animal

Puppy-Sitting Trevor: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 37 Comments

Puppy-Sitting Trevor:  A Charlie Guest Post.

Last weekend, we had a guest stay over.
He is my younger nephew, Trevor.

Though he is taller…..
and heavier….
and stronger than me…
He is DEFINITELY still
a PUPPY!

Mom and Dad think it is so much fun
to have him over.

And I like him…. don’t get me wrong.
I get along with all dogs and cats and deer and turkey
and people, and well – you know – everybody!

But when we puppy-sit,
it is also a lot of work for me!

Trevor wants to play play play…
ALL
THE
TIME.

I like to play, but this kid!!!!!
Gee Whiz!

He is constantly antagonizing me
with barks and jumps and little nips at the neck
to go go go!

He strews my bones and toys out all over the house…  and outside!
(but he does bring some of his own to share with me too, so that is really nice!)

If I have one of my bones out of my special bucket, that’s the one that he wants.
So I have to take turns and share.  I have to teach him you know.

Then there is the doggie door.
He loves to run in and outside like I do,
but he doesn’t know the boundaries of our yard.

So…..
when he is here, Mom puts a gate up on the porch so he doesn’t wander off.
And guess what that means??
I’m trapped in too!
NO FAIR – right??!!

But I’m a good boy and put up with it
since I know it is all part of being a good Uncle Charlie when we puppy-sit.

When we go for walks, it is pretty fun to show him my “stomping grounds”
and show him where all the juiciest grasses are to snack on and sample along the way.

At night, though, he does get a little jealous.
You see – I get to jump into bed between Mom and Dad when I’m ready to snuggle.

But this is where I draw the line (and so does Dad – PHEW!).
Trevor sleeps on the floor next to the bed… in his bed.
(na-na na-na boo-boo!)

It’s all part of being an Uncle and good boy,
so I do it.

After all,
we were both rescued and saved to a better life…

A dog’s life!
And it’s a great one!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

My Second Book is Published! Lucas the Lucky Lion

/ Jodi / 74 Comments
Lucas the Lucky Lion and his Fun Rhyming Friends

My second book is published!  Lucas the Lucky Lion and his Fun Rhyming Friends is now available at Amazon.

Some of you may remember my first children’s book, Klaus the Mouse and other Silly Animal Tales.  I had so much fun creating it, much in part to the encouragement of this fun blogging community.

This second one was created as a follow-up to Klaus the Mouse in a way, as it evolved from friends asking for, and then me creating, characters based on my besties’ grandies similar to the watercolor paintings and rhyming stories in Klaus the Mouse.  It was a labor of love to honor these friends and their special grandchildren.

My first book was dedicated to my first granddaughter.  This one is dedicated to my second.  They are two of the greatest loves of my life!

Thank you Bubby for encouraging me every step of the way to publish this book.  Thank you Jim for that first request of Alex the Alligator and Liz the Lizard that put this whole compilation in motion.  Thank you Jill for sharing your family with mine and supporting me no matter what I do.  Thank you Joyce for your love and creative inspiration and for sharing the best of what family is all about with me.

In this book, you will enjoy reading and rhyming along with Lucas the Lucky Lion, who of course scored the cover spot because of his good luck, all the way through to Mason the fickle, pickle-loving monkey who is sure to tickle your funny bone.

And in this book, I left two blank pages at the end where I hope readers will consider drawing their own character and creating their own rhyme.  And I would love if they will share with me.  My email address is mckinneyjodi@gmail.com.

Thanks to all of you for your ongoing encouragement and support.  You’ve really contributed to making my dreams come true!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

 

 

Alex the Alligator

/ Jodi / 55 Comments

Alex the Alligator Watercolor – 11×14

Alex the Alligator.

In a swamp near the equator,
lived Alex the alligator.

Alex liked to jump and kick.
Doing fancy tricks
was part of his famous schtick.

Alex was often the very first pick
because he was so doggone slick
in the eyes and hearts of the alligator chicks.

For not many gators could be so quick
doing fancy acrobatics
and even arithmetic!

So if you ever find yourself near the equator
and see a slick jumping and kicking gator,
Say Hi to Alex…

Alex the Alligator.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

PS  Alex the Alligator was made especially for a friend’s grandson, who loves Klaus the Mouse – my very first published illustrated children’s book.  Granpap asked if I could make an Alex the Alligator and a Liz the Lizard for his two special little grandies.  This is going to be a surprise for him.  I can’t wait to create Liz next.

 

 

 

The Dog Days of Autumn – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

Charlie relaxing in the Dog Days of Autumn – October, 2018 – Mars, PA

The Dog Days of Autumn – A Charlie Guest Post.

Who says dogs like summer best?
I say hold your horses…
The dog days of summer
are for the birds!

Maybe it is the elephant in the room,
or maybe you consider me pig-headed,
but I’m going to let the cat out of the bag
and tell you Fall is the cat’s meow!

It just makes me mad as a hornet
and really gets my goat
when folks don’t realize the lion’s share of enjoyment
weasels out in the crisp breeze of Autumn.

Are you like a fish out of water when the leaves start to turn?
I promise Autumn is not a one trick pony.
You’ve got to believe me – I wouldn’t hurt a fly…
Fish or cut bait, and enjoy the beauty.

