Dackel Princess

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. I’m celebrating a birthday this week so a question relating to aging feels appropriate. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, ‘You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.” Would you agree? If not why not?

Actually that’s a pretty wise statement when you think about it. Especially the last segment. As young as your hope, as old as your despair. You see, I believe hope keeps us feeling young.

2. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily in your birth-year, just the same date/same month.

1558 – Elizabeth I ascends English throne upon death of her half sister Mary “Bloody Mary”, Queen of England (1553-58), aged 42.

1928 – Boston Garden officially opens

1980 – John Lennon releases “Double Fantasy” album in UK.

3. Describe a time or circumstance where you wanted to ‘have your cake and eat it too.’

If I could have had the cancer removed from my face with no scars at all.

4. What’s something you do that makes you feel young? Something that makes you feel old?

Young? Going on vacation. When we cruise I do two things that bring me delight. The first is afternoon tea in the formal dining-room, where the waiters are dressed in crisp white shirts, black trousers and vests. Tea and goodies are served, just like when my grandma was alive. The other thing, is sitting on deck, or my balcony and reading.

Old? Every time I get up in the morning. I creak and groan and another day begins!

5. When did you last do something that was ‘a piece of cake’?

Last night. Hubby got home late and I whipped up a meal of tacos. He was so happy. And the fixing up part was a piece of cake.

6. Beef, wine, and cheese all improve with age. What’s something else you’d add to that list? (not necessarily food or beverage)

A good dog. I definitely appreciate a calmed down, older dog. Even though Lili is doing well on her special food and medication, I will so be glad when her puppiness is over.

7. If I were to have a giveaway when we hit Volume 200, what should I give away? By my calculations we’ll hit Volume 200 on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, which means whoever wins would have whatever it is in time for Christmas.

Something that says “Joyce”. Not the name, but something that whenever one looked at it, we would think of you.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I have had a piece of popcorn stuck in my front tooth since last Friday. At least I think that is what it is. I go today at 3 o’clock to see my dentist. I just want him to make it go away!

Autumn Is Here

Today was a busy day. Both Hubby and I had doctor’s appointments and shopping after. I needed to get Lili her special dog food and a few other things (like antibiotics for my sinus infection) and Hubby did the majority of the house hold shopping. He’s good at that.

The big news here is that Lili had her first normal poop! I know that is a pretty funny thing to celebrate, but it means that all the special food, special enzyme powders are working! Yay!

I went to see the 100 Foot Journey. Good movie. It was slow and steady and full of meaning. I actually think I will enjoy it more when it is on HBO and I can close caption it.

So all is well, and the dogs are great and it appears Autumn is here!

Another Lili Update

After weeks of not getting anywhere with Lili’s diet and malabsorption problem, she is finally starting to do well. She is no longer ravenously hungry (although she never turns down a meal) and her desire to chew all of the time.

She is actually becoming more pleasant to be around. She loves me. She follows me everywhere. All she needs is good nutrition, our love and lots of running time.

Oh yeah, now that she is feeling better, she wants to run and run. Fortunately, we have a large field behind the house, and Lili loves it.

It has been tough. I never had those sweet silly puppy days with her. I was so busy trying to keep her healthy, and that was so darn hard.

I am just so thankful that the diarrhea has gotten better and that she is utilizing her food. I know we have a long way to go until her food is balanced, but at least we are on the right road.

Oh yes, and as she feels better, her behavior has improved. I will be bringing her back to the dog trainer, for private lessons very soon.

Good Bye, Frank

A friend of mine died today. It wasn’t the usual girl friend, or contemporary friend. No, Frank was very special. He was like a Grandfather to me. He was 96. He was born of December 7th “Pearl Harbor Day” and died “September 11”. I wonder if he knew.

I first met Frank when we started to build our home 15 years ago. I learned quickly that Frank liked to watch everything going on, and he loved to listen. He was actually a man of few words.

Frank was part of the “Greatest Generation”. He fought in World War 2 and was in a German Prison for about a year. IT did not make him bitter. He was, who he was. A simple, proud man.

His much loved wife had passed long before we arrived here, so I never met her, but his eyes got all misty when he spoke of her.

I brought him cookies and cakes, and jellies and jams. Things I knew he didn’t have. He was always so happy and would shakily hug me.

He heard I was putting in a garden and he brought me seeds for purple beans. I have had them in my garden ever since. I always brought him some too, as he never seemed able to grow anything in his very shady yard.

The last time I saw him he was in a chair in his room at the nursing home. He had a blanket across his lap and his big screen TV next to him. It was on, while he slept.

I did wake him, just so he would know I was there, and then he drifted back off to sleep. It broke my heart.

I’m thankful for knowing this brave and unique man. God speed Frankie “Digger” Dunn. I will cherish your memory all the days of my life.

Frank B. “Digger” Dunn, 96, of Meredith, passed away at Forest View Manor in Meredith, NH on September 11, 2014.

