Tail Waggin' Tutors Day

Take a classroom of 27 to 30 youngsters, 7 & 8 years old, add in four therapy dogs, and you're in for an interesting and fun hour or more.  A team of four "Tail Waggin' Tutors" therapy dogs and their owner/handlers, including Katie and myself, met at a local elementary school this morning.

The premise of Tail Waggin' Tutors is to allow children to read to the dogs.  They lose their nervousness and forget about the other children as they read to a dog, who makes no judgements but simply lays there and watches and listens.  Many children choose to pet the dog while reading, others after they're done.  This activity helps the youngsters gain confidence in their reading skills.

The teacher surprised the children this morning with the visit from the dogs.  They had written their letters to Santa and she had them read the letters to the dogs.  We had two large dogs - Steve,a mastiff and Cruiser,an irish wolf hound and two smaller dogs - Charlie, a cavalier spaniel and Katie, a pomeranian/cocker mix and the only mixed breed in the group (also the only female and the senior citizen of the group).  The children were amazed at the sizes of the two larger dogs and couldn't understand how Katie could be the smallest and the oldest at the same time.  They were, to say the least, completely enthralled with these dogs.

Each dog was in its Christmas finery and had bookmarks with his (her) individual picture on them and candy canes  for all the readers, and all the children read to at least one dog.  The dogs, as usual, were all on their very best behavior ... lying on their blankets, paying attention to each reader, accepting all the petting by any number of children individually and numbers at a time.

It was a great morning!  The children had a great time, as did the adults.  Even the dogs seemed to be smiling.

Comeback Kid

As anyone who reads my blog knows, I was hit with panic and anxiety a few years back and my life went on hold.  This is the year I got my life back.

In October, the Bishop of our Anglican Diocese retired.  He has been a major player in my life and in my husband's and my lives before Larry passed away.  I love the man dearly; he has shown me care, encouragement, empathy, and strength.  So, when his retirement dinner was announced, I couldn't not go.  Stepping out in faith, I went with two friends of mine down to the city to attend this dinner ... completely out of my comfort zone.

Surprise!  I had a marvelous time!  There wasn't a single moment of concern that the ogre would rear his ugly head; rather I saw and visited with people I haven't seen in years, had a very nice dinner, enjoyed the toasts and the entire evening in general.  It was all summed up when the Bishop looked up and saw me and said, "my goodness, look at the size of this room, look at all these people, and look at you standing here.  Praise God!"  

When the dinner was over and my two friends finally dragged me out of there, I gave a loud cheer that I had achieved this victory.  You wanna talk confidence booster?!  My first major evening out in years and the realization that I could start doing more.

My youngest nephew was married recently and I was invited to the reception being held at my brother's home in southern California last weekend.  A friend has family in the area and she offered to drive down with me.  She spent the weekend at her son's and attended her grandchildren's Christmas performance, a win-win weekend for both of us.

Again, a wonderful time!  Friday night we went out to dinner with friends of my brother and sister-in-law, people I didn't know (a situation I'm usually very uncomfortable with) and it was fine; it was fun. Saturday was the reception.  I'd never met either of my nephew's wives and had never seen my grand-niece who is a year and a half old.  Family members and friends that I haven't seen in years were also there.  Saturday was just plain fun.  Sunday my brother, sister-in-law, sister and I just sat and visited.  It was the best weekend in years!!  Monday I picked up my friend and we headed home.

Don't know where the ogre went, don't want to know, don't care.  By God's will and with the power and protection of the Holy Spirit, he's gone and I look forward to him staying gone.  I'm looking forward to having my life back!  Places to go, things to do, people to see ... yee-haw!!!

I boarded the two dogs at the Pet Hotel and Judi kept care of the black tornado while we were gone.  That's a whole other story and I'll tell it in another post.

Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving yesterday!  In retrospect, it was probably the best Thanksgiving I've had in more than a few years.

Back in the day, as it were, the kids and grandkids came and we did the traditional turkey day event with the gals watching TV in one room and the guys watching football in the other.  It was a serious cooking and eating day.  Lots of warm and fun memories as I look back on those times.  Dad is gone, the kids are now the parents of grown and married children and are establishing their own traditions ... and I've moved to the mountains and it's winter weather.

Judi, and Foxy, came down and we spent the day putting our meal together, watching the dogs and their antics, visiting and enjoying a little cheese with our w(h)ine.  It makes for a very relaxing day when it's spent with somebody you're completely comfortable with; no need for constant conversation or entertaining, just hanging together is cool; no worries about impressing anyone with your housekeeping skills or the table setting or anything else; this is family without any family tension.  And dinner wasn't half bad either.

We do dinner together a couple of times a week with one of us preparing dinner and the other bringing wine and dessert.  This was a totally joint project with way too much food, but just enough wine, for two "mature" ladies.  It was a great Thanksgiving Day!!!

He was bored!

"Oh, you're back!"

Katie & I were gone, the kitten was outside.  There was a brand new roll of toilet paper on the floor.  What would you do?

A Day in the City

Yesterday I had a doctor appt in the city.  Judi & I with Katie & Kasey went down the mountain with our first stop being PetsMart Pet Hotel.  Katie does an hour or two of Doggie Day Camp and spends the rest of her time in Doggie Day Care.  I scheduled Kasey for a full day of Day Camp with him going into Katie's kennel when day camp was closed.

Kasey has a heavy touch of little dog syndrome so I was somewhat concerned.  He thinks he's meaner than a junkyard dog when it's one on one and he knows he's being contained or held back and/or that the other dog can't get to him, but this was a whole different rodeo.  They were taken into the playroom and Katie, as is her norm, went to her favorite corner to watch the action.  Kasey, however, found himself suddenly surrounded by many dogs of various sizes, all sniffing and checking him out.  His eyes were the size of dinner plates and his little butt hit the floor so fast you'd have thought his back legs had fallen off.  He found himself being sniffed all over, being pushed and tumbled (nosed) from one side of the room to the other, basically what he does to the cat all day every day.  He's a little dog, 10#, and looked even smaller in the midst of this pack.  Judi and I stayed and watched for at least 10 minutes and laughed so hard, we had tears in our eyes.  It was the highlight of our day and I'm sorry I didn't have a camera with me.  When we returned that evening to pick them up, I was told that it took him about a half hour and then he made special friends with a beagle and ran and played the rest of the day.

After dropping "the kids" off, we ran an errand and went to the doctor's.  Very productive appointment.  Nothing wrong with the hip replacement, the pain is from bursitis.  A cortisone injection followed with ice & heat treatments at home for a few weeks and it should settle down.  Now the pain is diminished and the worry is gone.  Back in a month for a recheck.

We went for an early dinner at the Elephant Bar.  Had a delicious meal but what was really special was our server.  Her name is Lori.  She is the personification of "Customer Service".  She made us feel that she was really glad we were there, treated us like we might have been family or better yet, a couple of favorite aunts maybe.  The Elephant Bar has always been one of our favorite restaurants and the wait staff are all skilled in customer service; they all seem to enjoy their jobs.  But we give Lori a real shout out, she is special!!

Topped the day off by hitting Costco where I found and purchased my new camera and Judi did grocery shopping, back to pick the kids up, and we headed home.  It was a really long but very good day!  The little guy must have had a great time, he was exhausted, curled up in Judi's lap and slept his way home.

Canine Check Up Time

It's that time of year again.  Katie went in for her annual physical to keep her certification as a therapy dog.  This year we did a 'twofer'.  Kasey had his initial physical as well.  They were both tested for heart worm, received their new supply of preventive meds, and their shots are all up to date.