So when summer’s gone to the dogs
and I get ants in my pants,
I watch like a hawk
for the smoldering heat and humidity to quit cold turkey

And I head out on a wild goose chase
and let sleeping dogs lie
for the red herring is truly
the Dog Days of Autumn!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Charlie’s Advice for a Stress-Free Life

/ Jodi / 51 Comments

Charlie 7/22/18 Mars, PA

Charlie’s Advice for a Stress-Free Life.

Many dogs have said it before me,
but it bears repeating….

If you can’t eat it
or play with it,
then pee on it,
and walk away.

Don’t make life so complicated!

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Tip Toe through the… Fallen Leaves – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 44 Comments

Tip Toe through the… Fallen Leaves:  A Charlie Guest Post.

I’m trying to tip toe,
taking it nice and slow..

but these crispy, crunchy leaves
which are supposed to be up in the trees

are warning my prey
and giving me away!

Good thing I’m only sneakin’
up on Mom who is peekin’

through that silly camera lens
that causes her to spend

way too much time
thinking of silly rhymes.

(Good thing I come along every once in a while and give her a break!)

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jaeger the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

 

 

On Being an Uncle: A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 35 Comments

On Being an Uncle:  A Charlie Guest Post.

As many of you may recall, I became an uncle about nine months ago.

I gotta tell you, this job just gets better and better every week.

“We” are now eating some “solid” foods by “our self” sitting in the “high” chair.

It is very important for me to stay close by during mealtime to catch anything that hits the floor…  or happens to be shared by a swinging hand.  (And I must say, blueberry puffs with purple sweet potato are quite scrumptious.)

“We” are also now getting much more mobile, and “somebody” likes my squeaky toys, my ears, my tongue, my paws, and my nose.  “She” even takes my bones right out of my mouth.

But that’s okay.  It’s all in a day’s work of being an uncle.  And as long as she tosses me a blueberry puff or two, I’m totally fine with the rest of the havoc!

Mom says I am a really good uncle.  I like when she tells me that.  It is usually accompanied by a chin scratch or an ear rub or possibly a treat!  She really, really likes being a grandma, so I guess its a good thing I like being an uncle…

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jaeger the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.

Hedy the Hedgehog

/ Jodi / 46 Comments
Hedy the Hedgehog Watercolor 8x10 140lb Arches Cold Press

Hedy the Hedgehog Watercolor 8×10 140lb Arches Cold Press

Hedy the Hedgehog

A sweet little hedgehog named Hedy
never wanted to go to beddy.

So when her Mom told her it was time to get ready,
she would ask for a piece of bready.

Some jam she would ask to be spready
to keep her belly all fedy.

When full, she would hug her Teddy
and into bed she would getty.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This is just one of a series of fun animal watercolor paintings and rhymes I am pursuing.

See the others:
A Rare Hare with Flare
A Duck Named Chuck
A Fawn at Dawn
Rooty the Rooster
A Precocious Pink Pig  
Hal the Colorful Cow
A Mouse named Klaus
Pam the Lamb
An Otterly Awesome Otter
Earl the Squirrel
Adele the Gazelle
A Snail’s Tale
Chippy the Chipmunk

#WorldWatercolorMonth

Adele the Gazelle

/ Jodi / 41 Comments
Adele the Gazelle Watercolor 8x10 140lb Arches Cold Press

Adele the Gazelle Watercolor 8×10 140lb Arches Cold Press

Adele the Gazelle
was quite the bombshell.

She had the most magnificent smell,
it was almost as if she cast a magic spell.

Though most gazelles are not permitted to fly,  Adele was one you could not tell.
She simply believed it a myth she must and would dispel.

So after her jet flight and arrival at the airport in Nevel,
she proceeded directly to slide down the luggage carousel.

She bid her traveling friends farewell,
and headed northwest towards her hotel.

And when she rang the desk’s silver bell,
you should have seen the personnel!

But then they smelled Adele so swell,
as the stories go that they do tell,

And just like magic, they knew full well,
they, too, were under her incredible spell.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This is one of a series of fun animal watercolor paintings and rhymes I am pursuing.
See the others:
A Rare Hare with Flare
A Duck Named Chuck
A Fawn at Dawn
Rooty the Rooster
A Precocious Pink Pig  
Hal the Colorful Cow
A Mouse named Klaus
Pam the Lamb
An Otterly Awesome Otter
Earl the Squirrel

#WorldWatercolorMonth

Hal the Colorful Cow

/ Jodi / 41 Comments

Hal the colorful cow
simply did not know how to smile.

He tried things like raising his brow,
but still there remained a grimacing scowl.

He visited Frau,
who just gave him a meow.

He wandered around here and now,
and sighed and sadly whispered, “wow.”

So he went about his daily plow,
trying and trying to think of somehow.

When it came to him that he would take a vow –
he simply committed he would disallow.

So he took a bow,
and all of the sudden, he was able to smile.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

This is one of a series of fun animal watercolor paintings and rhymes I am pursuing.
See the others:
A Rare Hare with Flare
A Duck Named Chuck
A Fawn at Dawn
Rooty the Rooster
A Precocious Pink Pig  

#WorldWatercolorMonth