Category: Life

Good afternoon one and all. My Web Maven, Megan has now update the WordPress basics for me. As I said, it has been 6 years. I opened the writing part up and “WOW” everything looks so different. I stumbled around, and found my way into the writing part of the program. Actually, this is pretty good. Give me a week, and I think I will have it all memorized.

Now I want to take a week or so and work on a new face for Dackel Princess. Something pretty, that incorporates all my pups.

I think this new program might really be interesting to use! Thanks again, Megan, and I will be in touch after our trip with ideas for the new Dackel Princess look!

For all you airline passengers that have had problems with a claim…

A Canadian musician from Halifax named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for YouTube exposing their lack of cooperation.

The Manager responded: “Good luck with that one, pal.”

So Dave created and posted a retaliatory video on YouTube. The video has since received over 6 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: “Good luck with that one, pal.”

Taylor Guitars sent the Dave two new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has led to a sharp increase in orders.

Thursday found me pulling everything out of the linen closet and going through everything, piece by piece. Some things needed to be refolded, and stacked, while other things needed to go into the pile of things for St. Vincent DePaul.

It was so hot here today. I think I our highest temperature was 94 degrees, with really high humidity. Anyway, that end of the house is now air conditioned and I was just melting!

Why was I cleaning the closet after all this time? Well, with the house sitter coming, it suddenly dawned on me that if she needed an extra towel, she would need to open the door and then she would see the ultimate of disasters in my linen closet.

One thing I found was a bag full of puppy toys, from my breeding days. I pulled it out and handed each dog a toy. Well, Lili thinks she has died and gone to Heaven! Currently, she has all the puppy toys on her bed and is walking around with a different one in her mouth over and over.

The dackels are not amused by her puppy dog antics and they are trying their best to ignore her. But oh my gosh, she is just too cute! Meanwhile, Anneliese just jumped down and stole a toy. I guess she had her fill of Lili acting like she owned them all!

So, the closet is clean, the dogs are happy and I managed to get through the day without, quite literally, melting!

I also gave each dackel a bath, and they currently all need a good stripping of their coats. It’s amazing how much fur come off them after a good soapy bath.

Another day spent making jam, and spaghetti sauce. It kept me busy, but once again, in a very good way!

I also left here about 11:00 in the morning to go to the Post Office. Usually it’s a five minute round trip. Today, they were having a Street Fair and Main Street was closed to through Traffic.

So I drove the back roads to park near the Post Office, but not on Main Street. I thought I was good to go, except the Police had closed that street off to parking! And there was a police cruiser with a policeman in it, so leaving my car for even a second, was not an option.

I drove all around, and finally, after finding the entire town parked up, I found an empty space. Well, not empty, exactly, but the car was just about to pull out and I waited.

Still it was a good 1/2 mile to the Post Office, and all of it was up hill! I didn’t care because Saturday was a really beautiful day! Sunny, warm (not hot), and dry.

The walk was pleasant and on my way back to the car, I walked through the fair and checked it out. Tomorrow, my cousins are coming so we can go to the fair.

Oh yes, this great journey to get the mail produced one add from Princess Cruises. Worst of all, it was for cruises I am not really interested in.

Oh well, at least I got out on a lovely day!

I was watching TV this morning, when there was a news alert: Two reporters in Roanoke, Virginia, had been shot and killed while doing a live interview on the early morning news. A reporter, Alison Parker, 24, and a cameraman, Adam Ward, 27, were the victims.

They were not sure who could have done such a heinous thing, at first, but then a somewhat blurry picture was released of the gunman.

I said to Hubby, that the picture was good enough, that people would be able to make his face out, and know who he was.

In less than an hour, they knew who it was. A former, disgruntled employee, that had been fired nearly two years ago. From all accounts, he was difficult to get along with and was a disruptive presence at the TV station, which led to his dismissal.

And then, for two years he waited. He waited and he planned and obtained a gun and illegal bullets, and planned again. The biggest question now is, how did he know they were doing the live interview at this shopping area at 6:45 AM on Wednesday?

I guess it doesn’t really matter now. We cannot bring back those two wonderful, young, lives. And the shooter is dead, having taken his own life, once he felt that he had finally been the center of attention on the TV and the Internet.

Yes, this very sick man, filmed himself shooting these innocent people and then posted it to Facebook. They got it down pretty quickly, but the segment is out there.

I told Hubby that what bothers me, is that this man was criminally insane, and should have been in a mental health facility long ago. However, the USA, in all their progressiveness, no longer does anything for the truly mentally ill.

Men and women like this man, are out these and will commit terrible crimes against humanity just because our country is failing to protect our communities from criminally insane people.

What Hubby wants to know is, how this TV station could have hired such a troubled man, who had been released from 6 other stations before being let go by this one.

My heart aches for the family and friends of Alison and Adam. Their lives should not have ended doing a live interview at 6:45 in the morning.

Monday afternoon my eye seemed to be somewhat better. The swelling is down and it isn’t weeping so much. I picked up some gel artificial tears, and that is helping to make the eye feel comfortable. What a strange thing this has been. I’ve never had anything like this. It’s a mystery!

