PAWS TO LOVE

Damaged Goods

2011-11-24T20:52:00.010-06:00

Sure enough, we were bound and determined we were going to be do-gooders this holiday. It comes upon us suddenly and we get tunnel vision regarding all else going on in our lives. Off we go, cheerfully convinced that no harm will come from our being away from home on a Wednesday night.

Wrong. Wrong, wrong-wrong.

Fast forward only about 3 hours. In that time it became quite apparent that someone within the confines of the household had realized he has a deficiency in both wood and plastic. It had to be Baxter.

We're not sure what he started with but we know he developed a taste for hard plastic a few weeks ago when he went after a cordless phone. Highly likely this outburst resulted from a caller wanting to reduce his interest rate on all his credit cards. Baxter does not like nagging callers, especially when they don't have anything any of us want. Really.

We let that go.

However, that same evening (and I'm still building the background for you here) he also yielded to the temptation of the TV remote control. It's never been necessary to hide this from the dogs; they get to decide what to watch 90% of the time. We leave Clifford on TV when we go away, or Garrison on the radio. But not planning to be gone long and it being nighttime we figured, "Anh, we'll let them sleep." We could only hope he wanted to watch something on PBS to get him and his companions thru the angst associated with the ringing phone now ringing, crippled and sprawled, on the floor. Besides, it still worked, looking a little less together and more like the Velveteen Rabbit, "loved".

We let that go. We learned nothing from the experience.

Back to last night; stay with me here. We walk in after helping do the prep work for 230 Thanksgiving meals. Yup. That's right. I did say "do-gooders". We were thankful for being able to help and in high spirits as we opened the door.

And, there it all was - the aftermath: indoor dog party. There must have been a fling contest of coasters for they were scattered all about the living room. Granted one of the dogs loves to play frisbee/bring it but she knows to keep that outside. It had to be Baxter.

His tell-tale teeth marks were on the wooden holder for the coasters. Gnawed. DNA testing not required. Guilt confirmed by the pointing of the paws of his so-called pals and the sad sack, "I'm so sorry, Mom. I couldn't help myself. They made me do it" eyes. Baxter led us to the remnants of the remote control. No longer would it serve its intended purpose. Fortunately after the last adventure we'd ordered a replacement which had remained in its secret box. Bits of silver plastic appeared under furniture which had been sat upon during the free for all.

Any pet owner who thinks they have control, remote control or otherwise, needs to think again!

Book Covers

2011-09-27T18:43:00.000-05:00

Once again it became clear to us how much is missed when people are judged by appearance. Ed recently underwent brain surgery (the previously mentioned benign tumor - gone). While several of us waited in the surgical waiting room we observed a pair of people upon whom most would turn their backs. Our group didn't "mix" with them but observed. One of them even came over and took a muffin from the stash a friend of ours had brought! We all chuckled over it and moved on with our waiting, waiting, waiting.

It turned out the unlikely couple's friend took the room across from Ed's so we saw more coming and going over a few days. One of the pair visited regularly, oddly dressed. We had glimpses of a wig on a chair and high heels but the room belonged to a guy so we weren't sure who was who or what was what.

Then, the young man (patient) occupying the room came over. He brought Ed a handmade card. Origami. A shirt. With a get well message neatly printed and a word of praise for God. It was moving. It changed me as it seems so many actions these days do. As Ed said, this young man, ill, probably homeless or close to it, reached out and gave us a clear example of the commandment - Love Thy Neighbor.

Sadly it took this to get me to go speak with him but I did and I admit I'm still baby-stepping my way to being God's humble servant. But I did talk to him and did wish him Godspeed at the end of Ed's stay.

There's so much to learn, so much for which to be thankful.

Gone. Summer '11.

2011-09-02T07:53:00.000-05:00

Ah, deep breath. The circle of life. It shows up sometimes in a tight formation, other times loose and large. I like living large. This summer has been smaller, concentric circles.

First, an actual vacation for me - going to camp in early August, at the height of the heat. Challenged to climb a Ozark mountain, I did it, in spite of near heat-exhaustion. Yes, I wondered if dying in the woods was my fate. Alas, it was not so the blog goes on and on, and maybe, on....

Then, shortly upon coming back we learned my husband will have BENIGN brain tumor surgery in later September. Humor moment: It explains a lot of things. Reality moment: It sucks and it is scary in spite of the stated status and predicted outcome.

So circles of life have been developing. The planning and execution of the vacation, the inclusion of loads of new friends into the big circle of acquaintances and friends, some maybe for life, others for this once a year adventure. This circle is very elastic and has opened up to bring back into it a couple of long time but lost friends.

All around it are the daily circles which are newly created to accommodate what will happen next. There's an exercise regime to keep too much weight from being added because "the mister" is on steroids. That's an actual physical circle of riding bikes in the mornings. We have the circle of errands to run to stock up on stuff that he thinks he needs on hand so I don't have to run out during his recuperation time. Chances are extremely high I will have forgotten something. Please. I'll need to go somewhere sometime.

More so, there is the circle of support. Prayer is immense and I've actually learned (hush) it is an act of service. Truth told, I sorta poo-poo'd some who cavalierly said "We'll pray..." but I have learned those who are really good at it are serving. It's not a substitute for action. It is an action. And, it is a much needed one.
Folks also offer to do stuff but at this point I'm not sure what it would or will be. The lawn's not growing so there's no mowing to do for awhile - maybe next spring! We are fortunate not to "need" anything. So, what will be best is for people to come and visit.

Of course, it's obvious to me this is a time you-know-who thinks long and hard about the circle of life in the philosophical sense. Has he done it right? Has he done all he wants? What difference has he made? Is there such a thing as a legacy and what is his? What will happen IF...(lots of fill-ins)? Fortunately we've had these kinds of conversations over the years. We know. All is well. What matters is being at peace with who each of us has been, is and will be. It ain't over till the pearly gates open!

Our Flag

2011-07-05T10:31:00.000-05:00

Early morning is great for reflection as well as gearing up for the day ahead. Yesterday, in spite of or because of the holiday, was such a morning for me as I drove to a home to walk the dogs. Cruising along on a quiet street by the university I thought about how great the town looked with all the flags and bunting on the homes, in the yards, on light poles.

Seeing the flag just boosts the spirits. Don't you just swell up with pride, even a little, despite all that we hear, blah, blah, blah, badmouthing everything and everyone who makes a comment, a decision, a move...etc. Yes, I say, I feel better when I see the flag and see people celebrating it. In our town I get the sense that the vast majority understand and value their freedoms.

And, I thought, the flag is not a holiday decoration. Yes, stars are, stripes are - in a variety of displays and configurations. But the flag is not. It is a symbolic representation and reminder of what has gone on for 235+ years to keep this country whole and free.

So, why aren't more flags up 365 days of the year? I don't care where you live. If you have a flag you should fly it all the time. If it wears out, be grateful that you wore it out by sharing it with others. When you need a new one, be grateful it will be easy to acquire. Never question the price you pay for it. Consider the price paid by others.

2011-06-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

Another month vanished but there are more weeds than ever; cicadas and rain kept me buried in books, inside, rather than taming the yard. Oh, well - these past couple of days have more than made up for it as the coolness and slightly overcast (it's all relative) sky have been wonderful.

Seeing the word "sky" brings back a conversation memory created one day while we were traveling, probably driving westward. When does one say "sky" and when does one say "skies"? Is it "The sky is blue." but "Fly the friendly skies..."? How does one tell where one sky ends and another starts? Just wondering. But then, retired people wonder about a lot of things.

Just last weekend my friend N and I did the weekly dog/cat transport and she had unearthed an opportunity for us to go on a tour which started near our destination and ended 20 miles closer to home. It was as if the stars in the sky/skies were in alignment! We went! What a delightful day it turned out to be for we visited two estates, one belonging to a late VP/Supreme Court Judge/Lincoln campaign manager and one belonging to an esteemed, highly successful, reknowned Central Illinois business family. Different as they were, in dwellings and lifestyles, the reflection on the past gave us opportunities to consider not just how far we've come as a country but what we've left behind.

Ingenuity. Yes, we create a great deal which takes advantage of "e", such as email and e-games. There's much to be said for Internet technology, I admit. I'm often smitten by it.

But around the house or with friends/family do we fiddle with trinkets and gadgets and look at a problem with an eye for solving it? Do we brainstorm about getting something resolved or completed? Do we look at the path less taken anymore? The prairie folks were industrious and ingenious, making do and making something out of unlikely materials. Often it stuck. At the very least it led to more fiddling, till they got it right. Then it stuck. I was amazed, as I always am, at how much time I waste doing non-fiddling things.

I'm not sure we even teach problem-solving anymore. It's right there with "thinking"...a couple of difficult and challenging concepts. Plus they are not perceived as fun and we do want fun-loving young people. Let's not worry about whether they know when to use there, their, or they're, or it's and its. Really? NO. See the tongue in my cheek?

Maybe it's a pie in the sky attitude I've developed but I'd love to see us put away all the electronic toys we have and get back to creating, inventing, fiddlin' and messin' with stuff. There's something to be said for seeing a person light up when an idea becomes an object, when a kid runs up with an item and declares "Look what I MADE!"

We should do more encouraging - after all the sky's the limit. Those who walked the earth before us knew that. I'm convinced there are days when some people never look up at the sky. It's just always there. It's pretty darned spectacular when you take the time to observe it. Then you start to wonder about it. Then you think about the awesome world we live in and how nature works. Then you appreciate it more. Then you're thankful for life, your surroundings, all we've been given. Then you figure out a way to make something happen and you get to fiddlin'.

What color is YOUR sky?

Just a Little Walk With Jesus

2011-05-23T18:36:00.003-05:00

There's a gospel song, "Just a Little Walk With Jesus", upbeat and reassuring. I particularly like it because when our choir sang it there was a need for more men in the group and Ed actually took up being a choir member for awhile. He claims he merely mouthed the words, uttering no musical notes whatsoever. That's fine, true or not. He had fun and had the spirit.

I received a smack in the back of my head today which made me think of this song. Since Oprah is leaving her show I guess I could give her a plug and say it was an ah-HA moment. In between chores I opted to go outside and check to see if the mail was here. Getting the mail still has the childhood excitement attached to it even if it consists of bills and junk mail. You just never know what might be in that box at the end of the driveway! This small errand is always dangerous as I typically see things growing that should be yanked from the ground. Today was no exception; there were weeds. And I gave in to the urge to remove some.

Pull, pull, pull - maybe I moved along about 15 ft., face down, selectively taking out the big ones and mentally noting that weeding needs to go on tomorrow's to-do list. I got to the area by the wonderful willow tree we are fortunate to have and I heard a rustling noise. No one spoke to me but someone clearly I was not alone. I thought there might be a stray dog roaming or feral cat out and about. I looked up.

There was Clover! Yes, of course, a named critter now! This young deer was no more than 7 feet away from me, across the creek bed. He acted as if it was natural for both of us to be sharing that space. I had my cell phone and thought I'd take a couple of shots and that would scare him off. I did. He stayed.

Long story short, he seems a bit of a poser! Knowing the phone never does the job of a real camera it dawned on me I might be able to call Ed. He got my regular camera and brought it out to me. His expression when he saw Clover was one to treasure! He went to his car for his camera and took photos too but I can't get them off his camera so you're seeing mine. Clover followed me around the yard, happily and without any concern, sampling weeds, hosta leaves, camera straps, red bud tree leaves, grass, and clover. The clover I offered him and he took from my hand. In fact he came up and actually licked my nose then nibbled on it.

Clover by the creekbed

Clover approaches the front door

At one point he even settled down alongside the creek bed to give me a chance to realize my good fortune and enjoy his company.

I thought he was going to try to come into the house for he followed me down the driveway and up the sidewalk. It was in taking the final shots that I realized I was looking at one of God's creatures and seeing Him there.

Max

It's been a rough week and a half, having put our Molly (cat) to sleep, the thrill of finding Max as a companion for my very best friend and later finding he was so sick he had to be put to sleep also, learning that in two days, one of my client dogs, Daisy, will be put to sleep.
Friday edit: Daisy is alive!!!! Her wonderful owner took her off meds and put her on a homeopathic treatment which has Daisy up and around and doing fine! WoooHOOOO. She's thin but lively and for now winning her battle with Cushing's Disease! I walked in today and THERE SHE WAS!

Then there are the storms and tornadoes. Luckily friends are OK in MN and MO both. They will face knowing others who deal with closer tragedies. And I was having a bit of a pity party, feeling sad from the on-rush of sorrowful events and losses.

No one knows why things happen as they do. It's the mysteries of life, the pluses and minuses, the balance God creates. Today he brought me to Clover and for 30-45 minutes I was able to take Just a Little Walk With Jesus. And, as you can see in this last photo of Clover, He talked to me.

Just enjoy the pics

2011-05-18T08:45:00.000-05:00

Chicken-hearted egg shell!

Chocolate Goodies, minus one pretzel

Coffee facts

Reason enough

Cone-y island

Getting our oil changed

Stopped to wine

String Ball Has Baby in Time for Mother's Day!

2011-05-10T07:47:00.000-05:00

We ventured out to Lincoln, IL last week, to meet people who were bringing pet supplies for our favorite rescue group. Thank you! We are so dependent upon the kindness of strangers.

Before we left for Lincoln we figured out we could go to The Blue Dog Inn*, established 1979, for a bite. Get it? A dog place? A bite? Ha. Dark humor. So we managed to combine good deed and good food. Walking from the car to the Inn though we came upon a sight to behold.

You may see that in taking this shot I happened to cut off Mr. Lincoln's face but surely you recognize the hair, ears and chin. Ignore that though and take note that a giant string ball has given birth to a baby string ball! We were amazed to see that as we didn't even know there was one "in the oven" so to speak! Given their natural shape it is often hard to tell if they are expecting a wee one. I wish it was clearer just how big momma is - don't compare her to the old timie oil lamp, it's too close to where I stood - use the wine bottle on the other side of Abe (I doubt it was his).

So, another happy occasion was marked and I just had to share it with faithful readers. Rather than string this out I'll just wrap it up and tie it off.

*Please note, although The Blue Dog Inn has plenty of artwork depicting dogs, often photos of the dogs belonging to friends of the original owner, there is not artwork by the famous NO area Blue Dog painter, George R. You'd have to come to my house to see that, or a gallery. As I recall, George went after the person who copied his work onto restaurant walls elsewhere.

Dr. Seuss Was Correct

2011-05-05T07:39:00.000-05:00

Dr. Seuss smartly chose the title OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO for one of his later-in-life books. Initially written as a "children's" book (really?) it is a send-off to a shift in life's circumstances. I find it fitting for retirement, especially retirement work which I can hardly call work, but it is. Although I enjoyed most days of my underage employment, as a meandering individual I now have time to explore and observe more than ever!

Thus it was that on a recent visit to meet a new 3 month old resident at a home also housing a 7 month old I came upon another, albeit, unannounced resident. My mission was to play/exercise the pups. In other words, make certain they attended to outside "duties" and were sufficiently exhausted when they went back inside. I had my camera with me for I envisioned a great time would be had by all and that I'd capture moments of their exuberance. True enough.

The older pup and I tried to teach the young one about chasing a ball but she was interested only in sticks and other odds and ends that could be carted around proudly, as if she were put on this earth to make this particular discovery. It seemed inevitable they were going to romp and I was going to romp along with them. In so doing my attention turned towards the fenced in, covered pool.

There sat The Duck
His head he did tuck
Under a wing
Have you seen such a thing?

Evenutally he realized I was very interested in him and he pulled his head out and re-arranged himself to pose for photos, including taking a dip in the pool cover, not the pool, but the cover which had enough rain in it to make for a nice float area. He was very accommodating!

Coincidentally while walking and philosophizing with another young poocheroo I spied a family of geese and still had the camera with me. I showed them to "B" and he was most engaged but not eager to get in the lake and draw them closer. Perhaps he'd been warned about getting his freshly groomed coat dirty; he's awfully tidy! We were lucky enough to hold our position on the bridge, and then later in his backyard, while the folks took the youngsters out for a swim. I clicked away.

Some days I'm not particularly proud of what I talk to the dogs about while we're walking and getting our exercise. They are great listeners even though I do get some feedback, such as "Just let it go.", "Oh, this again," and so forth. Some days I am certain I don't see everything God puts before me, whether I'm alone, with a walking buddy, or in a mass of people. But then there are days such as this one, when I go places and I see things I am supposed to see and count my blessings for having made it this far, with miles still to travel.

Come along, maybe not with me specifically, but with what life has to offer. "You'll be on your way up! / You'll be seeing great sights! / You'll join the high fliers / who soar to high heights." Dr. Seuss, with his inimitable illustrations and exhilarating rhymes, reveals, at a level we all understand, that true success is imminent. As long as you remember "to be dexterous and deft. And NEVER mix up your right foot with your left"

A Week-ette of Flowery Observations

2011-04-26T13:23:00.015-05:00

Kate "Flowers in Her Hair"

Having spent the day in St. Louis, enjoyed a sumptuous meal on The Hill, some friends agreed with my suggestion of strolling around a couple of blocks before heading home. Our last stop was for gelato so we really should have kept walking some more. But the next to the last stop was this amazingly eclectic open-space conglomerate of artists' work areas. For two of it this was the place where ideas are born. The other two were, shall we say, tolerant of our excitement? Ah, but it was fun!
As we piled into the car and headed for the highway we passed the animal shelter, which was not on our list of places to go. But, we came close to stopping to see it for it looked oddly splendid! Knowing there's much to be done back in our area we drove on, somewhat reluctantly. I'd anticipate a return trip to visit and see how things are done there; if any ideas can be brought back and considered in our area.
Back in my own backyard, an acknowledged haven of all things, ranging from healthy weeds, long grass, wet everything, to get out and shoot photos, I opted for the last item. Here's what I'm lookin' at today.
This is actually a groundcover but by getting down into its depths I can get a pretty close shot, filled with light and detail. Loved the buds on the left - tells me there's more to come after these falter.

Irises make beautiful subjects, especially when it's possible to get the rain hanging on and the teensy details showing up. I think there's another shot you'll like, the one beneath this is a small, low to the ground iris with totally different petal structure. It too has the lasting drops of moisture from last night's rain. There's something to be said for all the storms. Gorgeous flowers abound.

I don't know what the delicate yellow blossom is but it is one of my favorites, residing near the driveway and flourishing early in the spring, before daylilies and hostas take over; this plants leaves turn darker in time.

O'Riley and me

2011-04-23T20:25:00.000-05:00

O'Riley and I were on our way to the vet's office as I had just picked him up from the person relinquishing him. Odd and interesting story but not one I'm going to tell here. Best news is that he was HW negative, got his shots, appears to be older than we were told, and three days after joining me he is on his way to a new home. A big shout out of thanks to the best vet and staff in the area! Go Rochester!

Before we actually left the "city" we headed southeast on one of the main arteries, and it happens to be one that offers a sampling of all types of lifestyles here. We cruised past this setting and I was fortunate enough to have my camera with me on this particular day. Turning onto a side street I was able to dash out and snap some photos while O'Riley waited patiently in the crate, in the car.

Ironic, someone tore down a church during Holy Week. Left the organ in place, as you can see. I talked to a neighbor a bit. My senses were exploding. I could almost hear the notes being struck and the voices rising from the brick and mortar shambles. "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today", "He Lives", and "Just a Little Walk With Jesus". Off to the right, out of view and behind the tree, is the sign with the message "God Bless America".

Can I get an Amen?

A Day in the Country

2011-04-17T21:52:00.002-05:00

Green Grass
Green Tree
Green Barn

My husband's new vehicle has a built-in GPS. Before going any further with this be aware that I'm deadset against them as they are just another means of replacing thinking with some technical gadget. I LIKE figuring out the map, etc. At the same time, if they can provide up to the minute info, well, it helps.

