Christmas is in the Air!

Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas......Dale Evans

Thanksgiving is passed and Christmas is in the air. There is much commotion at the village as boxes are wrapped and happy ribbons adorn the packages...I am laying tightly in a ball trying to keep warm, enjoying the festivities of the villagers who are busily working on the decorations. There must be hundreds of wrapped boxes ready to be hung from the trees and piles of pine tree garland waiting to be adorned on Santa's gazebo. Steve is busily giving directions on displaying the hundreds of boxes. There are villagers tying bows, climbing ladders, and carrying armfuls of gift boxes here and there....there is much commotion on this cold November day...getting ready for December Nights in Balboa Park.


''Hi Bella'' ''How you doing girl?'' Steve pats my head as he hurrys to install the Christmas lights at the entrance.
Misha asks Steve if I've had anything to eat. ''Are you hungry, girl?'' she asks.
Hungry? Me? I wag my tail, lift my head and nudge Misha's hand and smell the aroma of fried chicken....
''Have some fried chicken, Bella''
...and the day became less cold because of the warm friends I have in the village.

Goodbye Sylvia.....

SYLVIA SCHMAHMANN
Sadness has fallen on the village. Our friend, Sylvia Schmahmann has passed away. Our village will feel the emptied spot that Sylvia once filled.
Our spirited, independent, kind, thoughtful, friend has passed on.
We had a memorial service for her this afternoon. Many villagers and friends were there to show their respect, and profound loss. Some cried, some laughed, some laughed and cried, as stories were remembered of Sylvia.
A buffet was offered to the guest....but I didn't eat...I was saddened to the pit of my stomach....my friend Sylvia is gone.

The Potter's Guild Sale & Pepperoni

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. Roger Caras

It is a sunny day.
The whole main patio is full of tables covered with ceramics of all kinds, interesting sculptures, and utilitarian clay works. Twice a year, the Potter's Guild puts on a big weekend sale, showing off their many interpretations of clay.


I see Elizabeth and Shirley busily loading their tables with their wares. There are casserole dishes, bowls, cups, sushi dishes, vases and more. Doug is loading his tables with many colorful sculptures. People are meandering around the tables, picking up interesting pieces to appreciate and examine. The shapes and the glazes are intriguing.... The line to pay for the pieces is beginning to snake around the corner...customers are patient to purchase their treasures. I decide to get up, do my Bella shake, ahhh, that feels good, and trot on down to the Potter's Guild...I can smell the pizza's aroma coming from the guild....I enjoy the admiring looks I get from all the visitors, but really enjoy nothing more than a slice of pepperoni pizza! Woof!