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In addition to squirrels, I'm sure many of you also know about my love of penguins.

And I love them for many reasons.

I love them first and foremost because I think they're just so damn cute. I've always thought that penguins look as though they were born wearing a tuxedo. And I always have the urge to place a little black top hat on their heads; hand them a cane; and watch them tap dance to Puttin' on the Ritz...


I also love them because they prefer colder temperatures and enjoy SNOW, like I do.

Anyhow...

a few weeks ago, one of my coworkers (who also loves penguins) surprised me with a very sweet and thoughtful Christmas gift. If you look at the photograph of my tiny Christmas tree at the top of this post, you will see two penguins - one is a penguin Christmas tree ornament, and the other is a soft, cuddly stuffed penguin - both of which he gave me.

Aren't they the most adorable little things?

He himself has one of those stuffed penguins so, knowing how much I would also love one, he went online several weeks ago and ordered one for me.

Now strange as this may sound, he named his penguin, Katie. So of course, I had to give mine a name as well. I decided on, Pattie.

And even stranger as this may sound, he loves taking pictures of Katie in various locations and showing them to me at work on his smart phone. I can't tell you how much the two of us laugh and laugh as if we're looking at pictures of his penguin daughter, Katie!

So, do you know what I did this morning when I opened my apartment blinds and saw that it was snowing?

I took Pattie outside for a march in the city snow...


Pattie at one of my favorite gated parks in Society Hill...


Pattie wanted to try her hand at balancing herself on this pole. I think she did remarkably well, don't you?..


I know these next pictures look quite bizarre, but I didn't have a free hand to hold Pattie while I took these selfies of us, so I decided to just shove her in my mouth and then smile...


Here is Pattie taking a seat on this chained up bicycle along a street in Old City.
She's such a biker chick...


God only knows what the people thought after reviewing the tape in their surveillance cameras and saw Pattie posing at this construction site...


As I walked by these Christmas decorations in front of a store in Old City, I popped Pattie into the 
display and snapped this picture. She's such a ham...


After a few hours of walking and posing, Pattie decided she needed some caffeine to recharge. So we stopped into Starbucks for a tall dark roast...


This is by far my VERY FAVORITE picture of the day. 
Here is Pattie as, Elf....


Before I conclude this post, I want to share with you another cute Christmas gift that I got from my boss at work. She knows how much I adore squirrels, so she gave me this...


Could you just DIE?!? Have you ever seen anything so precious in your life?!?
When she gave it to me I screamed with JOY!
I named him George Micheal because I loved the singer, George Michael, who passed away last Christmas; therefore I wanted to tribute him by naming this cute little squirrel in his honor.

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Joy-filled New Year!
X

32 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Ron. I've only seen real penguins once, somewhere abroad, and I believe a local shop sold toy penguins. I guess you have to live in the right place to see them. Perhaps I should move. As for squirrels, I honestly don't mind them in doll form!!! OK, I'll say no more.

    Well, here we are, at the end of another year. Doesn't time fly? I will take this opportunity to thank you for your informative and enlightening posts throughout 2017. Wishing you good health and much happiness in the coming year. Have a good one, dear friend x

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  2. Omg Ron, is Pattie a Tsum Tsum? Middle Child has a small collection of those. They are very cute! I love your Christmas display and that squirrel is fabulous with the bushy tail! I do love Pattie as Elf. Weren't you cracking up while taking those pics? People probably thought you were either a professional commercial photographer . . . Or a crazy person! Bahahaha!

    Ron, I hope you have a great 2018 filled with wonderful surprises like those gifts. Love you, my friend!

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  3. Hey Ron! I have been MIA for quite awhile so thought I would pop in and say Happy New Year! I absolutely ADORE Pattie and her March photos are extraordinary! How FUN! Now you two can have contests on who has the best pics!

    And George Michael! Seriously THE cutest thing ever!! Love him!

    Happy New Year to you my friend! If you keep collecting...you’ll have to get a two bedroom in NYC! Bwahahaha!😂😂. Wishing you much health and happiness in 2018!