Regardless, we were invited to some wonderful friends' house for lunch today. They finished a home project (which looks great) and were willing to show it off AND cook out. We could not resist. We also would get to see their 3 dogs and meet the cat! It's about 40 miles from here, hard to say, you'll see.

From my 'Blue' Period

We started out the back country road by my choice. Part way there I found a barn to photograph and we stopped. With this car it's impossible to program the GPS while the car is moving. The passenger must "sit on her hands" apparently. While I was clicking away he put in our destination.

Back on the road we were promptly routed to the interstate. FREAKIN' NO!!!! We ended up going AROUND the town and having to cut back over and then make two phone calls. Thankfully we were given a business to look for as the place to make the final turn because the system wasn't going to tell us to make it.
I'm guessing we actually drove about 75 miles as we were an hour and a half in getting there, counting my 5 minutes of a "photo shoot".

Going home was just as grand. Push HOME. Yeah, right. I'd re-set the program to "shortest route" to avoid the interstate and we had good directions. Our first turn was a wrong one. I suggested and received a turnaround, no problem. When the second one was missed I gave up and decided to enjoy the ride in the country and ask to stop whenever I wanted to do just that.

White Phase

Traditional Red

See if YOUR GPS can find this!

In the end I got what I wanted :-) And, inside one of these barns was a fabulous surprise.

But I'm still going to find a way to shut that GPS O-F-F.

This One's a Straggler

2011-04-07T18:52:00.000-05:00

Ever decide you're just an idiot, I mean IDIOT? I have my moments.

Such was the case when I ended up with olive oil based dressing on my age'd Air Force Academy sweatshirt. It is doomed to die a very slow death but as it does I want it to look frayed not abused.
Off I went to dab away at it, fully aware of the absorbancy rate in cotton sweatshirts opposed to my lackluster movement to get a rag.

Well, next it was time for Shout! I knew there was some around somewhere. I'd seen it. Perhaps I'd even used it on something that went into the laundry a few years ago. It may have been something we moved here seventeen years ago but I just saw it...over there! Yes. Squirted on the Shout! and proceeded to the next activity.

What, please tell? This is far too exciting, right? It was time for me to go on my dog-walking-rounds and I'd planned on wearing that otherwise distinguished and seasoned (no pun intended) sweatshirt as it is all-around good for that sort of work. Alas, the oil seemed to be winning. There was less of it showing but how to be certain and still leave in time?

Only one thing would do. I got the hair dryer out and while wearing the sweatshirt (throughout all this) I applied the dryer to the fabric. It was slow going so I moved it closer. Ah, there, almost done.

I'd stopped, and why? Well, I scorched the spot that had been oiled, then Shout!ed, and now semi-dried.
Pitiful. Off it came and a replacement, less remarkable in many ways. Into the Maytag the AFA sweatshirt went.

Luck would have it, the scorch came out but there must have been too much shouting for that area is just a bit lighter than the rest of the shirt. It'll all blend in time. And, I'm admitting it's just more character to it.

But it could have been as much a disaster as the time I thought I'd dry my gym shoes in the oven. Uh-huh.

As a footnote, or epilogue - you decide - this whole event merely proved to me I am my mother's daughter. I set the table for dinner on a tablecloth she'd had. It had a scorch mark on it.

California, here I come

2011-04-07T18:36:00.001-05:00

One of my "pet sit" clients is a wonderful mixed breed in a community 25 miles from the center of town and so I have learned to diversify my route, driving the country roads as often as I can. Today was such a day, at least coming back from my visit.

There I am, windows cracked, audio story rolling, stuffing store bought popcorn into my mouth (afraid so) and before me I see what I believe is an oversized wooden wagon being pulled by a bicycle. At the T in the road they went one way and I the other but not before I caught a glimpse of the message on the wagon rear. At least I caught the word "homeless". For another purpose I had my camera with me and was able to remove it from the case, with minimum popcorn spillage, and snap a shot of the wagon.

On I drove. Then I realized I could not let this pass. For one thing, I wanted a better photograph and was daring enough to approach them and get it.

I turned around. I drove. I drove further. I decided they'd pulled off into one of the elaborate homes built in the area and were about to break and enter. Then, over the ribbon of road I saw them. How the heck did they get so far so fast? By then they'd passed all the huge homes, without stopping I must add.

Well, it was not a bicycle. It would have had to be Sampson or Goliath or some comparable bohemeth in order to accomplish that. It was a motorcycle of sorts. I'm not sure what sort other than old. And, I did catch up to them.

We talked. How friendly they were! They are taking the back roads to California. It's him, her, and their female dog, now with her 4 pups. Ah, the dog connection.

Everything they own, right there, piled on top of the wagon. Him riding the motorcycle and pulling the wagon. He estimates 7 or 8 weeks more of this off-highway course. And, they were so cheerful!

Of course, he was in fatigues. Most likely a Vietnam Vet who never mainstreamed once he got back. But when I handed him money and said, "Get yourselves and the dogs something to eat." and he said, "Oh, they always come first." the worlds of differences between their lives and mine vanished.

I can't tell you what to do for others.
I can't tell you what to think of them.
It's tough enough to keep myself straightened out.
I can only hope you know how it is for you.

2011-03-24T14:06:00.000-05:00

When but a wee one, and actually probably into my pre-teen years, I hunted around in the yard for "things", meaning flowers, worms, rocks, tree bark, or bugs. You name it. I found it. I dragged it into the house. Other stuff fits into the "things" category I'm certain but it's bugs that brought all those adventures back to mind.

The yard was huge, or so I thought. Now it seems decidedly small. It was easy then to spend a day crawling around close to the ground looking for other forms of life. Bugs were fascinating. Therefore, I had a bug jar.

You had one too, didn't you? Mine rose from the stash of items my mom had stored reminding her and now me of my explorative childhood. Inside was a note telling what it was "First Bug Jar" Outside was just as telling for it was a Peter Pan peanut butter jar bearing a metal lid with yellow paint and red lettering delcaring "Mothers love it." Stabbed into the lid were the humanitarian breathing slots my dad made, using his ever-present pocket knife, to keep the captives alive.

Funny, one simple item from the past brings for the evening's fresh air smells, the hops of grasshoppers and chirping of crickets, the burning trash in the barrel, marshmallow roasts. Dogs in the neighborhood barked when my hunt extended beyond the yard and a pal or two joined me. Squirrels were often canvassing the same land as we were, and would chatter. That bug jar held many a firefly or lightning bug for I was interested in watching them glow not in smearing their glow across another surface to see how long it would last. By having a bug jar a child had reason to be outside. It was the science of life or the life of science; educational and imaginative.

Just wondering; me in jeans and my teddy

What do kids do now? Are they allowed to get dirty outside? Do they observe?

I fear our senses are all becoming dulled by the invasion of foreign materials - the plastics, the polyesters, the stuff that lasts forever.

It'd be so much nicer to have a bug jar with a firefly and appreciate what we've been given to observe for only a short while. Then it would be the memories that last forever. I'm not just saying it would be the bug jars but the memory of what went into getting one made, a parent-child memory as well as the independence of a child on her own, not aware that big people were watching her as closely as she was watching the world around her.

Do people take the time to do this anymore?

IRISH ALERT

2011-03-17T08:21:00.001-05:00

The O'Hein Clan extends warm - yes, WARM - wishes for a glorious St. Patrick's Day to all. The lone human male wears green and one poocheroo has a green collar but we salute our shamrock plant and raise a pint or two (only humans do that) in celebration on the authentic day.

"Lucky Bill Cosby Hein" speaks for all of us!

The two on the right are our seniors so they sat out while the rest of us went hunting for leprachons, early this a.m. The little rascals are pretty good at hiding and I'm not sure we actually saw much more than their shadows as they scurried about in the creek bed. Nor did we happen to find any pieces of gold they may have dropped in their darting to and fro.

What's with that? Look really closely at the mossy rocks below. If you see one of those tiny guys please let me know. I'll help make arrangements for you to get kind and considerate treatments.

O'Leary and O'Toole

Kate's Blarney Stone

As for the black kitties, they don't reside here but how could I resist including them and bringing them a bit o'luck on a day like today?

If you don't have one of your own, please know you are welcome to come and kiss my blarney stone :-)

mossy rocks

Yes, the name is Kathleen Merry. Yes, there's more than a touch of Irish running in this blood!

Caretakers of the Planet

2011-03-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

Not too long ago I settled into my car (almost said "jumped" but that would be misleading) and headed into town, probably to go to the library or walk someone's dog or drop something in the mail. That part doesn't matter. Arriving at the first and only stop sign, about 3/4 mile from here, I saw a truck at the end of a long driveway, aka lane. In it was the man who owns the property. He seemed to be lingering, perhaps just waiting for me to stop and go. OK, I could do that. Admittedly sometimes I coast and go but this time I did the full stop. As I looked over and gave him the country folks wave I noticed there was a young goat behind his vehicle.

Well, in spite of the chill in the air, it was nice enough for a young goat to be out and about, briefly. It seems odd that the end of the lane was where he was though. So I rolled down my winda (window to many of you) and said to the guy, "There's a goat behind your truck!" Now, I have no idea what he heard other than that it was not enough and I received a "Huh-what?" back. More loudly I exclaimed something similar and began gesturing. We repeated this till he got the point.

It was his kid all right. Kid, as in young goat, that is. He had no idea it was following him as a pet dog might run behind a pick up, to the end of the lane. The goat may have even gone into the road, who knows. Clearly it was "attached" to the guy! Maybe this old goat was the only parent this kid had ever known.

This week there are new calves showing up in the pastures. Sadly one new baby had managed to get across a downed fence and into a plowed cornfield. Mom had followed and was shielding the calf from straying too far.

Once again I was headed to town for some mundane task but first I pulled into the farm to tell them they had a cow and calf loose. No one was home. No sense in leaving a note. About all I could do was hope someone who knew the herd came along and "shoo'd" them back in place and fixed the fence. Late that evening I noticed neither was standing in the cornfield. It's hard to tell who was who in the grazing herd. Gotta hope the coyotes didn't get the baby. Oh, I know they have to eat too but, please, not a brand new calf.

Circumstances and nature create memorable and sometimes bittersweet stories. Quirky critters pop up every so often and we notice it most in our pets. But out in the country, if we take the time to observe, we see other of God's creatures making their way in the world. Most often it is the undomesticated or non-farm animals but at times it's the stray goat or calf. Makes me realize that we do need to take good care of this earth for all who reside here.

It has to come out...

2011-03-13T20:42:00.000-05:00

It was bound to happen. I ended up in yet another PA-rade. Granted, it had been about 3 yrs. since I tackled the parade route, dog on leash, feet in comfy shoes. But this St. Pat's Day parade, albeit a few days early, was a real eye-opener. Shameless BEGGING for candy. Delays. People drinking far too early and looking far too hopeless. Really, it was difficult to look at the crowd.

I couldn't help think...what if I was from another planet and this was my first day, the first place, the first thing I saw? Cripes, what if I was from another country on this planet?

I have to let that go though. It's not my issue. I don't like being accountable for my own well-being - it'd be much more fun to whooooooop it up all the time. It was each person's decision to be there doing whatever they were doing. No doubt they are all perfectly civilized every other day of the year, even the guy who spilled beer on my dog.

Well, I had to get a pet reference in there, didn't I?

READY FOR A COMPLETE TURNAROUND?

I am reunited with THE most wonderful female friend! We have been trading messages, real US mail cards, and emails and tonight finally spoke on the old-time tellie-phone for, oh, over an hour, I'm sure. And I have happy feet because that's where the dancing starts and works its way up to my heart and head. Thank you, thank you, thank you for coming back and being so vulnerable. There will be time soon to return to our vagabond days - why, I'm ready to pack now! I think we have destinations we've not even discussed. We have hours of talking and walking and ...well, whatever it takes!

Amen to that! Life is no longer on hold anywhere, officially.

A Dog Named Calgon...Take Me Away

2011-03-12T16:14:00.001-06:00

It just came to me, that name "Calgon". Those who are too young to remember must be informed that Calgon (a bath additive for soaking and softening) used to run a commercial that suggested taking a Calgon bath could transport one from a rough day to a decidedly better one.

So today, when I worked with the animal rescue/transport I realized we were bringing better days to many "Calgon" dogs and cats. Lord, have mercy, believe me, the tears flow in this volunteer effort. I don't now and never will understand vicious treatment of animals (or people).

Coming home from unloading and walking and re-loading dogs for the next leg of the transport my vision blurred and my heart pounded. I was angry and disturbed. Stick with me.

I'll share 4 stories, all from just this week. You keep in mind that these 4 are roughly 1/8 of the total number of stories each week, so 4 x 8 x 52. Some people are right. I should write a book.

OK, first I'll tell you about Jackie. I met Jackie's owner while doing "Donation Dog" for the Forever Home Feline Ranch . In January we were raising money; he came tottering over, cane in one hand, cap on head, etc. We chatted and he revealed he had adopted a wonderful 2 yr old dog that soon would need to be re-homed as he was to move to assisted living. Ah. Well. He gave me his number when I said "I'll try..." Knowing I'd need more info and some time, I called the next week to get the details and a rough idea of when he was moving. He and his wife had decided "...not yet..." OK - Good News. Last Saturday she called me.

He had passed away (86, WWII vet). Jackie needed her new home quickly as the widow could not take care of her. Thanks to the solid efforts of the transport team's coordinator who selects dogs and matches them with loving rescues and welcoming fosters at the other end of the route, Jackie traveled on the transport today. Jackie had a happy (third) beginning.

Realize now, I will sandwich in the stories of Hannah and the dog I call Calgon, then finish with another good story. If you can't stand agony skip to the bottom.

Hannah, a Vizsla mix, needed to be walked and then crated up for the ride. That went well but then we had to move her to another vehicle, tethered rather than crated, so Calgon could go in the available crate. Hannah came out of the crate nicely and she and I fell into a little love-fest with her licking my hands and me getting down to do some tummy rubs. The driver who brought her, Calgon, and others over came to me and revealed her story.

Hannah was the sole/soul survivor of a litter of pups. The person who had possession of them had beat them with a baseball bat and she managed to survive and get to freedom. Her head was a bit mis-shapen but I hadn't noticed until it was pointed out to me. And, frankly, would it have mattered? She had the forgiveness of an angel. She loved me, right there, right then, as if anything before made no difference. Dogs don't hang on to the harm done all the time, not unless there's something that strikes a remembrance or a familiar situation. Hannah received more hugs than ever and was gently put into the front seat of the young man who would drive her to the next stopping point. She was moving on, going foward, happily unaware of the impact her precious acquaintance had made on more than one person.

Looking over to the "walking/exercise" area my eyes fell upon Calgon. I know that's not her real name but I never did catch it so she's the "title" dog. She was being walked by another of the female volunteers because a man had abused her so badly she would not leave the crate if one was around. Her timidity was heartbreaking. Here was a dog who was remembering the evil she experienced just by the mere presence of a male figure. All our wonderful and caring guys had to move away and give her room.

As I watched her sniffing around it was as if I was looking at a walking skeleton. Had her dulled black coat not been stretched around her frame that's exactly what it would have been. She was that thin. Hip bones protruded where strongly muscled flesh will soon be. Ribs were revealed, encased in skin that will soon be rubbed and patted. A shrunken tummy existed in the place that will soon be full of good food and then overrun with good old fashioned belly rubs. Her big head will be raised and her eyes will be filled with hopes before this day ends.

But until now, her life was dismally empty and, if dogs experience this, she was probably regretful. If thinking or reasoning occurs somehow she had to be wondering why she existed. Now she knows. She's here to bring happiness to someone. We're here to help her accomplish that.

Lastly, let me introduce Dimond, a 4 yr old Cocker. A cuter, softer, sweeter doe-eyed pooch you cannot imagine. She arrived with "mom" and "aunt". Aunt was driving, of course, because Mom was already trying to be strong and handle this. I do not know what Dimond was being re-homed but suspect it was age/health related for Mom. Dimond entered my embrace and I talked with the women to comfort them during this exchange and to assure them she's going to be all right. Dimond, like Jackie, had a decent start in life and like every dog or cat who travels on our weekend excursions, will have a wonderful future. The "aunt" shoved a fist full of money into my palm for helping. It goes to save others.

So there are the 4 profiles. Some weeks most of the stories are sad. The fact that all the animals have been given up is overwhelmingly and emotionally draining because we know there will always be more once these are placed in homes. But we look at the positive - not at the chances but at the assurances that they are going to see better days. Taking the deep breaths and speaking the quiet prayers for safe travels and of gratitude start as soon as we meet the pets with whom we've been entrusted each weekend.

And, to those who have mis-treated them or others, or humans, I only can say that I cannot possibly hunt you all down. I'm too busy and you're not worth my time. But God knows you and knows where you are and just when you will see Him. You will face Him and He will remind you what you did. I rest well knowing that.

See you next week, 4-leggers!

Annual Posting of Books I've Read

2011-02-14T07:55:00.001-06:00

The list will appear at the bottom. Scroll down. Keep going. But before I do that, what's happened to this blog? Well, I guess Facebook has interrupted the fertile mind fields. It's a habit, an addiction I'm trying to deal with but the support group of blog readers has been afflicted also and we are weak!

Our winter has been what we'd call an old-time one: lots of snow and cold. Unfortunately the children of today are not encouraged to button up and get going to school or out to play. How sad this is for everyone! The exercise is good - the fresh air, well, refreshing - the briskness, the snow, the crunch - all good! Even the hike to the bus stop or to school is invigorating.

But now, the schools cancel their days before we even know if the "threat" is bringing a glimmer of truth to it. Days off are spent traipsing to the mall or in front of a video toy. And, the parents stay home too. Everyone sits, watches, gripes.

OK, not everyone, but too many people do. Hey! Here I am, in front of a PC and I'm sitting and I'm griping. That makes me all-American in today's world. I suspect there are those who say because I am what I am then I'm "entitled" (oh, no, oh, yes) to write about it.

I've got this far. I feel better. I'm going to do the list and then go outside on a great, chilly and windy day, and walk not one dog but 6 of them, separately, for many, many minutes each. And, then I'm having grapefruit and going back to the current selection for my book group. That's the real me and that, too, is all-American.

Confessions of a Volunteer Junkie, or, Would That Be a Junkie Volunteer?

2010-12-28T08:55:00.000-06:00

Confession is good for the soul and this leads me to coming clean with the fact that I make lists of what to blog about, as if it matters. Sometimes the logic behind such a list proves to be a clearinghouse - getting rid of clutter on my mind, things you could not possibly be interested in reading. Admittedly there are topics listed which escape me when I return, prepared to turn them into eloquent and clever deliverances.

But my favorites are the lists which have topics unrelated to each other and I have before me a challenge or two - how to tie them all together, if need be, and how to connect them to the basis of the blog: the paws to love gig. Then, does it really matter? In the big scheme, probably not.

Therefore I just go with it.

Waiting for my 4 hour assignment at Barnes & Noble, where I'll be wrapping packages for Illinois Humane (helps dogs and cats), I am alerted to the presence of a Lost Boy. He appears to be about 6 and is lingering and looking around in the coffee shop area which is frequently inhabited by readers who don't buy anything to read, drink or eat. They need parking meters for those people. I digress. But, please note, I did get the paws reference in already so have a modicum of pride, which, in time, may grow. Back to the boy for now.

Leaving my Santa hat and purchases I approach the boy about the same time another concerned woman did. We thank each other for being so darned observant. I established myself at eye level with him and asked if he is lost. Of course, it's his mother who is lost. We go directly to the Nook Ladies. As they begin to search for a roving clerk to help, his mom and sisters show up. He got a talking to...but I swear he did nothing wrong. I think she was just stern but not raving mad. The girls, so obviously without flaws, lauded it over him. I think he was saddened for his shoulders slumped. Hopefully by Christmas morning Santa had let all this go and stuffed his stocking. Poor little tike.

