The Lioness

The Lioness, originally uploaded by TammyTalking.

"Tammy Metzger thinks you're cute" (and so does God)

The picture above was taken circa 1974 that would be close to the time I was in 9th grade.



Knowing that someone looks at us with a measure of delight changes us. This is true of those early experiences of attraction as well as deeper romantic relationships. It has been true of my relationship with my wife, Leslie. But it is also true of family relationships. And it is true of friendship. All relationships in which we know ourselves to be noticed, delighted in, enjoyed, cherished, loved, or even simply considered "cute" change and form us. ~Mathew Gunter

Last February around Valentine's Day I became aware of this blog posting that is sort of about me. A classmate from school became an Episcopal priest and he wrote this about his memory of me back in 9th grade. Sometimes you never know how you have touched someone by doing or saying something albeit small. Thanks Matt for letting me know. I think hearing about this so many years later was nice because it was sort of a "coming around full circle".

SURF DOG RICOCHET 10,000 FANS ON FACEBOOK

PRESS RELEASE
SURF DOG RICOCHET ACHIEVES NEW MILESTONE - 10,000 FANS ON FACEBOOK...
& RAISES ALMOST $30,000 FOR CHARITY IN THE PROCESS!
SAN DIEGO, CA, June 28, 2010… Surf Dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who lives a lifestyle of helping others by pawing it forward, and who recently won 3rd place in the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Surf competition, has reached a new milestone - 10,000 fans on Facebook! This fan base has also help raise almost $30,000 in donations for Ricochet's charitable causes!
Ricochet started her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SurfDogRicochet in December of 2009 to help raise awareness and funds for her charities. Now, just six months later, she's reached the 10,000 fan mark, which grows every day.

Many people join Ricochet's Facebook page after watching her inspirational YouTube video, "From service dog to SURFice dog", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4. They often leave comments such as "I watched the video and couldn't stop crying! She's so inspiring, so amazing!", or "Wow! After my tears dried I couldn't wait to learn more about you and all that you do. You're one of a kind!"
Although folks join Ricochet's page as "fans", they quickly become much more than that. They share a connection... a common bond, which deepens the relationship to one of mutual support, inspiration and friendship. Her 10,000th fan, Rosemary Catherine is the epitome of this shared connection, as both she and Ricochet support "Surfers Healing", an organization that exposes autistic children to the unique experience of surfing.
Another fan, Lara Davis who is studying to be a teacher for children with special needs shared the 10,000th celebration by saying "I was truly touched (and in tears!) I love the message and the outreach efforts ricochet puts fourth. I've always thought animals such as Ricochet could make a big difference in the lives of children".
Reaching this key milestone demonstrates how much Ricochet's worldwide community supports her efforts. Her supporters have helped her raise awareness and funds... to the tune of almost $30,000 for both human and animal causes! In fact, two fundraising campaigns were funded almost entirely by her Facebook supporters. A canine cancer walk garnered $1820 in donations, and an arthritis walk raised over $5580 in donations.
Ricochet sincerely thanks each and every one of her supporters, and looks forward to a continued relationship of actively engaging them in Facebook conversations, while providing them with updates featuring her day-to-day activities, fundraising efforts, causes, events, news, photos, videos, articles, and FUN! She is currently fundraising for Helen Woodward Animal Center's orphaned animals, and anticipates another successful outcome with the help of her amazing supporters!
Note: For more information, contact Judy Fridono at 707-228-0679 or pawinspired@aol.com. http://www.surfdogricochet.com. On Facebook & Twitter: "Surf Dog Ricochet"

Our 2008 Vacation from our Dog's Point of View

Create your own picture slideshow

SURF DOG RICOCHET HELPING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR ARTHRITIS

SURF DOG RICOCHET TEAMS UP WITH LEASH YOUR FITNESS & I LOVE DOGS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR ARTHRITIS WITH AN ARTHRITIS WALK & PHOTO CONTEST!



SAN DIEGO, CA, May 13, 2010… Surf dog Ricochet, the SURFice dog who surfs for fun, competition, and charitable causes, is teaming up with Leash Your Fitness, and I Love Dogs, to raise awareness of arthritis in both humans and canines.

One in five adults, and over 300,000 children suffer with arthritis pain every day. Arthritis is one of the most common health problems a dog will face. In fact, at least one in five dogs will develop the debilitating disease. Arthritis is the most common disability in the nation.

This campaign hits close to home for Ricochet, as her guardian and handler, Judy Fridono has been suffering from debilitating arthritis since she was a teenager. "Ricochet has taught me to focus on what I CAN do, rather than what I can't" says Judy. Although she is in constant pain, and horrible fatigue, Judy is committed to helping Ricochet on her journey of raising funds and awareness for charitable causes. When Leash Your Fitness mentioned they were involved in the "Let's Move Together Arthritis Walk", Ricochet immediately joined their team. For more info on how arthritis affects Ricochet and Judy, go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com/Arthritis%20Campaign.htm

The Eighth Annual "Let's Move Together" Arthritis Walk will take place at the NTC Promenade at Liberty Station on Saturday, June 5, 2010. The goal for the 2010 Walk is to raise $250,000 for the prevention, treatment, and research to find a cure for arthritis.

