The last Christmas I spent with my little love doggy, Shubi, was in 2005. She sure was one of a kind and full of love and cuddling. She has been gone for a long while now, but her memory lingers on. She was my first wire-haired dachshund, although her coat was a little soft, and not scruffy like Greta and Arnie and Anneliese. But what a wonderful companion she was!
I loved her with my whole heart and she loved me. I think of her often and sometimes I have dreamt she was with me once again.
The weekend sped by, and actually, due to the holiday being celebrated on Monday, it’s actually still going on.
Over the last few days, I have felt sick. Sore throat, low-grade fever, but I just thought if I rested, I would be fine.
Well, that sure wasn’t the case. Two of my friends are nurses and upon going over my symptoms they bugged me and told me to go to the walk-in clinic. I hemmed and hawed, but eventually got myself into the car and drove to get medical attention.
Wouldn’t you know? I have Strep Throat! I was given a prescription and off I went to fight the traffic, pick up my prescription and get home.
My throat is sore and swollen making swallowing tough. But I am hoping my body responds to the antibiotics and I feel better quickly.
Meanwhile, I have canceled my plans to go to Miami for my friend’s funeral. It just breaks my heart, but I simply am not well enough to do it. When I figured out the trip to Boston, times at the airport, flying down, then flying back and driving home from Boston, I would be awake nearly 24 hours. At sixty-two, with Strep Throat, I simply cannot do it.
It’s 9:15 PM on Sunday night. People are shooting off fireworks over the Lake. Lili can hear them, but the noise is muffled and she is not bouncing off of the walls, although she is pacing. The Town has its display tonight. They are about three miles from my home so the blasts will also be muffled.
I have decided to speak with my Veterinarian about this, so we can get tranquilizers for Lili. It breaks my heart to see her like this.
So, tomorrow (Monday) my plan is to literally hydrate, and take things easy. I hope by Tuesday I will be feeling much better.
Have a great week ahead!
Today is Independence Day for my country. Many will celebrate with cook-outs, parties, and fireworks. I always enjoyed the 4th growing up because we would sit at the beach in Falmouth, Massachusetts, and watch the fireworks between us and Martha’s Vineyard.
One year when I was a young mother I was showing the girls how to hold a sparkler so that they didn’t get burnt. Well, guess what? Yup, I ended up with a burnt hand and a visit to the Emergency Room.
So, I have always had a healthy respect for fireworks, and quite honestly, I leave it to the pros.
Flash forward to last night. In years past our neighbors have shot off a few fireworks and although it shook up Lili, it wasn’t too bad. But last night was horrible.
Our neighbors were shooting off high-quality explosive fireworks. You know, the ones that shoot far into the sky and then blossom out in various colors.
Explosion after explosion found Lili near panic as she raced around the house, trying to find a safe place. I sat with her, but each explosion found her jumping away. After about 45 minutes Jack got up to see where the fireworks were coming from and unfortunately, they were coming from a house one street over and one house up. And worst than it being so close and upsetting Lili, the sparks were coming down in our yard. Thank God for rain, as we had had moderate rain all day long and the grass was still wet.
Jack opened the siders to see how far into our yard the sparks were landing. That’s when the unthinkable happened!
A panic-stricken Lili slipped by Jack and ran out the door! I pushed Jack aside and began hollering for Lili. I yelled for two reasons. I desperately wanted her to come back inside for her own safety, and I wanted my neighbor to understand that things had reached a dangerous level.
So, there I was running up the driveway in my nightgown and slippers. I was calling for my girl, and just as I was going into my garage to get the car, I saw my beautiful girl running down the driveway toward me. I quickly got her in the garage and closed the door.
Jack was on the phone with the Police. In this one instance when Jack was saying to me that this had to stop, a voice from the other yard say “F-off”! Not what anyone should say to deescalate a bad situation. In fact, I react badly when someone says that to me.
The Police arrived and we explained that the sparks from the fireworks were coming into our yard, which made us quite nervous, (Think propane tank close to where the fireworks were landing!) as well as poor Lili.
The Police Officer said that he did not believe that our neighbor had a permit for these high explosive fireworks and that he would go over and talk to them.
I sat up with both Jack and Lili (and by this time Arnie was freaking out) until I felt sure that the fireworks were over for the night, then went off to bed.
