All is Quiet

Wendy, Michael's daughter, and her labradoodles, Diamond and Nutmeg, left early Saturday morning and things are exceptionally quiet here now. It was nonstop running around here for over a week. Feeding time was a challenge, because of the dogs' individual needs. Diamond needs a different food, yet she's the one who will eat anything. Caprice and Canon like to nibble from time to time, but couldn't, because their food would be snarfed up by Diamond and Nutmeg.

Caprice, of course, is happy with the lack of activity, however, Canon got up this morning looking for his buddy, Diamond, and sat out on the grass waiting for her to join him. With Diamond here, he had nonstop playing all day long, rather than the morning and evening audiences Caprice gives him. Actually, I think Caprice was thrilled to deal with dogs that gave regard to her growls to stay of the bed or to leave her toys alone, since Canon never does. Nutmeg would balk at entering our bedroom with Caprice on her throne. Diamond was a bit braver.

Things are quieter, and admittedly easier. But I miss them.

Thanks

Of course, the list of things I'm thankful for, not necessarily in order of importance.

-Michael

-My family- That's the newest member on the left- Maxwell, my nephew Philip's and niece Crystal's new baby.

-My dogs

-All I have materially

-Friends

-The Internet- strange, but it's a source of communication and information, as well as the source of some friendships with people I like and respect

-Did I say my dogs?

-Health to to things and exist comfortably

-Being here in this place and this time

-My ability to think- however feeble that may be at times

-The ability to read and comprehend and form opinions

-Having a day to remind myself to be thankful!

Blank?

Damn! I had such a good idea of what to write about this morning-- something I was eager to develop. It's gone now!

Real Men Drink Tea on Their Birthdays

Michael's birthday this year just so happened to be the same day as the gluten-free tea at the St. James Tearoom, so guess where his birthday "dinner" was! We were lucky to have his daughter, Wendy with us, too. It wasn't the regular birthday dinner--sitting on a Victorian-style couch, sipping tea, eating little finger foods and talking with the ladies, but he was charming to all, and, I think enjoyed himself. Happy birthday, Michael.

The menu, just in case I want to remember:

Savories
served with English Breakfast Traditional Black Tea
King Edward's Smoked Turkey Salad
Queen Elizabeth's Asparagus Morsel
Queen Victoria's Fig and Brie
King Richard's Cranberry Refresher
Traditional Tea Sandwich:
Date Cream Cheese & Cucumber

Scones & Bread
served with Pumpkin Pie Scented Black Tea
Anne Boleyn's Fat Rascal with Cherry Preserves
St. James Traditional Cream Scone
with Lemon Curd and Clotted Cream

Sweets
served with Hesperides Golden Delight Scented Green Tea
Prince Phillip's Pumpkin Chai Pot de Crème
King George's Raspberry Chocolate Tart
Queen Margaret's Maple Walnut Crescent

Yum!!!!!

Cleaning Up

The washing machine is running and I'm crying. Doesn't go together, does it? (I think I mentioned crying in my last post. A trend?)

This is a special load. I am washing the sweats that I wore when, sitting on the floor of the vet's examination room, I held Rondo for the last time.

They've been sitting in a corner of my closet since March. Something couldn't let me wash away that living trace of him. I couldn't see it. I couldn't smell it, but he was there, and I remember that time. I have the box with his collar, his paw print, a piece of his fur, but there was a closer connection with this.

Maybe I'm moving on. I miss my sweet, brown boy. I'll always remember our short time together, but it's time to wear the clothes while I'm playing with Caprice and Canon, to have some good times. To keep the bittersweet memories and to make new ones.

Coffee Time

Debbie, Julie, Carol, Janie, Laura

For the past 4 or 5 years I've looked forward to my weekly visits to Starbucks (during the school year) to meet with some of my teacher friends. It started when I was still teaching at Humphrey, with Julie, Carol, and Debbie. The group's composition changes because of schedules and new invitations. Julie had to stop coming when she moved to North Star, as a result of its earlier schedule. My sister-in-law Shari joined us from time to time. This year Delora has joined us. Others as their schedules permit, or if they happen to run into us there. Coffee time has continued through my first retirement, my two years at North Star, and right into my second retirement.

I remember our first coffee when I started retirement (#1). I cried when Carol and Janie left to go to school because I felt so lonely. When I went back to work, I arranged my schedule so I could still meet for coffee on my workday. Now I can sleep later, but meeting the girls for coffee time is more important. I don't mind getting up to see these friendly faces. To tell the truth, I don't even like coffee that much, but I do like seeing my friends in the morning.

Today's coffee was "special." Julie has just gone on medical leave to have surgery for breast cancer. She's scared. We're scared. But today reminded us how strong our bond is. We will all be together again.

Not thinkin' much...

Poodle-Centric Saturday

Canon had a big day and at this moment is sleeping soundly.