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  4. Pattie is just precious, and so is George Michael! You have such great co-workers, my friend. I for one love the selfie of you and Pattie -- it shows her true size. The ones at the top make her look way bigger.

    I'm a freak when it comes to stuffed critters! I've got way more owls and rabbits than I actually need, but they're so doggone cute that I can't resist them!

    You've got quite a menagerie beneath your tree this year -- what was the name of your elf? I think you posted about him/her before, didn't you?

    Happy New Year's, Ron. Hope you're not going to stand outside and wait for something to drop to welcome in 2018, but if you do, bundle up!! xx

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  5. As you know, I'm a huge fan of both squirrels and penguins. Both adorable creatures. Looks like you're having fun getting your new penguin pal out and about. :-)

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  6. And also, I meant to wish you a wonderful New Year!

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  7. Hello there Valerie!

    When I lived in Florida, they had a penguin encounter at Sea World. OMG, they were so cute. I own the movie, March of the Penguins, which was a faaaaaaabulous documentary on how they march, once a year (in Antarctica), for miles and miles, miles. The documentary really showed how strong, resilient, and persistent they are.

    "As for squirrels, I honestly don't mind them in doll form!!! OK, I'll say no more."

    HAHAHA! I know you're not very fond of them. And I know several people who feel as you do. In fact, one of the people work with can't stand them.

    Yes, can you believe how FAST this year flew by? I can clearly remember last year at this time when it turned from 2016 to 2017, and it feels like yesterday!

    Thanks so much for your sweet words and well wishes, my friend. And ditto to YOU!. Thank you for being in my life. Your friendship is cherished.

    Happy New Year to you and Charlie!!!!

    Cheers and X

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  8. I don't think so because I googled Tsum Tsum and I couldn't find Pattie in their collection. I cut the tag off of her right after I got her, so I can't exactly recall what company she came from. However, I do know (because the guy who gave her to me said) that the company take makes these toys is somewhere in Boca Raton, Florida.

    Isn't the squirrel adorable? I decided that I'm going to leave him out all year instead of packing him away with all my other Christmas decorations because I want to look at him all year long!

    Don't you just LOVE Pattie as Elf? HAHAHAHAHAHA!

    "Weren't you cracking up while taking those pics? People probably thought you were either a professional commercial photographer . . . Or a crazy person! "

    Yes, I WAS laughing. And I didn't even look at everyone else around me when I took these photographs because I knew they were probably thinking a was a LUNATIC!

    Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you a FABULOUS New Year, my friend!

    And thanks so much for your longstanding friendship!

    Cheers and X

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  9. You too? And why am I not surprised, being a fellow-Libran????

    Aren't squirrels and penguins the CUTEST?

    I would love to have one of each as a pet!

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  10. Wishing a WONDERFUL New Year as well!

    And thanks so much for your friendship!

    Cheers and X

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  11. Helloooooooooo there Debbie!

    Aw...thank you. Aren't Pattie and George Micheal the cutest little things? Truly, receiving them as gifts this Christmas was SUCH a delight! I literally jumped up and down like a child when they were given to me. And I walked all throughout the store; showing them to all my other coworkers.

    "I'm a freak when it comes to stuffed critters! I've got way more owls and rabbits than I actually need, but they're so doggone cute that I can't resist them!"

    Meeeeeeeeeee too! And I feel the same way! I also have a collection of trolls (remember those?) that I keep in a box in my closet. I also used to collect Beanie Babies!

    Yup, you've got a great memory. I did share a post several years ago about getting my Elf on a Shelf, thinking that it was a boy, when in fact, it was a girl. So I named her Samantha!

    HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too, my friend! And thanks so much for your longstanding friendship!

    Cheers and X!

    P.S. No, I won't be standing outside waiting for the ball to drop at New Years tonight. I'll be sitting inside my candlelit apartment, sipping some red wine, and welcoming 2018!

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  12. Hey there Jeanne!

    So great to see ya!

    I had sooooooooooo much fun taking these pictures. And yes, he and I share (text) each other pictures of our penguins, it's hilarious! He actually took a picture of Katie sitting in his seat on an Amtrak train, headed into NYC - ha!

    I literally jumped up and down like a little kid when my boss gave me the squirrel. And a few minutes later I decided to call him George Michael!

