Dackel Princess

Thinking of Katie

11/8/78 – 6/19/85

I had a lovely daughter, named Kathleen “Katie” Alynne. She was my youngest daughter and quite amazing. She was six and a half when an impaired (stoned) driver, hit my car and killed her. She actually lived until June 19th, but she never regained consciousness after they pulled her from the car. So in my mind and my heart, the 13th is the day that she left us.

You never get over losing a child. But you learn to go on, and to make a new life for yourself. But on days like today, I like to remind everyone that once long ago, lived a beautiful little girl named Katie!

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This is so beautiful. I was crying by the second line, Written by Henry Scott Holland (27 January 1847 – 17 March 1918) was Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford.

I miss you each day, Katie.

Coming Home

The best thing about going away on vacation is coming back home afterward. I’d been planning my trip to the beach for several months, and the day finally arrived and I managed my trip away with very little problems, save for a twisted ankle on the escalator in Atlanta.

My trip was so pleasant and restful and I cannot begin to tell you how much all that downtime did for me.

Eating fresh fish, cauliflower pizzas and watching action movies made the days pass so quickly, until I found myself on a plane, headed home, this morning.

It was a lovely day to fly, and I’d reserved window seats for both flights. I even got in half an hour early, which enabled me to catch the early bus back to New Hampshire!

There is something about flying to Boston Logan Airport. It’s my home airport. I know my way around and feel comfortable there.

And there was another special thing too. The Bus Driver is a great man, who I have ridden with previously.

Then I arrived at home, with my pups. All happy to see me! And of course, I was more than thrilled to see them!

Pelicans

My time at the beach is proving to be amazingly refreshing. I do almost nothing that I don’t want to do and I sit quietly talking with my friend or watching a movie. I sleep soundly and barely wake until the morning has dawned. It’s been a while since I have done that.

It is hot here and very humid, so once again I have curls. I guess I cannot escape them.

We went to lunch yesterday to a cute Seafood Joint and we chummed around with some Pelicans and Cranes and Ibis.
They are quite the tourist draw and are used to people and very friendly. And, I swear they have all taken classes in posing for just the right tourist shot!

I am here for just a few more days before heading back home.

The Friday Five

It’s the first weekend in June and I am away and at the beach. But here are some things I have been thinking about as the week comes to a close.

I needed to get Anneliese’s eye drops. My Veterinary Ophalmologist called in a prescription and I went to get it at the Pharmacy. The Technician announced that it was $140.00! Oh, my, sweet Mother of God! The Tech looked at me, with eyes that asked if I really wanted to spend that kind of money on a dog?
I recalled we have a prescription card for that Pharmacy. I asked if this would be covered? She disappeared and came back a moment later with a smile on her face. “I love you,” I said. She laughed “You are really going to love me when you find out how much you saved”.
The total for this very expensive eye drop was $40.00! We both laughed. And she smiled and told me that this had brightened her day. Needless to say, it brightened mine!
I got to the car, and with tears in my eyes, and I told Jack what had occurred. Anneliese is blind, pretty much in her left eye. But these drops help her right eye from becoming totally blind and keeps the pressure down.
So as I look back to my humble hometown Pharmacy, I am grateful for their prescription plan and that it covered my little doggy’s eye drops!

Have a great weekend everyone!

TBT: The Beach & Me

I guess you could say I am a beach baby. Since I was 6 months old I have spent part of every Spring, Summer, and Fall at the beach. Listening to the waves lap against the shore, and feeling the sun soak into my bones. I just knew from a very early age that the beach, the ocean was my home.

I was a bit of a fish, really. My mother was concerned that I would swim away over my head and had a rope on me until she was certain of my abilities. Those came from swimming lessons at Surf Drive Beach, come rain or shine, thick fog or freezing cold water temperatures. I did not care. The ocean was in my blood!

Yes, that is me. I am thinking I am perhaps 6 years old. At my beach, Surf Drive Beach. The one place that fills my soul.

Over the years, I have been many places where I felt that same kismet! One such place was Barbados, where the ocean also called my name. This is actually a full-scale picture I am cropping, but I told Jack when I die I want this picture published with my obituary! Even if I am 90!

I was 29 years old in this picture, and for once in my life skinny! And I remember how much I loved that bikini.

I’m at the beach now. Somewhere. It’s warm and I am happy. Solitary happiness on the beach. My idea of a grand vacation.

Feeding the Birds

I was gazing out my bedroom window when suddenly a little bird flew into the lilac bush. I stopped and watched as this little bird, not bright or colorful, but certainly intent on doing something in my lilac bush, worked at something. I looked and looked and there it was. A rather well-built nest.