Same Location, Different Day - For some reason, B & N draws us in and while my husband's hunt was for a potholder making kit (really?) and while he was at the craft store next to B & N (really?), sensible I went for a peppermint mocha, recommended by a fellow wrapper from the previous excursion. And, there I sit, taking in the story being relayed at the next table over. Do NOT tell me this is not a part of what you do when you are in close confines and others are chatting away. You listen. I know you do. I read blogs full of stories repeated by blog writers. Such funny or meaningful things cannot happen to each of you. You're repeating what you hear. Well, seated at this particular table were a mom and two grown children, let's say in their late 30's or early 40's. The mom and daughter had been somewhere and were sharing the tale with the brother/son. Where they had been required some knowledge of food items so perhaps they'd been shopping or at a class. Regardless, the big joke, such as it was, comes in handy for me as another reference to paws, for they were chortling over the mom trying to locate "canine peppers". OK, it was funny to them.

We know our way to B & N, clearly. On occasion we go out on adventures. My husband has a GPS but I do not. He leaves his in the house, perhaps sensing he may need it there, although the house is relatively right-sized for us and we have lived there for 16 years, not to mention that there's not suitable outlet to plug it into. Besides if your starting point and destination are one and the same will you get any useful results or will the voice you've selected merely snicker? Well, ponder it. In the meantime, we're off somewhere and looking for a store we've heard about. We've been to a couple of other places first. He heads for his vehicle (which does not have the GPS inside). I inquire, "Are we driving?" Seems a reasonable question to me. His response was, well, I suppose typical: "Yes, since we don't know where we are going we're driving". Go ahead, make sense of that.

Let me clarify the title of this submission, please. You probably got the reference to wrapping gifts as being a volunteer effort. Well, later that same week we also traveled to receive a truckload of pet food which was later distributed to pet owners a bit down on their luck and unable to afford food. How freaking (not freakin' - really freaking because it makes me want to scream) sad. The objective is to keep pets in homes by helping their owners feed them. I cannot imagine not being able to put down a bowl of kibble but rather having to take my pet(s) to a shelter where who knows what will happen to them, and then returning to complete loneliness. Sometimes the love of a pet is all a person has.

We saw further proof of this when we delivered Christmas dinners on Christmas morning. One 90 year old woman received hers and talked about her cat. It's her cat she spends every day with - she has no one else. For some people it's a bird or a dog, but a pet makes all the difference in the world. Love. Unconditionally given. Wow.

If you can, see shelter pets through the eyes of their past owners - loved enough to give them up, hoping a good home will be provided, worried that time is limited.

If you can, buy cat food or pet food, or make a cash donation to a pet food bank.

Start your own journey as a junkie volunteer - get hooked on doing good things!

FAR OUT Sunday

2010-11-22T10:12:00.002-06:00

The moon last night was spectacularly eerie; clouds stretched across it made it so. This shot was as early as 6:30 and it felt like midnight! Getting the photo taken meant making a body tripod just to avoid blurring. The whole thing was neay to see! Helped me realize, again, what a wonder this universe is! As far away as the moon is, it is a relatively close neighbor and remains a mystery to most of us. When you think about it - and do think about it sometime - the changes it makes, the way it impacts tides, which in turn impact so much else...kinda the butterfly flapping its wings progression. Hmmmmm.

Then, to bring everything into perspective, aka reality, I found Thanksgiving dinner for the dogs when I went to the pet store yesterday. They will dine in style. Maybe I'll cook some rice for them to step it up even more. We are, after all, very thankful to have them and our kitties with us, day in, day out. They bring us joy, challenges, exercise, and loads of love. We're a little shaken now, by the news that at least dogs are discriminating - they do not necessarily present unconditional love as we have thought all along. So, maybe I'm gearing up for this big dinner on Thursday, for them, just to keep on their good sides!

ThankYouEveryDay not just one Thursday a year

2010-11-21T16:03:00.000-06:00

Brimming is the word for the day. It may be the word for the rest of the year for my life is brimming with all sorts of wonderful outcomes. Much of it seems to rest on the pure joy of contentment but also on being able to ENjoy what surrounds me - terrific people and places. So indulge my sharing. Afterall, it is now when we offer our thanks.

First, I yanked the image of God and Dog off an email or link someone sent to me and it just makes me feel happy to see it. Having gone through the recent behavioral ordeal with Harmony I was so relieved to find something as simple as a calming collar would make a world of difference to her. Life has been borderline blissful since she received hers and we will gladly replace it in four weeks to maintain that mood for her and her "siblings". God, karma, fate - I did PRAY a LOT - it took! Much as I sometimes dislike FaceBook and how mean/nasty/snotty we all get on it, I do appreciate there was an ad for a calming collar and I was prompted to read up on them and ask the angelic office manager at my vet's about them. Got one. Put it on. Three hours later, Harmony was back to being her sweet self. Me too.

9 days ago I attracted a virus. It was a humdinger and I don't recall ever being this ill. Down. Out. So I slept for many days. The human body can survive on a little water and no food for several days. I did sufficiently well - rested and bounced back although the tum-tum still churns at times. Anyway, this leads to my "release" on Friday to go out on a road trip. My fellow troublemaker and I have been making the most of the trend to "shop local", visiting small towns with the strength and might to fight back on negativity and the economy. This week we tackled two of them! These photos are of a place that has intrigued me for months and it just seemed like a great place to go on the way home from Virginia, IL. The 3-legged Dog Cafe, in Jacksonville did not disappoint! Here's the entrance - an understatement to be sure. Inside was spectacular. We treated ourselves to a late afternoon coffee and juice (not mixed together, no, silly). And, we each purchased flannel jammie bottoms because we are just those kinds of girls. We will NOT be wearing them in public. At least I won't be wearing mine in public and I won't go anywhere with her if she has hers on.

Before we landed there we did reach our original destination. This is an even longer story and does bring dogs back into the posting. See, I do pet transports most Saturdays, http://sites.google.com/site/animalrescuetransport/who-we-are and sometimes there are what is called cross-postings from different rescues or shelters who are wanting a home inspection done before a pet is placed into a home. It's not always a place close by. And, so it happened that a place in northern Wisconsin, needed a home visit done in Virginia, IL. I'm a whole lot closer than they are to Virginia so I said I'd go. Then the prospective new pet owner had an emergency so we re-scheduled. Then I became ill. I did what I had to do. Buckled down and sent my loving husband (who took over several volunteer assignments for me while I was wimping away in the recliner). Those people should not have to wait! Nor should Teddy.

And, here's how this trip all comes together: He discovers they live above their business which turns out to be EXACTLY what I love, a coffeehouse/restaurant/wine store/selective art items and tee shirts offered.http://www.dr-ugs.biz/. So, on my the Friday drive our first stop was at Dr.Ugs for soup, a roll, and I got myself tee shirt and a print of Venice for my driver. Then Saturday I went on transport and stopped at my favorite jewelry maker and left a message that she should connect with the good people of Dr.Ug's and display some jewelry there!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elkhart-IL/The-Copper-Rooster/195676258214

That felt so good. Why have Thanksgiving just one time a year? Isn't it an EVERY DAY opportunity?

Input Requested...but wait, there's more....

2010-11-10T07:47:00.001-06:00

We have 5 dogs. That lovely little white dog (35 lbs) has developed a nasty behavior - she barks aggressively and appears to have severe separation anxiety and jealously. I've got a tee shirt on her. She has a calming collar. AND, she's taking a calming pill. She goes from wound up really tight (shaking, teeth chattering) to barking to crashed. Having attacked our oldest dog 4 weeks ago, in front of me, she can no longer be with the other dogs except when she's crashed and the oldest is in a covered crate. Then it is as if nothing happened at all - everyone is fine.

I'm the pack leader and they all know that. This one has been with us 3 years and although she argues with me she knows her place. She's the alpha.

She's been to obedience school, is extremely smart, loves to play "bring it" - our version of fetch.

She and a younger male dog stay in crates at night.

She gets walked (and does beautifully) daily.

She is wonderful in public - anywhere, with all people. At least she was until this started. Now I'm not sure.

I've switched her food gradually - all of them. No one else seemed bothered but the old or the new but now in addition to her dry food I have to give her some canned in order for her to eat. I know the pills cause panting and loss of appetite so watch her for water and food consumption. I do not free feed any of them.

It could be neurological or some other physical thing. I just don't know.

Any ideas?

Early morning, breaking news. Of all things, there was an ad on FB for calming collars so Saturday I asked our vet's wife about it as she manages the practice and we were busy decorating a Christmas tree (more another time). Tuesday, after exhausting pill options and reading about the collars, I bought one. It went on yesterday a.m. At first I didn't think it was making a difference and we had a terrible morning. By 2 p.m. "H" was back to her gleeful, frolicky self. The collar wins. We win! She will gladly be wearing one at least for two months. For those of you who may have a pet who suffers from an anxiety/fear/extremely negative energy - ask your pet doctor about a calming collar. These dispense pheromones for about 28-30 days. Day two begins and we are almost as normal as other people!

And, so fall arrives...

2010-10-10T13:27:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe from the images included throughout that we're having a busy time. We've kicked off fall with inviting a couple of friends for dinner which means the house is clean. No one DARE drop a hair anywhere! In addition, there's a new foster in town...we've had 3 in the last couple of months. The group shot is all the anxious hosts and hostesses awaiting her arrival.
Fostering is SO rewarding! We toy with the idea of adding another dog to our family and Abner (http://abnerwisdom.blogspot.com/) was the last one. Perhaps we will some day.

For now it's a joy to offer temporary respite, continue with transporting - especially on the wonderful days such as we're having right now! I call this photo "3 sissies" as the Boxer's name is Sissy. She's come from the western edge of IL and is headed to the northern states, to a Boxer Rescue group. Lucky girl!

The current visitor is Casey Maxine, as seen in this photo, getting a tall, cool drink after a midday romp. We'll probably have her a week, allowing her time to be accepted by a rescue group. Unless of course someone contacts me and says they'd love to adopt her. She's 6 months old (approx), good with other dogs, probably Lab/Shep mix. We've only had her one night and one day and she's been "good" but we've had her outside a lot and in a crate at night. She loves people and seems to have a wonderful personality.

See how infectious this is? Don't you want to just help? You can! Transporters are needed. Fosters are needed. Financial support is needed. Find a shelter, rescue group or transport team. Check 'em out. Help out.

BELTING IN CHASTITY

2010-09-24T16:30:00.000-05:00

Meet Miss Chastity. Her eyes look different, right? True, they do not match but there's more. She cannot see.
Oh.
Well.
Chastity is a D-O-L-L! And, she has a home now.
No, it's not here; we're at our limit.
But, small world that it is, especially when one participates in animal rescue AND social media...A friend I've never met but have crossed paths with in the world of adoption, foster, transport, etc. has (as it turns out) moved out of state, to Iowa of all places. Well, he saw Chastity's photo after inquiring about special needs kitties. And both he and his fiance' were smitten by the year old kitten.
Here's how it's going so far:

Chastity has been spayed and is up to date on stuff, thanks to Benld Adopt-A-Pet, http://www.benldadoptapet.org/ . I brought her home with me on Thursday. She was going to stay at Forever Home Feline Ranch http://www.felineranch.org/ for a week and a half if need be, but we were able to do a reverse transport http://sites.google.com/site/animalrescuetransport/who-we-are thanks to the Hancock County/Quincy rescue team that runs each week. Her new family will meet her tomorrow and she'll settle in for life.
Right now she's in temporary quarters, sharing space with our cats but kept away from them as they don't appreciate visitors!
If you ever wonder if it makes a difference that you are involved or that you donate or support rescue - look at this sweetie from time to time. You know, had she been turned out on her own, she would have wandered without hope or help. Who knows what would have become of her.
Envision her - safe, happy, cozy - that's how her life will be.
Happy endings do occur in a world where people are connected in ways they never imagined. Think about how you can connect and make a difference. Think about letting one life, one other being, know that they matter. Do it.

WHOOSH! Lady exits the house but stays in the neighborhood

2010-09-21T18:01:00.000-05:00

Just when we thought she MIGHT be staying, Lady got a wonderful home about a mile from us. She'll live with Rocky, who looks like our Tripp, and two humans, have a similar home to ours and loads of love! We're moping around a bit but it was really "right" and we're delighted for her. They were waiting for a dog to come along and thanks to our vet clinic - there was Lady!

Now, for another awesome dog who has been pulled from the local animal control facility and placed in a foster home for adoption - Dakota! She's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, age 2, housebroken, friendly as all get-out, and calm when she should be but energetic when she can't help herself! I had her at an adoption recently and was blessed to spend the day with her. She deserves the best. We cannot have her here as she's most likely an alpha - our Harmony Victoria has that slot all to herself. But, wow, she'll be a lucky catch for some deserving dog lover.

So it goes - there's always a dog or cat needing a home and never enough humans around to help them find them or to take them. A friend recently told me I chose a tough area for volunteering. Trust me - it is tearful at times but those tears are both for loss and for joy. I wouldn't trade it, ever, for anything. I hope I have a good 10-15 years left in me to do this! Then I'll be content to have pups and kitties visit me and sit on my lap to be socialized while I nap!

So Much For The Kitchen

2010-09-19T17:38:00.000-05:00

It's up and running and the more I use it (and am glad to be able to) the more it suits me. In order to acquaint my husband with where things are we play "You're getting warmer..." Eventually he does find what he is looking for and I am able to uncurl myself and stop the giggling.

This will be a bit of a catch-up blog. Life is getting back into the proper order with both of us finding that being able to move from room to room without knocking into dishes or jars of food (we had 12 jars of beets) makes life together more agreeable. In turn that means we do more that needs to be done so we're out and about more. Would I do the kitchen thing over again? No. I might have done new countertops and an appliance or two but no, not the entire thing. Would I use the same people and would I recommend them? Yes, but. Yes, but I would want to shop local for the countertops. Am I glad it's over? Yes, of course.

On to the wonders of life though! This is a blog about pets, and wannabe pets. Let me return to and stick to the topic.

The week has been remarkable, nothing less. An email arrived from a friend in a town a few miles away. Her cousin, another few miles away, had taken a young, female Lab away from the neighbor's property, not away from the neighbor but away from the property, because the neighbor had moved. Circumstances had recently changed. NOTE: "recently" is not 3 years - the actual time the dog had been ignored. He must have forgotten he even had a dog you think? No, he was going to come back for her and have her killed. Granted, she has heartworm but whose fault is that? OK, I'll get off his case and on to the remarkable stuff. The email arrived and the cousin and I were connected. I sent out a plea for someone to take the dog. Success came from the people for whom I do transport. They are 2 1/2 hours away. They had checked with a Lab rescue in one of the Chicago area suburbs and that group was willing to take the dog, treat her for heartworm and find her a perfect home. In three days a dog went from not knowing love to being loved by countless individuals. She will live on, happily, and rewarding all of us by celebrating her life fully with whoever becomes hers.

While that was going on, yet another friend, one who I've never met but is a kindred spirit, emailed about a blind kitten. Can you say "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week" is being kicked off in great fashion? So, he asked about a kitten and I made a call asking that he be called but also told him of another one available soon. That response and reply came more quickly and he fell in love with her when I sent photos. Count little Chastity as "adopted" as she will be spayed this week and come back here, go to Forever Home Feline Ranch for a couple of days while we make the arrangements to get the kitty to her guy. Did I mention the kitten is an hour from me and the guy is six hours? We do what it takes!

Closer to home, right here actually, we have our very own story developing. We have a 6 month old foster, a femail Pointer/Lab mix who is a beauty. Shiny, sleek, completely black, personable...all right I'm inclined to go on and on but it's all true. We would keep her, with our 5 dogs and 5 cats as she is fine with them. The issue is that the chances of her outliving our ability to give her wonderful life are really good. Hubby is on the edge of leaving the 60's (his decade not the one we all shared) and therefore it will fall more and more on me to do much of the "stuff" that has to be done. Yes, he's fit as a fiddle and that's now. At this point we have to consider 2020-2025. We could take our chances but if we did we would not have a slot open for a "....Less-Adoptable-Pet". So, this little lady is looking for a home to allow us to help others. She should be able to get one easily, once you (yes, you) are past that she is a black dog - they don't adopt out easily - and she's going to be a large girl.

That's her in the pink collar with our Baxter-boy; he's smitten.

Keep your fingers crossed for us. We're hoping she can get a home and we'll help another, soon.

Fall is in the air

2010-09-08T12:25:00.000-05:00

This morning I took Lady (loaner pup) and went to the Farmers' Market to do donation dog - dogs asking for donations for the no-kill shelter. I had one sock on inside out. It was not intentional. But once I discovered it I debated whether I should publicly fix that or wait till I got home. I waited. Why worry about a sock problem when there's a beautiful day already underway, friendly folks, gorgeous produce, and a charming puppy begging the money away from good-hearted people?

The 8 week kitchen project is now into week 14 and the little tidbit things that need to be done are lingering. Workers probably don't want to show up just to do one or two oddities. They get paid to do that though so let's get it done. Here are photos:

Well, what do you think? There will be a door there in that dark open space - that's a room back there. We're having a Dutch door made and it's due to be installed, hmmm, last Friday. I am so ready for this to be finished but at least we are "moved in" and using it. You're wondering "where do they sit to eat" and that's about where I am standing to take the middle photo. It's one big, big room - kitchen/dining. We love it. Fall is in the air, apples will be picked, bread will be baking, windows will be open for cool breezes...all is right with the world when you can find blessings everywhere. Look around YOU.

There's Always Room for Joy

2010-08-18T20:37:00.000-05:00

Oh, I have Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Deep In My Heart, Deep In My Heart...There are days when the life of a volunteer seems to hold little promise. One step forward two steps back. You' ve been there, done that, doing it again kinds of stuff.

Today was different.

Thanks to a generous friend, Joy, seen in this post, was able to go to a local vet for a spa treatment where she enjoyed a couple of night's rest, a bath and combout, and trimmed nails. She won the hearts of all who met her.

I picked her up and off we went to a special adoption event at the Illinois State Fair. I won't drag this out. Joy has met a woman who wants her and has completed the adoption forms so she can give her a home which will be shared with two other dogs. There are 4 doggie swimming pools and a good fenced yard.

Joy arrived at the shelter with her litter of pups. They were easily adopted out. She's been good-natured and friendly and she has dog friends and human fans galore.

Joy is 8 years and some months old.

This is her first real home.

Do I hear an AMEN?

You don't need to say it...I know deep in your heart, you have JOY!

That Time of Year

2010-08-16T08:16:00.000-05:00

This year you will not find me posting photos of the State Fair. Ask to see the movie - it's an oldie but you'll get the feel of a fair as it should be. It's not that I am not going for I am, 2 or 3 days. And the weather is terrific finally. The camera is just not going with me. How many photos of inappropriate eating should I really have? How many piglets and chicks will hold still and be in good lighting? How many cranky and tired babies have parents willing to let their photos be taken and posted? (Smart to say no) All the same, the Fair is fun!

My husband tells me this year's taste delights include a hamburger which has glazed donuts in place of the bun. Then there is the returning chocolate coated bacon. I assume the bacon is cooked then dipped in chocolate. I think bananas dipped in chocolate are fine but bacon? Really? All sorts of words and phrases come to mind. Since this is a pubic format, let's go with "How's that workin' for you?" and "I'm just sayin'." Use your imagination for any others.

Of course Capitol City rolls out the red carpet for the length of the Fair. It extends way beyond what the public gets to see - there's a lot of getting ready for the Fair. Plenty of the animals arrive early and get settled in so they are comfy (they bring their huge fans) and in familiar settings when judging takes place. Vendors start to pull in with their wagons of lemons for shake-ups, salt water taffy in take-home tubs, elephant ears which I think have gone PC and are now a version of funnel cakes, and are annual caloric chartbusters. The butter cow moooooves in along with extremely expensive ice cream. Frankly last year's cow was not up to Illinois standards. Hopefully it's all about the cow this year.