Katie's showing signs of aging (she's 11 years old now) but is still perfectly healthy all things considered.  She's slowing down, so am I.  She's not as patient, me neither.  Her activity level is way down, mine too.  She does have a heart murmur that is stronger than it was and bears watching but no coughing at night, so not to worry - yet.  She's dropped a few pounds, wish I could say that, but when Kasey isn't stressing her out, he has her a little more active than she was.  And more activity, less weight, and a slimmer physique equal less strain on the heart ... all good things.

Kasey is everything a little guy his age (a year this month) should be.  His heart is good, everything is sound.  His metabolism is right up there and he gets to increase his intake of food by a 1/2 cup a day to bring his weight up a couple of pounds.  He got his rabies shot today and now he can get his license just like the big dogs.

While not inexpensive, peace of mind in never inexpensive, all in all it was a very good day ... for them, for me, and I dare say, for the vet!

Is There A Doctor In The House?

Are you old enough to remember when a doctor was a doctor?  I mean, I go all the way back to house calls, so that tells you how close to covered wagon days I am.  Growing up, we had a doctor that treated any and  all ailments.  He was it.  You didn't have one doctor for your foot and another for your throat and another for your stomach.

I remember when I first had kids, the family doctor delivered them.  By the late 60's, when my youngest was born, I had an ob/gyn.  Specialists had entered the field.  There were pediatricians, orthopedic specialists, cardiologists, ear/eye/nose & throat.  You knew that your doctor had extra "specialized" knowledge and you now were supposedly getting better care.

Today, specialization has reached a new high, or low, depending on how you look at it.  Specialties are now broken into finer specialties.  The orthopedic man isn't; now you have a hip specialist, a knee specialist, elbows, shoulders, neck, back.  There's a doctor for the colon, another for the stomach, another for livers, and on and on.

I've had my share (and yours too) of hip replacements.  One leg has been bothering me lately.  Since it's painful and winter is coming, I want to know if it's hip again or back or nerve damage or ???  I called my orthopedic surgeon's office and was told he doesn't "do" legs.  I finally convinced the voice on the other end of the phone that I needed to start by checking out the hip first and then, if it's not the problem, the doctor can   refer me to whichever specialist I do need to see.  Of course I won't see the doctor, I'll see a practitioner.  (It was bad enough when doctors 'practiced' medicine, now the person who sees and treats you is actually called a practitioner.)


Now I'm happy that the 'practice' of medicine has progressed as it has but at the same time I can't help but wax nostalgic and miss the Dr. Welby days.

Checking In

So, I'm told that it's officially been one month since my last post and something, anything, must have happened, if not to me, with Kasey, since then.  So here I am, checking in.

My friend is right.  There's been much going on.  Kasey and the Kitty are growing by leaps and bounds and they're doing a lot of leaping and bounding.  I'm truly grateful to have each one of them for the other, either one alone would have me in a rubber room.  Even Katie has joined in on the playtime on occasion.  Not for very long, but the puppy in her pops out every so often.

Being a glutton for punishment, or not very bright, or both ... I kept my friend Judi's dog for 2 weeks while she was on a cruise.  Actually, Foxy was extremely well behaved and she's cat friendly.  She's an easy dog to keep and she's very comfortable here.  Even so, a couple of times a week I'd take her home to spend part of the day in her own surroundings so she'd know she still had her own home.

We had our annual Animal Faire last weekend.  It benefits the local SPCA, for which Katie  I volunteer.  I took both dogs and their enclosure and we spent the day.  I worked the event taking photographs, Katie watched the action, and Kasey barked (yapped) at every large dog he saw - and there were plenty of them.  My apologies to those working around our area.  He doesn't carry on like that at home, but then he doesn't see that many other dogs, let alone the large ones.  We walked over to the TDI booth so I could get a group photo with Katie and the other therapy dogs and spent some time, which gave these two some much needed exercise and then it was back to their enclosure while I finished what I was doing.  When we got home, two dogs crashed and slept until well after their dinner time.  In fact, after their dinner and trip out to potty, they slept the night through.  Come to think of it, so did I.

This weekend is the chocolate & wine festival.  The "kids" get to stay home but I'll spend Saturday there and then we have some harvest and halloween events coming up.  The church boutique is the first weekend in November and then life returns to normal, whatever that is.  We'll be heading into the holidays and there'll still be things to do and places to go, but I won't have any responsibility for them, I can simply attend - or not.

I'll try to start posting regularly again and not wait for the nudge from my friend.  But then again, I kind of like the attention.

It's Official

 As of yesterday the little guy is formally a member of the family.  He got his "chip" last night.  It's a matter of record with Home Again that I am his mama and this is his home. He'll wear a numbered tag on his collar to match the chip inserted under his skin to prove it.  Home Again will have his identification information stored by this number and should he get lost, this tag has Home Again's phone number or if he's lost and without his tag, a quick scan retrieves his chip number and Home Again is notified and they in turn call me or if I'm unavailable, my emergency contact or Kasey's vet.  He now is assured that he has his forever home!

He's been having a great time learning his new home and housemates.  He learned the Invisible Fence really quick.  I still have to keep an eye on him because I have a neighbor who doesn't think his dog needs to be contained or controlled and she's 6 or 7 times KC's size & weight.  (That's the downside of the fence.)  He's a very loving little guy, picks up commands quickly and is proving to be one sharp little fellow.  He's going to be a great little dog!  The barking (yapping) still needs some work but he is still a puppy.

He's the energizer bunny, always moving and at the speed of light.  My friend, Jennifer, says he has a to do list just a little longer than the day allows, but he's determined to get it all done and done early.

Monday he had his first real outing other than to the vet or up the road to play with Foxy.  Katie had a gathering with other therapy dogs and the little guy went along.  I envisioned total disaster with him barking and wanting to run and just plain being a pain somewhere slightly below the neck.  He was every bit as well behaved as any of these "trained" dogs.  He made friends with all of them from the dachshund to the irish wolfhound, never barked once, and when I told him to go "sit", he did.  When he'd tired, he went and lay next to Katie and just waited.  Very impressive puppy in front of the other handlers!

I had to go to the local bookstore and, due to the heat, couldn't leave the dogs in the car so I put their leads on them and in we all went (with more than just a little trepidation I admit).  Katie's been there numerous times and has even joined in children's reading groups.  The owner had been waiting to meet the new addition and was very taken with the little guy ... and again he conducted himself admirably.  Mom was soooo proud!!!!

This was such a big day for him.  When we got home, he jumped up on his favorite chair and slept almost all afternoon, as did miss Katie but she's getting to the age where getting up in the morning calls for a nap.

My house once again looks like I have a couple of two year olds running loose.  There are toys strewn from one end to the other.  At any time, you can be sitting quietly watching TV, reading, or visiting and suddenly be run over by cat chasing dog or dog chasing cat - or maybe they'll just use your lap for a wrestling ring.  I'm not a 50 year old kid anymore and they do wear me out, but they're more fun than I can say and better entertainment than I've seen in a long while.  And I love just before bedtime and first thing in the morning when all three are curled up next to or on me.  This menagerie has become a family - it's official!

 

Kasey's Big Day

Today was the "big" day.  The little guy was taken to the hospital early this morning for his "procedure".  He went in filled with enthusiasm and excitement and ready to meet new people.  He did stop to growl at the metal cutouts of cats that are just outside the front door.  Gotta let 'em know who's in charge.  They didn't seem terribly impressed by his antics.  Well, what do you expect?  They're cats.

I went back to pick him up this afternoon and he was a very quiet and very unhappy puppy.  Parts are missing.  Even his bark is little more than a squeak.  He's sore where those parts used to be.  While he was "snoozing" someone shaved him (in that same area).  He itches where the stitches are covered with surgical glue and he's still very confused and very, very sleepy.

