What We Do

for those we love.

Did I mention there are three dogs living with me?  Two visitors and Willie.  

Willie is having a grand time with his buddy Waldi.  

The third canine is a retired and rescued greyhound.... a retired, rescued, geriatric greyhound.   Raven is a sweet animal, who is just old, and demanding.  I've nicknamed her "The Diva".  Most of the time she just wants the two youngsters to leave her alone and allow her to spend her time stretched out on her blanket.

However, when mealtime comes around or she needs to go outside she can become quite vocal.  She and I have had words more then a few times over her demanding ways.  The two sparing divas.

I have pretty much turn over my sunroom to them, and all has gone pretty smoothly...

until....

Monday morning we woke up to find a layer of ice covering the ground.   The dogs went out early and all seemed okay.  It continued to sleet most of the morning and they were able to keep their feet underneath them.  Later in the day, with a little melt and a refreeze, both the back and the front yards became skating rinks.

At the appointed afternoon bathroom time the door was open and the three took off.  Waldi and Willie had no problem.  They slip and slid.  They survived and didn't seem to mind.  Sweet Raven ran out and pretty much did the splits.  I heard my daughter scream, and I ran out to help.  It took both of us to lift her and ease her back into the house.   Once inside she was okay and returned to her chosen spot.

As night approached we began discussing how we were going to handle Raven's bathroom needs.   We both agreed she couldn't stand up on the ice.   I sprinkled flour hoping we might could create some traction... my five pound bag wasn't going to offer up much of anything but a mess.  I tried to break the ice with a hoe and a shovel.... let's just say I now understand how people have heart attacks when shoveling snow.  I barely made scratches. 

We tried to take her out the garage with hopes she would go to the bathroom on the driveway where earlier a car had been parked leaving a dry spot.   Needing to help her over a small patch of ice I found an old rug and sheets to spread over the ice.   We led her carefully across the bridge to the patch of driveway free of ice, but you know the saying...."you can take a horse to water..."?  Well the same applies to here.  The Diva stood looking at us, shivering.  We brought her back in and brainstormed a while longer.

Heather thought taking her to the front would be easier and safer.  She thought if we could get her onto the grass there would be enough traction for her to keep her balance.  But, how to get her over the ice covered path to the grass?

Yes, I moved the rug, sheet and various other items to make a path over the ice to the grass.

Yep, we love our pets and will do just about anything to make them happy, 

and keep them safe.  The ice is melting and hopefully all will be back to normal this evening.

I'm keeping the rug and stack of random finds ready just incase. 

I hope you are staying safe and warm.

February Blooms

It is a beautiful day here at Living Life.

After a week of highs and lows, and an anticipated storm,

our storm watcher

this winter loving gal threw open the windows,

stopped to admire and photograph (with iPhone) a few plants wintering indoors
 before grabbing the camera and heading outside
to see what is popping just beyond backdoor.

I'm not ready to say goodbye to winter; I still have my hopes up for a few more "fireplace" days, but days like today do seem lift the spirits
and make one smile.

I think I'll go out and cut a few stems of quince to bring inside.

The Gift of Time

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful comments on my last post.

Thank you for reading and allowing me to share my memories.

This morning I left home prepared to work a long day.   

Once at school a friend surprised me by arriving prepared to work my extended day.  

After some good natured arguing I found myself with two hours no one knew were mine.  

At first I felt a bit guilty and disoriented,  but soon decided to selfishly

 put concerns and anxiety aside and enjoy my afternoon.   

  

I escaped to a big name bookstore where I could disappear among the stacks. 

After browsing shelves I treated myself to a magazine

 and a cup of tea to savor.  

I returned home, dressed Willie in his halter, 

pocketed a few treats,

and with camera in hand, headed out for a walk.

It was a beautiful day for 

 photographing the wonders

found in my neighborhood.

Willie and I returned home with spirits lifted

and ready for a long evening of election returns.  

 

I would love to hear how you would spend two hours free from obligation.

(I apologize if this appeared  unedited. 

 I inadvertently hit publish in place of preview)

Weekend Guest

We were blessed with our favorite weekend guests. 

the diva, Raven

When these two appear so do their people,

our daughter and son.

the jester, Waldi 

I've spent the last few weeks playing in the kitchen.

pumpkin scones

So good with tea.

apple pie

What would I serve for dessert?

Final answer...pecan pie!

I played around with putting together the perfect table.

 I added and

subtracted.

Then changed my direction...

a little less complicated perhaps.

The moments didn't last nearly long enough.  

Before I blinked it was time to for a final group photograph.

Oh it is just so hard to get everyone's attention when there is

a treat bag involved.

And it was time to wave good-bye.

It was good to see my children...our time together was way too short.

Mom, I miss them already!

Me too Willie!

Dog Days of Summer

Oh yes, the scorching heat, unabating drought, and dogs gone mad.

 All of these are characteristic of "the dog days of summer".  

via

Have you ever wondered why the days between July 3 and August 11 are called "the dog days of summer"?  Some say it because it is so hot it is not fit for a dog.  Others have believed it is because it is a time of plagues, floods and, yes, dogs going mad.