My point is that the Fair raises the level of activity and excitement which provides an additional level of entertainment for us locals.

If you've never been to a State Fair you're missing a really grand experience. Whether it is to see the ornamental/exotic chickens or the ornamental/exotic "chicks", the tractor pull or the tractor drivers...get there. It's true - something for everyone is at the Fair!

Volunteering is a Roller Coaster Ride

2010-08-06T07:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday at the shelter was a banner day for us volunteers. We finished a project that had taken us away from the dogs and cats for a couple of weeks and were able to return to loving on them!

There were mini-celebrations all around as we learned three of the bigger, older dogs, each who had been there far too long, were adopted. We'd walked them and others, groomed and socialized several so were pleased they had out into the world of loving homes. Now we could devote time to still others looking to move away from the shelter and into a place of their own.

Consider adopting a dog from a shelter who has been overlooked.

Sadly, we lost a puppy to Parvo. It was unfortunate that the little guy and his sister came in, both afflicted no doubt as it is highly contagious and if one has it the other does too. Treatment was too late for him but we're hopeful his sister will recover. This is a miserable disease which drains a pup. If you have a dog keep everyone away from any dog with Parvo. Learn what the signals out - no appetite for anything, lethargic, obvious weight loss, bad diarrhea, etc. Medical attention - serious medical attention - is needed immediately.

Skip a couple of dinners out and make certain your pet gets proper vet examinations or help.

Next a young person came in to apply for work and was telling us of a friend whose pit bull had 14 puppies. The dad is pit also. I LOVE PITS, have a mixed one now and she's the smartest dog we have in many ways and tremendously affectionate. Unfortunately the world does not need 14 puppies, especially pit bulls as many people still do not see them or treat them favorably.

Find a spay/neuter clinic or go to your vet to have your pets spayed and neutered.

There are many animals transported to new homes by plenty of volunteer forces and this saves lives. Most of these run on volunteer help. Drivers are needed; organizers are angels, caregivers are gems, and receiving people are cherished for taking those who would otherwise be euthanized, mostly due to the economy but sometimes owners just don't want to be bothered anymore. Bothered? Yes. Having a pet is a blessing which comes with needs: feed, exercise, love, play, to name a few. Sure, the schedule has to accommodate the pet. Absolutely the pet wants to do what makes you happy but you have to make that possible. Those of us who drive the pets and deliver them into loving arms see mile-wide smiles and tears of uncontrolled joy.

Get involved.

It does not take a lot to help. I hear so often that people cannot afford a pet and frequently they are saying this while spending money thoughtlessly.
Not eating out at a mid-range establishment, just 1 time a month, could buy a nice sized bag of food for cats or dogs, to be donated.
The price of a tee shirt at a chain store or online can be $12 to $35. A donation of that amount to a shelter will buy medicine.
Manicures and pedicures are how much? $$$ which can pay for a spay or neuter or go towards keeping a shelter cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Repeat tickets to a sporting event and the expense of getting there and being there could buy fuel for transporting 30-50 animals on one weekend.

It isn't the economy alone. It is OUR decision making. We - and I include myself - focus on ourselves, here, now, right away. Our satisfaction is fleeting though. The feeling we can each have from doing something good for those who cannot help themselves is beyond description. But people will see it in your step and on your face, and you will feel it in your heart for a long, long time.

Do good things.
Choose to help regularly.
Take a friend along.
Feel the joy!

Don't Touch! That's Hot!

2010-08-03T13:15:00.002-05:00

Several years in a row we were pleased not to turn on the A/C. This is not one of those years. It's been on most days in July and now we enter August with it running.

Sometimes we're not sure it actually is working though. We don't keep it cranked up. It runs on an auto-thermometer unless we fiddle with it. I try, truly I do, not to fiddle with it because, well, I skipped class the day "adjusting a programmable thermometer" was taught. The point is, if ever there is one, it's intensely hot this summer and it's hot in the house.

We do keep at a higher temperature than most people would appreciate. But there is still work going on in the kitchen "makeover" so why waste the energy by lowering the temperature and having it woosh out the door as the fellas go in and out or leave it propped open. Flies buzz in but by evening the air does cool and they become lethargic enough they are easy targets. I'm easily entertained and darned good at hitting them flat on the first time.

The dogs are sprawled wherever there's a cool spot on the floor in whichever room they occupy. They've little reason to spend much time outside. Even the dry grass is so brittle they high-step to get to a destination. It's as if the blades of grass, along with the rocked in area, are warning them "Don't Touch". It's too darned hot.

Seeing them stretched out, siesta style, - well, search for nothing more than acceptance that global warming right now is no more than the Dog Days of Summer.

And here's some history about it (courtesy of an online search):

But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer “dog days?”
In ancient times, when the night sky was unobscured by artificial lights and smog, different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by “connecting the dots” of stars. The images drawn were dependent upon the culture: The Chinese saw different images than the Native Americans, who saw different pictures than the Europeans. These star pictures are now called constellations, and the constellations that are now mapped out in the sky come from our European ancestors.
They saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and others, including dogs, (Canis Major and Canis Minor).
The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it. Look for it in the southern sky (viewed from northern latitudes) during January.
In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.
The conjunction of Sirius with the sun varies somewhat with latitude. And the “precession of the equinoxes” (a gradual drifting of the constellations over time) means that the constellations today are not in exactly the same place in the sky as they were in ancient Rome. Today, dog days occur during the period between July 3 and August 11. Although it is certainly the warmest period of the summer, the heat is not due to the added radiation from a far-away star, regardless of its brightness. No, the heat of summer is a direct result of the earth's tilt.

Is the Doctor In ... or Still Talking on the Radio?

2010-07-22T07:49:00.000-05:00

At night the radio is on here. It started by being a way to cover a dog barking at whatever goes on outside in the wee hours - "wild" critters passing thru the yard and such. Now I'm hooked. It's not that I am awake all night but sometimes I'm alert for an hour or two.

Last night was such a night. Two doctors were on and they were talking about voltage and medicine. Huh? Electric shock? Well, not exactly but there was a discussion about thyroid and something about sticking a gadget from Radio Shack in his mouth to measure voltage after the unit he had broke. On the web sites these two docs have there's charts and some verbage about voltage being healing. The one from AZ is more chronic pain and sports injury. The other one, from CA, is homeopathic and, in his own research, has connected dental problems to other problems and that caught my attention for I've said that myself.

There were exchanges on dead tissue and bacteria and how streph infections spread - another area of interest for me since we went thru Ed's ordeal with one three years ago. It about killed him. We were going to change the name of the hospital I would then own because he got the infection there. I digress.

The point is these guys were focused on how one thing leads to another - all the health issues are connected. Duh. We should all understand that. It's one body trying to work as a whole not a bunch of dissociated parts.
This is way off target for me but I did find it interesting.

Consumers or late night radio junkies started calling in and revealing the dangers of anti-persperants and toothpaste. Hmmm. I we could all stop using those but it would have to be EVERYONE, no exceptions. Are YOU in?

http://www.tennantinstitute.com/TIIM_MAC/Welcome.html - lots of charts!
http://www.21centurymed.com/ - he gets $300/hour but I think that's the office visits not reading his web site

News from Designer Landscapes via @constantcontact

2010-07-21T18:01:00.000-05:00

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-Designer-Landscapes.html?soid=1103282417047&aid=VNqXfuqVM8Y

2010-07-20T22:13:00.001-05:00

There are days I wish I still smoked cigarettes, whatever. Admit it if you are a reformed smoker, a quitter as it were; you feel the same way. At times nothing takes the place of inhaling. I don't care if Bill Clinton never experienced that or not.
Today was such a day. Our oldest and newest dog, Abner (King Abner, he was about the length of a ruler), turned in his collar. He's running free, barking directions to the big and the mighty. Too many times I've made that trip to the vet's office with a loved and loving pet. Sad as it is at the time, I'm grateful to give this last gift before pain is unbearable.

Our time with him was brief - a mere nine months - but oh, the laughs we had as he entertained us and others. For one thing, who else would have taken him? He had no clue we'd come along; we didn't spend time with him until we decided to sweep him off his feet and release him from a shelter. Oh, the rolling eyes we gave each other as we questioned our sanity for having fostered and then adopted a 16 year old dog who could barely see, was nearly incontinent, had an inner ear issue that made him walk in circles, and a heart murmur.
But, as is usually God's will, timing is everything. We needed him as much if not more than he needed us. We needed to see what old age and gumption can do for a soul. Abner truly did rule. He did not know defeat; even at his end he was fighting. He nuzzled close to let me know it was OK to let him go - his victory here was a new start.

He was a little guy with mighty aspirations and that's probably what kept him going as long as it did. Never quitting nor, like any dog, knowing his own size. He was the first to take on the old fire hydrants we had installed for the boy dogs.

There was little about him that would be considered gentle unless it was in his way, on his time. He would boss any of around and then would determine where he was to settle and for how long. We all waited and then took our places accordingly. When it was time for "out" or food or bed we didn't need a clock; we only needed Abner's voice to ring out the orders.It made them his own more than once, tottering over to the fenceline and back just to prove a point. He spent just one Christmas with us but he loaded up on soft treats and new bedding and that was just the beginning of the gift-giving. We showered him with soft blankies, a new dish, a new collar, puppy pads, his own space, and as much love as we could cram into each and every day, marveling at our good fortune for being able to care for him and for having other bigger and younger dogs who understood his frailty.
Animals get it. They get life and living together and what is important. They aren't caught up in all that we are or have or do. Tonight as I talked to our other dogs (yes) it dawned on me how much they will miss Abner. Their world is right here, the (now) five of them and the two of us. OF COURSE they will miss him. He was such a part of every day, every routine. And maybe that's why we love them all. They are the every day, the every routine. They are what keeps us grounded and semi-normal. They instill and reinforce our faith.

They can't read. They speak only DOG. They can't do a lot that we can do. Good. They do love. They do relate. They do comfort and care. Great.

Wow. Do I have a lot to learn? Lucky me. This place is loaded with great teachers. God knows what He's doing and just how to work in me.

2010-07-13T20:15:00.000-05:00

Ever have "one of those days"? Been there. Done that. Today.

It was the funeral for a dear person, a friend of 15 years, gone at 54. She lived fully so who's to say it's too young to leave?

It is the birthday of another dear friend, ageless and also living fully. Admittedly she's a different generation than the other.

And, I'm caught inbetween.

So I wonder. I wonder, what if the first friend had been given the extra years, how would she use the extra 7 or 12 birthdays?

We just never know. We think. We think we do. We think we do know. But we don't.

halfway to a new kitchen

2010-07-07T06:49:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: The earring mentioned in the previous post has been found and not by picking through anything! HooRAH. That means Baxter has only consumed one earring in the past year and a half. Concern was growing that the metal in his belly would soon start weighting him down. As a pet lover I need to be more aware of his unusual tastes.

Have I mentioned the kitchen is being re-modeled? Oh! Not just new appliances - the entire room is M-T. Nothing but the diagram on the old floor showing where things will be someday. We are walking around the island and past the cupboards drawn on the old floor with a Sharpie. That's my tip for you when you re-do a room. If you can clear out the old and draw in the new, do it and live with it. Maybe not as long as I am needing to but try it out and see if things are as you imagined. You may find, as we did, you need to make a change or two. As I've said during other situations, if we weren't involved in it this would be an interesting study to do, and then humorous paper or book to write. We're not skilled enough to do it ourselves so I admire the accomplishments as they occur. I was really oblivious to how dated it was so had little interest in it. Yes, I missed the kitchen genie gene! There's no doubt it will be fantastic, someday. Till then we have "kitchen" in every room.

Here's the work crew, on break Oh, I'm kidding, of course. Somewhere in this is someone I'm related to probably - who knows? Writing on the back of pictures was not a habit anyone in our family had. I'm doing my best to maintain that habit. Keep anyone related to any of us guessing.

The point of the photo is to illustrate how people used to dress to go to work. These are not business office administrative staffers but outdoor workers. It makes me appreciate today's relaxed dress codes. Need I say this is pre-air conditioning? Wow.

Speaking of A/C I finally cranked it on this a.m. The workers should be thrilled today when they come inside. It's not that I didn't want it on. It's not that I didn't think it was on...The control/thermostat is tucked behind the china cabinet (bad move) and I thought I reached back and turned it on but was actually turning it off. My tolerance for heat is above average. All right. All right. Criticize me for poor home management. I'll be stopping by YOUR glass house soon. Get my drift. The A/C is not something I like much. But for these guys I've now got it going and even dropped it a couple of degrees. Maybe that "someday" for the finished kitchen will be a reality! After all, who wants to be called a kitchen bwitch?

I could bake some cookies to show my appreciation. Wait. I'd need the oven to do that. Whoops.

Don't Be Depressed

2010-07-06T07:43:00.000-05:00

Can you count an earring lost if you know you last saw it in the bedroom and have a very strong suspicion that, if you look diligently, you will find it in the fenced in yard, having been "transported" by one of the dogs? I think in this case, yes, it's gone. It was pretty small and even though it is gold it probably won't be so shiny as to be seen. Ah, well.

Then, there's the long-owned, nicely broken in brown huraches that slipped on easily and worked well in creating happy feet. It's useless to wear just one so after they suffered irrepairable damage they moved on down the road. I suspect the same critter. Could he be unstable? Ah, well, again.

Yes, I should have put the shoes on the shoe rack. He seems to ignore them there. As for the earring, I COULD have gotten up in the middle of the night and put them away once I awoke from rubbing my ear and having it come undone. I did put it on the nightstand. Can I have one point, please? Just one?

We're out of bananas. I love bananas. It's hot, humid, looking stormy, and I need to go get bananas. I could do that if I had earrings to wear and errand shoes to put on my feet. As it is I'll probably manage to get there but not feel "like myself".

These three things are minor and it will be easy to get past each of them. No. Big. Deal. But then, I turned on the television. Am I on some sort of self-destruction plan here?

The news was on and I realized a few weeks ago that I have no clue what is going on globally unless someone tells me. We don't get the paper and I rarely watch TV news. I do catch up on the the hot topics associated with all night coast-to-coast radio. I digress.

It turns out that depression has been identified as causing dementia.

We can always count on the news, which I have discovered hasn't changed. It is all the depressing stuff about deaths, accidents, drugs, missing people, weather problems, Lady Ga-ga eye contacts, political tirades. The little household goof-ups aren't depressing at all, just frustrating and forgetable, and LAUGHABLE. But, the stuff in the news is different. Shouldn't the news broadcast teams realize how reporting all the depressing news is irritatingly, well, depressing. I think I'll just turn it off again. I'd rather be considered crazy because I can laugh at life than subject to dementia because I'm weighted down by what is dumped upon me by a talking head or two.

Today be grateful for something in your life - at least one thing. It can be as silly as being able to post a photo on a blog in which you are wearing (now baggy) jeans and shoes you once loved.

Adventuring we go!

2010-06-09T14:22:00.000-05:00

We get up and go. Around here we get all the work done, or at least far enough along that we see progress, and then we decide to take off and go somewhere. Now that we travel with Gloria Prissy Soho (GPS) we wander a bit less often although we can take the scenic route if we choose.

A good friend handed me an article and said the subject/location appeared to be one which fit our lifestyle.

It is a winery, tucked a-way-back in yet another small town. That's all it took. Off we went in our 4 wheel drive with GPS along for the ride. We did take the back roads and we did defy GPS and we did find the place. It was d-vine (ha ha ha, a winery with "vine" - how fine). We enjoyed the tastings, ordered food and polished that off, then purchased a case of wine to bring home.

If you are ever travelling the real road, route 55, towards St. Louis, put The Wooden Nickel, Honey Bend Avenue, Litchfield, into your GPS and stop for refreshments. Worth the off-road time!

UPdate

2010-06-09T13:59:00.001-05:00

Annie-Jean has gone to her new home as of this past Saturday. She was received by her new human and new doggie roommate without any glitches! YaHOO!

There are scraps of paper in this house and on them are blog topics. The scraps get gathered up to make a pile. Then they get scattered again. Stuff loses relevance. So much of it has to be posted in a timely fashion.

Here it goes - 10 days later...a review of a small town festival, in photos mostly.

The day was hot, sunny, and just right for a festival on an historic site. Called the Strawberry Festival, probably because the berries were ripe, the only ones I saw were in two dishes with sponge cake. The berries, cake AND whipped cream were being devoured by two skinny, cute teenage girls. Life is not fair. What do THEY know about good strawberry shortcake? They are not included in this portfolio.

But the hot dog I ate is! Thanks to the Boy Scouts for saving the day on that one - all beef hot dogs - yummy. Check this out.

Historical sites are incomplete unless they have Old Glory flowing in the breeze

and our flag was in evidence across the front of the grand entrance to the home.

How neat! Beneath the flag the front porch chairs, rockers, and stairs were occupied by folks listening to a rural 4 part harmony group, performing familiar fun tunes, gospels, and a little C & W.

People displayed their senses of humor in many arenas. One of our favorites was where the antique trucks were lined up. In among the rest was this darling little VW bug (with a paint job that did it no justice, darn). There were all the big guys, hoods popped, horsepower on display, and smack dab in the midst was this bug, hood popped - but as we all know, it's the trunk. Got more than a chuckle. Ain't it cute?

And, speaking of cute, does anyone remember the little instrument that sounds like a frog ribbiting? This young girl was doing her darn-dest to get the rhythm down while trying to figure out "How does it do that?" Ah, sweet youth and all the innocence it holds

We saw a machine that makes socks - and great looking socks they were too! The wool yarn was prepared on site and spun into yarn and then somehow magically turned into socks with the ladies' talents and these handy-dandy machines. We saw several men in a barn beating the heck out of hot iron. Here's how that looks too. And, finally, there were the log cutters. Oy! What a job that had to be when it mattered as to how many, how fast, and how accurate...the good ole days included a lot of hard work.

Let's be glad they laid the foundation for our country - we should all pick up our "tools" and get to work, continuing in the traditions.

Oh, yeah, and here is the best tradition of them all - a good chair (or three), comfy overalls, a view, and your best friend...nothin' more to say, except Paws to Love.

Dr. Caldwell and his magic elixir

2010-05-29T21:27:00.002-05:00

My cousin and her POSSLQ were here a couple of months back and we went "bumming". That's what my mother would have called it. We take it to mean going antique shopping and rummaging around more for the purpose of getting caught up in who's done what recently than anything else. By staying on our feet and moving we avoid sitting and drinking beer or having a hot fudge sundae or both. By the time they had to leave we had all settled into a steady stream of laughter and were exhausted. Then she hauled out the box of bottles she'd been given by someone in West Virginia, from whence they were returning, having wandered a bit off their northern California trail.

Did I want any old, dirty, unusable bottles? BUT OF COURSE. Need she ask? Aren't they the find of the century and undoubtedly priceless. Good thing I took the photo. Those bottles are here in this house somewhere but I'll be darned if I can find them now. By the way, how long is the excuse, "We're having the kitchen re-done" good? I'm hoping a full year. Any comments suggesting it should be less than that will remain unposted. Ah, but I bet those rascals are under the sink.

Back to the bottles. My hub, also my POSSLQ, decided to research the one from Monticello, as in Monticello, IL. Could we have hoped it was a bottle Thomas Jefferson had had at HIS Monticello? We could have, but we didn't. While he was googling away I wondered if that sort of activity really qualifies as research. It's far too easy. Like I said, though, back to the bottles.

Well, if the Internet is to be believed, this particular bottle, and many like it, was produced between 1865 and 1945 and contained a certain Dr. Caldwell's Syrup of Pepsin. The bottles had a cork style mouth until '42 and then went with the screw on cap. They are worth every bit of $1-2. WOW.

