Dackel Princess

The Friday Five ~ October 28th

This week was rather unsettling for me. I was faced with some things that brought the dire circumstances our country is in, into my very little world. So here we go.

We got the bill for having a new pump installed into our well. $3400.00! Yes, you read that right. I almost fainted when I saw the bill. All they did was open the cap, pull out the pump, replace it and then close the cap and it was done. They tell me the biggest problem is the near-daily increases in pump prices. In my next life, I am coming back as a plumber!
I stopped out at the local grocery store to buy supplies and I happened to notice that several items had increased in price. Jack’s coffee cake is up $2.26 in price. It is now $6.25. A year ago it was $3.99. His cookies have increased by $3.00! The cookies went from $3.99 and it is now $6.99. And the bakery bread at the store has gone up a dollar. I was shocked that in less than two weeks prices have skyrocketed.
This means I will be driving 25 miles or so to another store that has better prices. It is a bit of a trek, but I simply cannot afford the prices at our local store.
I have not had any more run-ins with the bear. We know he is out there, but not coming close to the house. But I have to tell you, I take one dog out at a time, and I use my super flashlight and talk loudly to the dogs.
Heidi brings joy to every day of my life. She is so good-natured and a real cuddler. I am so lucky!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the last days of this warm Autumn!

Heidi age one year!

Happy 1st Birthday, Heidi

On September 27th, my darling boy Arnie went over Rainbow Bridge. I kept telling myself to wait, not adopt another Dackel for a while. But I started looking.

It was by sheer coincidence that I found Heidi’s Breeder. A great lady, who practices breeding the way I did so long ago with my Dackel Princess Puppies.

I was put on a list but there were 5 people ahead of me. I tried to brace myself in case there wasn’t a puppy for me.

Lucky for me, there was a puppy! Which one, nobody knew, but oddly enough I felt drawn to the smallest of the litter. A little female with a red collar.

And by November 11th I knew that this little girl, Heidi would be coming home with me in January!

It’s amazing how a little being like Heidi has fit into my life so easily. It’s like I have always known her.

A big thank you to her Breeder, Gail, from Boreas Dachshunds. She surprised me when I went to pick up Heidi. You see all registered dogs have a Professional name. To me, she is Heidi, but in the AKC she is Boreas Happy Ending.

And that she is! My Happy Ending!

The last nine months found me sleeping with my boots on last winter so I would be able to race outside with her during potty training. And this sweet little doll has slept with me every night, curled up on top of my stomach.

She brings me such joy!

Happy Birthday, Heidi!

Life Is Better With A Dackel

Over the years, my dackels have been my joy. I’ve had them since 1996 when I brought home my very first dackel, Shubi from Germany. Shubi was gentle and loving and she made me a lifelong convert to wire-haired dackels.

My darling Shubi, in her later years.

Shubi became quite ill when she was eight years old. She had a form of Encephalitis. So, we flew to Germany and brought Greta home. Greta was so much fun. She played well with Shubi and I truly believe that the two years that Shubi lived beyond what the Veterinarians told us, was due to having Greta as her baby.

Greta was a feisty girl, and we found her a nice German boy, and together they had two litters of pups. Greta’s parents were German Champions, and she sure was a beautiful girl.

Feisty Greta.

I never thought I could enjoy anything more with my dogs, but watching the puppies grow filled my world with wonder.

Greta lived a long life and passed at the age of fourteen and a half.

We kept two of her puppies. Arnie and Anneliese. Each one was so different from the others. Arnie was a real lover dog, you know he loved everyone and would have been comfortable in any home. I adored him, and when he left us at age fourteen and a half I was simply gutted. He was the very last to go of my Dackel Princess dogs.

Arnie. Also known as Mr. Arnie Man!

His sister, Anneliese was quiet. She cuddled with me, and she loved me well, but she was not the most lovable of dogs with others. Perhaps she was shy.

However, she and I traveled to Germany twice and there was a bond between us that I did not have with the others.

And now I have my Heidi. I had this feeling when I saw her pictures when she was born that she was special. She has been here with me since January of 2022 and my gosh, it’s as if God took the very best of each of my previous dackels and put it all into Heidi.