Katie, who quickly accepted him and treats him well but keeps him in his place, was very good with him when we got home.  I sat and held Kasey and stroked & loved on him and Katie jumped up next to me on the couch, sniffed at him and proceeded to nuzzle him and lick his head.  Then she curled up and lay with us with her head next to his.

While he was there he also had his puppy shots and it was determined that he's a pomeranian/pekinese mix, approximately 10 months old and he weighed in at just 9 1/2#.  He's not expected to get much bigger.  He and Sombra should be about the same size right into and through adulthood.

I rather expect we'll all enjoy a quiet night tonight and, to paraphrase Scarlet O'Hara, "tomorrow will be a better day!"

Quiet Puppy

Pet Owners' Rights & SB 697

Okay, I'm climbing on my soapbox, but this has really got me riled!

I've been taking Katie to her regular groomer, Pampered Pets, in Oakhurst, for five years now and every year or two I make an appointment for 'anesthesia free teeth cleaning' for her.  In this area, the service is done by scalers with Canine Care, Inc. at the various groomers.  Canine Care has been in business for 32 years, a wee bit more than just a little start up company, don't you think?  Katie's teeth are in very good condition for a 10 year old dog.  Unlike me, she eats right; no people food with the exception of vegetables and she thinks those are treats.

This procedure doesn't get inside the gums and address other periodontal issues.  It simply removes (scales) tartar, cleans the teeth, and the tech/scaler lets you know if, in fact, a 'procedure' might be necessary and, if so, refers you to your vet.  The biggie, for me, is that NO ANESTHESIA is required.  At the risk of repeating myself, Katie is 10 years old, 11 years next month.  SHE DOES NOT NEED TO BE PUT UNDER ANESTHESIA UNNECESSARILY.  What's the point of a clean dental checkup for a dead dog?

The Veterinary Medical Board in California is currently trying to pass a bill to create a monopoly that will put their perceived 'competition' out of business by making “anesthesia-free teeth cleaning” solely a veterinary medical procedure.  So next year will veterinarians be the only ones allowed to groom our pets?  Now, I know times are hard.  The economy is taking a bad hit.  But I don't expect that the veterinarians who treat our animals are going to be on the streets anytime soon.  The cost of dental checkups and cleaning is upward of $400 per animal, a big part of that is the always risky anesthesia even with the requisite pre-anesthesia tests.  The cost of anesthesia-free teeth cleaning is under $100.  I may not be terribly bright, but even I can do the math.

Once again, someone else, who doesn't even know me, feels they're better qualified than I am to do my thinking for me and, in this case, to decide how to best care for my animals.  It irritates me that for a few extra dollars, those who are supposed to care for our pets, are willing to put them at risk while preventing someone else from performing a needed and relatively affordable service while earning a living.

Killing this service and putting these people out of business does not mean that my local vet will automatically  be allowed to put my pets at risk.  It means that the dental cleaning they do get, they won't get any longer.  And if my local vets are willing to put my pets at risk, any kind of risk; I need to reconsider where and to whom I take my pets.  I won't be railroaded and I won't allow Katie & Kasey to undergo any unnecessary and/or risky treatment for anyone's bottom line.

For more information go to petownersrights.org.  If you're a California voter and see a petition to prevent the Veterinary Medical Board from usurping the work of anesthesia free scalers and eventually obtaining sole authority over everything having to do with anything dental (SB 697), please ... please, sign it!  Katie, Kasey, and many other animals and their 'parents' will thank you!

New Family Dynamics

 Apparently I have a big "S" on my forehead (sucker).  First it was that sweet little 7 week old kitten who is now just shy of 7 months and growing like a weed.

Katie & Sombra

Welcome!

Don't water this plant!

Considering that all the cats that moved up here with us in 2005 have since crossed over the rainbow bridge, the addition of this little black buzzsaw probably makes good sense.  HOWEVER,

 Now, please allow me to introduce you to the latest addition to the family ...

Kasey

Katie & Kasey 

Inseparable playmates

The puppy was dumped a little over a month ago.  The lady who found him fell in love with him but was unable to keep him.  I happened to see a color photo of him and he looked just like Katie did when she was a pup.  That was my undoing.  The lady brought him to the house to see how and if he'd fit in and that was it; he was home.  I purchased a new collar for the Invisible Fence; he suffered the one requisite learning experience (or, as I call it, a frontal lobotomy) and he's now quite content to stay within his designated area.


This is it.  This is our family today.  And I'm thoroughly enjoying them.  Katie has accepted the new ones, even engages in play with them on occasion although she prefers to just watch.  The two little ones have become best of friends.  They race, they chase, they tumble and wrestle, and they nap together.  She's had her surgery and he'll have his next week.  They're slated for their shots and their chips.  They've found their Forever Home.  Meanwhile, life here is no longer quiet and it isn't dull by a long shot but it's certainly full of laughs again.  

By the way, I am having the "S" removed from my forehead - surgically if necessary.  I'm quite sure this menagerie qualifies as a 'full house'.

Yada-Yada-Yada, Blah-Blah-Blah

I don't normally think of myself as a masochist but this evening I listened to Larry & Moe, oops, Obama & Boehner.  One alluded to where they're supposedly going; the other to where they've supposedly been in their 'talks'.  Neither said anything they haven't been saying for months ... "We've got ours, it's protected by the Constitution so we have nothing to lose by digging our heels in and saying, 'my way or the highway', and too bad for the common folk."  Actually, neither said much of anything, period.  I will give Mr. Boehner credit for not breaking into sobs & tears and that's the only credit I'm giving to either.  They said so little even the talking heads had damn little to say when they were done.  God Bless and Protect Us! 

Has Anyone Sought Therapy for Mother Nature?

No matter where you live, you may be a tad confused as to what time of year it is.  Believe it, or not, this is mid July.  I live in the foothills above the central valley of California, just minutes from the gate to Yosemite National Park.

Last week, the town of Oakhurst which is at 2600 ft and 300 to 400 ft and maybe 3 miles lower than my place was right at 100 degrees.  The valley was working its way toward 108.  Even at my elevation and covered by the trees, we were in the upper 90's.  (And the mountain ski resort which closes in May is still open).

Last night I walked around the house early, closing windows though I did leave the doors open until almost 10pm.  Outside, a light sweatshirt was in order.  This morning is nice and cool; the house is open and comfortable and working the flower beds and pond was still pleasant.  The 'forecasted' temp for Oakhurst is only 81 to 83 degrees today meaning I may not get out of the 70's.  For me, this is ideal weather; the sun brightened some late this morning so now all is perfect.  And I give thanks daily that I live on the Western side of the country.  For those of you in the East - I feel your pain.

Bubble burster ... Summer returns this weekend.  But I'll enjoy this for now and take advantage while momma nature is napping.

The Saga Ends - Again

Yesterday I received a robo call from Sears.  Since I was out, the computer left a message asking that I call back "at once".  I called when I returned home and the twit who answered following all the "if you wish ###, dial xxx" asked how he could help me and I told him about the robo call and he said, " well, you have parts on order, have you received them?"  Me:  "No."  Him:  "Well, I can't schedule your tech until the parts arrive."  Me:  "I'm not asking to schedule, I'm returning a call."  Him:  "Let me check, the tracking shows the part being delivered today.  Call immediately when it's delivered".  Me:  "UPS doesn't deliver in my area until after 5pm west coast time.  Will there be someone to help me at that hour."  Him:  "No."  Me:  "Then I'll call in the morning."  Him:  "No, you need to call when the parts arrive."  What?

