The Dackel Princess

I’ve reached a point in my life where day to day, life tosses in many changes, and unfortunately, these changes include the sudden deaths of loved ones. Sometimes you are lucky enough to say your goodbyes, but other times, we are shocked by the loss. So it was with me this week.

1. A gentleman I have known since we were eight and nine years old passed away, unexpectedly. As kids, Doug and I did things like shoot BB guns, water ski, and ride his dirt bike. He wasn’t a local friend, but was the brother of my sister’s boyfriend, Ron.
2. Ron and Melodie married young, and Doug and I were the Maid of Honor and Best Man, Godparents to their kids, and Aunt and Uncle as well. Through the years, we remained friends. Now he is gone. Quite quickly.
3. Naturally, I have thought a great deal about my own mortality. You know, you read an obituary, and it says, “John Doe passed away of natural causes at the age of 67.” I’m a little nervous about what natural cause may get me in the end.
4. After a relatively dry Spring, it is raining like crazy today. It’s all good. I’m sure the ground is happily drinking in all the water.
5. And lastly, I am trying to put a few things in order. I wonder if you ever reach a point where everything in life is well-organized and you can relax?

Have a great weekend, everyone, and enjoy Springtime!

Well, here we are, and it’s May 1st! I simply cannot believe how quickly this year is going! I think it is safe to say that winter is over and that snow won’t fall until November or December, although we did get clobbered once in October. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. So here is this week’s Friday Five!

1. I’ve been waiting for a portable air conditioner to arrive. It was due yesterday. Imagine my excitement when Kevin, my UPS man of 27 years, arrived. He shut down the truck, and after a few minutes, he said, “I cannot believe this!” He went to get the box with my air conditioner, and when he lifted it, he discovered the bottom was gone, and the air conditioner was in pieces! He doesn’t always load his truck, and since this item was loaded before he started his shift, he didn’t catch it until he was in my driveway. So it was rejected, and by 8 o’clock last night I’d ordered a new one.  Ugh!
2. I was looking for a document, and since I am a terrible filer, I was having no luck. I looked and looked, dragging out several boxes of papers. Since I had no luck, I stopped by our Town Offices, and they checked their records and discovered that the document I was looking for had been sent to the wrong address. It’s not a problem, except I now have stacks of papers to dispose of. That will be this afternoon.
3. I did find a few papers that were upsetting. I did what everyone should do in this instance: I threw them away. But it got me thinking, I need to pull out Jack’s computer, clean the outside, and then wipe the hard drive. After all this time, I know there is nothing on that computer I need to see.
4. I saw my grandchildren last weekend, and that was so much fun. I got to meet their new puppy, Kodi, who is a black German Shepherd. He’s a sweet and beautiful pup.

   The white dog is Winter, and they do have an older dog, Freya, who missed being in the pictures. Quinn is now 10, and Savannah will be 14 at the end of the month.

5. Today I’m going to pick up my new car. A Rav4 Hybrid. With gasoline over $4.00 a gallon, I just had to make the move! I’m excited!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

So this was a very busy week, and it has flown by. I know I say that a lot, but as each year passes, time seems to race by. The seasons change, the snow melts, and this reminds me I have survived another long, cold winter. So, without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. I’ve been puttering around the house again. What I discovered is that it is time to straighten out my closets again. They’re not bad, but I am not a neat closet keeper. That will be tomorrow.
2. I went in for my yearly Senior Physical. Everything is under control. Actually, many things are downright great for a 67-year-old woman.

   An old woman and her dog!

   I have a few challenges, but I refuse to let them keep me down. After all, most of my peers have also been having visits from arthritis. I refuse to take any narcotics for the pain. Give me a good N-Said and a heating pad.

3. When I was visiting my sons during the Easter Holiday, Jose made a fabulous Lasagna. Now, back when my Mom made lasagna, she used every dish and pot in the kitchen. Although it was good, it was also a little soupy. I watched Jose and studied what he did. It was quick and easy, and the kitchen was not a disaster after the preparation.
4. So I decided to do what he did. I was nervous, but I took my time, and in 15 minutes everything was assembled; an hour later, the lasagna was done and ready to eat! The recipe is below this post.

   All packaged for leftovers!

5. And lastly, after watching fuel prices soar and having a Toyota Highlander that I love but only gets 15-18 miles per gallon, I started looking at Hybrid cars. I went back to Toyota, where I got the Highlander. I test drove the Rav4 Hybrid. I loved it!Well, at this point, they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. My Highlander has 8800 miles. Yes, that is all. After a bath and a carpet shampoo, it will go out for sale on their lot, and “Blue” and I will start our time together.

