Come outside and play – the snow is wonderful
Tag: barbet
Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Intent
Resistance is futile
A post on a social media network that I follow prompted much thought surrounding the theme of change: in the photo in question, “You’ve changed” is written out in large letters on the side of what looks like someone’s house – it almost begs for an answer. Is it an act of revenge, a statement of fact, an accusation, a bemoaning on the parting of ways and interests or just a boldly positive declaration? Makes us curious… but also brings us back to what seems to be the crux of a constant issue in our house, in our interactions with friends, family and the way we work at our art and livelihood.
Lots of people want change, seek it, try and effect it, avoid it, say they’ll make it or ignore it but it boils down even further to another recurring theme that was a topic of breakfast discussion, that of Intent. There is a huge difference in having the best (or worst) of Intentions in a wishful thinking, passively classical sense and that of the Intent of scientific definition that is active in achieving its goal. Which side of the fence you dance on can radically alter the course of future events.
Our Barbet has it all figured out. This morning his Intention was to wrangle away the bacon, it had been ever since he swallowed the last bite of his own identical-to-ours breakfast. It was a good idea that could potentially get the gears moving. At that point one of two things could have happened: he could have a drink of water and – SQUIRREL – get distracted by something else, diverting his Intention or he could act, the strength of his Intent driving him to our chair and stimulating phase one of puppy-face. Intent motivated his brain to pursue until he gained satisfaction; phase two was enacted, he stood up on his back legs with head cocked to one side, engaged in direct eye contact, a little ESP for added effect and an offered paw. We gave in, he was victorious in his Intent by getting the bacon and, this time, we both wound up happy.
Too bad people aren’t more like some of our canine companions. It’s not actually that hard and one can start with the tiniest of things and like much else in life the more one does, the easier it gets. Let’s have less promise of change, less hope that Intentions will lazily guide us to something definitive. Be effective in your Intent, dynamic in your desire, be more dog.
And just because it’s good for a laugh and has many of the same themes, have a look at this video…
“What is your intent?” – take that photo, sing that song, curl up in a chair and read the day long, give a hug, a peck on the cheek, run a mile or walk all week – We would love to see your vision…
For all those who are new readers to Across the Bored, here are some guidelines for the challenge: HOW DOES THIS WORK?
- I will post some commentary on a random topic that pops into my head (such as the above) and then ask you to respond on the same.
- Your point of view on the current week’s challenge can take any form: a quote, a motto or saying, an essay, poem or opinion of yours or attributed to someone else, a piece of music, a song, a video, a work of art, photograph, graffiti, drawing or scribble – but it has to be about the topic!
- Please, don’t just link to an old post… challenge yourself.
- The Challenge will be open for 14 days (there will be a reminder post at the 7 day mark) after which I will post another.
- ENJOY, have FUN and TELL your friends and fellow bloggers.
SO – Create your Two Cents Tuesday Challenge post
- Then add a link to your blog in my comment box.
- To make it easy for others to check out your post, title your blog post “Two Cents Tuesday Challenge” and add the same as a tag.
- If you would like your reader to see what others are presenting for the same challenge, add a link to the “Two Cents Tuesday” challenge on your own blog.
- Feel free to pick up your badge on the Two Cents Tuesday Challenge page
- Remember to Follow My Blog to get your weekly (hopefully) reminders.
Fiction in 50: If at first you don’t Succeed
I want to do it. I can do it. I ate the bow but I can do it. I buried it in the garden all this time, tell me that you never knew. Nope, I can’t do it…
If at first you don’t succeed, get someone with thumbs to help…
The Bookshelf Gargoyle curates a Fiction in 50 mini-narrative challenge – this month’s prompt is If at first you don’t succeed! Taking a break on the pre-holiday rush, pour yourself something tasty and scribble a bit of short, short fiction: send it in and then go have a peek at the other entries – GargoyleBruce writes wonderful reviews on all sorts of kid lit (big and small) with a cheeky tone guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Wander through the stacks, you are sure to find something you’ll like.