Hubby and I worked in the garden in the morning, and then went out for lunch, and to shop for adult doggy food for Lili.

I have noticed that Lili does not do well with many grains. So I wanted a crunchy food that was all natural, with no gluten in it. Biggest requirement is that it is made in the USA with only products made in the USA.

Lili likes the Bison puppy food she is on, so we looked for a Bison based adult food. Luckily, we found a food that is looking promising, and she started on a small portion added to her regular food.

She loved it, and gobbled down the new chow! And since Arnie shares her chow, we are also changing him over.

Lili continues to do well with her outdoor ball playing. Every day Hubby brings her out and plays fetch with her, and then we bring her in for a meal.

Fun times at the Dackel Princess Home!!!

The weekend seemed to fly by for us. Saturday, couldn’t have been more beautiful. Pleasantly mild temperatures and bright sunshine. The kind of day that you think would be perfect if every summer day was like that!

But then on Sunday we made up for it with over an inch of rain, and dark skies. That’s okay, it saved me from having to water the garden.

Of course this type of rainy, gloomy weather, makes one feel tired and like all you want to do is curl up and take a nap.

However, that was not to be. The murderer who escaped three weeks ago was finally caught. His partner was caught and killed on Friday, and he was wounded, but take alive today.

I’m feeling relieved. I hate to think of anyone getting hurt. These two convicts had proven that they did not care one bit about anyone. So the fact that they were apprehended with no innocent blood spilt is a very good thing.

I went up to bring my neighbor her mail and newspapers, after she returned from a short trip. As we sat gabbing we turned and in the field in back of her house, we say the most beautiful Doe and her twin fawns.

(Photo courtesy of my friend, Tina!)

They were so small, it was obvious they were very young. It was so beautiful that it took my breath away.

It was also a great way to end my weekend. Being reminded of the beauty of nature, and how lucky I am to live in such a wonderful rural area.

Have a great week everyone!

I was thinking today about life. How each and every one of us has a very individual life, despite what we may share with family and friends.

I’ve had some moments, some times in my life, that I went through alone, with no one beside me. Be it a shopping trip, or a plane ride to see someone, or even going off to grocery shop, and stopping for a meal alone. Or even more challenging times.

The experiences are singular and we alone have the memories.

Some people might not like that idea. They’re very group oriented. And yet, it is the sweetness of our individuality, that can actually enrich our relationships with other people.

I value my alone time. My quiet time. I like to read, or write, or maybe cook something wonderful. But it’s during this time that my soul’s internal batteries recharge.

I think I was 7 or 8 years old when I realized I really liked being off by myself. Back then it was perfectly fine for your kid to ride their bike all around town. And I did.

I rode to the local convenience store. Often getting bread, milk and cigarettes for my mother. Then riding home. Sometimes I rode to the beach and sat on the jetties watching the ocean.

On some occasions I had company, but more often then not I was alone. And that was just fine.

Looking back I realize the importance of learning to be alone. I never realized it until I was well into my 50’s.

Love yourself. Be happy with yourself, and the world will be full of adventures. Alone or with those you love!

I want to take a moment to pray and be thankful for all those who have survived cancer.

My dearest cousin, Janet, went in for a routine test and was then diagnosed with a difficult form of cancer. She made the best choices in life and fought this battle with all she had. It was not easy, but she handled her fight with dignity and grace. I was so afraid I would lose her, my best friend, and cousin. But she was victorious!

Best of all, while she recovered she had time to surf Facebook, and she found and old friend, met up with him for coffee, and now they are married!

I have a cousin, Erica, who survived a terrible time with cancer. It is only by the grace of God, and the skill of many doctors, that she is with us today and is doing so well.

I knew a man in High School, and met his wife along the way. What a sweet and wonderful woman. She is also a cancer survivor, and I know her family, and we, her friends, are grateful beyond words.

A woman in Australia, I have not met, but whom I share the same sort of skin cancer, in nearly the same place, and I have become friends. Michelle, I am ever so grateful that you keep winning your battles with cancer!

Lastly, I thank God every day that I am here, that my face is reasonably intact, and that I am well.

I send my prayers to Heaven to all we have lost. Far too many to name. I know, in my heart, that God will restore those who have suffered. Blessings to you all.

So, I was sitting here this morning, thinking about love. How people meet. How sometimes you know, this is it, while other times, it’s just a friendship that happens.

I love to people watch. I do this whenever I am out alone, shopping or stopping for a meal. I just watch.

I have seen beautiful women with a frog of a counterpart. I have seen a drop dead gorgeous man with his average female mate. And I have seen two average people just so deliriously happy, that I began to understand the real truth of love.

Listen up, kids. This is important stuff here.

You see, it matters not what is on the outside. Sometimes the best presents in life come in plain packaging.

My grandmother used to tell me all the time, that eventually even the most beautiful face fades. The real key, the real trick, is to remember to always look inside the package for the truth.

A beautiful soul can brighten up a life. That loving soul, can see beyond the shell and life can be even more wonderful than one can ever imagine.

I wish my Grandmother was here and I could tell her that I finally, honestly, understand what she told me, all those years ago.

I get it, Grandma!