Not done yet ... I got home from a meeting last night a little after 8pm and found the pkg on my front porch.  Just to be able to say I did, I called.  There WAS someone there.  (Here we go again)  She said, "Did you receive all 3 parts?"  Me:  "He only ordered one part."  Her:  "Well, how many did you receive?"  Me:  "The one."  Her:  "Three were ordered".  Me: "No, just one."  Her:  "No, there were three, they were ordered on different dates."  Arrrrgh!!!  Me:  "The first two have already been installed in the previous visits."  Her: "Oh, so how many parts do you have now?"  Me:  "Could we just schedule the tech?"  Her:  "The earliest I can schedule him is Thursday".  Me:  "Check your notes, I'm not home on Thursdays."  Her:  "Well then, the best I can do is tomorrow."  Arrrrgh!!!  "Tomorrow is fine."

I know people who need work and have gone beyond the 3rd grade; probably over-qualified.  No disrespect to 3rd graders (or their teachers). 

The loud resounding noise heard around the world, or at least throughout western North America this afternoon, was Ryan, the Sears repairman, and me as my dryer proceeded to heat while it tumbled.  I'm not sure which of us was most leery about turning the start dial or who was more pleased when the **** thing actually worked.  Since he also does washers, I'm going to call and request that he come back and do preventive maintenance on the washer.  We're both hoping that doesn't open a door better left closed.  Then I still have two other appliances and the TV on the maintenance program.  This saga has the opportunity to rear its ugly head yet again, but let's hope not.  Please ?!!!!

Happy Birthday, Liz!!!

One of my dearest and best friends is celebrating her 70th birthday today.  We're still trying to figure out how we skipped so many years to arrive at this place in our lives.

Liz and I met over a decade ago (when we were mere youngsters) at church.  It was the first visit to St. Mary's for each of us and we were completely taken with the church, the people, and most of all - the priest.  We agreed later that had it been anyone other than Fr., Michael, it might well have all ended right there.  But he is truly a fisher of men (and women).

We became acquainted and over a period of weeks became friends.  In time we realized we were not only joined at the hip, we were joined at the soul.  We've been sister/friends ever since.  In 2002, she joined my family for a family cruise to celebrate my 60th birthday and was 'adopted' into the family.  She was told, "you can walk away from friends, but family is forever."

She was my best friend, my playmate, my support, and Katie's Godmother.  We've been through good times and traumas together.  We've taken road trips and day trips and sometimes just hung out.  We've tested more than a few wineries and some local wines.  We have a big book of really fun memories.

Liz was with me during the tough times, to see me through them.  When Larry was sick, she gave us both her support.  She came to the hospital at 3:00 in the morning to sit with me after he died, and to wait with me for my family to arrive.

When a hip replacement slipped out, she again went to the hospital to meet me in the wee small hours and take me home.  We were in the mountains when I lost it again.  She drove my car down the mountain behind the ambulance and was with me while they put me back together --- again and, again, took me home then had to return to the mountains to bring our gear home.

She was with me when I found my little house in the mountains and cheered me on when I decided to relocate.  Then she found her little house, only it was in Tennessee, not exactly an hour's drive.  We're each of us contented in our new homes but we're still joined at the soul.  We realize our time together was for a season and that season has passed and now we share via distance and technology.  And seasons or no seasons, she'll always be my sister/friend!  Today I wish her the very happiest of birthdays!

  Liz, have a great day!  Know that I love and miss you ... everyday!!!  

Thank You, Lord!

Following a relatively normal, stressful week, today was a great day for me!  It was a long day and I was a little nervous going in to it.  I attended the late church service this morning, not a comfort zone for me (I'm a born 8 o'clocker,) to participate in a special friend's Holy Confirmation ceremony.  I stayed through the coffee hour/reception after.  Each of these is, for me, an accomplishment by itself, but we also had a lunch at the priest's home for the Bishop and members of the church vestry.  Now, any of these alone can be an opening for the ogre to stop by for an anxiety visit, but together they could well be an engraved invitation.  Not even a nudge from that Satan's spawn.

Tomorrow I'm driving to Fresno again.  I'm taking another friend, who doesn't drive, to Fresno for a doctor appointment.  Because of the incident three weeks ago, I feel I'm again pushing the envelope.  But after the protection you gave me and the sign you allowed me to see following that incident, I'm comfortable, knowing we'll be in your care and will have the power of the Holy Spirit with us.

Thanks and praise to you, Lord!

The Saga Just Goes On and On and On and ...

When I was a kid, our parents bought from Sears because their products, Kenmore and Craftsman, lasted a lifetime.  If something did go bad it wasn't repaired, it was immediately replaced.  There was pride in product, pride in workmanship, pride in the company name.  Obsolescence wasn't yet being built in; appliances, tools, whatever, were often handed down from generation to generation.  Times, they are a changing!

So - The Sears dude showed up at Judi's this morning about 11am and quickly repaired her 'new' washer.  Then dispatch (who only advises the techs one stop at a time) advised him that I would be his next stop following his lunch break, sometime between 1pm & 5pm.  (Remember, I live all of two doors down from her and it's not even 11:30am yet.)  After a pleasant phone conversation with him while he was at Judi's, we agreed he'd come to my house, install the new part in my dryer, and then go to lunch.  And so it begins - again.

And it's my turn - The timer has been replaced (last visit) and now the resistor is replaced (this visit).  Hmmm, tech can't figure out why dryer still won't heat.  Tested all other components and they test okay but the voltage isn't getting from point a to point b.  Called the all-knowing, all-powerful Tech Supervisor who (who'd have guessed it?) doesn't have a clue.  The all-knowing, all powerful Wizard of Oz comes to mind; "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"

Now we are ordering virtually all new parts ... emergency order so they'll arrive within days instead of weeks...starting Monday naturally, since this is Saturday.  Oh, and a return visit apparently isn't being scheduled until the new parts actually arrive.  Been there before too.  I can be holding the parts in my hand but if their computer at the distribution center hasn't been updated, the parts are only a figment of my imagination and aren't really here, ergo, no scheduling of a tech.

Remember when my freezer went belly up and I was given a phone number for a department that apparently actually cares about the customer?  I called, the young man listened, checked the history of "repair" tries and I was given authorization for a new freezer within minutes.  Well, the tech supposedly called them himself this time and advised me that they would call me back within 20 minutes and I could/should explain what's going on and express my displeasure and frustration, blah, blah, blah.  It's now been somewhat over 20 minutes, in fact, it's been well over 8 hours.

I truly hope these people have a wonderful weekend and are well rested when I call them Monday.  Meanwhile, I'm beginning to look forward to my new washer/dryer.   Let the Sears saga continue!

Another Saga (or Two)?

Yesterday I called Dish Network and requested a technician be sent to the house.  I'm aware that some damage was done to a cable during the storms.  I HATE calling Dish and said so to the far distant person of another country whose 2nd or 3rd language isn't english but who insisted that she knows all and apparently has a 'bewitched' nose and can reach out and make this thing work.

After reaching that level of frustration that I seem to attain much easier in my, pardon the expression, golden years; I suggested that I hang up, call a stateside dept. (Sales is still stateside) and cancel my subscription.  Could I please have her name for reference purposes.

The tech' will be here this afternoon.  Please, just one saga at a time ... Sears is due back tomorrow.

Note:  The Sears tech said he'd be here tomorrow between 8am - noon.  Sears' computer just called and said I'm scheduled for between 1 - 5pm.  Guess I'll go make a phone call.  The saga(s) continues.

