Dackel Princess

Doe, A Deer!

I’ve always liked animals. In fact when I was born my parents had both a Siamese Cat and a Golden Retriever. So all of my life, I have been surrounded by animals.

I’ve loved Zoos, and wild Animal Parks and whenever a creature (aside from Skunks and Porcupines) crosses my path, I enjoy the experience. I recall watching an Otter play on a lake in our State and that was so sweet.

In the early mornings during the summer, I throw open the windows so I can listen to the mournful cries of the Loons on our Lake. Think Katherine Hepburn in on Golden Pond, and you can image me outside as the dawn breaks, calling to them.

So, imagine how wonderful it was almost a month ago when I met our doe in the field one night. She was heavily pregnant, but something else stuck with me. She was quiet, undisturbed by me and almost welcomed my presence.

I have not fed her, or even tried to make direct contact with her. No, I am happy just to watch her graze in the field. She will eat and eat and then pick her head up and look straight at me. She is a beauty!

The twin fawns came next and we reveled in their arrival. Watching them jump around their Mom like puppies brings joy to me.

Today when we were driving in from grocery shopping, Mama Doe was feeding the Twins and I was thrilled to see how healthy all three of them are. Apparently, our field is providing the nutrition that they all need. And, of course, Mama Doe is still nursing the babies.

This has been one of the most wonderful experiences I have had. A birds-eye view of nature and the circle of life right here in my yard. I will be posting “No Hunting” signs on our property this fall. These beautiful creatures are so tame that there would be no sport in this. Also, we are in a neighborhood where each house is only an acre apart. Not good for hunting anyway.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. I feel most energized when ….

I am with my grandchildren. Playing, reading to them, Even watching Savannah or Quinn’s favorite movies, Frozen, Cars or Jumanji! Just being with them is the best!

2. Where were you ten years ago?

Right here, but in the middle of puppies. In that I was breeding Greta, getting ready to breed Anneliese, going to dog shows and really into all things Dackel!

3. July 17th is World Emoji Day. Do you use emojis? Which one’s your favorite? Your most used?

Yes, I do. I love to emphasize my feelings with them. My most used Emoji’s are hearts and praying hands.

4. What song would you put on a wedding DO NOT PLAY list?

Love Will Tear Us Apart (by Joy Division), Another One Bites the Dust (by Queen), 50 Ways to Leave your Lover (by Paul Simon), Love Stinks (by J. Geils Band), D-I-V-O-R-C-E (by Tammy Wynette)

5. What deserves less of your attention? More of your attention?

The mindless crap in the world that seems to get non-stop coverage on the TV. The fact is, much of this stuff I have very little control over. It can only make me upset. So definitely less. More attention? Probably my husband. Lately I feel like I should be doing more.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I got great news on Monday. A few months back I found a lump under my arm. No one could tell me what it was and I’m afraid I let the worst thoughts go through my mind. I finally got a complete workup done and the results came in on Monday. It is a small fluid-filled cyst! Eventually, it will be reabsorbed and life will be as it was. But all is right in my world once again! Pass the champagne! (And he did!)

Key Lime Pie

I have searched high and low for a good classic Key Lime Pie recipe. Most were okay but nothing to write home about. So I started playing. I played and played with recipe’s until I got it right and here it is. For those of you who love this pie as much as I do and yet couldn’t find it outside of Florida, you will love it. Of course for those with cholesterol problems, this is not for you. I have made it with both the fat-free cream cheese and fat-free condensed milk, but the egg yolks will still kill ya. A special note here. Use only Key Lime Juice. It can be found in some grocery stores bottled, and some specialty groceries will actually carry Key Limes. Regular Lime juice will not cut it! Anyway, save it and make it for a special occasion. I promise you will love it.

Key Lime Pie

1-graham cracker pie crust
8-ounce bar of cream cheese

4 egg yolks
3/4 cup Key Lime juice
1 can sweetened condensed milk
pinch cream of tartar

Beat cream cheese until soft and smooth.
Add egg yolks. Beat this until it is completely smooth.
Slowly add Key Lime juice, blending well, then add the condensed milk and cream of tartar.
Blend until this mixture begins to thicken just a bit.
Then pour into pie crust.
Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until pie has completely set.
Cool on wire rack.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Garnish with whipped cream and a thin slice of lime.

Happy Birthday, Melodie!

Growing up I was very lucky to have a big sister who took care of me. She loved me, nurtured me, and made sure my needs were met. And she was just 5 and a half years older than me.

Yet, all my life, she has been there for me, as a sister, substitute mother, and best friend. How lucky I am!

So today, on her birthday, I want to make sure you all know what a wonderful sister I have and how much I wish her a very Happy Birthday!!!

Mel’s Birthday from Dackel Princess Maribeth on Vimeo.

Little House On The Lake

With the continued absence of hot water in our house and the fact that it has been hot and humid, I decided drastic measures needed to be taken. Friends have offered us their shower and I appreciate that, and eventually, I may take them up on their offer, but on Sunday morning I had a light bulb moment!