Frank was born December 7, 1917 in Sanbomton, N.H. to Leon Dunn and Marie Maple Dunn. He has been a resident of Meredith since the age of 4.

Frank worked for Frank Prescott at Prescott Lumber for many years. After World War II, he had a small trucking company which hauled lumber for Diamond Match Company among others. He started the first backhoe business in Meredith in 1959. He did all the digging for the town at the time. He enjoyed his work and made many friends. Everyone knew “Digger”. He retired in the late 1980s.

Frank served in the Army in WWII From 1941-1945. He was a PFC in the 20th Combat Engineers and was in several invasions in the European theatre. He was captured by the Germans and was a Prisoner of War for about a year.

He married Patricia Pettengill on March 8, 1952 and she predeceased him on June 19, 1996. He was also predeceased by brothers Arthur and Lewis.

Frank is survived by his daughter, Patrice and her husband Harold; granddaughter, Jennifer and her husband, Matt, great granddaughter, Isabelle; great-grandson, Brayden, a niece and several nephews.

Looking Back

That Fateful Day
Milestones

I think we all can tell you where we were, and what we were doing on that fateful day, five years ago.

September 11, 2001

It was a beautiful day here in New Hampshire. Sunny, bright, clear with blue skies. I was taking a shower getting ready for a dental appointment, while Hubby was working on shingling the house. It was a day like any other here.
Hubby had the TV in our bedroom pointed out the window so he could listen to the morning news.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my arm and Hubby told me I had to get out of the shower now, something was happening. I was a little dazed and confused. I shut the water in the shower off and grabbed my towel.

Hubby and I sat in our family room watching Fox News, ABC, and CNN. A plane had hit one of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in downtown New York City.

While we watched, suddenly another plane came in and hit the other Tower!
We were both in shock. We listened to reports. No one was saying terrorism, not at first. But both Hubby and I knew.

We watched the Tower’s come down one and then the other. We knew people had died. We just didn’t know how many.

At 12:30 I drove to my dental appointment. There was not another car on the road. Not one. I got to my dental appointment and found that I was the only patient that hadn’t cancelled that day.
When I got home we watched the TV all day. I called my family and my close friends. Just to hear their voices.

It doesn’t matter your political affiliations, or how you feel about the war.
What matters is on September 11, 2001 innocent people died in New York City, In Washington, DC and in Shanksville, PA.

People like you and like me. Just because they were Americans.
That was the day I learned that we are no longer safe here at home.

I also learned that when our country is attacked in such a manner, we pull together and unify.

God Bless all who lost their lives that day, and all who serve this country each and every day to protect and defend us.

September 11, 2001: Basic Facts

Chronology
8:46 AM Plane crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
9:03 AM Plane crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
9:17 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shuts down all New York City area airports.
9:21 AM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halts all flights at U.S. airports. It is the first
time in history that air traffic has been halted nationwide.
9:38 AM Plane crashes into the Pentagon. Evacuation begins immediately.
9:45 AM The White House evacuates.
10:05 AM The south tower of the World Trade Center collapses.
10:10 AM A portion of the Pentagon collapses.
10:10 AM Plane crashes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
10:22 AM The State and Justice Departments, as well as the World Bank are evacuated.
10:28 AM The World Trade Center’s north tower collapses.
10:45 AM All federal office buildings in Washington, D.C. are evacuated.
1:44 PM Five warships and two aircraft carriers are ordered to leave the U.S. Naval Station
in Norfolk, Virginia to protect the East Coast.
4:10 PM Building 7 of the World Trade Center collapses.

The Flights
American Airlines Flight 11
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 92 people on board
Crashed into North Tower of World Trade Center at 8:46 AM

United Airlines Flight 175
From: Boston, Massachusetts (Logan Airport)
To: Los Angeles, California
Lives: 65 people on board
Crashed into South Tower of World Trade Center at 9:03 AM

American Airlines Flight 77
From: Washington, D.C. (Dulles Airport)
To: Los Angeles, CA
Lives: 64 people on board
Crashed into the Pentagon at 9:38 AM

United Airlines Flight 93
From: Newark, New Jersey
To: San Francisco, California
Lives: 44 people on board
Crashed into rural Pennsylvania (southeast of Pittsburgh)

Victims
Victims came from more than 90 countries around the world.
The following are the number of people who died at each site:

World Trade Center 2,823 (includes airline passengers)
Pentagon 125 (not including plane victims)
Flight 11 – 92 people on board
Flight 175 – 64 people on board
Flight 77 – 64 people on board
Flight 93 – 44 people on board

The initial numbers are indelible: 8:46 a.m. and 9:02 a.m. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. Time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC
August 15, 2002

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. On Thursday we pause to remember a dark day in history-9/11. Will you mark it in some special way?

I think I mark it each and every day, when I pray for the members of the military, those who have lost their lives to the militant Islamists, and all others. It seems since 9/11 my prayer time has gotten longer.