First we had puppy class. I was dreading class, as we hadn't practiced. I practically have to wrestle him into a down, and we hadn't practiced recall on a long lead. The worry was unwarranted. We didn't do the down and recall in class today. Canon did, however, do something unexpected. He threw up. I don't know whether it was the exercise- hearing a loud noise and examining the object, or just that he wasn't feeling well. All I know is when I looked behind me there was a pile or undigested dog food. Oh, well, there are worse things to clean up.

His day wasn't over. The Enchanted Poodle Club held its meeting at Bow Bow Blues, a dog store with a nice fenced in area. At least 14 poodles, mostly standards ran loose and played the whole time, without incident. It was a joy to watch! Canon and Roxy, who should have been tired from class, didn't let up for a moment. They played with big dogs. They played with each other. I got to meet some wonderful poodles, who were more interested in my attention that my own dog.

Canon met a girl! Minnie is a silver pup, about a month younger than Canon and Roxy, who will be 5 months in another week. The three pups seemed to enjoy each others' company. Minnie is a marvel, the way she jumps in the air and enjoys herself, holding her own with the big dogs.

I've always wanted a poodle ranch, where dozens of poodles play. This is the closest I've gotten to it!

We ambled and dawdled...

...instead of dashed at today's Doggie Dash and Dawdle sponsored by NMAHA. It was Canon's first big social event and I was very proud of both Canon and Caprice who seemed to enjoy their outing, but maintained very respectable behavior for the most part. Their favorite part seemed to be meeting other poodles near the Enchanted Poodle Club's booth.

They turned especially joyful when they met their friends Jasper and Roxy (Canon's sister). It was obvious the four dogs knew each other by the tail wagging, jumping, and rolling around andplaying done by Canon and Roxy (and I got a nice kiss from Jasper).

In the end, we passed on the official 2 mile walk. By the time it came around, our two pups had strolled and done much visiting, so we took a very limited dawdle up the road and back.

Canon was much admired and both were repeatedly praised for their looks and good behavior. On the way out the visited with Louie Lobo, which Canon took in his easy going way and which Caprice was not thrilled with. It was an encouraging day. My dogs are great, and I'm not the only one who thinks so!

Balance

I just finished making dinner- pasta with butternut squash, onion, garlic, a little Parmesan cheese, toasted pinon nuts, and salt and pepper. I was tempted to add some red pepper and some goat cheese to make it creamy, but decided enough was enough. The flavors were already balanced. While I was eating I chose this as my inspiration for my writing tonight, but I'm really not talking about my cooking.

Balance was always been a guiding force in my teaching. Balance in the types of activities- sitting and active, speaking, writing, reading, listening. I chose to include each of Gardner's multiple intelligences- artistic, movement, verbal, mathematical...

So, the meal made me wonder if there is balance in my life. Maybe it's not there. I spend so much of my time at my computer. Free choice reading is usually mysteries with female detectives. So much of my time is spent with my dogs, caring for my dogs, talking about my dogs.

Is there any balance? When I "create" a dish rather than follow a recipe, I think of a balance of tastes and ingredients. Visually, I think I look for balance in shape, color and weight, which may be why I have so much trouble hanging pictures in my house. Do Michael and I balance each other-- he, the talker, me the listener? Caprice and Canon, black and white.

I'm now on a balance hunt. What is balanced? Where can I add balance? And ultimately-- how important is that balance?

Give me my daylight!

This is very simple. I like my daylight. I like the sun. The end of daylight savings time messes with my life. The dogs get up an hour earlier and want to be fed at 4. Michael, too!) I twiddle my thumbs figuring out what to do when it turns dark. No good TV yet. Too early for me to sit and read. I can't run out in the dark and pick up the day's dog poop. I should have planned for earlier. I don't want to go anywhere.

Be prepared for six months of whining...

Flags

This is a video of the Tibetan prayer flags at the Bone Cancer Dogs Angel Ceremony. There's no action, nothing amusing or terrifically interesting, but meaningful to me or someone who was there. Rondo's name is somewhere after 2 minutes.

Halloween with the Old Farts- apologies to my friends

We've spent the last few Halloweens with our friends, Becky (devil) and John (green hat). We don't do a lot of crazy stuff, but celebrate a tradition of half-assed costumes and an activity.

I dress minimally (costume-wise, not amount of clothing). Michael always suprises me with something clever, but simple. This year he clipped a yellow flashing light on his fly and called himself a flasher. Becky, probably enjoys the costumes the most. My favorite is her granny on the back costume, which this year, she said, had a hole in it.

Our first year of celebration we went to a Haunted House, standing in line forever to get in. One year we carved pumpkins. This year we dressed up and went to see Dracula, The Musical, a campy melodrama where we could hiss and boo and cheer.

We rarely stay up late. We don't get into trouble, and don't even trick or treat, but it's nice to have a comfortable, easy tradition to share with friends--even if we're home and in bed by 10.