    "f you keep collecting...you’ll have to get a two bedroom in NYC! Bwahahaha!😂😂. "

    HAHAHAHAHA! You are so right!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Wishing you and your family a faaaaaaabulous New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  13. Oh Ron, what a fun post! The pictures of Pattie are so cute! She's quite photogenic, isn't she? LOL The one of her as Elf made me laugh out loud. George Michael is precious! I love squirrels as well. Where did you boss get him?

    Happy New Year, Ron. I'm so glad we met this year, and I'm looking forward to 2018!
    X

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  14. Hello Candice!

    I think she mentioned that she got him at Michaels Craft Store, in the Christmas tree decoration area. Isn't he adorable!!!

    Happy 2018 New Year to you! Glad we met too!

    Cheers and X

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  15. Haha! I love the Elf photo, Ron. Pattie is a star in the making, that's for sure. One of my favorite exhibits at the Oregon Zoo is the "penguinarium" so I can totally relate to your obsession. Penguins are just super cool.

    And look at that snow you have! How exciting. Hope you're keeping warm; I hear the frigid weather has moved into your part of the country now.

    Hope your 2018 is fantastic! Big changes on the horizon for both of us!!

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  16. Oh my god, Ron, what a cute, cute, cute post! I LOVE the photographs, they are priceless! Pattie is such a cutie, as well as George Michael. I love the name you picked for him LOL!

    I bet you had so much fun taking Pattie for her march in the snow. I saw on the weather report that you got a lot of snow in your area and freezing temps. I watched the ball drop in Times Square last night I could see just how COLD it really was. WOW!

    Wishing you the BEST this new year, Ron! And I'm sure your all excited about your move back to NY this year!

    X

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  17. Hola Denise!

    I had so much fun taking Pattie out in the snow for her first official city march - ha! I had her in the pocket of my coat the whole time, but would take her out when I spotted a fun place to photograph her. For some reason, the name George Michael came to mind when I saw him. Isn't he adorable? I put away my Christmas decorations and tree today, but decided to leave George M out all year, just so I could look at him all the time!

    Yes, it's been freezing here the past week. However, you know me....I LOVE the cold so I'm enjoying it. This week is supposed to be equally as cold. I may go into NYC on the weekend.

    "I watched the ball drop in Times Square last night...."

    OMG, so did I! It's been several years since I've done that, but last night I made a point of watching it an hour before the ball dropped. At midnight, I got very emotional because I was thinking that next year...I'll be there!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Happy New Year to you!!!

    Cheers and X

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  18. Howdy Mark!

    HA! When I saw that Elf face in hole on the street, I immediately popped Pattie's cute little face in the hole!

    " Pattie is a star in the making, that's for sure." She's so photogenic, isn't she?

    Aren't penguins the coolest little things? I have a LIVE penguin CAM bookmarked on my computer that I watch every so often. They are so cute to watch!

    "And look at that snow you have! How exciting. Hope you're keeping warm; I hear the frigid weather has moved into your part of the country now."

    OMG, yes....it's been sooooooooooooo cold here the past week or so. But you know me, I am sooooooo lovin' it. I hope we get more snow this week. I have plans to go into NYC on Saturday for the day and plan on going to the Top of the Rock with my camera.

    Wishing you and Tara a faaaaaaaaaaaabulous 2018! Yes, we both have big changes on the horizon.Yaaaaaaaaay!

    X to you and Tara

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  19. Ron, forgot to ask in my last comment if it's a cold there as they show on the weather report shows. It's cold here, but not that cold. Brrrrrrr.

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  20. Yes....we've had freezing temps the past week. Last night was in the negatives and tonight more of the same. I actually love the cold, so I'm enjoying it :)

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  21. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comWednesday, January 03, 2018

    What fun photos! I do so envy you your snow. Enjoy - I know you will!

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  22. Thank you, Fiona! I had so much fun taking these photographs of Pattie - ha!

    "Enjoy - I know you will!"

    OMG....you better believe it, I'm savoring every bit of this cold weather and snow. I LOVE it :)

    Happy New Year to you, my friend!

