommentsIt’s the day I’ve been dreading since I first saw the October Photo Challenge list: HOODIE. I don’t mind wearing a stylish bandana. In fact, I quite like a stylish bandana. But I am not . . . repeat AM NOT . . . a fan of wearing actual clothes. And I do not . . . repeat DO NOT . . . like to have things on my head. My personal photographer (who also happens to be my human mommy and who also happens to owe me a ton of treats for this) took about 50 photos trying to get some semblance of an animated look from me. Not. Going. To. Happen. This was my look in every single photo. On the bright side (work with me here; I’m trying to make the best of this), I do like supporting my favorite college football team. My LSU Tigers have really come through in the last three weeks, and I couldn’t be more proud of them . . . even if my face doesn’t quite show my excitement. 😉 Also, my friend Scotty the Scarecrow is back for an autumnal visit. Hey, Scotty, I could use a little sip of that Dixie Beer right about now.
October Photo Challenge Day 23: DRINK
Posted: October 23, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Dogs, Drink, Golden Retriever, Halloween, Harper Lee, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee, Wine 7 CommentsTallulah and I have joined our human mommy in the courtyard for a DRINK and some treats. Tallulah, who lacks taste and sophistication due to her youth, is going for the treat. I, on the other hand, am older and wiser so I go for the wine . . . even though I never actually get to have it. 😦 Mommy says wine can fix a Monday, so I hope it’s happy hour wherever you may be. Cheers!
How was your Monday? Did it require a happy hour? 😉
Sunday Sisters: October 22, 2017
Posted: October 22, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Dogs, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Sunday Sisters, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee 5 CommentsIn keeping with the theme for this the 22nd day of the October Photo Challenge, Tallulah and I are sending a huge shout-out to PETS around the world. You bring love and laughter everywhere you go. You’re compassionate and caring to everyone you meet. You make a house a home. You’re the best!
We’re entering the homestretch of the October Photo Challenge. This week will be filled with drinks and selfies and fun events and favorite places. Woo hoo! That’s my kind of week. 🙂
October Photo Challenge Day 21: NAILS
Posted: October 21, 2017 Filed under: Things I Like | Tags: #octoberphotochallenge, Dogs, Golden Retriever, Harper Lee, Nails, October Photo Challenge, Pet Photography, Pets, Tallulah, Thek9harperlee 6 CommentsTallulah and I get our NAILS done once a month when we go to the groomer for our baths. Mommy says she’d give anything to have a mani-pedi spa day once a month. Too bad, Mommy. That’s a luxury that’s reserved for Golden girls. By the way, any guesses whose feet are whose in this photo?
Tomorrow’s October Photo Challenge topic is pets. What in the world will I do for that one. 😉