Gone Fishin'

Last week our local newspaper The Big Bear Grizzly asked it's readers to send in their favorite fish photos. I submitted this picture of Jim with a stringer of trout (without his knowledge). I really didn't think the picture would be published but guess what? Surprise! It appeared in this week's paper! Jim had no idea his photo was in the paper until one of his clients mentioned seeing him in the paper today.

Moderate 5.4 Earthquake In Southern California

We experienced a moderate earthquake in Southern California today. According to the local news the epicenter was located in Chino Hills which is east of Los Angeles. On the map below, we're located in the mountains east of San Bernardino. My husband Jim was sitting at his desk and he felt the shaking of the earthquake... I was standing in the kitchen and I felt absolutely nothing! Jim pointed out that the lamp above our dining room table was swaying and it continued to sway for several seconds. Jim and I are both native Californians so earthquakes are nothing new to us. No worries everyone - we're fine!

Photo: Reuters

Camera Critters #16

Today we drove around the lake to Fawnskin to watch their annual Doo Dah Parade. As you can see, the Doo Dah Parade is slightly less extravagant than the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. Nevertheless... it's still a lot of fun to watch.

Here's my buddy Wilbur enjoying the parade.

What more can I say butt "THE END".

If you would like to join in on the fun click here to go to the Camera Critters website.

Hiking the Cougar Crest Trail

Jim and Trooper hiked the Cougar Crest trail earlier this week. The trail is approximately 5 miles round trip and is classified as moderate to difficult. (The trail is located near the center of this map, north of the lake and adjacent to the Big Bear Discovery Center.)

Here's Trooper posing like Rin Tin Tin...

Now he's licking his lips after having a drink of water.


The blue bag holds his food and water.

You can see his bowl of water nestled inside of the bag.

At the top of the trail you have a view of the entire valley and lake. This is one of Jim and Trooper's favorite hikes.

Accentuate the Positive...

Jim received this handmade thank you card from the teenage son of one of his clients yesterday. (Click on photo to view larger image.)

We both agreed that instead of dwelling on the negative things that happen throughout our day we should spend more time focusing on the positive things. Did this card brighten our day? You bet it did!

Trooper's path of destruction...

Awww... look at how peaceful Trooper looks curled up in the easy chair with Jim. Going on a chewing spree can really tire you out!

We went out to dinner last night and came home to discover that a number of items were either chewed up or missing. From left to right: my zori (flip-flop) with a number of teeth marks in the sole, a slipper (I have no idea where the mate is), a new bottle of laundry detergent... (luckily he only peeled the wrapper off without puncturing the bottle), a telephone that we haven't used in ages but kept as a spare. If you enlarge the photo you can see where he completely severed the wires off of the hand-set. We also found a mitten with no mate... I imagine it's hidden out in the backyard somewhere. He also tore open and shredded an entire package of napkins... it looked like it snowed in our living room!

Trooper also gnawed on the legs of Jim's "almost new" office chair. Aaargh!

Like I said... it's a good thing he's cute. Otherwise it would be "POW! To the moon Trooper!" LOL!

Yarn Bandit...

Trooper helped himself to a skein of yarn out of my yarn basket today and decided to festoon the backyard (and himself) with it. Of course he didn't select one of my cheapie balls of yarn - he grabbed a ball of pure shetland wool instead. Sigh... at least he has good taste.

Is that a guilty look on his face or what?? It's a good thing he's cute... one look at those big brown eyes and all was forgiven.

Camera Critters #15

Yesterday we took Trooper for a walk along the Alpine Pedal Path. The Pedal Path meanders along the north shore of Big Bear Lake. As usual I was bringing up the rear... Trooper is looking at me as if to say "hurry up slowpoke!" (You can click on the photos to make them larger.)

We spotted a mama duck with her six ducklings enjoying the lake...

We also saw damselflies sunbathing on a rock in a stream...

This little lizard was well camouflaged... he's just beneath the white rock in the center of the photo.

Luckily my husband has good eyes or I never would have noticed this rabbit.

On the way back to the car, Trooper decided it would be fun to lie down in a muddy stream. His legs and paws were sopping wet!

Thanks for coming along on our little journey. If you would like to join in on the fun click here to visit the Camera Critters webpage!

Friends Fur-ever

Trooper had fun playing with his buddies today... (you can click on the photos to make them larger.)

Now he's trying to fake out Chelsea by playing possum... when Chelsea gets close to him he'll jump up and run away.

He's still playing possum while Chelsea and Sandy sniff him...

Trooper gets kisses from Chelsea and Sandy... I think he's enjoying being the only boy in this group!

Camera Critters #14

A few weeks ago I introduced you to Striker... a beautiful Clydesdale who was in training to pull a carriage through our little mountain village. In the photo below Striker is in the foreground while his girlfriend Pauline is standing next to him.

Here's Pauline taking a break, chewing on a leaf and minding her own business. Being the incredibly witty person that I am... I decided to ask "why the long face Pauline?"

She responded with a horse laugh and a whinny which was quite unexpected. (Usually no one laughs at my jokes.)

I don't recall their names but these two horses are stablemates of Striker and Pauline. The stage coach driver is Keli. (Late breaking news... I was just informed that Keli was selected 2008 Miss Clementine at our Old Miner's Days festivities today while her younger sister Kailyn won first place in the Junior Miss division. Their father Michael won the Best Dressed Western division. Congratulations to all!)

I hope you enjoyed meeting Striker and Pauline. Click here to join in on the Camera Critters fun!

He popped the question... She said yes!

June 28th was a memorable day this year. Not only was it Justin's birthday but it was also the day he proposed to Ande. Justin got down on one knee and proposed to Ande in front of all of her relatives.

Ande's grandparents (Mama and Papa)

From left to right... Leah (Ande's mother), Ande, Justin, Albert (Ande's father) and Ande's little sister Christina seated in front. Justin is marrying into a wonderful family.

The Happy Couple!

Camera Critters #13

We went to Las Vegas last weekend for a family get-together. While we were there we visited the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. One of my favorite exhibits was the Lionfish display.

According to my guidebook the bright colors of the Lionfish serve as a warning to beware of it's venomous fins. The pattern on each Lionfish is unique, just like a fingerprint.

I hope everyone is enjoying the 4th of July weekend! If you would like to join in on the fun you can visit the Camera Critters website here.

Daily Affirmations With Wilbur Smalley...

Kids These Days!

I'm usually a pretty tolerant guy but sometimes the little pipsqueak can really get on my nerves...

Don't let that innocent face fool you...

Can you believe that he had the nerve to sit ON TOP of me today? What am I... an easy chair? I barked in his face and told him to go away... Pups these days have no respect for their elders... Grrrr!!!