Click on the icon in the sidebar for previous entries…
Two Cents Tuesday Challenge: Chores – Week 2
looks like he’s found a project
Nature has been playing fast and loose with the thermostat recently. We’ve had bouts of intolerable cold book-ended by mini heatwaves, festive flakes followed by dreary drizzle and it all adds up to muck. The kind of gooey, clinging black gold that our dog seems to take great joy in getting up close and personal with.
Most days it’s in and out at least fifteen times for little nature jaunts that last around 5 – 10 minutes with the requisite call and return of barking to the neighbourhood pooches. Whether sitting on the deck sending esp messages to his friend to come out and play or sniffing around the bushes to check whether the children next door have lobbed another ball over the fence, there is always some indication that he is on patrol. This particular day we were otherwise occupied – so much so that we forgot where he was because it was too quiet.
Not a digger by nature, the wild variations in temperature must have brought an incredibly tantalizing smell to his attention: there he was belly to the ground in the flower bed, face buried up to the eyebrows under the stone wall. Varmint! We could hear him thinking. Critters! We now have a small trench beside the rhododendrons, one that gets progressively deeper every time the sun comes out and things warm up enough for excavation.
He is thrilled. Us less so as it means a doggie hose-down a few times a day. This must be one of the few times we can actually say that we will be pleased when things freeze over…. “What do you think is a chore?” – milking cows or shucking corn, stuck in traffic tooting your horn, laundry, yard work, going to school, sorting, saving, lists of rules – We would love to see your vision…
For all those who are new readers to Across the Bored, some great entries and the guidelines for this fortnight’s challenge can be found here. Need more info or want to browse past themes? Have a look at HOW DOES THIS WORK.
The Big 5 – Where do you relax?
do not disturb
Lack of a large enough conventional space dictated that our super-sized sectional was forced to live in the common area downstairs in front of the television: quickly commandeered by the younger generation, it feels idiotic to sit there all by our lonesome. So sadly, there is no couch for guests to park themselves on in our living room, no tufted settee for us to lounge away an idle morning or even a petite love-seat upon which to perch for afternoon tea. We are, however, the proud owners of two Alice-in-Wonderland chairs which were an unsupervised boy’s day out impulse buy of the Professor’s. Within arm’s reach of the bookcase, they are relatively comfortable but have suffered the insult of some doggy-proofing because white barbet hair and black velvet don’t mix.
Lazy Dog would tell you that they are ideal – for a snooze or a daydream, a longing look out the window or just so to keep an eye on things. They are his favourite place to chill out or curl up and when the temperature is not quite perfect in one, he hops off and hops on to the other. Yes, we did try the “no puppies on the upholstery” thing but somehow he has managed to show us that a little rest can be a good thing…
The Big 5 Challenge is curious to know – “Where do you relax?” – under a cozy duvet or at the beach, on skis or a motorcycle, in the garden or in the middle of the city, behind the wheel or in front of the pack…
We would love to know where you are the most at ease.
For all those who are new readers to Across the Bored, here are some guidelines for the challenge: HOW DOES THIS WORK?
- I will post some commentary such as the above on one of the five Ws (WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN or WHY and sometimes HOW) and then ask you to respond on the same.
- Your point of view on the current week’s challenge can take any form: a reply in the comment box, in a new post with a quote, a motto or saying, an essay, poem or opinion of yours or attributed to someone else, a piece of music, a song, a video, a work of art, photograph, graffiti, drawing or scribble – but it has to be about the topic!
- Challenge yourself to dig deep for an answer.
- The Challenge will be open for 14 days (there will be a reminder post at the 7 day mark) after which I will post another.
- ENJOY, have FUN and TELL your friends and fellow bloggers.
SO – Create your Big 5 Challenge post
- Then add a link to your blog in my comment box.
- To make it easy for others to check out your post, title your blog post “The Big 5 Challenge” and add the same as a tag.
- If you would like your reader to see what others are presenting for the same challenge, add a link to the “Big 5” challenge on your own blog.
- Feel free to pick up your badge on The Big 5 Challenge page.