The story is worth more than that. It seems Dr. Caldwell was a real doctor. However, the FTC (pre-Federal Drug Admin) ordered his company to cease misrepresentation as to the efficacy of its preparation for the relief of constipation or other ailments. The order prohibts the use of the word "pepsin" alone or in association with other words to describe a preparation ot containing sufficient pepsin, as an active ingredient, to possess substantial therapeutic value because pepsin content.

A handful of noteworthy remarks must be made now:

1. The government had its own language even a century ago. We have complained and not been heard.

2. Pepsin is remarkably close to Pepsi. Does that mean anything?

3. If you were full of sh_t before you took this concoction you were still full of it afterwards.

Annie-Jean's Story

2010-05-28T09:06:00.001-05:00

Once upon a recent time there lived a nurse who hadn't worked in two and a half years.

She had breast cancer and could not do her job any longer.

May 15, 2010, she died.

Her pets were left behind.

It gets better.

A nearby shelter, Benld Adopt-A-Pet, heard the story. One of the dogs and two cats were adopted but that more remained. We have Annie, the Beagle now, as a foster. We never knew Jeany but she must have been wonderful as her pooch is!

I picked Annie up Wednesday afternoon. She was thrilled to see someone as a visitor. With Jean's sister's approval during a cell phone conversation, I loaded up Annie drove to our house where she promptly went outside, waiting to meet the resident dogs. That has gone well. Score 1.

She and I were able to visit our vet that same afternoon. Her shots were all updated and she was tested for heartworm. She's negative! Preventatives are in place now for that and fleas/ticks. Our small town vet knew the story and gave me a break. Thank you! Score 2.

The staffers at Benld know of (at least) one person, right in our area, who is especially fond of senior dogs and Beagles. We've talked. She and her dog are planning on meeting us sometime after June 2nd and it sounds promising. If the dogs get along it may be a done deal. Score 3.

Annie-Jean's story goes on and her life is changing. She will survive and touch hearts, reminding us of the preciousness of life.

If she doesn't go to this new adoptive home I think she'll be OK. I heard someone leaving this house a few minutes ago smiling and telling two of our dogs we may have a new resident here. Hmmm. For the record, it was not me. I was the one who said when this started that we don't need another dog.

No one ever NEEDS another dog, at least, no one ever realizes they NEED another dog until that dog arrives. Personally I hope Annie gets to go to with Tema as Tema needs a buddy. If it doesn't work, she's happy here. That's what counts.

Oh, that, and the fact there is a great shelter, with the right attitude and focus, in Benld, IL. They get nothing out of this other than the satisfaction of having helped one dog, one more dog. And, life goes on. Tomorrow brings another dog or cat. They are there to help them when they can. Creative Geniuses - each of them!

Observations

2010-05-16T12:38:00.001-05:00

Authors who write books which will be turned into audio versions should avoid characters named Jack.

A reader and a listener evenutally tire of hearing "Jack asked". It sounds like something else. Trust me on this one.

This is a lush spring. Each year the flowers get more beautiful. Perhaps we just learned to appreciate them more.

One of our dogs ate the inserts to my much-loved and ancient UGG slip-ons. My fault for leaving them where he could get to them. I've put in "Gels" from Dr. Scholl. Here to tell ya - NOT THE SAME. I was on my feet for 6 hours straight today wearing the UGGs with gel inserts. Not doin' it, folks!

Hey Buddy

2010-05-08T20:58:00.000-05:00

Life. It's a wonder, isn't it? Just when you think, well, just when you actually think, then that's when you realize you haven't got it figured out and the people you know surprise you once again.

This week I was surprised. Not really by who did something. Not by what was done. Let me tell you about it.

My husband has had reason to visit a VA medical facility once a week for several weeks. This Wednesday was his last visit for awhile. When he travels the 100 miles there he allows plenty of time for construction or other delays. This typically means he gets there in advance of his appointment and can venture into the Veterans' cafeteria for a quick and simple lunch.

This week he crossed the threshold about the time a World War II vet wheeled himself into the cafeteria, having been dropped off at the door by the transport driver.

The vet had $1 to his name. A single, one-dollar bill. A World War II veteran, one of the Greatest Generation, a soldier in the war to end all wars had 100 pennies. He approached the cafeteria worker and humbly asked what he could buy for lunch with his dollar.

Fortunately my double Purple Heart, Bronze Star guy earned yet another medal of service that day by telling this honorable fellow vet that he could have whatever he wanted and it would be the Vietnam vet's honor to buy him lunch.

It would be so easy to start a rampage about what's wrong with sending any elderly, wheelchair bound person out with no more than a dollar. Whoever readied him for the day's experience knew it would get him nothing. Imagine. After all those years, never totally losing the memories of the closeness, the personalness of those battles, and being displaced without the possibility of even being able to buy half a sandwich.

Rather, let's think about the brotherhood and how connected the vets are. Those of us who have never been in our country's service don't get it. We just don't grasp what it is to wake up each day wondering if this could be the last day of life.

It could be.

Maybe we should grasp that notion.

Maybe we'd buy lunch for a stranger and say a kind word more often.

The big things we complain about suddenly seem small and inconsequential; the little things we do make our hearts fly.

Yes, I was surprised. Not by what my husband did or for whom he did it.

I was surprised that we sat their across from each other with tears in our eyes. Were they tears of sadness for the situation he found? Were they tears of joy for being able to change it?

Yes.

A CHILL in APRIL

2010-04-21T13:28:00.000-05:00

Even though allergy-induced stuffiness has planted itself firmly in my sinuses I am managing to get out and about, walking dogs and running errands. Admittedly I slept away half of yesterday but it was the day all the demons moved in and took over!

Well, today I returned SECRETS OF EDEN to the library and was reminded I'd not blogged in a bit.
True.

Fact is, early this a.m., while traipsing along on a jaunt, I thought, hmmm, put the blog on hold. Then this encouragement is delivered firsthand. So, on I go. Good or bad.

But where are my topics? I've strayed from animals/pets and shall try to re-incorporate them in stories.

Actually, the shelter, where I spent so much time in the last 4 years that I don't dare try to total the hours, will soon be out of my life entirely. At least, directly out of my life. The emails and FB postings will still flow. I have 2 or 3 more weeks of Paws 2 Read with the 4th graders and then will not be at the shelter. It's my decision.

Funny how one can become so entrenched in chaos and still remain optimistic. Then all it takes is a moment of awakening and understanding. Things will not change. Over the past 6 months I have divorced myself from all activities there, giving plenty of notice that I won't be doing a particular aspect of the work. It's a shame and it hurt a great deal at first.

But, there comes a time, and in my case it came quickly, of realizing departing was the right thing to do. When it was obvious to me then I accepted it. And, I'm glad I did for the turmoil now resides atop the chaos which is burying the frustration and underneath it all is a lot of SH_T.

We all know that a person can offer help to another soul but unless there is receptivity the offer hits a closed door. For an awful lot of long time volunteers this has happened, repeatedly.

It can be said the animals suffer. I do not find that to be factual. The animals suffer before they get to the shelter. There they are taken care of and know nothing of the political drama and ineptness. There's "day to day" staff handling them. And, fresh, new enthusiastic volunteers who should choose to remain ignorant of the trappings.

You're right, this isn't a cheerful tune. And, I'm dancing around pointing out issues - no blog could hold them and what good would it do?

The observation and lesson, in hindsight are simple: Don't get involved beyond what you can do and leave behind at the end of your work time. The people who stay as volunteers are clueless. They go. They do something. They leave. They think nothing of improvement or change. Had many of us taken that approach we'd still be on hand.

Honey, the Mail is Here!

2010-04-11T21:04:00.001-05:00

I love getting the mail. When it goes to 5 days a week I will be sad. The mailman is a nice guy and I enjoy chatting with him, long enough to appreciate him but not so long as to make him late, for an important date or anything else.

Sometimes he brings great surprises. Rarely are the pleasant ones advertising. But this week I rec'd an oversized postcard which I was happy to get. Not that I'm in a buying phase, not when I need to get my glasses fixed, just spent a bundle for 11 pets flea or flea and heartworm meds for 4 months (big mistake before taxes are due), and when I need new tires. Thanks anyway, BMW.

Thanks, because you sent me a postcard with a reminder about life's reality. At a time when this country, this world, STILL is fighting to keep its economic head above water, when change is everything we bargained for and a whole lot more, when I'm relating more and more to what my grandparents and parents were thinking, BMW comes along with a simple declarative statement: JOY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN.

Admittedly, my first thought raced to our Frieda Joy, gone for 5 months and grieved every day. She was joy in breathing form, even though she never developed the confidence to recognize it in herself. But she had gumption; she TRIED continually, striving to BE. It just couldn't be and she was so unselfish.

Which brings me to a choice. This free will thing God heaped upon us has blessing/curse traits. Either I can celebrate her or weep at the first sign of her image or personality. Probably there are places for each. What a waste of her life it would be if I chose only to weep.

Instead I embrace the sentence sent without knowledge of the days I wish I'd never given her "Joy" as a middle name. It shows up far more now than I ever realized. But this sentence says so much, so much which is bigger than my heart's wounds from loving and losing a tremendous dog far too soon.

JOY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN. It brings me relief. It brings me compassion, even consolation. I realize my beauty girl will never slow down, never stop teaching, even in her absence. And, she will never stop delivering joy. Would that I could emulate her. Would that I could teach others of joy, could give it in its intangible form, in a way which allows me to turn and walk away, smiling to myself about the outburst the recipient is about to enjoy. See? There is joy in enjoy/enjoyment.

Thank you, BMW. Your marketing gurus had no clue. Thank you, USPS, your sorters and delivery folks had no clue. Thank you for reminding me. Joy is everywhere. It is here to stay. It cannot be drawn into the battles of daily life for it is above and beyond those. At the end of the day, think about the joy of having lived it.

JOY SHOWS NO SIGNS

OF SLOWING DOWN!

Angel-Angle

2010-03-24T09:39:00.000-05:00

It would not do to be spied by acquaintances so I left my old pair of sunglasses on during this trip. I flew in from points unmentioned, just to flutter around and pun-ish my friends and relatives.

Here's a true instance of "Life is too short". I left my wings parked at this place but a restless night has me convinced I need to go get them. My plan is to put them on and walk down the street. Maybe I'll get the green hair in the earlier posting too.

Why not? It's $15 of entertainment for me and whoever sees me. What can you get for $15 these days? Plus, think of how it will be passed along at the dinner table. Do people still have dinner tables and use them?

Him: "Guess what I saw today, Gorgeous."
Her: "Another tool you can't live without."
Kid: "A video game I don't have."
Him: "Neither. It was a green haired angel walking down the street."
Her and Kid: "uh-huh"

Either I'll bring back "family time" or it'll die altogether.
That's the angel angle.

Say Goodnight, Gorgeous

2010-03-24T09:32:00.001-05:00

Some Wednesday evenings I have Toddler Time @ church, while the parents attend classes (or sneak off on a date?). Never alone, thankfully, we may have as many as 23 crawlers, under the age of 5.

I'm reminded of times when one person in a room has yawned and it starts a progression of yawns. It can be the same way with diapers.

Uf-da.

So, one recent evening a dad picked up his youngster and told her to "Say goodnight, Gorgeous". He was calling her by a nickname, clearly. It was, however, a moment for humor. I agreed with him, and asked her to say "Goodnight Gorgeous".

Ah, the sweet difference removing the comma can make.

I'm starting to look more and more like my mother. She would have had green hair at some time for some reason - same as this...removable. Ah, but I digress, or perhaps, transition.

When I was between 1st and 2nd grades we went horseback riding in Wisconsin. Somehow we never rode around home, only on vacation. Well, it was my first real time on a true horse and I was kept up front, riding between the cowboy and my dad. I was on Thunder, a horse I immediately believed to be my very own, forever.

My mother was at the end of the line. It was a line that included the 4 of us and probably 2 or 3 other lucky souls.

The aforementioned cowboy periodically turned around and hollered, "Come on, Glamour Girl!!!".

And, so it was, we rode the entire hour with my mother trusting that he was talking to her, not to her horse.

Upon return and dismount, he came over, took the reins and once again, said, this time directly to the horse, "Come on, Glamour Girl".

Goodnight Gorgeous.

BAKE SALE

2010-03-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

Any time of the year is great for bake sales. It's tough to walk past the table supporting an array of goodies such as homemade brownies, over-sized chocolate chip cookies, even Rice Krispie treats! But, what about homemade pies and breads, or even a whole frosted cake. What delights these are!

Going to a bake sale is special. You get yummy treats for a reasonable price and the funds help out a great cause, in this case a deserving no-kill animal shelter.

Mark your calendars for Litchfield, IL on April 3rd. Go to the WalMart @ 10 and make your selections! Support this fine shelter. Every contribution counts!

What Can You Make of This?

2010-03-15T16:30:00.001-05:00

A few years back, when really nice cards cost about $1.95, I bought one for myself. No, I didn't mail it; I just wanted what it said. It was from the "Life & other Journeys" series from the privately held card company, based in KC, MO.

Anyway, it was during a time when I was juggling philosophies and passions. The front "title" is TEN THINGS TO MAKE BESIDES MONEY and on the front also were the words "Merry", "do", and "sense". Inside were these words: "amends", "peace (as a symbol)", "waves", "room", "time", "love", "believe".

What can you add?
I chose to add a few:
"up", "out", "cookies", "better", "change", "nice", "good", "right", "history", "ends meet", "memories".

I guess make "smiles" happen needs its own place!

Toss yours into the comment box!

Mish Mash I Was Taking A Bath

2010-03-11T21:03:00.000-06:00

This past weekend was the annual book sale at the local library. We loaded up.

Understatement.

We could insulate the house with what we bought. Is there a tax credit for that?

Nonetheless, today I left the second book of the mountain I purchased at one of my favorite dining establishments. Called. They claim "no knowledge". I'll be going back there tomorrow. Ironically the book is the one about why French women aren't fat. And, I left it in a restaurant. Duh.

My stress was sublimated by a piece of chocolate candy from the box of de-lish treats from http://www.peases.com/ . My hubby gave me those as part of the Valentine's Day Extravaganza. They are lasting a long time although TONIGHT I could have devoured the 20 pcs. left.

Instead I blog, email, facebook.

Such a life.

Oh, we're adopting Abner, the 15 year old mini-doxie we've been fostering. Don't tell him. Also, don't sign us up for any support groups. We just think he deserves a final home and he fits in...that's our problem...critters fit in. WAIT! That's the GREAT news!

Note-worthy

2010-03-08T18:50:00.000-06:00

Someone needs to do a study to determine the correlationship between the number of notes one writes to one's self and the age of said individual. As it stands, I have notes on a huge white board, in my (paper) calendar book, on slips of paper that I leave on the counter and therefore, on slips of paper I have with me to re-create what I left behind. And, still I forget stuff.

Right now I am trying to find my list of "interesting" blog topics.

Blopics

2010-03-01T09:23:00.000-06:00

Making up words is fun. Quite some time back I made up what sounded to me to be a perfect title to claim and put on a business card. Gave it to an associate with "permission to use". Probably didn't happen. That's OK. I'll use it - my name, followed by "Eclectician". Definition: A person who deals with eclectic "stuff" which is basically using various sources or not following one system. This is commonly known as thinking outside the box. There's another noun for it - an eclecticist. That one is in Mr. Webster's unabridged book. So I know mine is a made up word or it would be in there too and it is not.

Now I put together blopics. You can figure that out to be blog topics. I got tired of writing notes titled Blog Topics.

A new word has to sound right. Remember that from 8th grade English when poetry was studied? Onimonapia, a word Webster removed from the aforementioned dictionary. I think blopics does. It sounds like what it means. Drop in, leave an essay, a statement, a piece of one's mind.

Maybe I need different business cards: my name, followed by "The Big Blopper".

DIS DISH

2010-02-25T11:37:00.000-06:00

The television blew. My folks had the same television for decades. We had this one for 7 years. Fixing it would be a major investment when compared to buying a new one. We're getting a new one. Higher end than we expected but we bought into the reasoning. We call it reasoning now. Had we not bought into it we would call it pitch or nonsense.

It arrives March 11th. Wise thinking - I decided to pause DISH NETWORK. We can't use it. I called and learned from a fast-speaking underage employee that it cannot be retroactive to the day the tech was here and told us it was not their problem but to be sure to ask for the free upgrade to HD. This tech did not suggest a pause in service, thinking we would not be able to survive w/o a television long enough to need one.

We went thru the motions. Pause as of today or tomorrow. I gave a start up date. That requires another phone call. My husband had already set up the appt for the free upgrade. That had to be cancelled in order to implement the pause. We're talking about 2 1/2 weeks of time now. I agreed to make a note to call back to reinstate the service and schedule another appointment.

Then she told me it will be a $20/month charge to pause the service. I was still listening to her but not nearly as happily. Not that $20 is a huge sum. My suggestion was that this be stated to customers at the beginning of the request. It would save everyone a lot of time. And, I mentioned I hoped I was being recorded as I was now displeased with "service".

We undid all we had done. There will be no pause. But I did not have the appt. any longer so we had to re-establish that. She needed a credit card number to make the appointment. Go figure. I suppose you can't trust a technician to handle a check or credit transaction. It's only money. We're trusting these unknown individuals into our homes but it's clear the employer has a great financial risk if the technician has to get the customer to pay.

Fortunately not enough time had passed to have my "slot" given to someone else. I was informed that we're set up for the same 4 hour window, same day. And, by the way, there is a $1 hold charged to the credit card.

Now what? Well, that's to allow you to get the "free" upgrade. It will be refunded in 3 or 4 business days. Can you imagine how many customers pay that $1 for those 3 or 4 days and DISH invests that immediately and makes enough to pay for the free upgrade activity? Speculation on my part but I think someone worked out the details ahead of time. How much does it cost to put a $1 charge on a credit card? Geez.

What choice did I have? The customer no longer is king/queen. We are solely considered tolerated because, gosh, we're the reason they are in business. I paid my buck. I shook my phone-head. I made my notes on the 8 year old contract we have had with them which put someone thru college.

It's not so bad not having a TV. But then who would I call to entertain me in such a clueless way? Guess we'll let this one go.

Give 'Em Homes - Why Wait?

2010-02-13T14:53:00.000-06:00

It's time to get back to basics. There are a lot of dogs in the world. In this country. Everywhere: fliers, ads, posters, events, pages of sad statistics. Much of the population problem is the fault of careless and/or thoughtless, greedy humans. These LIVING dogs could die and will die unless responsible humans step in and give them warm and loving homes. If you can, go to the shelter and adopt. Save someone. http://www.benldadoptapet.org/ , http://www.apl-shelter.org/ are some of our close-by locations, crammed with hopeful dogs. Don't spew out that "I want them all..." "It breaks my heart to go there so I don't..." BUCK UP.

Our local newspaper ran an article which listed the annual cost of a dog to be $695. It's a bit more for a large dog, say, another $100. Round it off to $800. You cannot put a price on love. Still, to more people than I can imagine, this is a lot of money to spend. Take the pet insurance out of the equation and the costs go down over $200. Work instead to keep your dog healthy by feeding decent food, not overdoing treats, going to an obedience class, exercising your pet, and keeping him or her groomed. Sorry, if it turns out you cannot keep your pet then good care, socialization, and health are important in re-homing, or adopting your dog to someone else.

Maybe a better choice at first is to help out by donating to your favorite shelter and help pets find homes before you adopt one yourself and have to return it. That's no fun for the dog either. It will break your heart to give up your friend but you have other friends. The dog knows only you and has only you and depends upon only you. Talk about broken hearts.

But maybe you only need ways to make having a pet affordable.

Other tips: Get a used crate from a garage sale. Buy bedding at a Goodwill or Salvation Army. Make your own dog treats. Use old tee shirts, cut into 2" strips, braided and knotted at each end, to make toys. Make your own meals for your dogs - be aware: no raisins, chocolate, grapes, cooked bones (they are brittle), onions, garlic, almonds, and check for other toxic foods - you can get recipes on line; you're connected.