I was really struck with the bird’s cleverness and the beauty of the nest. I believe the nest is the new home of a Catbird. We’ve had them before and they really are quite amazing nest builders.

I’m not sure why, but this year I am really enjoying the birds! Perhaps it was the injured Woodpecker I saved. Whatever, I have now gotten new suet feeders and once I return I will set them up. Of course, since we also have bears, so I will need to bring the feeders in each night.

What is it about being in your sixties? I mean, I have found that I stop and smell the roses more. See birds, notice all the little things in life that make this an awesome place to be.

I felt this as a child and then lost that awe for a long time. I am so glad to have found it again. Especially at a time in my life when I can appreciate it all the more!

Tennis

Has anyone else been watching the French Open Tennis Tournament?

I have, as I love to watch these magnificent players and their on-court mastery of the game.

What I have not appreciated is NBC-Sports! Now here is the deal. I do subscribe to NBC-Sports on my Satellite package, but for some reason, my Amazon Prime did not give me the option of watching without subscribing through them.

So, in the middle of a tense match between Nishikori and Paire, yesterday, they suddenly cut off the feed after a trial period.

I will need to go back in and try to figure it out, but yesterday I was just steaming mad! Fortunately, night fell on Paris and the game was called and I got up this morning and I am watching it on The Tennis Channel Premier, which I do subscribe to through Amazon.

You see I love tennis. I tried in my youth to learn how to play, but I was depressingly bad, so I gave up. Now, I don’t think it would be good because of all the Titanium in my body holding it together.

But oh, I can watch, and enjoy, and cheer for my favorite players! I look forward to the major tournaments every year!

What a Dog Knows

I brought out my suitcase and tote bag and started packing. I looked over at the bed and there, sitting with the saddest eyes I have ever seen was Mr. Arnie. Each time an item went in, I could almost hear him sigh with unhappiness. He knows what a suitcase is, and what happens after they are all packed. Mommy disappears!

After a bit, I brought him out, and I decided to trim and clean the hair on his paws. He is so good and just lay in my lap while I trimmed him up.

I decided to do Anneliese too, as she was a bit of a mess. She was nervous, so I didn’t do her as nicely as Arnie came out, but close enough. At least she is cleaned up and matt-free.

I made up a wonderful meatloaf for Jack. Not only was it a good meal for tonight, but it will give him another meal and meatloaf sandwiches.

About the only thing left to do is a little laundry, a little vacuuming, and the printing of my boarding pass.

Busy-ness

Last week flew by for me. I was so incredibly busy trying to get organized. I am really not an organized person, try as I might. I somehow know how I would like things to be but have trouble following through.

In any case, last week each day with Jack’s help, I was able to get a lot done. Some of it was paperwork, some of it was laundry and some was packing for my mysterious solo vacation.

But I think the most labor intensive job was getting out the dogs crunchies and measuring out their food for the days I will be gone. To Anneliese’s bags, I add her pills and sealed them up. Then all Jack has to do is toss each bag into the appropriate dish and add the wet food.

My suitcase is nearly packed now, and yesterday I pulled out my travel documents.

I also have a new hair cut. I have not gotten a good picture yet. The new style is stacked in the back, and a little longer in the front. I can wear it like this, or tucked behind my ears.

I’m enjoying the shorter hair. And the straighter hair. After over a decade of curly curls, I needed a change. Of course, this means I am learning to master a flat iron! It’s a challenge, but I’ll get there.

During my vacation, I will try to post, but this trip is really quiet downtime, so I may not do much. I will try to at least ready everyone, but I may not comment.

Have a great week everyone!

Happy 7th Birthday Savannah

Today is my granddaughter, Savannah’s 7th Birthday! Last year her Mommy and Daddy took her and Quinn to Disney World, and I made a video of their trip photos.

This year all she wanted was to spend some time with her Mommy. Well, my daughter planned a nice trip just for the two of them!

Mandy did not tell Savannah about their trip until she had to. Here is Savannah when she learned they were off on a Grand Adventure!

Their flight took them straight to Orlando and they taxi’s over to Disney and their adventure began at the Bipity Bopity Boo Boutique!

Here is Princess Savannah after her magical make-over.

And here she is meeting The Beast from Beauty and the Beast!

Below is the montage from last year. She has grown and changed and has so many new teeth!

I want my darling to know, that she is amazing and that I love her with all of my heart! Happy Birthday, Savannah!