Manatee Mentors 2015.2 CLOSED (Poptarts? Pet pics?) (Page 16)

As someone else mentioned, age-specific things could be fun and hopefully not become too burdensome.  For the kiddos (and parents accompanying them), maybe a simple scavenger hunt at a park that is spread out enough they have to walk to find clues.  It could be an all-age thing, too, really.  Kid clues could be easier, teen or adults without kiddos could have slightly more difficult clues, etc.  Make 'em think, too!

Man, Matt MS, what DID you do to Ma Nature?  Geez!  Matt TX, yes, you picked a good year to move!

We're getting blasted with what I hope is her last hurrah for the season.  About 4-5" of snow on the ground now and it isn't supposed to stop until this evening.  Where I live is right on the border of the deeper stuff (8"-12") and less deep stuff (5-8"), as frequently happens, so who knows what we'll end up with.  Foolishly, in the name of conserving PTO, I came to work and had a very scary close call this morning, leaving me a little gun-shy for the drive home. My Equinox (current vehicle) is no Touareg (previous car that I loved until the transmission gave up the ghost), that's for sure!

Tomorrow is going to be bitter cold again, but one forecaster said it *should* be the coldest day we will see for the rest of the season.  Here's hoping!  The weekend and next week looks promising: temps in the 40s, maybe all this snow will finally melt away!  It's been around since early January.

Here's something to warm your hearts on this cold day, or if you already live somewhere warm, hopefully to make you smile.

Thank you thank you thank you, Melanie.  I needed that today.  I'm trying hard to have a better day than yesterday, focusing on gratitude and compassion toward myself and others.  I started my day with this song written by a friend:

Namaste. I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.  I honor the place in me which is of love of truth of light and of peace.  When you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, we are one.  Namaste.

(((Hugs))) to all.

ETA:  And some cute puppy pictures.

Puppy pictures!!!  I want to hug him and squeeze him and name him George!

My son really wants a border collie.  We had a long discussion last night about it.

Do you know much about the breed?

I sent the third picture to my wife.  How could one say no to that.

That last one is so goofy, it just makes me laugh.   It *almost* makes me want a puppy.  Then I remember the terror of those sharp little teeth and the fun of potty training!!  Plus border collie puppies can be really challenging when they hit their rebellious teenage stage (weren't we all?).

Thank you. It's a GREAT combination of style and room...and horsepower lol. Efficiently, not as much as I'd like. That's difficult to find in with AWD. 

I never thought I would be driving a car that can go 0-60 in under 5 seconds. I also never thought I would LOVE driving a car.

I'm going to have to offset it all by running even more, I suppose.

A border collie is on our short list, but not now. There is a bit of work needed with them when they are young, as they are both energetic and not all that cuddly in general. They were born to work.  So, if you work with them when young and give them tasks to do, they are good to go. Make them herd small children in the yard and they are right at home. 

Our next door neighbor, Dave, works his collie daily. Awesome dog, but it took Dave quite a bit of work to get there. But Dave is retired and has the time, so it worked out. If we get one, it goes next door for the first year!

The more realistic possibility for us is a lab. We've had 2 and they are awesome. Both bred to be guide dogs, one was retired and the other was a drop out. Guide Dog School Dropout, no graduation day for you.

I do, actually.  We have 2 and they're really great dogs.  You do need to make a commitment to regularly exercising and/or mentally stimulating them or they can get really neurotic.  Well, they can get a little neurotic anyway because they're so smart.  Allbordercollies.com is a great resource to learn about the breed.  There are lots of dogs needing rescue because people buy the cute puppies, then don't know how to handle them so they end up in shelters. 

There are a number of rescue organizations around the country and there's probably one in your area if you're interested in a rescue dog.  There are lots of dogs in high-kill shelters in Idaho and Utah. Some BC's are higher energy and need lots of stimulation/exercise, some are lower energy and some are lower energy.  If you get a dog from an organization that does fostering before placement, you'll have a lot better idea what kind of dog you're getting than you would if you got him/her straight from the shelter.

One of our dogs came Idaho via a rescue organization and we love him to bits, even though he's the weirdest dog we've ever had.  He slouches and gives sidelong looks, and insists on sitting under the table whenever one of us in the kitchen.  No idea why, that's just what he does!  Our other dog is a sort-of rescue.  She was in a home that wasn't working out and we got her when she was about 18 months old.  She's the smartest dog I've ever had and she totally cracks me up.  Everything is a game and she even invents new games.  These are my 1st two BC's and I'm hooked.

