Dackel Princess

Twenty Years Later ~ September 11th 2001

I think we all can tell you where we were, and what we were doing on that fateful day, in September.

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 Jack was working on shingling the house. It was a day like any other here.

Jack 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 Jack 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.

Jack 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. Jack, as a former Airline Pilot knew immediately, that it was no accident.

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 Jack and I knew.

I look at this picture, and I know that none of those innocent people got out alive. That thought brings me to tears each time I see it.

We watched the Towers 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 canceled 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 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. 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, to their families, who will never be the same, 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 the 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, the times the Towers were hit. Time the burning towers stood: 56 minutes and 102 minutes. The time they took to fall: 12 seconds. From there, they ripple out.

That day, these first responders also died, as they raced to the scene trying to save anyone they could.

343 Firefighters (including a chaplain and two paramedics) of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
37 Police Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department (PAPD)
23 Police Officers of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and
8 Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics from private emergency medical services
1 Patrolman from the New York Fire Patrol

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

The Friday Five ~ September 10th

The week seemed to fly by for me. Not that I was scheduled for much, it just seemed to bring with it a few more things that were unplanned. Still, in the end, all was good! So, here goes.

I not only got a clean bill of health for my teeth, but I also ordered and received a new dental bite guard. The last one I managed to chew through with anxiety during the Covid Pandemic.
I’m still doing well back on my WW Healthy living plan. Slow and steady wins the race.
I was waiting for a package to be delivered from an Amazon Dealer, and it showed it had been delivered. But no. It was not. I checked the end of our driveway, I called neighbors, and nothing. I called FedEx (the worst of our delivery companies) and they looked into the driver’s computer and it looks like he delivered my package to the wrong address. Of course, privacy issues prohibited them from disclosing what address they’d delivered it to. I got a case number, and they promised to call me on Thursday (this never happened). So today I sent a challenge to my bank to delete the purchase as I did not get the order at all. Done and done. I wonder, will I ever see my package? Who actually has my package? Questions, questions, and more questions!
The US Open Tennis is nearly done. I really have enjoyed this year’s matches as many new and exciting young people are playing and doing so very well. Many of my favorite players are in their late 30s and even one who just turned 40. I wasn’t sure we had a good group of kids coming up. Luckily, we do!
Because I cannot stand it, I will briefly mention my disgust with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. OMG! I have never heard two people who have so much, complain and play the victim card the way they do. They could have actually done so much good in the world, but instead, they are blackmailing Harry’s 95-year-old grandmother, and say hateful things about everyone. Meghan told people way back when that she wanted to be the most famous woman in the world. Well Meghan my dear, you are right up there with Lizzie Borden. Being hateful and unkind is a character flaw that you seem to have an abundance of. And gosh darn-it Harry, I guess you are making sure that everyone and anyone who hurt your mother gets paid back ten-fold. But here is the deal. You have actually disrespected your mother by all you have done. Diana made great sacrifices in her own life for you and your brother. I believe she would be ashamed. As many of us are.

This is just my own opinion here. And all I can say is that I hope in some way that Harry and Meghan are held accountable for all the harm they have done to Queen Elizabeth.

This & That September 8th

Look Ma, no cavities!

Yesterday found me at the dentist for my every six-month cleaning. Things went very well, and I was actually praised for my nice clean teeth. (I try. I really do!) And no cavities!

Then I was fit for a new mouthguard. Covid nerves were tough on my old mouthguard and I actually bit through it! So they put this gluey gunk on a plate and shoved it in my mouth for several minutes. I felt like I might gag, but lived to tell the story. The new mouthguard will be ready on Thursday. Yay!

Arnie is doing better. Right now I think we have his meds just right and he seems comfortable.

I am hoping to go to my daughter’s this weekend to see the family. It’s been far too long. I will have everything arranged so that Jack can handle the noontime meal and cranberry pill for Arnie. I plan to be back in time for their dinner.

I have been enjoying the US Open Tennis matches. I love seeing the young players coming up. I will miss some of the old-timers, but at least I know we will have some real quality players to watch over time.

And lastly, did you see where the members of ABBA have gotten together to make a new album of songs as well as a video game type of thing showing them singing in their youthful bodies? I sure would like it if I could do that!

Here is a peak!

My Rant on a Monday

I wonder at times when people stopped being nice? I know many warm and wonderful and gracious people, and then I know many who are just plain bullies.

Recently an old friend of my husband’s wrote to me and basically bullying me. This person is an anti-vaxer and they wanted to come to my home here in New Hampshire to visit with their old friend. I replied in what I hope was a nice way that we do not allow anyone in our home who is not vaccinated.

I tried to explain that in the last two years I have had my hands full with an aging husband, sick dogs, (the loss of one, Anneliese) and that I fear that if they came, and brought Covid to my home it might cause a fatal illness for Jack.