My darling Heidi.

I have family and friends who avoid getting pets because it is too difficult when they die.

What I say to that is this. All the moments of all the years that we shared were worth the sadness at the end.

If you truly love and are truly loved, then the ending will be painful. But the joy! Yes, the joy and the love make it all worth it!

Savannah, Quinn, and baby Heidi.

The Friday Five ~ October 14th

I’d hoped for a less busy week, but somehow it just didn’t happen. Here are the top five things on my mind as this week comes to an end.

I went for my dental appointment. No cavities, but I have to go back and get one tooth deep cleaned. Apparently, there is a small infection in the pocket around the tooth.
I went back on Thursday to pick up my new bite guard. I’m a bite-clencher in my sleep. I had an odd experience recently when I woke up and noticed my bite guard was missing. Looking down, there it was, in the mouth of Miss Heidi!
Heidi went for her first real stripping. The Groomer did a great job. We only worked on her for an hour because we want her to get used to having this done. She also has a lot of her baby fur and if we strip down too far she will be bald.
Meanwhile, Heidi was out with me a lot as I drove through the beautiful foliage.
This weekend I have small jobs to get done. You know, the kind of work where you just putter around getting little things done. One thing is for sure, I will be wearing headphones and listening to music.
So a couple of months back I was listening to a TV show and I heard a song from the past. I loved it. When I looked it up I realized it was done by The Guess Who. The talented guys from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I pulled up a playlist and I realized I knew almost all the songs. But the reason it didn’t register was that no one made a big deal about them down here. I read about the group and listened to their songs and I really enjoyed them. Below is one of my favorites from their live performances. They all look like they’re having fun.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

A Rant

Life certainly is crazy these days and most of it is upsetting. I try very hard to ignore it, but try as I might, I am sailing this ship alone, and I find myself feeling a bit overwhelmed. Anyway, in no particular order here are some of my thoughts.

Our first tank of home heating oil came today. Yes, it’s liquid gold! Our tank took $999.95 worth of it. Right now I hope to get to December before we need to refill it, but if we have a cold snap, I may need to fill it before then. When one is paying well over $5.00 a gallon, you dread having to fill it.
I have gone around the house and set the bedrooms at 65 degrees and the family room is set at 68. Last night I woke up freezing. So, I have also gotten out warm blankets and pajamas.
The Electric Company has also doubled our rate. One thing I truly dislike is that our current President does nothing to bring down the cost of oil, gas, and electricity.
This is when I think that the entire men and women in Washington, who miraculously have become Multi-Millionaires need to be sent home.
Do you realize that they get their pay for life? Do you realize they get the best healthcare for life, and it is free for them? And after a short time, they can become paid lobbyists in Washington, DC?
I also find that as these people get older and gain more power they feel more and more able to lie outright.
I am being inundated by political commercials. I live here in New Hampshire. The only time we see our Congressmen and Senators here in the State is when they want our votes.
And quite sadly, the commercials this year ONLY revolve around Abortion.
Now before you jump all over me, I believe that women have the right to abortion. But…in the first trimester and if the case necessitates, into the second. I do not believe that a baby who is viable should be sacrificed on a whim in the final trimester.
Unfortunately, people got all screwy, and viable babies were being killed.
Could I have had an abortion? No. But I believe people and their doctors should make that decision.
And to those who are single-issue voters I remind you, there was never a constitutional amendment giving women this right. It was never codified.
The States must decide. And eventually, the Congress and Senate will need to put forth a change to the Constitution. And then and only then, can it be codified and put into law Nationally.
All that being said, I believe in free contraception for all women. There are so many ways to protect yourself against pregnancy.
I also believe that if someone is assaulted then all care after that should be taken care of. The day after pill, antibiotics, and counseling.
I was the third child. My mother’s friend tried to convince her to abort me, but she refused. Mom was somewhat distant from me, but I am here.
I try to tell people to vote for people who think outside the box. People who really want to work for the betterment of our country and not just go to Washington to line their own pockets.
I hope that everyone will vote with an open mind. Please do not vote single issue, and allow officials into office who will bankrupt you because you need to heat your home, you need electricity, and let’s not forget food and medication.