It's not just what you spend though. You are apt to not spend money elsewhere.Your dog can save you hundreds of dollars on exercise equipment or club membership and you won't need special outfits to get in shape. Your dog keeps you out of the psychiatrist's office (a bit longer) because you have a therapist with you at home; one who not only will listen to you but will love you. Your dog will entertain you - hours of joyful activity can keep you away from passive time spent watching TV or videos, or other forgettable timewasters. Have your youngest friends read to your dog. Have a family night and include the dog. Cuddle up with Bowser and turn down the thermostat. There are so many ways dogs are good for you.

It's time for us to be good for dogs.

Black on White and White On White

2010-02-09T15:01:00.000-06:00

Holly is the dog I walk sometimes at noon. She's a Labradoodle and has a great sense of joy for live! We romp. She's a major snow dog!

Back by popular demand, the W.O.W. photo. Could have repeated this today - snow snow snow.

cha-CLING

2010-02-09T10:03:00.000-06:00

Last night Doug Wilson was on a local TV channeled in a chef's outfit. The floppy hat thing did nothing for him except cover up his gorgeous hair. He was making 4 Cheese Macaroni. So much for healthy eating during heart month. I still like his restaurant. Never saw Trading Places or whatever show he had.

We've got more snow. Fine by me, a-l-t-h-o-u-g-h, I am noticing that I am a teensy bit stir crazy. So what I did yesterday, while waiting for the snow, was to order up a book copy of my blog. Now, that was interesting! I can hardly wait. But I will because I didn't fork over the rush or express $$$ to get it here in a week.

The other thing I did was buy Abner (http://abnerwisdom.blogspot.com/ ) an official bed. Sure, he's a foster. But he's SO at home here I expect we'll have him till the end. And, if not, well, he can take his bed with him. He hasn't had a chance to use it yet. Winnie is scrunched in it and not about to relinquish the comfort it yields.

Since I was out I got groceries.

Then I went back on line and ordered some blank dog cards. Well, the dogs are not blank, there's not writing on the cards. I get to do that. They're coming from Belgrade, just outside Bozeman. http://www.folkdogart.com/ . Check for yourself. Good stuff. Delightful young artist.

Last week, on a dreary, sloppy weather day, I ordered from another artist, a friend who was lucky enough to spend time in Paris last year. She's helping out Make A Wish Foundation this year. Go ahead. Buy something.
View the catalog:
www.charitylynne.com/dream
To learn more and order:
http://www.charitylynnephoto.wordpress.com/

Clearly I need to go back into the kitchen and bake something before I get all these cards and need to start writing notes to people and while there's still checks in the checkbook. Isn't that how you know when there's no money? When the checks are all gone? OUCH!

Comes Around

2010-02-07T17:16:00.000-06:00

This has NOTHING to do with the previous posting, beyond finishing a cliche'. So if you're new or don't want to read the previous posts, worry not. I'm making your day by saying "start here".

Today we toodled up to a small village 20+ miles from here, where in resides a pair of businesses we have learned to love - if only all lessons could be so delightful and fun. I'm talkin' about The Bluestem Bakery and The Copper Rooster. http://thecopperrooster.shopping.officelive.com/default.aspx and http://www.illinois-adventures.com/blog/Exploring_Elkhart.html . The bakery has been there for a few years and its partner used to be a marvelously laid out museum but the museum moved. After an appropriate waiting period the rooster perched. It is now crowing. And, I suspect additional breath is breathed into the bakery now that it has a roommate.

I didn't get a photo of the cookies and truffle we ordered. Silly me, we ate them before I thought of it. But I do have a photo of the eclectically charming arm dangle Mandy created. This is it, a Peace piece, resting
It only seemed right to perch it upon a cross "tatted" or "crocheted" (I can't
tell the difference.) by my grandma, gosh, 80 years ago??? Let's see, she'd be over 140 so sure. That would be a low guess as to how old it is. But, look at this; it's scrumptious. As good as the kringle cookie or the amaretto truffle or the cranberry oatmeal nut cookie.

The good news is each of these places has much, much more. Both are owned and operated by enthusiastic and gentle young women. Reason enough to go as far as some are concerned. But moreso, they are industrious and creative and dedicated and evolving.

We have been with one through some tough times. She has a small son and balances the bakery single-handedly while keeping him fed, clean, and busy. The other is a discovery, by chance, when I was returning from transporting rescued animals. Say it: OMEN. Well, she'd been open two weeks and used to be Two Dogs and a Cosmo! Ha! Dogs! She is a cardiac nurse first and an artist second but how long can that last. This piece is "cool". Some of her work has no words to describe the beauty, the design, the approach, the feeling, the blend...whatever it is, it works.

But, before we entered the main door I stooped to pick up a business / appointment card settled into the dampness on the sidewalk. It looked interesting. It'd been there awhile. It was a Christmas list.

Three items:
Ear Muffs (sound)
pen - pop-open bullet (Circuit City)
receding lamp for bed

The other side revealed...ta-DAH...an appointment for Snickers at the vet's on December 22, 2009!!! Hope Snickers got there and is A-OK.

But, did someone want ear muffs that had sound built into them or do they want to keep it out? And, the gift giver needs to know that Circuit City was closed by then, for good. Really, FOR GOOD. And, I'm just not sure what a receding lamp is, for bed or other uses.

Personally, I think I would have given a card with a promise to each of the lucky recipients.
"Your choice: bakery treats, jewelry, or a combo."

Go for it.

What Goes Around

2010-02-07T16:53:00.000-06:00

More about Galapagos...the one island that had a (known) human population with scientific research underway had a facility which was raising the famous Galapagos tortoises, from eggs. Each infant had been "dated" on its undershell, when it hatched, using a marker.

Years later when we moved to a town north of here we visited a zoo. In that zoo was a teenage tortoise from, yes, the island. And, yes, its date remained on its undershell and yes, it was there when I was.

doooo-do-doooo-do

Trip to the Islands

2010-02-06T10:52:00.002-06:00

Today is a terrific day to drink coffee, eat crunchy stuff, and stay inside blogging and Facebooking. Wow, there's two words we didn't have in the last century.

Writing of the last century, one of the trips I took was to the Galapagos Islands. A solo trip for me, I left the pets and husband at home and flew from Chicago to Miami Airport. I arrived there at 2:00 a.m. their time, with plans to meet the US trip guide, and four fellow travellers. We were to join three more in Ecuador. It all worked. We gathered in Guayaquil at the airport, flew back up to Quito, loaded ourselves onto a bus and drove on the edge of the mountain for hours and hours. It took us two days to get back to Guayaquil. We spent the night in a gorgeous retreat, stopped to get red bananas from trees, stopped on the mountain side while the road was re-constructed after a mudslide. The natives got their hibachis down and cooked lunch. The Americans stayed on the inside of the bus, mountainside. The chickens, laundry, appliances, etc. stayed roped to the bus. There was no reason for us to get out. We'd read all that was painted on the bus when it pulled up to carry us away. OK, I got out. I admit it. But it was just me.

The trip was terrific, of course. It could not have been a better getaway. There was absolutely no way to reach any of us. The group consisted of 8 touristas and the company guide but once we touched ground in Guayaquil again our whole group was led by an Ecuadorian Park Tour Guide, Ramon. I remember him well.

We were on a comparatively small boat, not a cruise ship, although while we were "out to sea" we were able to connect with one and climb up into and take a tour. What was I thinking? I don't remember how we actually got from the teensy PT boat (more about it in a minute) into the ship. That may be a good thing. I'd hope I'd recall if I dangled from a rope ladder or something equally as challenging.

The boat we were on was no ordinary boat. It was the one Princess Grace Kelly had commissioned to take her family on when they travelled the area. So it was well-manicured. I doubt it was the same crew; some time had passed between the royal family trip and ours. But the boat was subtly but richly done. And, our crew, although they spoke only Spanish so we couldn't converse with them much, was delightful and happy.

At the time I still smoked cigarettes. One evening I was up on the deck have a late evening cigarette. (There's no sleeping on the islands without a special permit so we slept in our cabins on the boat and travelled.) Ramon joined me, having a smoke of his own. He spoke English. He had led groups from this travel agency before and been on journeys to the islands with them and this same crew. It seemed there had been discussions about "who I was with". I explained no one. You see, I'd booked a trip with a firm that usually had clients living an alternative lifestyle. Yet, there also was a family of 3 on board this time. I straightened it all out, no pun intended. I wasn't with any of the other guests. Well, it was good news to them and some of them suddenly learned to speak English overnight as I was addressed very differently the next day. Nice, friendly and in English.

The young daughter of the couple from Ann Arbor was named Anna. That's ah-nna in case you cannot tell. She's the artist here. Gets it from her mom. At the time we took the trip she was 3 1/2 or 4, probably 4. For some reason towards the end of the trip we were each asked to draw a picture of the person whose name we were given; not a likeness of them but how we saw them. It was to be our name card for dinner that night.

This is Anna's extra drawing of me, which I laminated and use as a bookmark. Mind you, this trip was in the early-80's. Anna is probably a famous artist now.

The name card for dinner had the same transition. It too is a bookmark.

When I use either of these I think of so many sweet memories. Many back stateside thought I was taking a peculiar risk going to Ecuador alone and travelling with strangers. It was the best thing for me.

I had no idea about who anyone was until we got going and it didn't matter anyway. We shared so much and had a fantastic time.

Out of this trip came more than 10 days on my own. My husband and I visited Anna and her folks. For years I corresponded with Brian, the trip organizer, who lived in Key West. I should have visited him and talked about it endlessly. I got a precious tee shirt that last 25 years from one of the guys, also a Key West resident who grew up out in Montana not far from the ranch where we visited for several years. His name was Dan. He died too young, of AIDS. His mother, whom we did not know, sent his obituary. I cried for days. I still do. We visited his parents in Montana. His dad and the man who owned the ranch we were at grew up together. The whole family came to town on Sunday so we could go to church together. We had more great friends. The ranch couple and Dan's parents are all with him now.

We can't go back forever. Times change, mostly for the better. But it is a wonderful trip to go through the memories and hug on the people you've known over the years. There are so many, aren't there? And each is special, how amazing! Each person we meet offers us something if we'll only accept it.

I am so glad I accepted the suggestion from the receptionist/trip question answer guy at the travel agency for it was this unknown young man who brought me many wonderful friends. Thanks to him I did not climb Mt. Kilamanjaro (I probably would have opted out anyway) and went someplace I'd never heard of that sounded appealing. I had two cameras, little luggage, no expectations, and a ready heart, eyes, and mind. The cameras got a workout, the luggage did too. Having no expectations was as it should be. My heart, my eyes and my mind were filled and renewed. The last century had its moments.

Oh, the natives thought I was doing a magazine article because I had two cameras. I came home with 900 slides (hope you know what those are), many of boobies. Those are birds, in case you need clarification.

Buddha Lives With Us

2010-02-06T07:40:00.000-06:00

Before moving to the state capitol we lived 75 miles NW of here in a bigger town. Our two sons were young. Still are, relatively speaking.

Buddha was there before they were and now that they've moved out Buddha remains. It's a marble Buddha, given to my husband, made from marble taken from a famous mountain, somewhere outside the U.S. Buddha lived in the dining room, most of the time. He was always there when I was looking for him.

And, look for him I did, because he was a culprit, a jinxer, a trickster, and an oft-declared guilty party. You see he was given a name. He became "Not Me".

It didn't matter who stood in front of the empty box of cereal, with feet covered by the previous contents. That boy did NOT spill/pour them onto the floor. It was Not Me.

A hole could be cut into a chair cushion with a Cub Scout mini-tool, jaggedly shaped like a smile and Not Me would be credited with doing it.

When the garbage disposal coughed up a pair of 4T jockeys the finger of blame was pointed firmly at Not me.

The fire on the carpet in the bedroom, under the bed to assure it wouldn't be found, was Not Me's doing. He got a real scolding when I vacuumed and found it.

Cutting someone else's hair could have been no one but Not Me's doing. Since he had none of his own it was clear he was unhappy that anyone had hair.

Getting into the rhythm of things I realized that the pink shirts, underwear, socks, and tee shirts that came out of the laundry one day were the work of Not Me.

Going Thru The Change

2010-02-05T18:10:00.000-06:00

Today I ate rosemary garlic crackers and wore a new sweater.

I have been shopping. Not just to any place but to one of the "get everything you don't need here" stores. A friend took me mid-week to another town and I spent some money. All right, I splurged.

By yesterday (the morning after, of course) I knew I needed to take some things back. And, buy other stuff while I was at the local store. Thus the sweater AND the crackers mix. I had a MOMENT of guilt that what I had started with was not balanced, not enough about hubby, kids/grandkids, and me.

I got frames that hold multiple photos so I now am commited to printing off photos to make a collage for family members. I got these and other good crackers and the yummy jams someone in the house other than yours truly loves. One could say "She's back!".

Well, I also realize that though this is fun I am a changed person. For one thing, being retired usually has expenditures being thought through and being involved as a volunteer working with dogs and cats - well, they only care that you show up, not whether or not you have mascara on or creases in your jeans. It's comforting to be accepted just as one is. You agree. Deep down you agree.

Yet, there's that side to each of us that wants to make a good impression and gets a boost from something new and feeling good. Sure, we should just feel good when we are good and do good and treat others well. Sure we should appreciate the opportunity to make others feel the same way too. But we also like being told we rock.

So this week this rock rolled over, went through the change and re-visited the side of the past life that put greater emphasis on apppearances. I don't think I'm deceiving anyone. I'm still me. I'm still willing to crawl on my stomach to take a photo of a cat who needs a home. I'm still able to rub the belly of a lonely dog long enough to change the look in its eyes from fearful to thankful. I'm still able to be true to myself.

In A Fog

2010-01-23T13:01:00.000-06:00

Driving along early Saturday a.m., having been to Bloomiongton on an animal transport I realized it is freakin' gloomy around here. See for yourselves, please...this is the Illinoisan view of January, from the curve of my car's dashboard. Lovely, heh? Where's the sun you ask? As if we hadn't thought of that question ourselves! It's on retreat, apparently. We hope to see it back in the area soon.What's to be done but make the most of a traveling adventure such as I took. Sure, it was exciting to have 3 cats and 4 dogs, each in its own crate, sharing the ride with me because I knew they would be going to "forever" homes. And, as I drove I realized how this is one way that Illinois doesn't appear to live as two states. Traditionally Route 80 has been the delimitaor, with Chicago claiming to be separate and north of there and the rest of the state (which did include points west and even north of Chicago, but mostly points south) were considered downstate. When doing transport our mission is to get animals from kill facilities in lower populated areas (south and west) to northern areas and no-kill shelters or actually pre-placed in homes.

Having taken the drive I stopped to visit a familiar cemetery where I thought the weather might at least offer some interesting views. This was one. There are those who will declare "Not another moss covered rock!" Yup. But it's a grave marker so not just any rock. Ponder that, RT.

I call this one 1-2-3. Just found the textures alluring.

Modern Grinch Foiled!

2010-01-19T09:01:00.000-06:00

Over the holidays a crime was committed.

You all know the joy of Christmas lights, either in your own yard or in neighborhoods you've enjoyed visiting, maybe even parades or festivals of lights. Lots of people get into it.

Such was the case with a faraway friend who thrilled those around him by putting out a glorious display of Christmas decorations, adorned with lights. Nothing so fancy that it was one of a kind, but clever and familiar and welcoming.

Apparently a little too welcoming in this case as the happy homeowner returned from a day's work to find the front yard devoid of ornamentation. In plain language, stuff was gone. Stolen. Grinched.

What to do? There was no choice but to take a modern day approach to the situation and write to the editor of the local newspaper (still in existence). A promise or threat was made, depending upon how you look at it. The deal was if the theft returned the stolen items then the rightful owner would not post the photos taken of the thieving person on YouTube. A-ha!

The villan called the crafty property owner and confessed.

Items were removed from her front yart and returned to the letterwriter.

A full confession included that the person was more concerned with being seen on YouTube than being caught by or turned in to the police.

Soup's On

2010-01-15T07:04:00.000-06:00

OK, one more soup recipe for now...who can resist hearty soup? Where we are it is cold and usually dry inside because of the heat being on and then damp outside because there is snow or slush. We wouldn't have it any other way - we're four season people.

Here's my mom's 1943 cookbook recipe for Cream of Potato Soup, adapted for 2010.

Cream of Potato

5 c thinly sliced potatoes (I used red and left the skins on)

1 medium onion, sliced

2 t. salt (really use to taste)

3 T. butter

1 2/3 c. evaporated milk

1 c. water (or to taste)

1 T. finely chopped parsley*

Put potatoes and onion into large saucepan and barely cover with cold water. Add salt, cover tightly, and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until potatoes are perfectly tender. Mash potatoes** in their liquid. Add butter and evaporated milk, and enough water to give the desired thickness. Reheat to scalding, remove from heat, add chopped parsley. Serve immediately. 5 serviings.

* We didn't have any parsley so I used a pinch of mixed herbs and then 2 pinches of rosemary.

** I did not mash to the point of what mashed potatoes are like but just smooshed them. That left them still in water so I did not add water. Before serving I added a sprinkle of crumbled bacon. I think it would be great with a touch of blue cheese on it. Or add your favorite toppings and croutons!

How is this Paws to Love related? Aw, come on - when did you ever know a dog who didn't hang out optimistically in a kitchen when given the chance? The smells, the possibility of droppings - what greater joy can they have when they are asked to be in a passive state?

My Commitment to Soup

2010-01-12T19:13:00.000-06:00

Soup is such a fun food to fix. Not the canned kind but what is made from scratch - that's what I'm talkin' about, people! Last year I challenged myself to find some good soup recipes. I went to the bookstore. Some in big cookbooks looked interesting but not $75 or even $39.95 interesting and I didn't want all the other recipes. I went to the library. I love the library. I checked out soup cookbooks. My favorite was the soup and break one because it had great photos and lots of ingredients that I could never find here in the midwest.

I did find a few recipes that were do-able and got those developed to meet our taste preferences. But I still wanted more. I lacked the uncomplicated but hearty soups.

Little did I know because little did I think...I have my mom's 1943 cookbook. There are soups - plain, soups - creamy, chowders, broths, and stews. Sure, we had to figure out what a #1 tin can equates to (11 oz.) and I made a couple of small adjustments but WOW. We hit the jackpot!

Tonight we had Tomato Cabbage Soup. Doesn't that sound terrible? Ha! Not so! Before I give you the recipe though, let me tell you that there are menus for every day, all three meals, based on nutritional needs and balanced diets. I know now why I have a "few" too many pounds on my frame. It's been a long time since "sensible eating" was in fashion. This not only makes for good reading, but who knows, there can be side benefits!

So here it is....Tomato Cabbage Soup from The Modern Family Cook Book by Meta Given (that's what it says).

1/4 c butter
1/3 c flour
1 no# 1 tin tomato juice*
1/2 bay leaf
1 slice onion
1 t salt
1 T sugar
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk*
2 1/4 c finely chopped cabbage, cooked
1 c water

I substituted the juice with a 14 oz can of garlic/herb diced tomatoes and use a full can of evaporated milk.

Melt butter and blend in flour (use a wisk); add tomato juice and stir over low heat until mixture boils and thickens. Add bay leaf, onion, salt and sugar to evaporated milk, and heat separately in top of double boiler over hot water. Just before serving, strain out the bay leaf and onion (we left the onion in as we like it) and add cabbage and water. Use water from cooking the cabbage. Slowly stir the tomato mixture into the milk and cabbage. Serve immediately. 5 servings.

I'll be back. I'm not going to follow the menus - gotta admit tripe or raspberries with cottage cheese don't draw my vote. Maybe the berries/cottage cheese, someday.