This Could Be Deja Vu All Over Again

So, many of you remember the Sears Freezer saga (see September 16 - October 15).  This was a two-section freezer, one of which decided four years was its maximum.  I called Sears, they didn't have food in my freezer so they weren't overly concerned and could send someone out in two weeks.  The guy came and, of course, the appliance needed parts ordered from some planet just outside our solar system  ... two more weeks.  The parts arrived, but having been built by aliens, they didn't fit.  Parts were ordered again.  Uh-huh, two more weeks.  This time they kinda fit.  The tech notified the powers that be that it only had an 80% seal and the great mind on  the other end of the phone asked if that wouldn't be acceptable to me.  I offered him the 80% sealed freezer to use for his children's food but he declined my offer and said they would 'review' the situation and get back to me in - together now - two weeks.  The tech, being as fed up as I was, gave me a special number to call and the next morning I talked with a young man in an area of Sears that I hope they never discover, explained the situation, he looked up the history, and that afternoon I took the authorization code he gave me for a replacement freezer and went to the local Sears and ordered my new freezer.  By the weekend the old was out and the new was in.  Sears is very good about honoring their maintenance agreements provided you have more perseverance than they do.

Well, here we go again.  Four weeks ago I called Sears about my dryer.  It wouldn't heat.  Do you know how long it takes to tumble dry a load without heat?  After the mandatory two week wait, a tech came out, tore the dryer apart, determined that it was the timer, ordered a new one and said, " I'll be back in two weeks".  This past Tuesday another tech showed up, checked the new part, opened that area of the dryer again and found a surprise.   The timer may or may not have needed replacing; but after frying the mouse that had gotten in there and walked on or otherwise touched the resistor, said mouse and resistor were both fried and inoperable ... and had been for a few weeks.  As my sister once said when she was very little, "the mouse was so dead, he didn't even wiggle."  Guess the first tech just didn't see this dead mouse or thought it should stay where it was as a deterrent to other mice.  New resistor has been ordered.  The saga continues - again!

A Fun Fourth!

Every year there's a plethora of patriotic concert/firework shows on TV on the fourth.  I am now at the stage of my life where I prefer my hot dog or corn dog in front of the TV watching one of these.  No parking hassles, no walking forever to get to a spot that I can't see from anyway, no 2 hour exit for what normally takes 10 minutes.  I choose to call it maturity not age!

Of the concerts presented last night, one appealed to the pre-teen, Bieber set, one appealed to those who like their music screamed at them.  I did enjoy bits and pieces of the Boston Pops, they're the essence of the fourth of July concerts but to draw crowds they've looked to a much younger generation.  My favorite was from in front of the Washington Monument.  If I were younger, I could become a Matthew Morrison groupie. And Josh Grobin sings beautifully - always.  My favorite, and this is where my age comes in ... was the Million Dollar Music from the broadway play ... faux Elvis, the Man in Black, Bill Haley, and Jerry Lee Lewis.  And to top it all off; Little Richard and his piano were wheeled out; he did a medley and it was the 1950s all over again.  This was all topped off with the requisite patriotic and military music and the marches (I love Chan & Sousa) and the beautiful fireworks.

Katie and Sombra and I sat here and sang and laughed all by ourselves (well, maybe it was just me, but I think in their hearts they were singing and laughing) and we had a wonderful time.  The corn dogs weren't bad either.

Our LOKI dog!

It's the 4th of July.  Independence Day!  Fireworks!  Guns!  Fire truck sirens!  Dogs losing their minds!!!

Many years ago, we were living in the southland and we had a 3 year old Norwegian Elkhound.  He was a wonderful dog.  Great with the kids and took his job of protecting his people very seriously.  My husband traveled a lot and when he was away the dog spent the nights in the house.  There was more than once when Larry came home in the middle of the night and tapped on the bedroom window to tell me, "tell that damn dog I live here".  The kids and I could walk anywhere and the 'dudes' would make their stupid cat calls but they always crossed the street when they got close to us.

Fourth of July was tough for him.  Because of the fireworks, legal & illegal, the fire trucks (the station was directly across the street) with their sirens blaring as they came out of the barn, gun shots (there are always a few idiots in every neighborhood) ... and this dog was terrified.  We ended up tranquilizing him from about July first for maybe a week.

One year, Larry happened to be home on the fourth and Loki was sleeping outside and, yes, he was tranq'd.  We woke to a strange noise and when I looked, this poor dog was under the bedroom window trying to alert us, in his tranquilized haze, to an intruder on the other side of the fence.  Once he knew we were aware and in charge, his head dropped and he returned to dreamland.

We discovered there was a man just outside the fence but couldn't tell whether he was injured, on drugs, or what.  He'd done his job!  Good, no - great, dog!

The rest of the story ... we called the police and were advised that our house and address didn't exist so they couldn't come out to help.  When we advised that we were located directly across the street from fire station #48 that didn't seem to mean much either.  After 3 or 4 phone calls and my frustration level having peaked, I gave them directions from the nearest donut shop.  Okay, not my smartest move.  We ended up calling the fire station and asking the guys to call the  police.  They came over, took the man into custody and made that call.  Hmmm, the police were able to find them.  I considered notifying the bank that my house and address were non-existent and therefore I'd no longer be paying my mortgage but I was willing to bet the police would find the address and evict us just out of spite.

When we relocated to Fresno, we brought Loki with us.  He lived to be over 16 years old and, like my Katie, was one of the best dogs to ever love and be loved.

Friends & Neighbors

Those of you who read my blog regularly (or as regularly as I've been posting) and who read Judi's 'Bread & Beauty' blog (which,coincidentally, has been on hiatus also), will remember that she was in the process of buying a house earlier this year and it just so happened to be in my area.  I'd say neighborhood but up here the neighbors can be a "fur piece up/down the road".

Anyhoo - she's all moved in and is now in the process of making her home what she wants it to be.  Having said that, I've been here 5 1/2 years and I'm still in that process.  Meanwhile, we've learned the difference between neighbors who become friends and friends who become neighbors.  There's an introductory and 'getting to know you' phase with the first.  Sometimes it develops into friendship and sometimes you're just friendly.

However, when a friend, who has been a friend for some time already, moves up the road from you, it's like being kids all over again.  She comes to your house to hang out; you go to hers.  You now have someone to watch your favorite TV shows with - at either house.  A trip to the city for dr appt's and to run errands is now a fun road trip.  And the dogs are as good friends as you are (the treats each one takes as a hostess gift don't hurt).  We gals prefer a bottle of vintage (or not) wine as a hostess gift but I guess there's no accounting for canine taste.

Really important, we've discovered meals again.  Crackers, cheese, & wine are great for an occasional dinner but when they start becoming mainstays along with Marie Callendar & Lean Cuisine, something's got to give and it's usually the waistband.  Now, we do at least two dinners a week together taking turns making real honest-to-goodness fresh cooked meals.  I remember when, back in the day, dinnertime was fun.  That stopped when there was just me - and five four-legged critters staring at me while I ate a couple of cookies or some take-out in front of the TV and called it dinner.  Now the two of us sit at a kitchen or patio table like semi-normal people and we visit while we eat and dinner has become fun again.

I like having a favorite playmate up the road.  It's even better now.  No one's mom tells anyone when it's time to go home.

Remembering the Fourth of July

This is THE weekend!  Or, should I say WAS the weekend.  The kids and grandkids all came up from southern California to spend a week every 4th of July.  The kids and grandkids who lived up here came and joined us.  Our very first gathering, our first summer in Fresno, the thermometer on the patio read 110 degrees but we'd started a tradition and it lasted almost 20 years.

It was a big 4 bedroom, 2 story house and there wasn't room to turn around in.  At night you didn't dare try walking through the rooms because every square inch of floor had bodies on it.  The swimming pool was filled all day and a good chunk of the evening.  The animals hid for most of the day, coming out to walk around those bodies on the floor when the house finally got quiet.

The neighbor used to tell me he was going to set up a toll booth --- for outgoing traffic only.  He figured he could make his mortgage payment off of us.  All the neighbors said they took delight listening to the sounds of this family delighting in each other for that week every summer.  Dad and I used to worry they were going to run us out.