Actually, the phrase was coined during ancient days when it was believed  the "dog" star, Siruis, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major, was responsible for the extreme heat, flooding and other heat related disasters and illnesses.   The "dog days" stretch from July to mid August  when Siruis (scorching) rises with and is nearest to the sun.   Some believe (or believed)  Siruis is actually hotter than the sun, and the two being so near one another is the reason for the extreme summer heat in the western hemisphere.  However, Geminus, a first century astronomer and mathematician,  wrote, "this is an error, for the star merely marks the season of the year when the sun's heat is greatest."


Are we nearing the end of this year's heat wave?  There are some who believe that because of precession, "the wobbling of the earth on it's axis", the dates are now July 23 through August 22.   


The Egyptians once believed Siruis was responsible for the Nile's flooding.  Shall we blame the "dog star" for our  recent weather anomalies?
  
I do not know!  I am but a mere collector of random information.

Willie is going to spend a bit of time napping and pondering the subject.


*****


Update:  Do you remember this post..... Oops?  We might actually find the missing valve box.  Yesterday I walked out the front door to find the stone path, running through the garden, flooded.  Presently, we are without water; it was Starbucks for coffee this morning.   The plumbers are here digging up one of the front gardens.  It doesn't sound good.... a portion of the driveway will need to be cut out, the roses and a maple will need to be relocated, another garden destroyed.  Days of turning the water on and off at the water main with a tool that is a little intimidating.  This is a really big oops.  Oh my!  


I think I'll blame the dog days of summer, go hide and play with my watercolors.  

Willie's Guest

Willie has a houseguest spending a few weeks with him.

   Meet Waldi.  He is a buddle of energy stuffed into a sausage shaped little body.

Waldi recently joined Raven, diva in residence, in ownership of my daughter and son-in-law.They are both rescues and seem to get along wonderfully.   Raven maybe joining us on the weekends.   She is the quieter of the two (three).

Waldi and Willie have romped throughout the house and the backyard for over an hour.  Now, both are curled up napping.  Willie is a bit jealous as the pup is presently curled up in my lap, while he is in his chair staring at me with longing eyes.   My hope is they will soon curl up together and let me finish a few projects.

I should be upstairs putting the last touches on some school work; I'm not sure I can trust these two scamps down here alone.

We'll be figuring out dining and sleeping arrangements later.





   

Willie's Day

Yesterday was Willie's birthday.

It is hard to believe he is five years old.
He had a very rough beginning, but has adapted quite well to a fairly cushy lifestyle.  

Willie is a rescue dog.  He was found, along with his two brothers (by another father) in a box outside a Wal-Mart store.  We discovered him huddled behind his siblings in the back of a kennel at Pet-Smart.   It took three of us to get him out.  Roger and his foster mom removed the brothers and I crawled inside the kennel.  

Roger and I tried to play with him, but he really only wanted to be returned to his protectors and the safety of his kennel.  We decided to go have lunch before making our decision.  I had fallen in love and was sure Tex (his name at the time of our introduction)  and I were meant to be.  Roger wasn't as sure.   He was concerned about his abuse and shyness.  Did I say I was in love?  I was certain it was meant to be; we returned to Pet-Smart to adopt our puppy.

His adoption papers listed his birthday as May 5th making him twelve weeks old.  Our Vet agreed.  He was listed as a terrier and lab mix.  Our Vet didn't agree.  He thought he was more likely a border collie and whippet or italian greyhound mix.

He was a sad and timid little dog when we brought him home.  He was afraid of everything, but mostly men.  If Roger spoke he cowered.  If anyone picked up a magazine or newspaper he cowered.   He didn't whimper, whine or bark.  He was silent.  He was certainly not a "Tex".

We say he found his voice when he was almost a year.  I am not for sure who it scared more.   At five Willie still has his little quirks.  He will probably always be afraid of rolled up newspapers and thunder storms, but he loves his walks, chest rubs, backyard romps puppy treats,
and his family.

Happy Birthday Willie!






  

Slow Down

"Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last.

Just kicking down the cobblestones

Looking for fun and feeling' groovy

Hello Lamp post,

What cha' knowing?

I've come to watch your flowers growing.

Ain't you got no rhymes for me?

Doot-in' doo-doo,
Feelin' groovy.



Got no deeds to do,

No promises to keep

I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep.

Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life I love you,
All is groovy.
* * * * * * * 
This is the time of the school year when the children come into the classroom wanting to know when we will go to the playground.  The sun is shining, the air is warming and the outside is beckoning us to escape the confines of our four walls.


I am no fool.  I know when to give in and just head outside.  I also know when to push them a little in hopes of learning something new or mastering something they've previously met.


One of my favorite things to do is to hand them a blank piece of white construction paper and ask them to draw a picture.  I will almost always offer up part of a sentence for them to complete with a drawing, i.e. "I know it is Spring....."  


I have only a few instructions.


 Take your time and do your best.


I don't care what it looks like as long as you can tell me what you have drawn.


You must use at least three different colors.


When I see a child rushing through their work, I start singing the above Simon and Garfunkel song.   The children think it is funny, and for a few minutes, I've hushed the call of the playground.

I have very high

for them and for myself.

Spring is on her way full of expectations and possibilities.