A cattle dog is like velcro to their owner. This is Coal’s favorite place to end the day, laying with me while I read a book in bed…

The problem comes when he spends the whole afternoon before that like this…

Turns out he’s a big fan of swimming in sink holes. And drainage ditches. And storm ponds. A sheep troughs.

And if I complain that’s he’s stinkin’, wet, and dirty, he likes to clean up by rolling in…dirt.

With the best of intentions, I’m sure.

So I try to walk through the woods longer to get him dry. Then he’s got that great, low-maintenance, cattle dog coat so I just ruff him up really good on the porch and all the dirt falls out.

In theory.

Sometimes he just gets a bath.

This weekend he got a bath.

Or should I say “shower.” Turns out he loves water so much that I just walk in the shower and he follows me in, then I shut the door and turn on the water, and he just stand there while I wash him down. The nut. Easiest bather we’ve ever had–as long as you’re using warm water. He doesn’t like baths in cold water. Cold water is for playing in, not washing in. {grin}

Around here we’re expecting the next group of ewes to start lambing any day now.

We’ve also got Master Clubs regionals coming up with our Wednesday night class of 4th-6th graders. The Ladybug and the Cowboy have both been working super hard on songs, presentations, and bible relay games the last 12-16 weeks to prepare. Speedracer’s been working super hard on cleaning his room because Grandpa’s coming to stay with him while we’re gone. {smile} If you’re not familiar with Master Clubs, you should check it out. It’s a great children’s program and we’ve got the Pine Car Derby coming up a few weeks after we get back.

Meanwhile the days are getting longer, and a tab bit warmer, and I’m glad to have finally kicked most of this cold to the curb. It’s been a long couple of weeks, but Spring is right around the corner, I can feel it!