2. Do you ever/still…listen to an actual radio? Watch a videotape (VCR)? Look up a number in a phonebook? Refer to a paper map while traveling? Set an alarm on an alarm clock as opposed to your phone?

Radio? Yes. VCR? Yes, but I notice that they are not as good to watch as a DVD. Phone book? Still use them all the time. Paper map? Oh yes. One road trip we thought we’d just use the GPS. Well we got as far as Connecticut and stopped to get maps for the trip to DC. And yes, I do use an alarm, when I have to.

3. Is it ever a good idea to discuss religion or politics with people you don’t know?

No. I made this mistake once and a friend defriended me. I appologized for offending them, but to no avail.

4. What’s a dish you haven’t eaten all summer, but come September find yourself craving? Have you made it yet this month?

Beef stew. I love it, but not in the summer.

5. What’s something you know nothing about?

Science. But I am learning more each and every day, as Lili’s medical problems force me to.

6. September is Classical Music Month. Do you like classical music? If so, what’s your favorite piece?

Not a big fan, but I do love Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganin.

7. What’s the oldest thing you own?

Several items from my grandmother and grandfather. But probably my Noah’s Ark. Papa brought it from Germany and we were only allowed to play with it on Sundays.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I will do more of a post on our upcoming vacation later. I am just so happy we are going on this trip!

Vacation Time…Here I Come!

After several weeks of trying to find a house/doggy sitter so Hubby and I could go on vacation, I was becoming increasingly nervous. You see, we had a free cruise to use before the end of the year and unless I found that special “Angel”, we were stuck.

Both Hubby and I need the vacation. We’ve had sort of a tiring year. And I found one cruise at Thanksgiving that would be perfect. You see Mandy, Matt and Savannah always spend Thanksgiving with his family.

Then we found her! We’ve known her for a while, and known her family and she is happy to come and work for us! Oh, be still my heart!

So we will be heading to the Caribbean, Hubby and me, and we will have 10 days of rest, relaxation and sunshine.

Best of all, it is on the new “Royal Princess”!

I promise to get my picture taken with “Princess Kate’s” picture!

Happy

I was feeling pretty happy today, thus I got a lot done. The dreaded dusting, the washing of counters, cooking up Lili’s food, and making more spaghetti sauce from my garden full of tomatoes.

I watched a few movies, tried to get interested in sporting events, but that just didn’t happen. So I made Hubby a nice dinner and believe it or not we watched a Doris Day movie (with James Garner) and now Hubs is watching “Planet of the Apes”. It’s not one of my favorite movies, that’s for sure.

I am hoping to get Lili bathed tomorrow, after that it’s a go round with my rug cleaner. All I can smell is dog, and that is upsetting.

Now here is a funny story. I’ve been telling hubby to close the half bathroom door in the puppy room. Well, last night he forgot, or I forgot, anyway, the door stayed open. This morning when I got up I found shredded magazines all over the puppy room.

Looks like she had fun!

Working On Me

I got my hair done today, and I have gone back to wearing my smaller glasses. The larger ones hurt my nose. Anyway, since losing fome 18 pounds I thought I looked a bit better.

This is me with no make-up! Isn’t the nose looking good?

Last night I stayed up watching The US Open Tennis. I love Roger Federer, and I was hoping he would pull it out. I simply could not close my eyes. However there is a price that I pay. I have no energy the next day.

Thus, I did not get too much done today. I did start a search for someone to help me with the dogs, and I am not having much luck. Hopefully I will find someone soon to care for them so Hubby and I can escape on a nice vacation.

Anyone looking for a job?

Happiness

Okay, it was back to the Market Basket Grocery Store this week. There I was standing in front of the Mexican food section looking for Peach Salsa, (my new passion) when I heard the most wonderful, and the happiest giggles around. The giggles appeared to belong to a small female child, although I couldn’t see them in the next isle.
I finally found Neuman’s Own Peach Salsa, and then went back to retrieve Hubby from the meat counter before our grocery bill resembled the National Debt! As I turned the corner there they were. Three blonde haired, blue eyed pixies in two shopping carts being pulled through the grocery store by their good natured, no, great natured Dad! He asked them what they liked for a treat and they said, “Kwaft Macroni & Cheese!!” And he went over and got 6 boxes. “How come we need so much Daddy?” one of the girls asked. “Cause you’re really good girls!!!” he answered.
I asked if they were triplets. They were all about the same size, all looked nearly identical. But no a set of twins and a single. So I said, “Oh twins and a spare!” And he laughed. “Why’d she say I was a spare Daddy?” echoed the little girl. “Cause I’m lucky to have all three of you!”
It turns out that the happy laughing family was giving the Mom of the family a break. I saw them and heard them as Dad pulled them wildly through the rest of the store. And I thought how lucky these three girls were to have such a wonderful warm, fun Daddy who gave his wife a break, and the girls the best gift of all, a fun day at the grocery store with the man who gave them life.

Now that’s happiness!!!