Some times ...

2010-01-09T15:18:00.000-06:00

...you have to work hard to get a great shot;

this was not one of those times.

I was darned lucky. The dogs were barking at the front window. I pulled the shades which shut them up and allowed me to open the font door and snap this photo. It may be our 2010 Christmas card. Let me be the first to wish you all a Merry Christmas!

2010-01-07T15:28:00.004-06:00

Walked out early this a.m. to a lot of snow and this shot called out - I titled it Morning Glory as it is, in fact, seed pods of morning glories.

Tripp deserved as much time outside as he wanted - on his own, able to explore and frollick in the snow. He's a big, serious boy who loves his time to survey the property.

The two young trees I call Dressed to Dance for they look as they were intended to be draped in the elegance of snow.

Not the best - w/o makeup and very early plus a FLASH. What was I thinking? Oh, maybe I wasn't. Brain Freeze.

The house from near the road. Nothing could be finer. There remain a few of the tall grasses which now mark the creek's path.

Harmony and Baxter bolt out of the door and don't stop running until they are wiped out. Even in the coldness and snow they romp, play tag, and tear around the yard. We're so glad they do; cabin fever is a dangerous condition!

I can't get photos of deer because of screens and fences but the birds know I'm shooting only with a camera. In the past I've captured cardinals but this week I find myself drawn to the Flicker.

The charmingly sly fox can't hide well at a friend's house. Nancy took this terrific photo in her country yard.

Highway Girl

2010-01-04T15:55:00.001-06:00

Over 1560 dogs and cats were transported from kill facilities to no-kill shelters, adoptive homes, or temporary foster homes by the 100% volunteer group dedicated to making certain they each have a ride from the far southwest edge of Illinois to the Chicago suburbs, city, and on into Wisconsin. Once at their final destination they often having loving and anxious people waiting to cuddle them and give them their forever homes.

When you think you can't do something, you can. If all you can do is donate old bedding - that's enough. If all you can do is give the gift of a gas card to help with transporting, thank you. If all you can do is tell someone you appreciate what they are doing, it is inspiring.

Maybe the day will come when you adopt, or drive, or tell someone else about the programs that save lives. After all, we know we're not just saving the dogs and cats. We're saving the humans too.

W.O.W.

2010-01-04T13:28:00.000-06:00

Today was "Buy Yourself Flowers" day here. The cold weather yielded enough that we hit the double digits and that is cause enough to celebrate. While at the library signing up for the adult winter reading program, Cabin Fever - it struck me that a stop at the small town florist would be perfect. After all, it's a whole three blocks from the library which sets at the edge of town. WOW! Did that brighten the day, pick up the spirits, get the creative juices flowing. "White On White" - the photo in the banner was my next time investment. I love this horse and am lucky enough to have him as a neighbor. We don't see people outside in this weather but this big guy greets me regularly.

Just wanted to share him with the world.

January, Ode to the Scale

2010-01-04T12:42:00.001-06:00

Twas the month after Christmas; I showed up in the kitchen
Declaring a war but found no one would listen.
The candy is gone, the cookies all eaten.
The treats and snacks, my life, they did sweeten.

But now tis the time to awake and start fresh
If ever the day comes when I hope to weigh less.
It means putting the fork down and hitting the trail
I must walk much farther than just out to get mail.
Heaving and ho’ing I swing, sway and trundle.
It’s not just a coat that creates quite a bundle.

The fridge is all packed with carrots and berries
Brought in by the elves and good Christmas fairies.
Little did I know that eating blue cheese
Would widen horizons from neck to knees.

So, away with the licking of frosting and dips.
There must be a plan for locating my hips.
The crumbs? Let ‘em fall where they may
Shout to the pounds – get away, get away!
Bring for me a small plate and a tinier spoon
And pass the cucumbers and spinach real soon.

So, January is what it is, once again, in twenty-ten
I’ll dream night after night about being thin,
Get out the loose sweater and create quite a riot,
Shouting Happy New Year to all, let’s get on with the diet!

Have You Seen________________?

2009-12-29T12:38:00.000-06:00

On the front of our house is an angel, the kind the homeowner can leave out year round. We need that too. This is no ordinary angel. It's the "Keeper of Lost Things". We lose "things" a lot. I mean, really, we do.

Then there is always the adventure of finding the missing items. Long ago I gave up trying to do it without sounding as if I am a complete nincompoop. Sometimes I carry on for a few minutes, more likely a few days. Yes, there is the adage, "Stop looking for it; it will show up." Here we tend to go with "Throw out the part you have and the missing part will show up." If only there was a way to toss the in-hand part someplace and fake it being gone.

It would not work; I know. The missing item would show up. The item I did have would be lost. My trip to crazyland would be arranged much sooner if I tried this. Still, if it just worked ONCE...well, I'm not going there.

Right now we are missing the charger for the handy-dandy, battery-powered, portable vac from Black and Decker, purchased a very few months ago from http://www.woot.com/ . We had it as I did use it so I am confident it exists in more than my imagination. There needs to be a generic small appliance charger made for folks such as I. Who'll be the first to invent that PLEASE?

What I have learned so far is that the cell phone charger to an old cell phone will not work on this appliance. Oh, and of course, I looked in the place where it was supposed to be, three times; it is not there. That's not to say that when it is found by someone else it won't be put there with a "Isn't this what you're looking for?". And, I have also learned the charger is not in the bag which contains all the other chargers, with labels on them now so I know with what they are associated. Finally, it is not in the office. I know because this was the morning I took the room apart, reworked all the computer cabling (that makes me sound very smart, heh?), and sorted through everything, doing the keep-or-toss decisionmaking.

That would be keep-or-toss of anything that doesn't require a charger.

The angel will not be getting a year end bonus.

BTW, you will note that I did succeed with all the cable uncluttering, dismantling, re-establishing - I'm online, right?

Heartworm

2009-12-27T10:13:00.001-06:00

Beautiful as this is - and it truly is - a word to the wise: Mosquitoes still linger! YES! One crossed my path indoors today. If you have a dog it could get heartworm.

It could get it anytime of the year.

Be sure you give heartworm preventative throughout the year! Make it a resolution. Mark your calendars now. Call the vet in the morning.

The treatments are painful. Recovery time is lengthy and the dogs get restless.

Do the right thing and do it now.

UPDATE - WHAT A GREAT IDEA - READ ON:

This email note came to me and I have to share it as it is pertinent to this entry. If you're ever in doubt of what to get as a gift remember this. Cat lovers/owners could benefit from flea protection or a gift certificate to go to the vet for a check up. OK, maybe that's an awkward sentence...the owners are probably not needing flea protection for themselves and probably go to a regular doctor. But, their cats would appreciate the gift. Hee hee

Speaking of your most recent entry on Paws to Love, you'll never believe what a friend of mine gave me for Christmas. 4 bully sticks, 2 Kong toys, and a YEAR'S SUPPLY of Heart Guard for EACH of my girls!!! Talk about someone who really knows the things I need and love! I don't think I've ever been so touched--or at such a loss for words!

Burning the Midnight Candle

2009-12-20T18:59:00.000-06:00

Well, not exactly midnight, let's call it the 9:00 candle.

It doesn't have the same ring to it. Keeps the story truthful though.

You see, last night our good friends T & P came by with their annual contribution to our Christmas Calorie Count - a huge plate of greaties (too awesome to be goodies). Silly me, I lit a candle in the kitchen for aroma. That was fine and I could have quit there but nOOOO. There was a cute snowball candle on a stand which happened to be on top of the television. I lit the candle.

"Brown" came with a package for me too. We're a late delivery because we are on the way home for the driver. We all were excited to see my new yard statue of St. Francis (I know enough to know he watches over animals. Those two years at the convent I did learn something about the Catholic faith.) We all oo'd and ahh'd and they went on their way. St. Francis went to get dried off and safely placed in a corner for now (facing out, it was not a time out for him).

I set about reading email, Facebook, and sorting photos. My dear you-know-who snoozed while reading and watching tv, only to awake and say, "We have a problem with the television." Thankyouverymuch.

Yes, I (could it please be we?) had left the snowball candle a-glowin' a bit too long and the wax of the candle was now the wax of the tv set. Boo hiss

Not to worry, not for long anyway. I got it off using a dull, dull, dull knife blade and an old soft cloth.
Today if I took a before and after photo they'd look the same.
But I won't.
I'd just invite repeating this event as I'd then have to sort those photos along with the remaining ones which need sorting. Can I get a Bah-humbug here?

Merry Christmas it is!

2009-12-19T17:28:00.000-06:00

The boys are fussing over who gets to come forward and be the first to wish the world a Merry Christmas. Tripp and Baxter, along with our other dogs and the cats join us in sending seasonal greetings for a Joyous Christmas Day and a Magnificent New Year to each and every one of you!

Brief Glimpse

2009-12-18T16:58:00.000-06:00

Something about a teensy little bottlefeeder kitty gives the busy-ness of the world a touch of insignificance, especially at this time of the year.

The little critter is trusting that this strange being (to her anyway) is providing the nourishment she needs. When was the last time I ever did that? Hard to say!

The kitten is relying upon another soul to give her the physical support and safety essential to keep her sustained.

This is one of my favorite kitten types - she's striped on the topside and dotted on the underside. Because she was SO full and SO wiggly after eating I call her Squiggy.

What Do You Call...

2009-12-16T08:14:00.000-06:00

The Chinese may make the toys kids play with, the dishes we eat off of, the floor we walk on, but they will not be making comments on this blog. I have had to invoke the "right to refuse posting" of comments.

I tell you that because this posting is about a game created decades ago after a huge dinner and a "little" wine, and a long drive home (riding as a passenger). It's corny but fun. We own it. But you can play and I encourage you to do so in the comments section.

Here's how it goes:

First, you either need a map of a state or need to be very familiar with the towns/villages/cities of a state. Often this is the state in which you live. This is the part that could turn this into an educational tool for all you teachers.

Next, the first player thinks up a question and answer and presents just the question to other players. Two or more can play. The question is "What do you call a town where all the residents are little Angelina Jolie's?" In this case the answer is "Joliet" as if they are "Joliettes"...

No body said it had to be anything other than corny and the more groans the better. Of course, proper wording of the question is key. "What do you call a town where all Santa's elves finish this phrase, 'No____.'?" The answer is "Pekin" as in "peekin'" as in ...duh, at the Christmas presents.

And, Whaddaya or whatcha is not acceptable. PLEASE, proper grammar is important. Come up with a few.

Tuesday - a Clean Sweep

2009-12-15T15:27:00.000-06:00

It's not that I've been away.

I've been cleaning. oooouu-eeey. What have I learned from this?

1. Dogs bring in a lot of dirt and manage to look clean doing it.
2. Dogs bring in even more dirt when they look dirty.
3. We have charge units with no associated devices. Sure as I toss them - well, you know the rest.
4. It's hard to find the good lemon furniture oil in our town.
5. We need a new sofa.
6. It is possible to clean without re-arranging the furniture.
7. Music makes me move.
8. Don't put lids down if you expect to find them and put them on the bottle again.
9. Making a "to go" box should be part of the routine.
10. I will always want to start with dusting and end with vacuuming even if my husband wants to do the reverse.
11. Santa won't recognize the place.
12. You can turn the thermostat down and generate your own heat.
13. By the time it's all done your brain is to fried to think who you should invite over to see it.
14. Facebook can wait.

What Should I Do?

2009-12-07T09:31:00.000-06:00

These are things I should be doing instead of blogging:

Finish the details on my will
Go to the art gallery and pick up two framed items
Sweep the snow off the deck and steps
Paint the closet and the bedroom ceiling
Clean out the car
Read a book that is due Wednesday
Fold laundry
Updating and backing up files

All right, there's probably a lot more but how disgusting is this? The last item made me quit. Now I'm ticked about technology. It seems to suck up time. I went shopping on Woot. com a few days back - oh, hang on, what's the deal for today? - Phew. Toshiba 26” LCD HDTV with Built-In DVD Player

$299.99
+ $5 shipping
Condition:NewProduct:1 Toshiba 26LV61K 26” LCD HDTV with DivX Certified Built-In DVD Player

I don't need one of these,...do I? Anyway, no. I'm already listening to my Woot $20 Sansa Clip which is smaller than a matchbook. THANKFULLY, although I downloaded and printed the manual, I can listen to the FM radio portion without reading beyond the "Here's the power button." Eventually I find a song I have to download, I'm sure. Then Ill figure it out. In the meantime, there's the blog. Oh, and, yes, the list above which shall, I fear, remain incomplete and unfinished. I'll add to it and remove things as they are done though.

I call this progress. And, isn't that what all this technology brings us too? Progress. Ah, yes.

My life IS a work in progress.

first snow

2009-12-07T07:54:00.000-06:00

We have it.Our "First Snow" is here and there is always something magical about its arrival. The smaller trees express "I made it! I can hold my own snow!" The noises we usually hear in the morning are muffled and the children are mufflered. The dogs, oh, the dogs, chasing around, in an entirely new yard, seeing all the potential it offers for the day.

Snow is a mood-setter. People, although already bustling for the best deals, will now get in the spirit. It's like a "last call" - Here's the snow now! Enjoy it! So do.

It's the way the song, "Silver Bells", goes..."Soon it will be CHRISTMAS time."

Ho Ho Ho

2009-12-03T17:07:00.000-06:00

...And, I'm not talking about a person so don't report me for an indiscretion in terms of political correctness.

Darn IT. The past two times one of our dogs and I have been out for Donation Dog duty (collecting money for the local shelter animals) we have had WEATHER and plenty of it, all crappy. That means few $$$$. But last night takes the proverbial "cake".

A local politician was to show up to light the tree in front of the Old State Capitol. He did. The event was canceled. The tree fell over. WHY, OH WHY did I not have my camera with me?

What's more, the group which was supposed to sing had few singers show up. They were kids, after all, and their parents were to bring them. Uh, I'm thinking the parents who didn't bring their kids were wise to the probability of it being a wasted trip.

There stood poor Baxter (in his new hoodie, I might add, under his Donation Dog vest) and me, under the generous awning of the Chamber's current office. They are moving tomorrow. Anyway, that's another story. But, all these Magnet School kids and parents crowded under the awning, making it less than generous. They IGNORED our presence and, in old people speak, "carried on loudly". Then the director came along, late I might add. She announced "We're not singing!"

OK. And, this is because....? Well, someone(s) complained and they sang from last year's already wrecked song books, three songs.

That was it. It was pretty painful.

The worst was yet to come. Baxter and I roamed downtown Springpatch for 1 hour and got $20, $5 which was (sucker) mine.

Last week Harmony and I shivered in front of WalMart the night before Thanksgiving for $25, $5 which was (sucker) mine.

I'm thinking tee shirts...

"My owner took me out as a Donation Dog and all I got was a lousy $20."
and for me
"BWS" for Bad Weather Sucker

Other ideas?

PG-13

2009-11-29T14:39:00.004-06:00

Santa was holed up at our house for a long time. He came out of the closet this week to spend time building up strength to face the "Night of the Great Challenge". You've read, haven't you, that the fastest a reindeer can travel is about 32 MPH? You do the math about how long it'll take to get to everyone's domain.

So,taking his position on the hearth, near a trusty replica of abovementioned deer, Santa Claus was ruthlessly attacked today. It was the Beagle. I caught her red-coat and fur-trimmed covered, gnawing away at his hand. So much for not biting the hand that feeds you.

If you read yesterday's post you know I pet sit. If you didn't read it, well, now you know but you didn't laugh at the rest of that entry. My own dogs' behaviors leave me questioning my abilities. It's like kids though, I rationalize. Everyone else's seem to be no trouble at all.

I was in the house with this villan when the malicious crime took place. There I was, in the kitchen, making cold pea salad. You know the one: peas, cheese, and mayo. It was deathly quiet, no clatter at all, in the living room. The poor, stalwart fella had no chance. He'd been cornered. I stepped in to see what was the matter. It was already over.

I removed the bodily remains, grimly and silently. OK, that's just for drama. I uttered a sharp and disappointing "OH!"

Trashy Santa now is ready for his next stop, the outside cans. Before the week is out he'll be transported, swept away by unknowing workers, never to see his elves, his workshop, or, sigh, Mrs. Claus, again.

It seems as if it was only yesterday I was taking the Santa's helper hat I had set out away from this same dog. Ah, it was yesterday.

Well, I managed to re-attach that pom-pon so the hat is still a fashion statement. And, I kept the hood from dead Santa to stitch up and make a larger Donation Dog pocket for dog vests when we go a-collecting and a-caroling for APL. Tis the season.

All's well that ends well.
Guinnie is satisfied with a nylabone wishbone. I am hoping tomorrow is a slow news day.

2009-11-28T22:17:00.003-06:00

Recently I started pet sitting. Yes, I have plenty here but this is just "fun" and "money". So, I did that early this a.m. and then headed to Starbucks to meet a Missouri friend, as we had scheduled. Ed came from home.

Mind you, we opt for locally owned coffee houses 99.9% of the time. So to the staff we were strangers. The young bari---coffee hound who waited on us was a R-I-O-T. At 9:30 there I am ordering decaf to which he says "It will be a few minutes. We only make it on demand." I responded, "Well, then, I DEMAND decaf." He got it. Away we went.

An hour later he came over to ask us to leave, citing that other customers were complaining. They weren't really and we didn't leave. He said, and other staff backed him up on this, that we were laughing too much and having too good a time.

I let that pass, soaked it in for a few minutes. Then I wandered over to the counter, near the door to the back room. I waited for him to come back out. Another young guy was at the counter working.

It was then that I advised them I was from corporate.

One good yuck deserves another!

BTW, the guy I'd been exchanging barbs with hesitated ever so slightly. The other guy fell for it totally.

Yes, I confessed. I'm really from the buyout company.

Nico!

2009-11-24T18:31:00.004-06:00

A fellow foster parent, who also is a transporter of dogs being rescued, sent this image set with a brief story. Nico is pictured on what was to be his last day, then in less than 3 full months, in his new setting. Time heals.Nikki Audet took the original photo, and Deena Crouch took the more recent one.

It takes many people hearing God's voice, following His lead, doing the right things.

Sometimes it seems there's no end to what needs to be done. Sometimes it seems as if it does no good because there are so many needing to be saved.

I don't think Jesus ever thought this way, thank goodness.
Keeping this in mind can be inspiring.

Grrrrrrieving

2009-11-12T16:13:00.006-06:00

Elisabeth Kubler Ross wrote about DEATH AND DYING and her book included the steps associated with grieving. That was 1969. I read it in college during a psychology course or maybe sociology.

I'm entering step 2 today. ANGER: anger over Frieda having to die, more anger at the people who mistreated her so badly she feared her own shadow, even guilty anger at myself for not being able to fix it.

Expect me to write about it on this blog. Look at the title if you doubt for a moment that I wouldn't open up and try to rip those unknown individuals (I hesitate to call them humans)"a new one".

We had six dogs. Some people would say that's too many. But there are two of us and we are retired and we love dogs. All the dogs were adopted/rescued - call it what you will, they all have pasts, usually sad, some bad. Frieda's was both.

You might not think going from six to five would mean much. But it does. Each of them is bonded to the others and to us in lots of ways. One of our dogs had been tied to a tree in the country, her dead puppies and 17 other adult dogs nearby. The property owner lived an hour and a half away and drove by once or twice a week to toss out food. If the chain went far enough to get some of it then a dog was lucky. That's Sally's story. Needless to say she has issues.

We started out fostering Sally. She was adopted by friends but ran away, in the country, and that led to 9 days of searching for her, thru mucky fields. It was Frieda Joy who truly brought her back to safety, walking with me thru mud on that ninth day, making a "scent path" back to the live trap set for her. The next morning there was Sally, waiting. We brought her home. She and Frieda found solace in the life they shared here. Sally sits in Frieda's spots and went to Frieda's feeding spot when Frieda wasn't there Monday night.