    Cheers and X

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  23. Hey, Ron, I love this post! With these new additions to your family you should be handing out cigars!

    Patti and George Michael are awesome! I don’t share their love of winter, but I still think they’re adorable!

    Happy New Year, buddy!

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  24. I really LOL'd and absolutely LOVE this post. :) All those pictures are wonderful. Don't even have a fav... just ALL.
    What sweet gifts!
    Wow, it's 2018!
    Happy New Year, Ron. All my good wishes for the best year ahead. xo

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  25. Hey there Rob!

    "With these new additions to your family you should be handing out cigars!"

    HAHAHAHAHA! You're right!! My two adopted children - Pattie and George!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Hope you're feeling better and stronger after your time in the hospital.

    Wishing you a speedy recovery and a FAAAAAAAAAAABULOUS New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  26. Aw......thank you, Mary! I had so much fun taking these photographs and putting this post together.

    Aren't Pattie and George the cutest? I felt so giddy and excited when they were given to me. I acted like a little kid = HA!

    Yes....can you believe it's 2018?!?!?!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor.

    Wishing you and your family a Happy, Healthy, and Fantastic New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  27. Hi Ron!
    Happy New Year! I'm glad to see that you're still blogging. So am I. We both started the same year 2007. Ten years of creativity. Wow! Such a cute post. Shows so well your tongue in cheek personality.

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  28. Hey there Susu...it's so nice to see you!

    Yup...I'm still blogging, however, I don't post as much as I used to. I probably post about 2-3 times a month rather than every week. Over the past several years, my work schedule has changed, so I don't have the time to post like I used to. But I still do enjoy it.

    I know, can you believe it's been 10 years for you and I? I often think to myself, "How did those years fly by so fast?!?"

    Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Wishing you an awesome 2018!

    Cheers and X

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  29. Ron, both Pattie and George Michael are adorable! You cracked me up with your narratives between each photograph. " I didn't have a free hand to hold Pattie while I took these selfies of us, so I decided to just shove her in my mouth and then smile..." LOL!

    And that picture of Pattie as Elf is priceless!

    And speaking of snow, can you believe how cold it's been and all the snow we've gotten so far? My family in Long Island, NY got hit really hard.

    Happy New Year, Ron. Wishing you all the very best in 2018 and your move to New York City!
    X

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  30. Hey there Elaine!

    HA! I had so much fun taking these pictures. Aren't Pattie and George so cute? You should have seen my reaction when they were given to me. I acted like a little kid, jumping up and down, clapping!

    "Hey speaking of snow, can you believe how cold it's been and all the snow we've gotten so far? My family in Long Island, NY got hit really hard."

    OMG...can you believe how cold it is and how much snow we got this winter? I know I sound crazy, but I'm loving it because we got cheated out of cold and snow the past three winters. For the past two days I've been outside enjoying the freezing cold temps and snow!

    Yes, I saw that New York and Boston got hit very hard. I hope your family is okay.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Wishing you and your husband a HAPPY, HAPPY New Year!

    Cheers and X

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  31. Hellooo Ron! Been out of town for the holidays and missed your end-of-the-year post. I don't know how I missed it, but I didn't know you loved squirrels and penguins! Obviously, you had a fantastic time posing Pattie outside in her "element." Such cute pics. Do you own the movie Happy Feet? If not, you should! As for squirrels, all I have to do is walk out my back door and I have about 20 of them in the yard. :-) Wishing you all the best life has to offer for 2018.

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  32. Hellooooooo Lisa!

    Yup....I have such a soft spot in my heart for penguins and squirrels - I LOVE them both!

    " Do you own the movie Happy Feet? If not, you should! "

    No I don't, but you're right....I should! However, I do have the movie, "March of the Penguins," which I watch several times a year. It's a remarkable film.

    " As for squirrels, all I have to do is walk out my back door and I have about 20 of them in the yard. "

    HA! OMG....that's awesome! Living in a city, I have to walk to a near-by park to see squirrels. I often visit them on my days off; feeding them peanuts, granola, or grapes. They are very friendly and will often take food from my hands.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Wishing you the very best in 2018!

    Cheers and X

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