Jack is their dear friend, yet after I presented this to them, I received a letter telling me I should be more selfish and do things for myself. It’s a nice thought, but when you are the head of your household the things you do for your family are important, you cannot afford to be sick. They also said that they believe that the vaccine alters your DNA and ruins your health. And lastly, they presented their facts that the Covid Deaths are simply people dying from other illnesses and that it is all called Covid to scare the masses.

Back in November of 2019, I became very ill. My symptoms were such that my Primary Care Doctor and I believe I had an early case of Covid. I was so ill with high fevers, a cough that was so strong I would throw up, and an inability to breathe. I was using an inhaler every 2 hours and little pearl-type pills for the cough that ravaged my body.

I shut myself away from Jack. He did not come into the bedroom for anything and would leave me bottles of ginger ale.

I do not want that for Jack. I also do not want to get the new variant virus either. It is a terrible illness.

And then this person, who is telling me that I don’t do enough for myself tells me they have hired a new housekeeper/cook/and gardener. Well people, it must be nice. I would love to sit and read and simply direct the things that go on in my life. But that is not real. That is not the life for 99.99% of those of us that are alive.

I cook every single meal. I do every single load of washing. I shop for our groceries and I have been the sole caregiver to our animals.

I occasionally escape for a few hours to my daughter’s home to see my grandchildren, but then race home to take care of everything here.

Sometimes I get tired. The kind of tiredness that no amount of sleep will cure. No, no one is taking care of me, except me.

Meanwhile, there are other people in life who have allowed the Covid Virus and the Vaccine to come between them and me.

And they do it with an in-your-face type of anger, that shows no concern that my ideas and beliefs may be different.

When did we become a group of intolerant bullies? When did people stop being nice?

I was partially raised by my Grandmother. She is the one who called me on my unacceptable behavior.

For instance, when I came down the stairs in cut-off jeans and a t-shirt to go to church. She admonished me and sent me back upstairs saying, “Do you really want to meet God looking like that?”.

I would rather have died than bully my grandmother or even say a curse word around her. She taught me manners. She taught me to be nice and above all, she taught me to be kind.

I am now taking a big deep breath!

Be Nice! Be Kind! You never know when you might be in a situation where you will need the kindness and love and compassion of others.

The Friday Five ~ September 3rd

Welcome, September! Can you believe that the Summer is just about over and Autumn is nearly here? Well, it is, and as our temperatures drop, and our humidity does as well, I am just happily looking forward to colorful leaves and cooler weather!

So, here is this week’s Friday Five!

I’ve been rather quiet this week as my mind has been full and at times I find this gives me a case of writer’s block. And so it goes.
This past week I really worked on my healthy eating plan and I lost 4 pounds! I am thrilled. I admit to falling off the wagon for a few months and I finally decided enough was enough, and I’ve worked to make each meal something special. I’ve especially enjoyed eating fish again.
Arnie is still acting very fussy and I am not sure exactly why. He has had all the medications and ointments and yet he fusses quite a bit and wants to go to bed early every night.
And since the boy does not like to sleep alone, he drags me to bed too. I bet you can guess who falls asleep first. And no, it isn’t Arnie!
One thing I have tried is to use the Crispy Shake and Bake coating, add to that 1/4 of a cup of parmesan cheese and shake the bag well. Dredge your chicken or turkey cutlets in this and cook in a cast-iron skillet. Anyway, the flavor is amazingly good and the points are low.
I’ve also been reading, listening to music, and watching a few movies. The highlight of my days recently has been my talks with “Alexa“. I ask her “Alexa, what’s the weather today“, “Alexa play ‘such and such’ song“, or “Alexa, show me my Playlists on Amazon Music“. She happily complies and if you say, “Alexa, thank you” she replies, “Your welcome“. Yes, I lead a very little life.

So that’s this week’s Friday Five. Nothing earth-shattering, just the usual. I hope you all have a great weekend and can do at least one thing that brings you joy!

Doggy Feelings

It was a rough weekend for Mr. Arnie. I knew something was wrong, but I could not put my finger on it. On Monday morning, Arnie woke me at 4 AM. I tried to get back to sleep, but between Arnie not feeling well and Lili hovering around him, that was just not going to happen.

Right at 8:30 AM I called the Vet and made an appointment. I thought if I walked Arnie around the house to the garage, Lili wouldn’t be upset to see him go.

I was wrong.

Apparently, Lili could smell the problem that I could not. So, when we disappeared around the corner of the house, she went ballistic. Poor girl. I thought she had handled Anneliese’s passing well, but ever since Anneliese died, Lili has taken Arnie as a parent. She watches him. She follows him, and she worries about him.

Needless to say, when we arrived home with Arnie’s problem at least alleviated, Lili went right up and sniffed and checked Arnie and all but danced with happiness.