Hahaha.  Now I'm going to be humming that song all day -thanks!!

That's not quite true.  One of ours is so cuddly that if he could be inside my skin, he wouldn't be close enough!!  The other will cuddle when she's tired and a little when we make her stop.  If she's not tired, she'll only tolerate a few minutes, then she throws her toy at us and demands to play.

We do nose work with both of them (think civilian sniffer dogs) and it's just as good as exercise even though it's more mental than physical.  They both love it and it completely wears them out.  One of the dogs loves to run but the other gets bored with running and would much prefer to chase a ball/toy.  They do definitely need a job or they'll make one up and you may not approve of their choice of profession!  They do thrive on obedience, agility, running with you, herding the cat or kids, nose work, flyball, freestyle (think dancing with dogs--it's pretty amazing!), frisbee tricks/competition.  There are older dogs, though, that are much more relaxed and only need a 1/2 hour walk every day.  It just depends on the dog.

I have been seriously considering getting a running buddy. My friends cattle dog joins us on most of our hikes runs and she is AMAZING

(heh heh I love this shot I got of her) Which is what I would likely get. My biggest hangup is that . If I don't feel like running with the dog, I would need to get the dog exercise regardless. Every day. No exceptions. That is a lot! 

As for border collies, my teammate brings hers to nearly all of our Saturday workouts. She is a beast, kicking our azz on everything from fartleks, tempo runs and long, marathon pace runs. And I'm talking about dipping into 5:xx pace. No problem. And 16+ milers, no problem.

My teammate does keep an eye on her training, just like we keep an eye on our own and doesn't throw her into anything she's not ready for. (IE too long of a long run in proportion to her weekly mileage etc.) Amazing dog, really. Only held back by our human condition

I had read something along those lines as well at some point. They need the mental and physical. Or most do anyway. BC's are the common frisbee competitors, IIRC. That stuff is flat out cool!

I am passionate about fast cars and I have always loved to drive.  Really like your new ride.  I'm currently working with a dealer in Florida to try to purchase this:

(911.jpg)

SHHHHH, Salty!  Stevie might hear you and get jealous!

And make sure to understand the difference between obedient and smart. They are not mutually inclusive. One of these dogs is very likely to be smart. They will find a way to entertain and engage themselves if not enough is provide. Said entertainment may not be at the approval of the owner.

That would be something!

Adrienne, I hadn't seen exactly which type you got.

Nice Steve. What year, style 911 is that? I don't know that much about fast cars.

Ben, I got a 2009 WRX. 

That's a great picture!  I walk my dog 2x/day everyday.  No exception.  When he was younger the walks were about an hour each, plus I ran him as my warm up the mornings I was running.  Even with all that, I'd spend time every evening throwing the ball for him.  The first time I took him hiking we were gone for hours and he ran around and played in the river and had a great time.  When we got in the car he was exhausted and I thought I finally found the way to tire him out.  By the time we got home he was completely recovered!  Now he is 9 years old and doesn't require that type of exercise, so our walks are shorter and he only chases the ball for a bit.  It's way easier on me, but kind of sad too.

During last weekend's HM a runner raced with his german shorthaired pointer.  I was surprised the race allowed it.  I don't know what their time was, but know they finished well ahead of me!  GSP's are great running partners, but is another breed with energy to spare, so you have to be prepared to exercise them even when you may not feel like it.

Now I am trying to imagine Stevie running a tempo. HAHAHAHA

Drool. I've always said that if I got a sports car, it would be that.  Probably not going to happen but it's fun to dream.  Meanwhile, I continue to buy more tri gear, thus preventing me from affording said sports car.  Sigh.

My friend had a convertible Porsche of some sort in high school.  We used to pile 3 or 4 of us in it with the top off and go to the 39¢ Hamburger Stand for lunch.  I believe he got it up to 120 mph but also got several traffic tickets for driving a little (ahem) over the speed limit.  I can't even imagine how much his insurance was, a teenaged boy with speeding tickets driving a Porsche!!

Lol.  Maybe a fartlek...

Hahaha she's got that down for sure

You're probably not the first person to use those words... 

Sweet Ride!!! Good Luck, but where does the bike go?