So that is my week. I hope you all have been enjoying the Springtime wherever you are.  I really have been, even if it has been pretty cold.

It was a busy week for Heidi and me, and we were on the road quite a bit. Here’s the latest from New Hampshire.

1. Heidi had her every five-week spa treatments. You know, very typical for a lady dackel. Hair, nails, and a shampoo and fluff. She always looks so pretty and smells so nice. That is, until we get home and she goes out and rubs her clean body in the “earthy” grass!
2. While she was occupied getting beautiful, I went to my dentist and picked up my new night guard. Call me strange, but after all this time, I actually sleep better when it is in.
3. On Tuesday, I caught up on my laundry, and once the sheets were changed on the bed, I put out my new toss pillows.I had ordered these a while ago. A picture of each of the dackels that I have had in my life. Placing them on my bed each morning brings joy to my heart as I recall the loves of my past and now Heidi. It also forces me to make my bed, just so I can place my pillows!
4. Wednesday was my planning day. I want to go to Punta Gorda to check in on a few things and then have a mini-vacation. Plane tickets, rental car, and hotel reservations all made.  Now I just need to get to the day, and off I will go!
5. On Thursday, I got a Pixie-er Pixie cut and had my nails done. It sure lifts the spirit.

   And on Friday, it was blood work day. Have you noticed that if you get there right after they open, there are always a bunch of people rushing to the door? I was second in line, and a rather grouchy older woman tried to cut in front of me. I wasn’t sure what to do, thankfully the Phlebotomist rescued me.

And how was your week?

I am home again after my trip to New Jersey. I had the very best time. I am sure many people wouldn’t think of New Jersey as a vacation destination, but I am here to tell you that New Jersey in the Spring is simply beautiful. So, here is my Friday Five.

1. 1. I drove to Concord, New Hampshire, on Friday last week. I was able to find a parking spot despite it being the start of Spring vacation for many colleges. I have never seen the lot this full!
   2. The bus arrived on schedule at Logan Airport, and despite the problems with the  TSA, with my TSA Precheck, I sailed through in exactly 12 minutes! I had time to kill and had lunch before my departure.I took a Delta Connection flight and was pleasantly surprised to find no turbulence at all. We were slightly late getting to Newark, and so Air Traffic Control vectored us around, giving me splendid views of New York City. It was then that the fun began.
   3. My son picked me up at the airport, and we drove back to their place. That night Jon cooked dinner (fabulous pork chops!), and Jon, Jose, and I started in on “Wicked” part one.If you haven’t seen it, then set aside time for both parts one and two. It is a fantastic movie with beautiful music. I would not recommend it for young children. But it is certainly fine for teenagers.
   4. On Sunday, we went to the local Catholic Church for Easter Mass.I loved the liturgy, the music, and the feeling one gets during such a joyful celebration.
   5. The very best was after church. We had wonderful lasagna for dinner made by Jose, and then we piled into the car and drove to Broadway. They’d gotten tickets to see “Titanique”.
      https://www.broadway.com/buzz/206818/inside-titaniques-broadway-transfer-bigger-bolder-and-still-deliciously-camp/

It was a splendid musical, a spoof of the movie Titanic. The casting was terrific, and the play sped by. Before I knew it, we were standing, clapping, and the play was over. I encourage everyone, if you have a chance, to go see a play on Broadway, do it! It’s unlike any other experience!

Monday was recovery day, and on Tuesday, I packed up my bags and headed home. I was sad to leave my sons, but happy that we’d had such a wonderful visit.

Another week has gone by, and here we are, the last Friday of March. I think that 2026 will fly by. It seems the older I get, the faster time goes by. So without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. We’re at the point in the year where, although snow may fall, the sun’s angle and the gradual warming of the ground mean the snow will melt quickly.Such was the case the past week. We had snow one day, and now, a few days later, it’s pretty much gone.
2. My taxes are done, filed, and Uncle Sam has already cashed my check. Another year is in the books.
3. A week from today, I will be heading to my two sons’ home for Easter. I am really looking forward to this time. It is my hope that the government will stop ignoring the TSA, pay these people, and get our airports up and running again. I am happy that Delta has suspended its special program for the Senate and Congress, under which they receive special treatment on its planes. Let them stand in lines that are five hours long!
4. After writing a book of short family stories a few years ago, I am back to writing the second one. The books contain my memories and the pictures that go with them.
5. I have been including recipes as well and pictures of the finished product. These books will be a little bit of me to leave behind for my grandchildren.

Well, that’s it for this week. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful Springtime!