I am sure I will be looked upon as being the bad neighbor, but honestly, this time I feel completely justified for my actions.
Please remember that not only do some dogs fear the noise and sounds of fireworks, but combat Veterans with PTSD find them horrific, as they bring the war right back to them.
In most cases, it is best to leave fireworks to the professionals. They have them in places away from people’s homes and animals.
Well folks, here we are the first Friday in July! How did that happen? When older people tell you that time is racing by them, they are not joking! This year especially is flying by me. So, without further adieu, here is what is happening in my Friday Five Plus 2!
Now here are my Plus-Two!
+1. So after getting the mail, I went to McDonald’s and ordered Jack’s meal and a chicken sandwich for myself. I had to wait. They felt bad and asked if there was anything they could get me? Yes, a Strawberry Shake. When they finally brought everything out, I asked how much for the shake and they said it was on the house! I went home and we sat down to watch Roger Federer play tennis at Wimbledon and what happened next was shocking! Arnie grabbed the top roll of the chicken sandwich and started to run off. I stopped him, grabbed the bun, and scolded him. He has never done this before. His mother the great and wonderful Greta, was always trying to steal food! Oh yes, and the Strawberry Shake felt good on my throat.
+2. Barry arrived and after replacing the ignitor, and cleaning the inside of the dryer (the place you never see because it is behind the dryer drum) he fit a new belt and got it all back together and the dryer works like a new machine. And it saved us a ton of money. I’d looked into another dryer last night and for what we have it would have been at least $1000.00 to get a new one, plus installation fees. This machine is all fixed, working perfectly and I sure hope I will get another twenty years with it? That would be nice!
So there you are. The week that was. Some good moments and some not so good, but in the end, it all worked out!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Well, it was like this. I found this stray cat and brought it home. Mom wasn’t thrilled, but since rescuing animals was my thing, my Mom let it stay.
Shortly thereafter the cat had kittens. And if memory serves me, the mother didn’t make it. So we cared for the kittens and they all made it.
We kept two of them, Ebony and Endora. Ebony had missed his mama and would suckle on anything he could. I surmise these were somewhat feral cats, as I don’t recall them being particularly friendly.
But here I am with the kittens standing in front of our car. I was not yet ten years old.
I have always loved all animals.
Usually, my days begin easily. I put out the bird feeders, walk the hounds, and make the coffee. Currently, I sit down and while sipping my coffee, I am watching “Wimbledon” tennis feeds on the satellite. I just love to watch tennis. It is such a beautiful sport!
Jack got up, I made him breakfast, and then dashed out to buy bird food, groceries and get the mail. I mean this is pretty usual stuff.
Upon arriving back home, I made lunch and then decided to cut up the chicken thighs to put in my fajita marinade, as we plan on having fajitas for dinner.
I opened my cabinet and went to bring out my large glass dish and cover, as this is perfect for the job. As I lifted the glass dish it suddenly snapped and I thought I saw a shard of glass fly upwards. Then I felt like my nose was running. I touched my nose with my hand, and when I looked at my hand, it was covered in blood!
I grabbed a paper towel and raced into the bathroom! Sure enough, I had a cut just under my nose, that wasn’t too big, but was rather deep. It took me over half an hour to get the bleeding stopped. And after a bit, I realized that my cut actually hurt!
It was such a freak thing. When was the last time that something flew upwards to your face and cut it? I swear I am the only person I know who does weird stuff like this!
It’s craziness I tell you…craziness!
Once I got the bleeding under control, I went back to cutting up the chicken and marinating it in another container. Fajitas will be served at 7 PM for dinner!
She was born Rosamond Ruth Prussman, to parents Frederick and Mary on June 28, 1929. She had a much-loved older brother, Robert, and a cousin George (who grew up like a brother). In fact, until the day they passed, they really adored each other.
Robert & Rosamond
Mom’s brother, Robert, and his wife Cynthia.
Aunt Betty, Larry, Janet, and Uncle George.
She met my Dad when she was 13 and she was dancing and my Dad played the piano. I asked Dad once what made him look twice at Mom and he said “It was a bright red sweater that she was wearing! She looked so beautiful in it! I was hooked!”
A collage of their life together.