Well, these are the things that are bothering me, and more. I just needed to get this off my chest. I know some of you will disagree with what I have written. However, I do still believe in free speech and I hope you will not flame me for disagreeing with you. I am for free speech, the freedom to express your thoughts and ideas, without being bullied or injured,

Friday Five ~ October 7th

This week flew by. I was here, there, and everywhere, And aside from today, I had appointments all week. So, let’s go, here is this week’s Friday Five!

On Monday, we met up with our Financial Advisor. We always enjoy these visits because Elena is such a kind and knowledgeable woman. Everything is set for the next year.
Tuesday was Jack’s Primary Care appointment. He did okay but he needs to return in three months. His doctor is a military doctor and is quite good, and a no-nonsense type of doctor. This was also the first time I have left Heidi with Lili for an extended period of time. I am happy to report that they did just fine!
Wednesday was grocery day. I went to two different stores and stocked up on different items.
Thursday was an appointment for me with my Pharmacologist. She is a delight and helps me make sure that my meds don’t conflict with each other.
Then it was onto my dentist. No cavities but I do have one tooth way in the back that needs to be scaled and deep cleaned below the gum line. Somehow I am thinking that this is going to hurt.

So this was my week. Busy. I plan a weekend filled with laundry, and I am actually going out to lunch with my dearest friend. I hope you all have a great weekend!

The Weekend Wrap ~ October 3rd

I was sitting here writing about the craziness of the last week. I had finished up and actually felt I’d written a decent accounting of what life had been like for me, and I added a signature at the end, and my entire entry vanished! I will try to remember what I wrote, but I am almost certain I will not be as eloquent. But here goes!

Hurricane Ian was a disaster for so many of my friends and family. However, I am pleased to share that my family and friends all made it through.

My 92-year-old cousin had the worst experience. She is on the third floor of her apartment and the roof simply peeled off. She was knocked down, but she survived. She is safe in a hotel in Kissimmee.

My other family and friends have all been accounted for and although there will be a lot of work to rebuild their homes and lives.

I picked apples in the yard and made a batch of pretty decent applesauce. Yum!

The coming week finds me driving hither and yon for appointments for Jack and for myself.

The air conditioners are out for the winter. It’s been so cold the last two mornings and I actually had to turn on the heat. I simply hate to do that because home heating oil is very expensive! $4.67 a gallon. We fill our tank, with 200 gallons every 5 weeks in the winter. I will simply be going broke this winter.

Well, the week and weekend were good. Everyone is safe and sound and I hope there will be a speedy resolution to everyone’s troubles. Although the news says that it will be decades before everything is rebuilt

The Friday Five ~ September 30th

I was sitting here when it dawned on me that tomorrow is Friday and I needed to sit down and write this week’s Friday Five. So, here goes.

The week started out with Jack not feeling well. We were due to drive to Manchester for his bloodwork, but since he felt so sick, I rearranged his appointment.
Then I became concerned about the hurricane heading for the West Coast of Florida. Right in the area where I lived for six years. I loved my home, my church, and my friends and family. But, I did not like the hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires that were yearly events. I also detest bugs, snakes, and alligators. After six years when I became best friends with my Exterminator, Jack and I moved back north.
I am still waiting to hear from my cousin, Barbara and my dearest friend. Both were in the “Cone of Disaster”.
Today we need to drive to Manchester for Jack’s bloodwork, and then back home. I am not looking forward to driving North on Rte 93 on a Friday afternoon.
I will end the list with news on my heart. The news is good. Although there are two problems with my heart, it is not anything that is life threatening. I need to make a few adjustments in my life and then things will be good and life will go on quite happily!

So this was my week. I hope yours was good and that your weekend will be a nice one. And to all my Florida Friends and Family, I love you and I am praying very hard for you and for the entire State.

The Friday Five ~ September 23rd

A lot went on this week, and I either contributed something to the day, took blissful naps, or watched Queen Elizabeth’s funeral. In any case, here is this week’s Friday Five.