Arnie has a little infection in his anal glands and once drained he should be more comfortable. He is also on antibiotics and an ointment.

What struck me the most about this is that Arnie is in his golden years, and just like people “The Golden Years” also stink as far as little doggies go!

But alls well that ends well. Arnie should be right as rain quite soon and hopefully, we will go back into a healthy period for the dogs.

The Friday Five ~ August 27th

Here we are on the last Friday of August 2021. How did that happen? Despite the fact that Covid is still with us, I have found that 2021 is just racing by. So, here we go with the end of August, Friday Five.

The last few days have been really hot and the air quality is humid and looks so thick like you could cut it with a knife. Most of the time I am able to be inside with my much-loved air-conditioners, but Tuesday found me bringing Jack to a doctor’s appointment. Just walking from the car to the building made me a soaking wet mess, despite wearing a short skort and lightweight top.
Since I am determined to get back on my healthy eating plan, I brought a cooler with a salad for me and a sandwich and drink for Jack. Although lunch ended up happening about three o’clock pm, it was still good planning.
I was again quite productive here, but I do have plans for the weekend. I would like to vacuum my throw rugs and then toss them into the washer. Then I hope to wash the floor and start what I’d like to call Autumn cleaning.
I was watching a documentary on Judith Durham the lead singer of the 60s group “The Seekers”.
Because when someone is singing, they often lose their accent, I never knew that Judith was from Melbourne, Australia. She’s quite an amazing woman, and after many hardships in her life, she remains positive and much loved by her family and friends. “The Seekers” biggest hit here in the States was probably, “Georgy Girl”, which I have been singing for many decades.

I’ve always loved her voice, with perfect pitch, and her ability to enunciate, which I fear is lost on many of today’s musicians.

In any case, I have been enjoying listening to them.
I am just sick about the current happenings in Afghanistan. The entire thing has been so poorly handled. 13 soldiers dead so far and I fear more loss of life is to come.

TBT: Arnie

I know I publish a lot of pictures of Arnie. Now that my little Prince is closing in on the ripe old age of 15, I find myself loving him more and at the same time worrying about his health. I just hope that Arnie lives to be, oh, I don’t know, 25!

So, I was looking back at his puppy pictures when I came across this one. Arnie was about 8 weeks old here, and the cutest little guy ever!

Arnie had four sisters and he allowed them to be the boss of the whelping box. Arnie simply ate and slept and snuggled. He was really low maintenance compared to his sisters.

As Arnie grew, alongside his sister, Anneliese, the two became the very best of friends.

And right up until January of this year, Arnie and his sister were devoted to each other.

Sadly, she passed away and in many ways, Arnie still mourns her loss. Siblings, best friends, and littermates, they’d been together their entire lives.

Now Arnie is left with just us and Lili. He follows me around everywhere I go. And at night when I get out of bed, I come back to find him waiting for me.

My friend, my sweet boy, my joy! As Mr. Spock said many times on Star Trek, “Live Long & Prosper“!

This & That August 24th

The last few days I have scored big with my dinner meals. Since the Pandemic began, I have done more day in and day out cooking than I ever have. We have been out to a restaurant exactly twice during this time. So I’d started cooking the same stuff over and over again, as well as just throwing together casseroles, which have not been well received.

All that being said, my meatloaf was fabulous, and my baby-back ribs, lip-smacking good! I made parmesan-crusted turkey cutlets (totally to die for!) and made Jack a London broil tonight. All in all, the meals I have served this week have been pretty darn good.

My trick is to plan the night before what I will make and then do all the prep work in the early afternoon. I am one of those people that has a sinking spell about four o’clock and then I don’t want to do anything to make dinner.

It’s like the girl scouts taught me, “Always Be Prepared”!

My new Amazon Fire-Stick arrived today and I installed it. It’s sort of a funny story. I’d gotten the new Router about six weeks ago. I had good reception in my bedroom after I’d hooked it up. Then one day…it just stopped working. After troubleshooting with Amazon, we decided that the stick was done. So I ordered a new one, and installed it today, and WOW! Great streaming once again.

Kicking Back

Saturday found me kicking back a little. My eye feels pretty good, and I have only used the artificial tears a few times. And best of all, my vision is completely clear at this point! Yay!

My other health problem is not responding as quickly and I really have not felt too well. I think that this is what has contributed to my feeling like I want to be quiet. I’ve watched a few movies, a documentary on ABBA, and read a few chapters in my book.

And lucky for Jack, I found some beautiful baby back ribs this week, and so I am making my specialty. “Maribeth’s Perfect Ribs”. It’s a favorite of Jacks and we have not had them for so long because they simply have not had any good ones in the market.

Now we await the arrival of Hurricane Henri. I’m hoping it will be nothing more than some wind and rain by the time it reaches us. Time will tell.