We waited for the kids to quit bringing dogs and start bringing grandbabies.  When the babies started coming, we had assembly lines on the den carpet for diaper changing and napping.  Then we watched the grandbabies grow up.  Grandpa taught them how to swim and jump off the diving board.  Lisa made Orange Dreams for the grown-ups in the 'Blend-Blend'.  Judy kept the dryer going with warm, dry towels.  Every year the grandkids put on a show for us.  We celebrated July/August birthdays.  We cooked, we ate, we drank, we laughed.  It was a wonderful time!  The memories run through my head like a slide show.
 
I'm wishing a happy Fourth to all my family and to all of you as well!!!

Trip to the City

Having had a less than positive experience going to the city a couple of Saturdays ago; I asked Judi, my friend and new neighbor, to accompany me yesterday to go down for a doctor appointment.  ROAD TRIP!


We had an unusually fun day.  First of all, we re-discovered how evenly matched our personalities are and, aside from the doctor appt., we were looking to make the same stops.  Lunch at P F Chiang's, one of my favorites was a first for her and is now one of her favorites.  We hit Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy's, Target (for dog food), Walmart (coffee & dog treats) and most important of all, Trader Joe's.  Oh yeah, we did actually work in the doctor appointment as well.

We've road tripped before, with the dogs.  This time it was just the two of us.  We've learned that we're extremely compatible and just enjoy each other's company, we kept each other on track (there were still a few dollars left in our wallets and we were home before dark).  And I got my mojo back.  Kate & I can make that run again by ourselves but I must say, it's certainly more fun with another human along as well.

Thanks Judi, for a fun day and for helping me regain my self-confidence!!!

What's Happening?!

So, according to the emails I've received, it's been just under 2 months between blogs.  I didn't drop off the face of the earth, although there were times I thought of jumping.  Nothing seemed worthwhile writing about.  Of course, much of what I wrote earlier wasn't necessarily worth writing about but it felt worth sharing.  May and June were okay but not the stuff great manuscripts or little blogs are made of.

For all that seemed to go wrong and be worthy of scratching days and weeks from the calendar, there were some special events that warranted more than just a mention.

In May, one of my best friends, who is more like a daughter to me, flew out from Texas to spend a week with me after being gone 2 1/2 years.  We visited, caught up, watched it rain, sleet, hail & snow (all in one day).  We spent a day in Yosemite and we visited other friends she'd left behind.  It was one of the best weeks of the pre-summer.

Susan & Katie @ Bridal Veil in Yosemite

My friend, Judi, has officially moved into her 'new' home just up the road.  We're truly enjoying the proximity to each other's homes and the dogs seem to be content as well.  And this is a great time of year to enjoy dinner or a glass of wine on the deck (hers or mine).  We find we're both very pleased with this arrangement.  God does work in special ways.

Many of the repairs following the storm have been made.  A young neighbor came and cut fallen trees and moved the cuttings to safer locations (he'll take the cuttings for firewood).  The contractor finally made it out to replace the patio roof.  The cover is great and installed well but since this was not an especially expensive job, it was an exercise in perseverance getting it done.   You wonder sometimes how these people stay in business.

Kate & I have stayed busy with our volunteering ... with the church, her therapy visits, the SPCA.  I've taken on publicity for our church women events and the SPCA; a labor I truly enjoy.

A few weeks ago we hosted a couple of international students for a weekend and it was a great experience.  They spent a full day in Yosemite and were here for breakfasts and to spend the nights after dinner.  But we still found time to bond.  And, like everyone else, they were taken by the four-legged children who run this house.

Sandra & Brenda

Sombra, Katie, & PITA

Unfortunately, PITA - the little siamese mix (20 years old) passed away the day after this picture was taken.

Katie and her kitten have bonded and are best friends.  Kate is delighted to have a playmate again.  (That's a whole other blog, with photos.)

There were the downers as well, but I won't revisit or bore you with those.  To all who have been chastising me and taking me to task for ignoring the porch rocker ... we're back.  And watch for changes to the site.  My son is bringing me (and my blog) into the 21st century.  At this point, you know as much as I do.  It should be a fun and interesting experience.  

Have a great summer everyone!!!

  

It's Perspective

It hit me tonight!  I've reached 'maturity'.

I remember a time when I'd go out for an evening and it was a bust and I'd come home early.  "It was such a lousy evening, I was home by 9 o'clock".

This evening I went to a friend's for dinner.  We had a wonderful time.  We ate, we drank some fine wine, we talked and strolled down memory lane.  "We were having such a good time, I didn't get home 'til 9 o'clock".

Apparently 'maturity' gives one a whole new perspective!

Are You Old Enough to Remember 'Customer Service'?

I finally kept that infamous medical appointment in Fresno yesterday; the one I had to keep postponing because it kept snowing on those particular days.  We (Katie & I) drove down to Fresno in the morning and followed the map and driving directions exactly as given; this being my first  appointment at this facility.

From Hwy 41 turn left onto Chestnut, turn left again at Dearing, turn right at Fir, follow to Recreation, parking lot is to your left.  Sounds easy, huh?  After driving up & down Chestnut and now I'm no longer early but will be late instead, I call and get a recording telling me I'm caller #2 and should have no more than a 3 minute wait.  Finally get the operator who tells me that the reason I can't find Dearing is because a few months ago the street sign was knocked down by a car so there is no sign any longer.  Apparently the city council feels if you don't know where that street is, you don't need to be there.  And, it wouldn't occur to those making appointments and sending maps & directions to advise that there is no street sign and to describe the now nameless intersection so new patients know what to look for.

Called Citicard after I got home.  Granted, I'd just driven to/from the city and  I guess I'm just a glutton for punishment.  They'd sent me a letter awhile back telling me they've canceled one program and are replacing it with another and were sending me a new card.  I received an email yesterday regarding this new program and my participation in it.  I've not received any new card yet (they were due out the end of March, first of April).

When I finally got through to a human (or replica thereof), who is NOT the most intellectual individual in all of India or wherever, he asked for my name & account no., which the automated 'operator' had already taken.  I gave him this again and he (took a nap and then) asked for it again.  In my sweetest tone I responded, "they haven't changed since you asked 2 minutes ago."  He couldn't answer any questions, didn't appear to have any information. then he asked for my social security number.  "You want what?"  Aren't we told - repeatedly - NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR SSN?

I called a different number and found a young lady (still out of country) who, without asking inane and non-essential questions, looked up my account and answered all my questions ... new card was mailed Thursday and should be here next week.  And, and, and.

Okay, maybe I was just a tad cranky but, with the exception of the above young lady, what the dickens happened to customer service and assistance?  "Your call is important to us ...".  Man, if those people worked for me --- they wouldn't work for me!

Sun is out this morning, maybe today will be a better day; especially if I stay off the phone.

"Tap, Tap, Tap"

Yesterday, a local friend who volunteers at a hospital in Fresno, called me.  She goes down every Monday and prays with those going into surgery.  While she was there, one of those she stopped to pray with turned out to be an old friend of mine.  After discovrering this, when she moved on, he asked her, instead of saying "hello," to tell me "tap, tap, tap".  He said I would know who he was by that message.

She called me to let me know he was in the hospital undergoing surgery and to share this strange message (and to try to learn the story behind it.)

I shared with her; let me share this memory with you ...

The friend's name is Walt.  He and his wife, Betty, would go to Ixtapa, Mexico every February and November.  They had a couple of time shares and would take family or friends for a week.  The February before we discovered my husband, Larry, was ill, we joined them.  Our "apartment" was upstairs.  By upstairs, I mean up a narrow, iron, fairly open, stairwell.  The apartment was beautiful.  A large 'loft' style with a beautiful deck and marvelous view.  But that climb was a wee bit uncomfortable if not downright dangerous.