I had a relapse of my pneumonia. Back to the Walk-In Clinic I went and I am back on antibiotics and cough pills. Today, (Thursday evening) I am feeling better. Hopefully this will do it and my health will be restored!
Last night shortly after 11:00, Lili went crazy. Something had flipped on our motion detector lights, and although we couldn’t see much, both Lili and Heidi could. I got out my good flashlight and pointed it up the hill. There, caught in the beam of my light, were the eyes of a grown Fox. We have apples dropping from the trees and I guess that the Fox had a nice feed.
I downloaded a program called Telegram about a month ago. Yesterday an email from a friend arrived and after that Bitcoin crap began popping up. I searched my mind, and did scans with my antivirus and malware programs, but nothing was working. The next morning as my computer started up, as soon as Telegram loaded, the Bitcoin pop-ups began. So, I did a search on how to get Telegram off my machine (it was not easy!). But since I did and then cleaned my machine, all is once again well.
I really admired all of the pomp and circumstance for the Queen’s Funeral. The pageantry, the music, the dress outfits for the Military, and of course the beautiful dresses of the Royal Family. I watched in wonder Prince William, and Princess Catherine’s children, George and Charlotte attended and were very good.
I’m not really sure how to put it really. Good doesn’t sum it up. They had parents who explained things well, and then a family to show them love and support. I think I was George’s age when my other grandmother died and I was very confused. No one explained. I was lucky to have my sister who held my hand.
Lastly, I will end this week with my thoughts about Harry and Meghan. At their ages, they should have used better judgment. Both proclaimed their deep and abiding love for Queen Elizabeth, yet they ignored her invitations to come to Balmoral (excellent security). I believe that the Queen knew her time was getting closer. Reports from Buckingham Palace (allegedly) confirmed the invitations as well as the refusal because they were too busy. What I would give for one more moment with my Grandma. A nice cup of tea and cookies and the long chats we once shared. Harry and Meghan should get over themselves. The two of them are not the most important people on the earth. There are times in your life when you need to put the feelings of others before your own. The Queen loved them and her heart ached. I know she never said anything in the press. She respected the privacy of the family. How would they feel if Archie and Lily grew up, and in their final years basically flipped them off? At least now, that dear lady, who gave her life for her Country, can not be hurt anymore and will rest in peace.

Just my thoughts on this Friday.

Memories of Fritz

This weekend I was trying to catch up on some sleep and on Sunday while I was listening to the BBC, I started to think about my dear old White Shepherd, Fritz. Ah, what a splendid dog he was.

Fritz

We were so lucky to have him for 12 and a half years, and all who met our boy fell instantly in love.

Fritz had a number of cute, yet strange things about him. Things that make me laugh, smile, and then bring tears to my eyes. He was that special, that wonderful.

Fritz always slept in my room. He would start to settle each night while I brushed my teeth and got into my nightie. But when I turned on my old Panasonic TV (not a modern flat screen) the TV would make a strange noise! Almost like a little static sound. When Fritz heard that he would jump up and run to the TV. After a moment or two, he would settle back down.

Fritz also had one song that he loved. Halfway through his life, there was a commercial for Honda called “It Must Be Love”.

Each time this commercial came on the TV, Fritz would run from wherever he was and stand in front of the TV tipping his head back and forth.

Fritz also would sit at the top of our front yard watching. When he was a little guy he went down on the ice to greet some Ice-Fishermen. I went to let him back in and not finding him quickly donned my winter clothes and boots. I climbed down the snowy sidehill, and with leash in hand went over to Fritz, snapped on the leash, and dragged him home.

All the way home I admonished him that he should never leave the yard like that!

Apparently, he understood because after that he never roamed away again.

Fritz also loved to ride shotgun whenever Jack or I would take him out. In fact, the day he passed away, Fritz could barely move. We managed to get him into the back of our station wagon, and we flew upstairs to get our coats. When we got back, Fritz had crawled into the front seat passenger seat!

Anyway, I just thought I would share this story about my boy Fritz. He was one of a kind.