- Remember to Follow to get your weekly (hopefully) reminders.
The Big 5 – When is the last time you really laughed?
what goes on when no one is looking
Across the Bored can always rely on smelly dog to remind us what’s really important. He has it all worked out: a daily constitutional, good food, a few minutes of exercise and a bit of a snoop to see what’s going on in the neighbourhood, a nice lie down and then do it all over again. As much as he can be a pain in the posterior at 6 AM on a Sunday morning, he has an impeccable sense of comic timing.
Our particular pooch has been endowed with catlike tendencies that leave us wondering sometimes. He’ll do a pilates stretch then come up and rub himself round our legs, let himself be held in the most odd positions or be scritched against the grain. He’s not stiff like the foxhound next door but sort of rubbery in a twisty turny way that defies a doggy spine. Every once in a while, we’ll lie down to stretch out a bit and just as we close our eyes to contemplate…. WHOMP…. fur and wet nose and kisses around the face, snurfles in the ears, paws holding us down and we just can’t help but laugh. The more we laugh and turn to hide the more he persists because he knows we need it.
Everyone needs a minion to help them let go of all the seriousness that weighs us down so this fortnight’s Big 5 Challenge asks:
“When is the last time you really laughed?” – over coffee and the comics, at the movies, with a friend, in the car or under the stars, at silly signs or awkward times…
We would love to know when the giggles and guffaws last hit.
For all those who are new readers to Across the Bored, here are some guidelines for the challenge: HOW DOES THIS WORK?
- I will post some commentary such as the above on one of the five Ws (WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN or WHY and sometimes HOW) and then ask you to respond on the same.
- Your point of view on the current week’s challenge can take any form: a reply in the comment box, in a new post with a quote, a motto or saying, an essay, poem or opinion of yours or attributed to someone else, a piece of music, a song, a video, a work of art, photograph, graffiti, drawing or scribble – but it has to be about the topic!
- Challenge yourself to dig deep for an answer.
- The Challenge will be open for 14 days (there will be a reminder post at the 7 day mark) after which I will post another.
- ENJOY, have FUN and TELL your friends and fellow bloggers.
SO – Create your Big 5 Challenge post
- Then add a link to your blog in my comment box.
- To make it easy for others to check out your post, title your blog post “The Big 5 Challenge” and add the same as a tag.
- If you would like your reader to see what others are presenting for the same challenge, add a link to the “Big 5” challenge on your own blog.
- Feel free to pick up your badge on The Big 5 Challenge page.
- Remember to Follow to get your weekly (hopefully) reminders.
Travel Theme: Romance
the only toy this mutt has not gutted
probably because it was found
and not given
♡
See some sweet entries in Where’s my backpack?’s Travel Theme: Romance.
tagged “D”
D is for Dog
the Devilish kind
Digging up Dirt
out of sight
out of mind
Dachshund, Dalmatian
Dogue de bordeaux
breeds like old lovers
that come
and that go
heartbreakingly Dangerous
and yet we Digress
how could
Delight’s Debt
be anything less
D
Go for a walk in the entries of Frizztext’s A-Z Challenge: tagged “D”.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Window
everyone has their window on the world
⧈
Look into the entries of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Window.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Alone and Happy
I made the bed
and now
you sleep in it
☓
Find something to smile about in the entries of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Happy.
A Word a Week Challenge – Favourite
too hard to choose just one
landscape or still life
spontaneous or contrived
no matter the mood of the photographer
this subject never disappoints
♡
Congratulations on a wonderful first year of A Word in your Ear’s photo challenge – join in the entries in the Word A Week Photo Challenge – Favourite.
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Candid Shots
who has been sleeping in my bed?
evidently, this one is just right…
✔
See who else has been caught red-handed in the entries of
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Candid Shots
Fiction in 50: Unconventional Relationships
I can see you there: no need to look the other way, I know you’re mad but that’s no reason to stray into the – urrrgghhh – arms – of another. Think of all the good times we’ve had… What would I tell our friends?