We'd gone walking on the beach one evening and stopped for a few nightcaps along our walk.  When we returned, the men were pretty well in their cups and getting him up that staircase, safely, was a process.  When we got in to our room, he hit the bed and was out for the count.  I moved to a couch and curled up with a book and fell asleep there.  During the night I heard a tapping sound.  I woke and tried to determine what and where this was coming from and determined it was the entry door.  Turning on a light, I discovered Larry wasn't in bed, he wasn't in the bathroom.  With the open floor plan, I could see the kitchen and he wasn't there either.  Meanwhile, I'm still hearing, "tap, tap, tap".  I opened the entry door and there on this tiny landing stood my still somewhat inebriated husband.  Looking down, it was a wonder he hadn't fallen to the bottom, not a good thing.  "I thought this was the door to the bathroom," he said sheepishly.  He came in, looked at me and we laughed 'til the tears flowed.

The next morning we shared the story of his little mishap with our friends and we all had a good laugh.  It turned in to one of those stories that lives forever and "tap, tap, tap" became the code for an inside story.  It lives on still and always conjurs up a memory of a special and happier time.

"Tap, tap, tap," Walt.  Get well soon!!!

And I'm Grateful For . . . 4/24/11

First, I'm grateful for ... the Resurrection and the promise of forgiveness and a new life with my Lord when this  dress rehearsal is over.

I'm grateful that ... we're almost at the end of cold & dreary weather.  The weather guessers are telling us, "the sun will come out tomorrow".

I'm grateful for ... now having a friend two houses up the road to share and enjoy day to day experiences with.

I'm grateful for ... knowing I have friends that I truly care for and who truly care for me.

I'm so very grateful that ... the Lord let me spend this season of my life in this wonderful place with these special people.

And as always, I'm grateful for ... my furry, four-legged family who share my home and my heart and their love with me.

It's A Promise

Today is Easter!  The Christian world is rejoicing and celebrating!  Our Lord is resurrected and risen and has given us a great promise.  He died so that we might live!  That's the promise.  And on this very special, most beautiful occasion, the sky is grey ... what's that about?  Good Friday, okay.  That's a day of great sadness for us mortals that can only see the suffering.  Let it rain and be dark & dreary; it's fitting.  But today should be full of sunshine and warmth, the skies should shine as should the rest of the world.  ... In my humble opinion.

In the Christian religion, the new year (the church year) starts with Advent - at Christmas time.  I see it differently.  The new year (the rebirth) starts, for me, with the beginning of Spring ... the sun returns and brings its warmth, its the rebirth of the ground, many of the plants and trees start to blossom again, and its  time again to plant those that don't return on their own, animals come out of hibernation and for others its the season for reproducing and continuing their species.  We, who stand on two legs, feel the tug not only to get outside and join in the planting and renewal process but to clean, paint, redesign, out with the old / in with the new, inside as well as out.

Spring, like the Resurrection, is a time of promise!  Enjoy!  Rejoice!  Happy New Year!!!

Not My Best Week!

This is NOT my "Grateful Blog" but I have to say I am extremely glad to have this week all but over.  It was one that could have stayed off the calendar.

This weather reeks havoc on my bones and I've become even more cranky & bitchy than usual.  It looks like I'll miss Sunrise Service for the first time since I moved up here.  I saw the rheumatologist Wednesday and he's referred me to an orthopedist.  The appointment has been made ... for three weeks from now.  The Rheum'y did suggest I increase the dosage of my anti-inflammatory.  (And I probably need to increase the dosage of my dinner wine - strictly for medicinal purposes, you understand.)  When I requested a new rx (since I would now run out before the insurance company allows a refill), they faxed a new rx, for the same dosage!  Four phone calls later, that's now straightened out.

Wednesday was the seventh anniversary of my husband's death.  Sunday is Easter (his favorite holiday), neither the 'best of times' for me and I know these contributed to my less than awesome attitude.

The Patio contractor was here to give me an estimate on replacing my patio cover.  Anyone have a spare $1200 they don't know what to do with?  On the positive side, a friend poured and spread gravel on the mud pit formerly known as my driveway (for a really good price, bless him) so now I can not only drive down the driveway, people without 4-wheel drive can drive in, and ... I can once again walk the trash barrels to the road.  The boys who do my yard work and heavy lifting were here yesterday.  They mowed, edged, blew the parking area and the deck.  Katie's taller than the grass again. They brought in more pellets seeing as how winter doesn't want to give up.  I put two new lamp posts together and replaced the ones that had been at the end of the driveway and above friend will be back to anchor them for me.  We'll cannibalize the two that were destroyed in the storm and I should be able to make one lamp post out of their parts and I'll put it on the back deck.

There are cut trees, and downed trees still waiting to be cut, all over the yard but things are slowly  improving and returning to normal.  We're even supposed to see sun again by the middle of the week.  Remembering that the glass is always half full, I'm sure I'll shape up and will have my list of things to be grateful for by tomorrow.

Enjoy a beautiful Easter everyone.  Rejoice as the Lord is risen!

A Blast From the Past

A few days ago I ran across an old friend on Facebook.  We only knew each other for a few years but shared those special memories that are made when you're 14 or 15 years old.

I'd have never known him from his picture.  Usually you see something that triggers a memory but he completely outgrew himself.  As I recall he was good looking as a teen and he's good looking today as a senior (citizen that is).  He directed me to You Tube to see how he's spending his retirement.  I guess he hasn't changed all that much after all.

We lived in the same neighborhood and took a school bus to/from school each day.  We had the coolest bus driver.  His name was Gabby and he treated us all like we were his favorite kids.  In those days, girls had to take Home Educ. and one of the sessions was cooking.  He was our guinea pig.  Would you believe everything these 14 - 15 year old girls cooked or baked was "absolutely wonderful"?  We believed it, he told us so.

The cool, older kids, the high school crowd, got to ride in the back of the bus.  We Jr. Hi. kids couldn't wait for the day when we could graduate to the back.  I mean, it's going from scrub to senior; you've reached the pinnacle.  This friend sat in the back where he played his guitar and we were enthralled with his playing.  It was 1956-57 and we were into Rockin' Robin, Party Girl, Rock Around the Clock.  I was set to graduate from Jr. Hi in June of '57.  In September I'd be one of the high school set and was looking forward to my turn with the "cool kids".  - - -   We moved in June, right after graduation.  The teen years are tough.

But it was great to make the connection again, after all these years, and to revisit old memories.  I have another friend that I rediscovered on Classmates.  We email "stuff" back and forth and talk on the phone fairly regularly.  The social network is great, it's become my own personal time machine and the 50's are a great place to visit.

And I'm Grateful For . . . 4/10/11

After a tough & frustrating week, there is still much to be thankful for ...

I'm grateful for ... all the many small blessings God shares with me that I'm not even aware of.

I'm grateful for ... the people God has put into my life; from closest of friends to those who simply pass through never to be seen again.

I'm grateful for ... challenges that the Good Lord places in front of me that become opportunities not only for me but to do His work.

I'm grateful for ... my health.  In spite of, or because of, the problems I have with my bones and joints and the discomfort & pain they cause; I recognize that my overall health in general is especially good.

I'm grateful for ... my usually optimistic attitude and sense of humor.  These are a gift God has given me to deal with the tough times.

And, as always, I'm grateful for the small four-footed family I've been graced with, including the little tornado that I brought home to foster but who has become Katie's newest best friend.

Musings on a Snowy April Day

This not being Saturday, instead of 'things I'm grateful for', I think I'll indulge in venting ...