I set about boiling water to add to the cold water in my bathtub. I took 4 lobster pots full of water and set them to boil. I then integrated them with cold tap water, to give me enough water for a nice bath. I’d watched countless episodes of Little House on the Praire and watched Ma Ingalls boil water for baths. Surely I too could do this for Jack and me.

Once the tub was half filled I climbed in and I soaped up. I used a scrubby brush, I scrubbed and then rinsed myself. I enjoyed every wet moment of my bath! And it went pretty fast because I knew I needed to share the hot water with Jack.

I called Jack into the bathroom and helped him into the tub. For him, I made two pots of rinse water and then helped him out of the tub. This is no small feat for an eighty-year-old! But we managed to do this and now, as I sit here writing, we are both clean, happy and smelling fresh!

To explain a little about the hot water situation, you see it has almost nothing to do with our hot water tank. What it does have to do with is our Tekmar Control Center. This Controller runs the hot water to each faucet in the house, as well as running the under the floor, radiant water heating system. It’s not the furnace, but this Controller is nearly as pricey and as difficult to get and set up.

We did speak with a company on Saturday and they will arrive first thing on Monday to evaluate the situation. Meanwhile, we wait, and enjoy any hot water we can boil up and use!

Loss

I have very mixed feelings today. So much has been going on since I got home, and sometimes I’m not sure if I should be happy/sad/or somewhere in between. I guess somewhere in the middle is just about right. But it leaves me feeling out of sorts. Here’s what been happening here in New Hampshire.

In the last couple of weeks, I have lost two friends. One I had not seen in a while but remembered fondly, and the other one, lived just up the hill, and she passed away from breast cancer.

My friend was such a lovely lady. She made me laugh and smile and was so gracious. Being her friend was a pleasure. I will really miss her. Her service was beautiful, and once again I was crying.

I do believe in Heaven. A place beyond this, where we are reunited with our loved ones. But these partings on earth, I find really difficult to bear. It brings back many of my own heartbreaking losses and I find I start to feel down and sad all over again.

I try to snap out of it, to pick myself up, but that is also hard. I guess I need to do what has worked in the past. Step back, catch my breath and then tomorrow, when I wake up, I will put one foot in front of the other and go on.

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We still have no hot water. Which is a drag. I’ve been heating up water to use for washing, but I am missing showers like you would not believe. I can do dishes in my dishwasher because of the heating water cycle, but I cannot take a shower. I did try. But taking an ice cold shower is like being stabbed by a thousand icy knives! Eeeeek!

A Heating/Plumbing Specialist will be coming on Monday morning. It will be a big job and will be very expensive. VERY expensive. Why couldn’t it have just been a blasted hot water tank?

Oh well, after twenty years I would guess that some things just plain wear out.

Hot Water!

I returned home from the Beach Trip with Savannah, only to find we have no hot water. Now, I wish it were as simple as the need for a new hot water tank, but alas, that is not the case.

We have under the floor, radiant, hot water heating. This is run by a Master Controller, made by Tekmar. It’s a great system, or should I say, it was until the Master Unit died. And when it is dead, it is really dead!

The unit is almost 20 years old, so I cannot fault it for its demise, but…have you ever tried to live in a house with 4 dogs and a husband, and no hot water? It’s…ah…unpleasant!

Now our system isn’t the easiest to work with. Most people say, Tekmar? What’s that? So we were lucky enough to get three names of people who do work on our system. The thing is, by the time we got those names it was late in the afternoon on a Friday, and so…no hot water for us for probably a week.

I’ve been heating water for sponge baths, and for washing my hair, I heat several containers to just wash it and rise. Then, I use a leave-in conditioner. But people, I am telling you, I am ready to run away from home!

Meanwhile, our dishwasher has a water heating setting, so at the very least, our dishes are clean and sanitary.

I’m only just slightly stressed but will feel so much better when we can actually reach a person to fix our system. Being in limbo is no fun at all!

The Friday Five

Sometimes life happens, and you just sort of have to go with it. Here is my Friday Five explaining what happened to Savannah and me on Thursday morning.

We woke up in our hotel room and when I went to Facebook to check on things, we saw a short video of Quinn jumping into his Daddy’s arms off the diving board. Savannah watched several times and was laughing and cooing about Quinn. Then she came over to me and said, “Oma, I’m homesick. Is it okay if we go home?” I looked at her little face and smiled. “Of course we can!” I said, and we called Mandy to make the arrangements. Then I went into packing mode.
I packed all her laundry in a plastic garbage bag, and the rest of the stuff in her bag. All her treasures went into another tote with her Stuffed Bear, Pink, and her new stuffed animal, a baby seal. Then I packed my stuff, the food, cleared the room, arranged the car, and 2 hours and 15 minutes later, we arrived at Savannah’s home!
This was actually a good thing for me. Jack had called to tell me we had no water, ad the repair man says we need a new control box, which controls our heat and hot water for the entire house. I think he needed me to be here to supply moral support for him.
A very dear friend of ours also lost her battle with Breast Cancer. She was close to my age, a wonderfully, warm, woman, and I feel pretty sad about her loss. The Wake is tonight and her Funeral is tomorrow. I wish her family my very deepest condolences.
After a very long drive, I arrived home, to my four thrilled dogs and a very happy husband!