They married early on, and Dad finished getting his teaching degree. They moved to Monument Beach, Massachusetts,
and lived in a little white cottage in the Burtonwood section, where my brother, Richard, and my sister Melodie were born.
Then they moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts, and shortly after, Mom had me.
Baby MB.
My parent’s stayed married for well over 60 years.
Mom was with him until the end of his life, and really until the end of hers too. She never remarried. I think in her mind and her heart she was always Jimmie’s girl!
Her last days were spent, not in fear of dying, no, Mom knew Jesus Christ and she knew she would see Dad again. She just worried about Mel and me and all of our cousins.
Me, Mel & Janet with Mom.
This was the last time we were together before Mom was diagnosed with Liver Cancer. It was a wedding. Mom was so happy to be with us all. I almost didn’t go because of my facial surgery, but I am so glad I did now. Seeing her so happy and sharing that day with her, left us all with wonderful memories.
The last time I saw her, at Hospice Care, Mel and I, sat there, with Janet and the four of us were talking quietly. I asked Mom how we would know if she was with us. She smiled and said, “You will see butterflies, and that will be me.” This really surprised me because she always had related to beautiful flowers in the past.
But you know what? We see beautiful butterflies all the time. And we smile!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Today has been a day full of thought. The skies remained gray and the air was warm. But after doing a quick grocery shopping, and coming home to make lunch, I found myself thinking back in time.
I remembered people I knew who I was very close to. People who helped teach me a lot about life. Life Lessons. Both are gone now, but the things we talked about, still remain in my mind.
Many years ago when I lost someone close to me, it was a terrible tragedy. They were too young to die! So much life left to live! Now, with many of my friends being over 65, 70, or 80, when I think of those losses, it is the pain of losing their friendship. But they have had full lives and mostly I think they were ready for leaving this earth.
I’m sixty-two. I look at my life and think, I will see my 70s and 80s, but hopefully I will do this in good health.
I also look back and see all the life I have lived. Places I have gone, things I have done, and the moments, special moments I have shared.
I remember my pregnancy with Amanda. It wasn’t an easy pregnancy, as I nearly lost her early on in the pregnancy. But it was meant to be, and before I knew it, I was a mother.
That was probably the happiest day of my life!
I was watching The Pioneer Woman’s daughter’s wedding this morning and I thought about my marriage to Jack.
I shopped and shopped for a nice, special, second wedding dress. Nothing in New England, so I went to Florida to visit my friend, Benn. I drove to The Miracle Mile in Fort Lauderdale and went to a Bridal Shop there.
I found a beautiful cream-colored, lace tea-length dress there. It fit perfectly and needed no alterations. So It was packed up and I headed to Benn’s house where I proceeded to show him.
Jack, Me & Benn
He was quite nice about it, as I am sure that most men don’t get excited at the sight of a wedding dress. But Benn was kind and very brotherly to me. After all, in a few weeks, Benn would be the Best Man at our wedding.
I remember being so excited! And on the day of the wedding, I wore that lovely dress and felt like the prettiest of women.
I remember being on an airplane with my first dackel, Shubi. I was the last to board and I raced to my seat and put Shubi, in her carrier under the seat in front of me. The man sitting next to me told me to put that bag in the overhead. I told him I couldn’t, as that was my dog. He then looked at me and said, “In my country, we eat dogs!”
Me & Shubi
Yes, the memories flow, and the laughter and the tears. All my loves, all those times shared. Gone in a second. I think this is what makes me wonder about the future, however long or short it may be.
I guess the best bet is to just enjoy each and every day and love those you are with.
This week flew by and it was a good week. A lot of things were accomplished and I actually had one day where I almost felt like life was close to normal. So, here we go with this week’s Friday Five.
So that is it for the week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
This is our Arnie, way back in February 2006, at the age of 7 weeks old. He was a sweet and handsome boy even then!
At that time he had been sold to a woman in upstate New York. But a series of crazy events lead to her canceling her plans the day she was due to pick him up. Throughout the weekend we talked about putting an ad in the newspaper, but by Sunday night we knew, Arnie was here to stay.
One of the best decisions we ever made. Arnie has been my devoted companion for the last 14 years, our lives filled with joy and laughter. I have never regretted the decision we made. Arnie is a joy!
Old boy Arnie. My love.