Giles Snyder

This is our Big Dog Rodney. Rodney doesn't scare easily. He laughs at Fourth of July fireworks when other dogs cower beneath the bed. But that doesn't mean he can't be spooked. Take this festive Halloween ghost that hangs from a tree on the other side of the neighborhood. Rodney gives this harmless holiday decoration the side-eye when we are out for our regular afternoon constitutional. Good thing no holiday tradition involves a cheery display of vacuum cleaners.

With summer threatening to overstay its welcome this year, I wasn't sure the weather would turn in time for Halloween.  But its gotten chilly in the neighborhood. And when I went outside before the sun was fully up this morning, dark clouds were moving fast over my house. A strong, constant breeze blew in from the west, testing the leaves ability to stay tied to the tall trees in my neighbor's yard across the street. I half expected the bats in the belfry to start swarming.  When it was still sultry, the bales of straw, pumpkins and potted mums my wife carefully arranged on the front stoop seemed out of place. Now, her efforts are paying off. The season is perfect for them.  And our little tuxie has found a new perch from where she keeps an eye on her domain.

I had to put off mowing the lawn last week. The grass was too wet. No surprise there. Rain has been soaking my neighborhood for months. I was out walking our Big Dog Rodney last Thursday when my neighbor across the street wondered aloud if it would ever stop raining. And on Friday morning, the water in the lower part of  the neighborhood had washed over the road for the umpteenth time. I wasn't heartbroken about the delay in cutting the grass. I think I've made clear my position on being forced to mow. But that doesn't mean I was able to kick back, crack open a beer and boot up a few episodes of "Star Trek" on my days off from the newsroom. I was too busy. For one thing, I had to take Rodney to the vet. He needed his annual rabies shot. I also had to go to the grocery store, do some laundry, vacuum, mop the kitchen floor, get dinner on the table and put the dishes away. Standard chores. But my week also included an atypical job. I had to finish pai

I mistook our little tuxie's intentions this morning. At first, I thought she was simply waiting for my coffee to brew when I came upon her waiting patiently at the front door, her tail twitching back and forth. But when I finally opened the door, I discovered she had murderous designs on a blue jay. The jay escaped after being flushed from the bush out front. The cat wasn't quick enough ... this time.

My arch enemies - the neighborhood deer. They brought the kids over for dinner this evening.   I wouldn't mind them so much if they'd just cut the grass.  Leave it better than you found it, right?

Not a good morning for coffee. I'm upside down today. Worked the newsroom overnight.  When I got home this morning, the orange tabby from across the street took advantage of the last few minutes of darkness to sneak over to mooch some breakfast.  He seemed wary of our little tuxie, though - fearful she might turn up and run him off before he could get his fill.  Click on the image to get a look at our little tuxie's rival