So, although the trip did not end exactly as planned, it was good and perfect just the same. I think both Savannah and I are looking forward to our next trip!

Oma & Savannah’s Adventure – Day 2

The second day of our grand adventure started with a breakfast here at the hotel. Savannah had scrambled eggs, pancakes and apple juice and I had some eggs and a raisin bagel. Oh yes, and lots of coffee. This proved to be a good thing, as this is probably the most active I have been in a few years!

We decided to do the tourist thing and shop around the town. I wanted Sweatshirts for Savannah and Quinn that said Falmouth, and I wanted one for myself. I wanted them in Falmouth High School’s colors of maroon and white. I found them for Savi and myself, but I was having trouble finding one for Quinn. In the very last store, we went to, I found one and I was thrilled!

We met the Chef at my favorite restaurant while we were walking uptown, and he promised to cook especially for Savi when we came on Wednesday night!

We also wet to Walmart, where they were having the end of summer sales, and we got several things for Savi, such as 2 dresses, underwear, socks, and a few toys and sneakers.

Then just before lunch, we went to the beach When we arrived at the parking lot the young man announced that parking was $15.00 a day. OK, I said, “Do you take Visa, American Express or Diner’s Club?” I must be getting old because he did not get the joke!

We set up our chairs, our umbrella, got out our swim shoes, and then enjoyed the day. Mel and Ron arrived and helped me with my umbrella and we swam with them too. Seagulls tried to get food from Savannah.

We swam and swam, Savannah more than I, and Savannah made a ton of new friends We stayed most of the day until it was time to go back to the room, shower and get ready for dinner.

Dinner was magnificent! I had a stuffed quahog and scallops with a mushroom souffle! I also got an India Pale Ale on tap from Salem, MA. It was very good! And as promised Chef Ricky made Savannah her Parmesan Noodles!

After dinner, we went to the Carousel, where Savi had a great time riding the horse and then we went to the playground where Savi met a new friend. It was almost instantaneous, but she and this young man became instant friends. It was wonderful! His name was Aran, and he was just the nicest young man.

They played until darkness began to fall, and then we walked back to our room. Right now we are winding down before bed. Tomorrow we go to the beach after breakfast, bringing along clothes the change into at the beach house, and at about 1 PM we will head home. Too soon. But maybe we will stay longer next year!

Oma & Savannah’s Adventure-Day One

I picked up Savannah pretty early on Tuesday. Mandy and Matt both advised me to wait an hour before heading to the Cape to avoid the traffic. So we left at 9 o’clock and moved right on down the road.

The Adventure Begins!

As we drove along Savannah sang her songs, and played with her iPad, and I could hear her sweet voice. It was that very moment that I decided that Savannah is the perfect riding companion. Part of me fell in love with her all over again.

Her sweetness, her funny jokes, and her laughter were wonderful. I listened, I marveled, that I was lucky enough to be Savannah’s Oma. And that she is my granddaughter.

We arrived in Falmouth about 11:15 and since I was passing the Town Hall and knew I would need a notarized Birth Certificate, as well as Marriage Certificate, I swung in and got copies of both. An old friend, from long ago days is the Town Clerk and it was so fun to see Suzanne after all these years.

We checked into our hotel room and unpacked. And then, met up with my sister Melodie and her husband Ron for lunch. It was fun and we enjoyed seeing them.

Mel mentioned that some old friends of ours were meeting at their rental house at 3 o’clock. Bob was my Guidance Counselor in High School. I have not seen him in years and it certainly was fabulous to see him and his wife.

We stayed for not quite an hour, and then we left, stopping briefly at a few places before returning to the hotel to change into our swimsuits. We decided to sit for a bit and unwind from our busy day.

Then we were there. At the beach of my youth, Surf Drive Beach. Looking out over the water, I could see a lifetime of moments spent there. And then, there was Savannah.

Running in and out of the small waves. Laughing in the surf, talking to the late afternoon seagulls, and building a sand castle with me. Those were quickly knocked down, as the tide was coming in. New moments being made in my life, with my dearest granddaughter.

Our day ended with a Happy Meal for Savannah of Chicken Nuggets, and a “Happy Meal” for me of Fried Whole belly Clams! We picked everything up and came back to our room where we ate, and talked to Mandy on the phone. The first day is going down in the books as an amazing success!

Footnote: While we enjoyed a hot sunny day here on Cape Cod, most all of Massachusetts and New Hampshire had flooding rains and high winds! I had asked the Weather Gods to bless me with good weather for my trip with Savannah and it seemed that they worked their magic!