I'm angry that Sally had already had much taken from her and now she has lost her best friend. Don't we all know how that feels?

For Sally and the others Frieda Joy was the alpha dog. Just her presence made it clear, even when she was frightened. She was first to the door with a greeting, first to a lap when thunder and lightning started, first to leap into the car when a field trip was in order. She got treats and then everyone else got them. We tried not to over-pamper her, tough as it was, because all the books say it's not good for them. But we spoiled her and protected her.

We just couldn't keep her from the demons she brought with her, the past sewn into her soul, carved on her heart. She covered them bravely with all the love she could muster up but sometimes those bad guys eeked out.

We helped her through those times but this time they beat us. But they didn't get the best of her. That's ours, all ours.

Frieda Joy Hein 2005-2009

2009-11-11T17:40:00.002-06:00

This was taken the day Frieda Joy came home with me and got her name. Frieda was named for the wife of D.H. Lawrence. She died in Taos, NM (a favorite spot of mine) on her 77th birthday. On her own she was an intriguing woman, well worth learning more about. Joy was given as our Frieda's middle name because she needed a little joy in her life.
It is unlike our no-kill shelter to take dogs who have been involved in fighting but Frieda's plight was that she'd been used more as bait than as a fighter. Plus I took one look at her and said I would take her. I was at the shelter, volunteering, on the day someone brought her in and we asked the young woman to hold her at her home for a few days, until there was room for her to come in and be examined, get her shots and microchip. I was there two days later and answered the phone when the girl called to say she couldn't keep her and had just left her at Animal Control.
I freaked. We pulled her from there. She went straight home with me.
Frieda's timidity revealed itself in her fear of loud noises, storms, fast moves. She'd been abused terribly. Don't let the gorgeous image of her fool you.
Our time together was outlandishly brief. She very occasionally became dog aggressive and in an unprovoked incident she latched onto another of our dogs, through a gate. It was this that brought us to the realization that we could no longer trust her nor could we trust her to be all right in another home.
We said goodbye to her for two hours Monday morning and then she peacefully left us, never to have to defend herself or be afraid again.
And, with a love bigger than we can contain, we began to grieve, knowing we should also celebrate.
We gave her almost 3 full years of continuous love, pampering, attention, and spoiling. She gave us all she was and left us with wonderful memories.
I took her dish from the feeding area. Her old collar and tags are gone. The bedding she used has been washed and the bed moved to a new location so the others will not wait for her to appear. We did all necessary tasks to keep her dog friends from stressing out. But they can't help us.
Well, maybe they can. We can hold them, play with them, exercise them, carry on with them. Through them we will smile and eventually laugh.

She's always going to be with me. Her solid frame, her big brown questioning eyes, her need for a tee shirt during storms, her serious-dog approach to making certain we were all secured each night - always, always will be here.
She was what I am.
Vulnerable.
After Frieda was home with me I called the young woman and told her the dog was safe and would be with us. She wanted to know what we named her and I told her. Turns out her paternal grandmother's name was Frieda.
God gave us this beauty and the irreplaceable relationship we had with her. On the day she moved in He had to have a good time with the naming game. On the day she moved up to be with Him I bet He told her that story as she snuggled in next to Him and took a deep, relaxing breath as she realized now she could see everything we do all of the time. It's what she always wanted.

WARNING: Do Not Try This At Home

2009-11-08T17:21:00.003-06:00

The sirens were roaring. The fire truck steaked past our country dwelling. Out I went. Out came my husband. Whoosh. It was over. Back to the house we went, not knowing where the truck stopped but it was not far from our place.

In the meantime, the door had locked behind my husband. Not to worry, there is the side door. Whoops. Someone who grew up in a big city keeps that door locked. Not to worry, two of the dogs are out and the one who never locks the sliding door put them out so we'll go in that way. Whoops. Never isn't always true (ha).

Genius. Three ways to get in or stay out. We have a key stashed. We used it once before to get in. It unlocked the top lock handily. Huh. It doesn't seem to want to open the lower lock. Nor will it open the side door locks. And, it's the wrong key for the sliding door.

Fortunately, and I do mean this, we'd begun working on painting the bedroom and the window was open, screen preventing ladybug lookalikes from entering, but nevertheless, tis spelled A-C-C-E-S-S and it was all mine.

It could have been, really. His Nims went to get the screwdriver to remove the screen. We worked together and got it off. At that point he said, "Are you sure you can get in there?"

All right, who doesn't know how big the standard window is? Ya, I thought so. Now you know where I'm headed.

He got The Look.

Then he proceeded to say, "It's kinda high, that's what I mean.". Can you see him backing up? I pointed out the bench 2 feet away. He was overjoyed that I knew to slide it over.

I easily climbed thru and crawled on my hands till I could lower a knee gently to the floor. One leg, then the other, then up on my feet and I'm inside looking out.

Decision time. Let him in? Let him suffer?

Notes to self:

Advise husband to get new keys cut and test them on all locks.
Add "can break into own house" to list of living in the country benefits.

Coat of Many Colors...and Many Years

2009-11-03T09:42:00.002-06:00

Do you have one of these: A clothing item you just haven't been able to part with although you've tried? I confess. This Liz Claiborne wool blazer, circa 1993, is one of my all-time favorites. I know where I bought it and who was with me and what else I purchased that day.
Like a favorite Christmas sweater I had for a couple of decades, this blazer appeared in photos of me with long hair, longer hair, short hair, long hair. Once I shuffled through those photos and pitched them I knew it was also time to say goodbye to the blazer. Look at it! It's long. I purposefully hung it on the doorknob to show how outdated it is.
As for waiting for this to come back in fashion, hello? Not gonna happen. You know as well as I do that those fashionistas prey on people who think something will come back in style. Off we trot to the retail store or web site and declare "Oooo, time to get out the Bianca Jagger outfit from the 70's. It's back." Then, upon closer observation or even study, we see, well, not really. It's different now. Not only that but the item we cherished and lovingly moved from one closet to another, from one town to another, one dry cleaner to another, well, it looks worse than ever next to the updated version.
Admittedly lofty thoughts drift into my mind at times and I've envisioned turning some of these favorite pieces into priceless works of art. Yes, fill the home with braided rugs made from old business suits. Turn the 10k tee shirts into stuffed pillows. Fortunately those thoughts did not anchor themselves to anything so have floated away.
So today's the day. As I head west to town my first stop will be a place where one person's trash becomes another person's treasure. It's turning colder.
Someone who appreciates warmth is more important than fashion will be sporting a new blazer soon.
Maybe that's what has made it so difficult to give it up. It's symbolic of me, and so many of us. We trade in. We upgrade. We replace rather than repair.
And, I'm about to do just that.

Safe House

2009-10-29T18:28:00.002-05:00

We went to a party.

It's not often we say that anymore. But this party was made for people like us as we didn't need new clothes to go, it started early, had lots of food and many happy people, included games and activities, and we all departed at a "sensible" hour.

Our friends who hosted it are truly just that, friends. So what if they also have beautified our landscaping, taking our ideas and making them real? They were friends first and will be friends last.

The next day I thought. Sundays are often good thinking days for many reasons. I focused on the success of the party. Guests were varied in about every description. It was that observation which led me to realizing how safe they make us all feel.

Remember when you were a kid there was always one house that kids went to to play because, well, you could be a kid there? Each of us has our own reason why we liked that house. Really we liked the people in it. We could cut loose, be ourselves, play hard at tag, get glue on the table, sing along to Conway Twitty at the top of our lungs, holler at cars out the upstairs window, sneak a fresh-from-the-oven cookie. Or two.

That's how I felt about our friends and their house. Safe. Being comfortable. Welcomed. Thankful.

Gosh, I hope they do it again.

There's water standing on water

2009-10-29T18:13:00.002-05:00

This October just set a record for the rainiest October since rain recordkeeping started in IL. A moment of silence is in order, perhaps? Not. Going outside tonight, accompanying the pansy dogs who suddenly don't want to get their tootsies wet and their hair messed, I notice that our former moat has returned temporarily. There is so much water it has nowhere to go. Really.
As if water outside wasn't enough we had an, ah-hem, ordeal, with our indoor water purifying system. It was simple, at first. Our "technician" arrived last Friday. Gee, haven't we known him for a lifetime? Well, he tackled the drip, aka leak, with gusto and a tool or two. I think Ed mentioned the servicable paperclip. Frankly, who can argue against that? Certainly not anyone who has had to pop open a CD or DVD slot on a computer. I digress.
In an effort to address customer service, "D" decided to check the tank component, which he found to be in need of attention. We were reminded there was nothing we should be doing. So he went about cleaning it up. That included jamming another tool through the membrane of the tank. He left. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt...he had no clue.
Alas, our little 15 year old Abner, long-term foster dog, residing in the usual quiet of the utility room, was gathering laundry lint and plastic bags to build a floation device for he-of-short-stature had a sense of pending doom. Water, water, everywhere. We mopped, wiped, soaked up, and won the water fight. Abner was grateful.
Inbetween squeezing the towels out we were calling the establishment. We got the owner's ph # at 10:41 p.m. Sat. A little late to call.
But we thought about it. Instead, civility reigned and we called the next day. Ed was hoping he'd actually spoken to someone other than the owner. In other words, he was not impressed.
Monday arrived. The tech returned, replacement tank in tow. It's almost snap-in so it didn't take long and he was on his way after checking the sink for the thumping sound that had emerged since Friday. He shook things around. The sound disappeared. So did he.
Tuesday we decided to have a life. That is, in spite of, yes, water under the sink. Without a soul to be found at the place of business there was a slim chance that anyone would be servicing the system that day so the poor admin asst had to take a message that we expected someone to be at our home pronto on Wednesday.
Are you keeping track? We anticpated visit #3. "D" came and went all within fifteen minutes. He was filled with, oh, generously speaking, explanations.
It's Thursday night. Inside we are dry. Those aforementioned pansy dogs are glad for that and glad that they can return to concentrating on developing strong cases of cabin fever.
As is so often said when there is this much rain, thank God it's not snow.

Fall In Place

2009-10-24T20:52:00.003-05:00

We're building up for an annual celebration in our neck of the woods. Next week will be Halloween but this year its significance extends beyond the edible treat. We change the clocks; we fall back. For me it means my car clock will once again be set on the right time.

It's not that I can't change the time. I can change it to show 24 hours or two sets of 12 hours. In other words sometimes 3 p.m. is 15:00 and other times it is 3 p.m. What I can't do is change it minute to minute or hour to hour. Even using the book I can't do it. Watching the technicians do it makes it seem easy. Once I took the car in for a check-up and asked that they "re-set" the time while they were doing whatever it was, since it was time to gain or lose an hour. I always tell myself I'll remember what they did. Months later, not so true.

I adjust. It's really pretty easy for me to get along with the wrong hour showing part of the year. I make allowances.

Perhaps the engineer/designer knew about people like me. They allow a simple button push to hide the time and show something more vital, such as the outside temp or how many miles you have left in the gas tank, at the rate being driven.

We shouldn't be so obsessed with time anyway.

Cheers to You Today!

2009-10-17T18:14:00.006-05:00

A couple of days ago - was it only that - I b_t_h_d about, well, attitude and moods, and just the way "we" are these days.

A book comes to our rescue! How often does that happen? Probably more than we realize if we are readers. If we are not (we being you) then don't answer the question.

But if you are a reader or want to be, try THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY. You can't have any pre-conceived notion as to what it is about from the title. That's part of it's beauty. The rest lies between the covers (oooh, tempting, huh?). You will meet the people you want as neighbors. Perhaps your best friend steps out of these pages. Maybe you know one or several of these people.

There's reassurance.
There's gladness.
There's sacrifice.
There's strength.
There's the stuff we should all be made of.

If reading can make it so, then I am better.

small wonder

2009-10-17T16:56:00.020-05:00

Meet Abner, our "long term" foster. In other words, he's 15, has 4 teeth, yaps, and can see much. Sure, it could be me in a few years! But, it was Ed who couldn't go home w/o him!!! Now I blog with a dog on my lap. It's that or everyone else has a case of bad nerves from listening to him.

Not far from home these fungi grow, every year, by the same tree. I just deleted the photos from last year. These are much prettier; there's more color. As Abner would tell you if he could see much, there's plenty to see down low.

Is there anything with an uglier label than a slug? And, usually they are just plain, well, ugly and sluggish. This one, amidst what I call "drink umbrella mushrooms" just fit in the photo and doesn't look half bad.
All right, someone has a fixation with fungi. Call them mushrooms if you wish. But, you must admit, by whatever label you give them, you have to give them credit for being beautiful and unique.

It's October and what would a blog be if not a place to post the pumpkin selection process and an obvious victory. Mom and Dad were probably thrilled to see the arms go up with the results!
Not too long ago we pooch sat for some former fosters who bring their own toys. Our own Harmony Victoria was worn out after a long day of play and chose to take temporary possession of their Clifford. This one made the papers so I thought it should go universal!

Nuts for everyone. My treat.

Closing Arguments

2009-10-15T09:17:00.003-05:00

Isn't it sad when situations dissolve (versus evolve) so much that pettiness is all that anyone will ever remember once the end has arrived?

Such is the case with so much these days. People seem to be edgier than ever - I'm no exception. In bed last night, listening to the all night radio talk show, I got to thinking about how it seems as if fuses are shorter these days. We all want what is best, what is right, what works - or at least I hope we do. Yet, far too much time is spent spinning the story, making excuses, telling a lie often enough people forget there was a truth.

I'm perplexed. More than ever we need to be upbeat, successful at relationships, and forward thinking. It doesn't seem to happen. I don't even know where to go looking for it. I should say "church". Having said that I must admit I hear the same sound bites there, just different topics.

Where is peace? Where is satisfaction? Where is a sense of contentment?

In learning to be a teacher and in learning to be a parent and in learning to be a boss I learned "Say 3 good things for every 1 corrective thing." or words to that effect. I wish I could say I hear that in discussions. I wish I could say I do it.

Appreciating Where I Am

2009-10-13T15:14:00.008-05:00

It pays to take the shutterbox along on even the shortest walks. This time all I did was go out the front door, down the steps, along the driveway and up the road. How hard this little guy must have worked, without knowing the beauty he was spinning and what it would capture. Right outside the door and waiting, enjoying a bit of nourishment - one last fling for this winged beauty.
We've had rain. Before we had all this rain we had mulch put down (months ago) and now when the moisture comes it's a true adventure in mini-land to see what pops up.

What's a house without a busy spider hard at work each evening? Gives us something to walk into later, when it's dark, or early the next morning. Just watching the process boggles the mind.

Nothing Fair About Puppy Mills

2009-10-01T14:29:00.005-05:00

We all love cute little puppies.

Some of us have even raised a few so they can be adopted happily.

Other people love the profits and have arranged for births, separation, sales, and repetition.

In other words: puppy mills.

Don't go there. Just don't go to one. I don't care if it is in the middle of Missouri or Carlinville, IL or Arthur, IL or PA or CA - nowhere.

If you BUY a puppy from a puppy mill it allows the mill owner to continue. It reinforces the perverted thinking that there's a market / demand.

Puppy mills are not the good breeders. Those folks open the doors and let you see their facilities. They manage blood lines to avoid in-breeding or defects.

We have a connection who is adamant about a puppy mill in Carlinville, IL being disreputable. I've not been there, don't know the person so what I have is heresay. But hearing that the owner (DS) won't let people inside and that the place is a mess is discouraging.

What a dilemma - One should not go but out all his dogs; he'll just go get more and keep the process going. At the same time, what can be done. There's only one Dept of Ag person to inspect throughout the state. How many dogs will be abused, mis-used, undernourished, overbred, tossed out, ignored?

Life's not fair. We grow up hearing that. We can do some things about trying to make it fair for ourselves. What can a puppy do?

Secret Life

2009-09-30T11:24:00.003-05:00

Everyone who has cared for a deceased person knows that sometimes mail still is sent to that person.

If my dad were alive he would be celebrating his 99th birthday in a couple of weeks. He passed away almost 3 years ago, bless his heart. He really had planned to get to 100.

His secret life must have worn him down. I'm not talking about the poetry he wrote during WWII and tucked away for decades. This is not about the quiet good samaritan acts he performed. I can't write about how he helped the kids at his school; he didn't talk much about it.

No, this is about what came in the mail for him this week. It's addressed to him but at our address as once he was in the nursing home that was just easier for us - handling insurance, Social Security, retirement stuff. But this - THIS is a birthday card/wish, with a gift card worth $10 and hopes that he'll be making a purchase soon.

It's from Victoria's Secret! Wouldn't the executive who purchased that mass marketing mailer list be thrilled to learn the value of the names on it?

Or, and this is just to make you smile, maybe my dad took this secret to the grave with him.

Holy Moly - How Time Flies

2009-09-22T20:06:00.002-05:00

All right I've been remiss in posting ANYTHING. Keeping up with email has been a challenge - all Animal Protective League related. Geez and Wow. Go figure!

But the amazing story is how time has flown since the Vietnam War. As it turns out, Ed's brother spent 43 years there. Well, that's what our government thinks. See, he's had to contact the administration - a division long in existence - and has been informed that there is no proof he ever returned from Vietnam 42 years ago, having put in his one year of duty there.

Of course we were all surprised, the least of all not him and his wife. Think of the problems that arise. First, the whole marriage and home ownership thing - who's been doing that in his name? But there's more to consider - What if he voted for someone while reportedly not here and it changed the outcome of the election? And then, what if that someone proposed and got passage on a law, just a local one, that, oh, made a $1,000,000 difference in the town's income or expense in the last 4 some decades? Personally, who have we been buying Christmas presents for? Why didn't the government contact his family (us) to find out if we'd heard from him or tell us where they thought he was or that he wasn't back? Do we ask for a DNA test?

Turns out my husband has to write a letter vouching for him, saying how it is he knows that his brother has been back all this time. Lucky for the younger one that his older brother also came back and is known to have come back so he can write the letter.

What do you do if/when this happens? Do you wonder if you're really alive - ask yourself if all that is in your memory bank really happened? Do you tell anyone you owe money to that you can't possibly be in debt to them since you're not here? Do you tell the government you'll be stopping by to collect the backpay for the past 42 years when you were in the jungle?

Sometimes the system works. Sometimes it swallows us up. Sometimes it just makes us laugh.

Welcome home, D. Let us know when the big parade is!

Taking To The Road

2009-09-05T16:29:00.002-05:00

We were up and out of town like bandits this a.m. Stealing time for ourselves. The dogs were outside, inside, outside again and then dispersed to where each would luxuriate in comfort while we were gone.

Our drive was on the back roads (2 laners) to Nauvoo. Saw some nice rolling hill country in western IL - a treat to flatlanders such as we. Our destination was Nauvoo, over on the MISS-ISS-IPP-I. Luck would have it today was grape stomp festival day but we missed the 10k race. Darn that. And, no one appeared to be stomping grapes at all. Modern day festivals seem to hold on to titles even when they are no longer associated with old activities. There was a big flea market going on and from the road we could tell we could pass it up.

We went around the historic village. Nauvoo, for the uninitiated or unfamiliar, is where Joseph Smith dwelled and where his family remained after he was mobbed to death in nearby Carthage (while in prison there). Therefore, it remains a sacred place for LDS/Mormons and there's a huge temple (re-built in 2002). About every place had something to offer to help pave the way to knowing more about them. We took a tour of the bakery - heard more about the religion than the baking but got a mini-mini gingerbread cooky for our time.

Get thee to the winery...now we got confused because the LDS people refer to women as "Sisters" and we knew from people down here that Sisters run the winery. We thought it was Catholic Sisters. Now we don't know and there didn't seem to be a right time or right person to ask. Instead we shared a piece of yummy pie and then went to lunch, proving that life is short, eat dessert first is sage advice no matter what faith you are.