Leash Your Fitness, the only workout class in San Diego where your dog is your workout partner is co-sponsoring the "Leash Your Fitness with Kima" 2010 Arthritis Walk team. In exchange for each team member raising a minimum of $150.00 for the Arthritis Foundation, the participant receives six weeks of FREE training, three FREE Leash Your Fitness classes and a FREE Leash Your Fitness t-shirt to wear in the walk. The team meets weekly at various parks throughout San Diego for one-hour "walk the circuit" classes, which incorporate upper body strength and core exercises, balance, yoga and dog obedience. The team training is designed to build endurance for the three-mile walk, all while preparing your dog to walk in a group setting. For additional details on Leash Your Fitness Classes or to join the team, please visit http://www.leashyourfitness.com/index.htm

I Love Dogs has long been supportive of Ricochet’s amazing charitable work and donations, and when they heard about her new arthritis campaign, they wanted to get involved. They are excited to announce that they’re co-hosting a photo contest with Ricochet, and because I Love Dogs dreams of a world without the pain of arthritis, the contest is focusing on health, exercise and fun! In honor of Ricochet’s talent as a surfer, the contest is beach and surf themed. Pet parents are asked to dress up their dogs in their coolest beach or surf outfits or accessories. The winner gets a big gift basket with all sorts of goodies such as a 60-day supply of Glucosamine & Chondroitin with Green Tea, a Frisbee, a leash and some Body Glove water toys. For all the details of the contest, go to
http://www.ilovedogs.com/2010/05/surf-dog-ricochet-and-i-love-dogs-team-up-for-a-contest/

Ricochet, Leash Your Fitness, and I Love Dogs invite you to join them in their quest to raise awareness of arthritis, by joining their team for the walk, entering the photo contest, or making a donation.

Ricochet dreams of a day when her guardian, and all those suffering with arthritis, both human and canine can live their life without pain.

For more information, contact Judy Fridono at 707-228-0679, or pawinspired@aol.com.

http://www.SurfDogRicochet.com
http://www.arthritiswalksandiego.com
http://www.LeashYourFitness.com
http://www.Ilovedogs.com

The Easter Doggy

The Easter Doggy , originally uploaded by TammyTalking.

Wishing You a Pot o' Gold!

I took this yesterday on a short walk in beautiful Spring like weather here in Indiana.

The Snow Princess

The Snow Princess, originally uploaded by TammyTalking.

Another midday walk/rest in our side yard with the beautiful snow coming down like a snow globe.

Whee! We Are Getting the Tree!

Whee! We Are Getting the Tree!, originally uploaded by TammyTalking.

My daughter Faith took this the day we cut down our Christmas tree. The camera lens had drops of condensation on it from the wet snow. I could not figure out how to fix the spots on the image so I asked for help at Elements Village. This is Daviskw's edit as I am still unable to replicate the repair. I am going to practice some more...my problem seems to be the brushing technique.

He also did a gif of it and I love it! You can see the original, read about his edit and see the gif here....
www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54217

Thank you Daviskw www.elementsvillage.com/forums/member.php?u=3201

Click on above image to see gif with snow!

Wink

Wink, originally uploaded by TammyTalking.

I took this right as we were getting a lovely fresh snow fall; enough to make everything all white again. The wind was whipping and small little flakes were coming down.

We Were Children...

We Were Children..., originally uploaded by TammyTalking.

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.

Pictured Dick Shipley and Betty Alexander Doubt

This is a picture of my Uncle Dick and his pal Betty is from my Uncle Dick's photo collection. This was possibly taken along the lane at my Grandparent's farm in Silver Lake, Indiana.

Circa 1950

Tulips in Amsterdam...Created by Rubyblossom.

Tulips in Amsterdam...Created by Rubyblossom., originally uploaded by TammyTalking.
This wonderful image was made with a picture of my Sadie by a friend. Please visit her photostream and see her wonderful art here.

This is the image she used to make my dutch girl!

Sadie In The Sunbeam

Bird Brushes~ http://paranoidstock.deviantart.com/gallery/

Background ~ Rubyblossom's original art http://www.flickr.com/photos/rubyblossom/4336655333/

#169~365 Photo manipulations Project~ www.flickr.com/groups/365pmp/pool/

From service dog to SURFice dog

This is such an inspirational and touching story with a message for all of us. Don't try to be what you are not, help others, and working together can make amazing things happen are a few of them.

It will probably make you cry so you might want to watch this in private. ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4

More places to see and find out about Ricochet...
Web site http://www.surfdogricochet.com/
Twitter http://twitter.com/SurfDogRicochet
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Dog-Ricochet/178108649370?ref=ts

I Don't Wanna Get Old

I heard this song on the radio a while back. I like it. I think it could be my theme song. ;-)
"I got a young heart and I never wanna get old."

STEPHEN KELLOGG AND THE SIXERS /SHADY ESPERANTO AND THE YOUNG HEARTS
From the album The Bear

UMass Minuteman Marching Band

A Day in May

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This is a short slideshow I put together of pictures I took of my granddaughter Grace and myself on a sweet day in May, 2009. It has audio.

Powder Bliss

Sadie enjoyed her time out in the snow yesterday.