I promise I won’t chew on you anymore…
The Bookshelf Gargoyle is curating a Fiction in 50 mini-narrative challenge – this month’s theme is Unconventional Relationships! We’ve all come across at least one of these so jot it down, send it in and go and have a gander at the other entries – GargoyleBruce also writes wonderful reviews on all sorts of kid lit (big and small) with a cheeky tone guaranteed to make you laugh out loud. Wander through the stacks, you are sure to find something you’ll like.
Click on the icon in the sidebar for previous entries…
Weekly Photo Challenge: An Unusual POV
when I get down to your level
I am reminded
that you sleep with one eye open
≆
Put yourself in someone else’s shoes in the Weekly Photo Challenge: An Unusual POV
Spring Mutt Makeover
before and after
It went from freeze your nose off winter to blazing hot summer in much less than a month and some of us suffer more than others from wearing their winter coats a little too long – Problem solved. And you thought you had a rough day…
A Word a Week Photography Challenge – Sleep
doesn’t matter which way up for doggy dreams
See what the Sandman has wrought in the entries at
A Word in your Ear’s Word A Week Photo Challenge – Sleep.
…
Through the kitchen door
at least one of us is happy winter has returned
iPhoneography Monday: Nature
the postman never rings twice
It is in his nature to wait patiently, anticipating, ready for the daily flip-out directed at the man in blue who unluckily has our house on his route…
Shot with the iPhone 5 with the iSight camera, no edits for iPhoneography Monday: Nature.
Have a look at Frames & Focus, Lens and Pens by Sally and Watching Photo Reels to see the originators of this challenge and their interpretation of the theme. You may also join the challenge by clicking here.
Love your Pet Day
wake up call
Caddo Veil kindly pointed out in her post that, along with Cherry Pie Day and Hoodie Hoo Day, today is Love your Pet Day. Have a slice, shout it from the rooftops and love the one you’re with, furry or not….
Weekly Photo Challenge: Love
nasty noisy fuzzy ball
object of dirty dog love
We are not the only ones who feel affection for others, for things, for music and food and the very stuff of the universe that keeps our existence from meandering into the mundane.
Find out what plucks the heartstrings of other entries
in the Weekly Photo Challenge: Love.
Lazy Saturday
Someone has the right idea
Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise
One of the nice things about Christmas
(and any other time of year for that matter)
is that you can make people forget the past with a present
This next week promises to be full of revelations, some we will be ecstatic over, others not so much. Long before the 25th, this canine was more than happy having sniffed out his bonus badly hidden in an unzipped suitcase.
The unexpected comes in many forms at the Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise.
Just because
In yo face
Someone had been snoofing in the garden and came home with a muzzle full that required a quick lie-down. We know now that the iphone at 2 inches is met with a low grrrrrrr….
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Pets
Hello and Good Evening, Alastair Puppy here…
Finding a groomer whose idea of doggy beauty matches one’s own is no easy feat it seems. A routine nail-clipping wound up more than a little off the top, some off the ears and an eyebrow trim, leaving our fuzzball looking like a muppet version of PBS host Alastair Cooke or an extra in the classic Monsterpiece theatre. Good thing he doesn’t look in the mirror…
Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Pets puts all our animal friends on parade – Have a look!
Travel theme: Animals
I know you are doing something interesting
No matter where we go, when we are home, this face is sure to follow. He reads like an open book; sometimes it is a mystery, or a comedy and there are even days when he plays all the characters in a tale of horror but it always ends up a love story.
Celebrate beastie beauty with Where’s my backpack’s challenge Travel theme: Animals!
Puppy Love
Canine hearts beat as ours
We often dogsit our neighbour’s foxhound, a pup who managed to teach our own barbet-poodle mix how to bark. Being a fowl-retriever the loudest sound to come out of him, up until their meeting, had been a low growl but he quickly learned a full range of barks, yowls, whines and yelps. This is, perhaps, the true nature of friendship – having a buddy who is willing to teach one things not inherent in our essential characters, to be non-judgemental about us whether we are scruffy or groomed and to always watch our backs. Were it so easy for those of us who walk on two feet…
ACROSS THE BORED 