1)  The term April Showers was meant for RAIN, light rain, to bring May flowers.  NOT one snow storm after another.  Rain, snow, and sleet, with sun mixed in yesterday.  Today - the snow was 6 to 8" when I got up this morning and it snowed for another 4 hours or more.  Can't see the driveway, let alone drive on it, again and chains are required 3/4 of the way down to the city this morning.  The high is expected to be in the upper 30's today!

2)  There went the power - again!  Okay, only about an hour this time, no biggie, but who knew for how long and why didn't we keep the generators at the ready?  Oh Yeah, IT'S APRIL!


3)  And why is it that while the snow was plummeting to the earth, the satellite dish was fine.  After it quit and the skies were clear, the dish went out.  Dish & Direct are just about anything except what they claim to be.  But since there's no alternative ...

4)  The topper to all this is:  I called the Women's Medical Center in Clovis this morning to cancel my appointment since I can't get out of my own yard much less down the mountain to the city.  I explained the weather situation and she said, "I'll make a note and maybe they won't charge you as a no show."  The policy is a 24 hour notice or you pay the full office visit fee."  For their sake, I truly hope they have a modicum of common sense.  This could get ugly.

5)  And last, but certainly not least, the fat egos that are supposed to be representing the people of this country  but instead are holding it hostage, really have my ire.  I'm not personally affected by the pending shutdown so it isn't about me, it's what they're doing to the country we hired them to take care of.  And it really gets me that millions of federal employees and others are going to lose financially, including our 'troops' and their families, but the millions of dollars that the senate, congress, & president accept in paychecks  is "constitutionally protected".  Can you say amendment?  Forget the so called Tea Party; here's another place for common sense.

Where'd the Kitten Go?

The kitten went missing this morning.  I was on the phone and she'd been playing in the living room and then I didn't see her.  I heard her mewl a couple of times and then even that stopped.  I got off the phone and started looking under and behind furniture.  I knew I'd heard her in the living room but since I couldn't find her there, I tore apart every other room in the house.

Now this little girl is only 9 weeks old, very small and can access areas that I can't.  I swept under beds, moved the dresser and chest of drawers, even looked to make sure she hadn't jumped on a toilet and fallen in.  My worst fear was that she'd jumped up on the pellet stove (an insert) and then down behind it.  I went so far as to call the stove dude and ask him if he was in the area and if he could pull the stove out so I could check.  I did call him back and left a "never mind" message.  I'm sure he thinks I'm ready for 'the home'.

My friend called back to see if I'd found Sombrita and asked if she could have gotten into a cupboard.  She's smart but she hasn't learned to open cupboards yet, besides I'd already checked them.  Then it hit me ... my friend had asked about a series of booklets and their author when we were talking earlier.  The booklets are in the cupboard of my entertainment unit.  I had opened that to take one out and check the author's name.

Yep!  I opened the doors to the entertainment unit and in the back were two little yellow eyes staring back at me.  Thank goodness she wasn't sleeping because I wouldn't have seen her black fur in the back.  She came strolling out and her world was fine.  I think I aged a couple of years and I can't afford it.  I know that's a cat thing.  You open a cupboard or closet and they somehow slip in unnoticed.  PITA used to curl up and go to sleep waiting for someone to let her out.  Cocoa would let everyone within a 5 mile radius know that he was trapped.  Apparently this little one figured she'd, pardon the pun, catnap until the door opened again.

Now she's curled up with PITA on one side of me and Katie's on the other.  And the floors under all my furniture are all extra clean.

And I'm Grateful For . . . 4/03/11

So much to be grateful for this week ...

I'm grateful for ... the beautiful weather we've enjoyed this week after the storm passed through.  The warm, sunny days are gone again, but we know they'll be back.

I'm grateful for ... the ministries Katie and I have developed.  It does every bit as much good for me as it does for those we visit and serve.

I'm grateful for ... the closing of Judi's escrow and her being able to move in to her new house.  It's nice to see her so contented.  She worked really hard to make this happen.  And for me ... It's been awhile since I had a 'friend' living so close.

I'm grateful for ... Karen being able to buy her first home.  I'm looking forward to going north this year to visit her and see her new home.

Hi Neighbor !!!

All I can say is, "it's about freakin' time!"  My buddy, my pal, along with Katie's only true canine friend, are finally moving in up the road.  Thursday evening, I watched the realtor pull the 'for sale' sign from the front yard.  Yaaaay!!!!  And if you think I'm thrilled, Judy is elated.  This has been a l-o-n-g, drawn out process.

We lined drawers Thursday evening.  Well, she lined drawers - I helped separate contact paper from its backing, no small task.  And we visited and planned, in our minds, where everything will go, and how it will fit.  The backyard is just waiting for Foxy to take her buddy out for a tour.

I'm giving no descriptions or anything else to do with the house or property.  When Judy (Beauty and Bread) gets back to blogging, she'll give you all that.  I mean, it is her house; I've already stolen part of her thunder.  But I am so delighted to have a good friend living just a couple of houses up the road.  Walks with the dogs, wine & cheese sessions and dinners on one our decks, just hanging out maybe doing nothing more than each reading a book in the afternoon or evening sun; her place or mine - both; someone you can call and say can you come help hold this while I drive a nail?  And all no more than a two minute walk away.  And don't forget the road trips ... much easier when half the travel isn't spent getting from one house to the other.

Gotta go plan a housewarming.  P-A-R-T-A-Y !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Introducing the Shadow

A week and a half ago I volunteered at a SPCA pet adoption event.  Now I do understand that the intent is that we adopt animals out to their new forever homes.  However, a lady came in with a tiny (7 week old) kitten and wanted to leave it with us.  The event leader really didn't want to take it in because when we have kittens, people will adopt them but not adult cats.  Consequently, I heard this voice saying, " Hey, I'll  take it and foster it until it's old enough to adopt out."  I looked around and discovered that the voice was mine.  We did adopt out some of our fostered pets and the little one came home with me.

on 'the porch rocker'

Am I adorable or what?

I named her Sombre, spanish for shadow, and call her Sombrita while she's small.  She is solid black, long-haired, inquisitive, playful, very sweet, and very smart.  I brought out a carrier and put an old sweatshirt in it and put her in there when we went to bed.  After two nights, she figured out this is her bed and the next day when she was ready for a nap, she went into her carrier.  Two visits to the litter box and she had that nailed.  She even found the 2nd box on her own.

Now remember, I have two other pets at home; Katie the wonder dog and a 19 year old siamese mix named P.I.T.A.  You work out the acronym and be assured that after all these years, it still suits her.  Katie has taken to the kitten and vice-versa.  We had a Burmese who was Katie's best friend and they tumbled and wrestled and played together.  Kate's waiting for Sombrita to get bigger so she can have a new best friend.  PITA, on the other hand, is another story ... she moved to my bedroom, coming out only long enough to hiss and spit at the kitten, go eat and hiss and spit again on her way back to the bedroom.  Today she realized she was only cutting off her own nose to spite her own face and is back in the living room again.  She's still not thrilled but is accepting.  The noise the pellet stove repairman made kind of pushed the process a little.  All three were scared enough to call a truce and the kitten figured out how to get up on the big bed so she could be close the nasty old siamese for protection.

That noise is scarier than PITA is

Aw, she's not so tuff

wanna play?

Watcha eatin'?

I still have cat/kitten toys from my other cats and have put them out and they keep the little one busy.  She's a hoot to watch as she plays and races around the house.  My hallway has become a racetrack ending in a slip and slide.  She sneaks up on Katie to chew on her ears and bats her tail then runs and hides under the entertainment unit.  While Katie's looking under one side, Sombrita's on the other side watching her.  Who needs TV?