Happy Wednesday!

Tuesday found Jack and me taking a trip South to the VA. He had two appointments, and I had one.

I figured he would have more done at the Dermatologist, but as it turned out I had a small pre-cancerous place that needed to be removed. It’s gone and I am no worse for it.

Because of the Virus, we brought a picnic lunch with us. We used to eat at their cafeteria, but right now we don’t feel comfortable doing that. It worked out well. Jack had a P&P Loaf Sandwich and I brought 2 boiled eggs and some yogurt. Nice and cheap too!

We picked up the mail and the new nail grinder arrived for the dogs. They don’t seem to mind it very much and it grinds them to a nice smooth surface.

The day was bright and sunny and warm! It really felt like Spring! Oh, I am so ready for that! Of course, it also means “Mud Season”. You would simply die if you saw my beautiful White German Shepherd, covered in the mud she loves!

Tonight is easy dinner night. I had previously made a huge batch of meatloaf, divided it up into four mini-loaves, and put them in the deep freeze. It’s been great pulling them out and cooking them for Jack on nights I do not feel like cooking.

For me, I am having leftover turkey cutlets. So, not much work, but nice and easy to cook or warm-up!

I hope your Wednesday is a good one!

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How I Came to Love Dackels

I wrote this back in 1996 when I joined a group of Dachshund owners. It tells the story of a woman who falls in love with a foreign doggy boy, only to find the greatest love of her life is the breed of dog that he is.

I wanted to share my story about how I grew to love Wire-Haired Dackels and how I became owned by one!

Eight years ago in 1988, my husband brought me to Starnberg, Germany, this is just south of Munich, to meet his dear friends Lucie and Otto. I was a new bride and nervous about meeting his longtime friends. As I sat in their living room, in ran a small vivacious pup named Shubi, who was a wire-haired Dachshund. Shubi spoke no English, and I spoke no German, but it did not matter. It was love at first sight! Shubi climbed into my lap and we kissed and that was it.

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The original Shubi!

For the next week where ever I went I was followed by this love-struck little man. When we parted I cried and all I would say to my husband was, “I want a little Shubi dog!” We made four more trips to Munich over the next four years and it was always the same. Shubi became my love while I was there.

Sadly, two years ago Shubi escaped his fenced-in yard and was hit by a car. I grieved for so long. And so did Lucie and Otto.

At Christmas in 1995, we learned that Otto was ill and in February 1996 we went back to Germany to see Otto and Lucie. The house was oddly still with no little man running around the house. It just was not the same cheery home. I said to Lucie at lunch that we should go and find little puppies and have them together. Otto heard us and while we out shopping he found an add for Rauhhaar Dackels, or in English, Wire Haired Dachshunds.

It was 35 kilometers east of Munich to go to the home of the puppies, but we all piled into the car and off we went to Landshut. An hour later we walked into the kitchen of the Lanzingers. There was a small basket on the floor where three baby dachshunds lay sleeping at first, and then they woke and started to squirm around. I went over and a little face looked up and tried to jump up to me.

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The first moment. My Shubi and me.

I picked her up and that was it. She looked me over, decided that I would do, and after kissing my face clean, she settled into my arms and snuggled. Lucie picked up a little boy pup and we were off.

I kept trying to think up a good name for my baby when my husband, who had been oddly silent said, “All I have heard for eight years is ‘I want a Shubi dog’, the dog’s name is Shubi.” And thus our Shubi adopted us as her parents, and her responsibility in life. Lucie named Shubi’s brother, Toni.

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I feared bringing a pup back to the states would be difficult, but it wasn’t. She was three months old, had her shots, and once we purchased a doggie passport and bought her a ticket we were all set. Shubi road Business Class with us from Munich to New York. She was wonderful on the plane and my husband rushed her out as soon as we cleared customs, to the parking area next to the terminal. Bravo Shubi! She did just what she was supposed to.

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We have been owned by Shubi now for three months and I have never had a pup like her in my life. She is warm, and funny, and stubborn and sweet and good and makes me feel like I am the most important person in her life. My husband, who believed that White German Shepherds were the only dogs in the world, now cuddles with this small body of fur as we settle in for the night.

Our 5-year-old White Shepherd, Max is now ruled by this little lady. He watches out for her and plays ever so gently with her and even shares his dish with her.

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And when he gets out of line by chewing on a bone that Shubi decides that she just must have, and gets right in his face and barks and barks, he gives up the bone and allows her to take it.

Shubi has learned English, is all housebroken, and now rules the whole house, and I am happier than I ever thought it was possible to be! We live in Florida and she has become a real southern belle!

And right now I know that I will never be without a “Shubi Dog” ever again!

It is now 2020, and Shubi has been gone for many years. I still think of her often and miss her sweet nature. However, she left me with a great love for all Wire-Haired Dackels. Before Shubi’s passing, we brought home from Germany, Greta in 2004. She has been a faithful and loving companion and gave us the greatest gift of Arnie and Anneliese. As I wrote back in 1996, I will never be without a Shubi dog ever again.

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Keeping Busy

I was not feeling strong. I was not feeling ambitious. That being said, I knew I had to vacuum and wipe down counters, if for no other reason than to keep the Department of Health from condemning my home!

All this being said, I will tell you that I had to take breaks during this cleaning frenzy, and once I finished that and changed my sheets, I was done for the day. At least with the heavy stuff.

It’s been three years since I did a major overhaul of my Address-book.  So I sat down with my computer, all my Christmas card return envelopes, and notations that I had made in the book I have currently.

I made sure my alphabetizing was correct and organized with the last name first. I will wait a day or two before printing it up. So, if I do not have a current address for you, please PM or Email me.

The sad part of my day was deleting the names of loved ones who have now passed. And then I would remember a happy memory and smile.

We’re due for bad weather tomorrow and Tuesday so I think I will get into another project that will consume me.

It’s almost New Year’s Eve! Get ready to say good-bye to 2019. I hope that 2020 will be a really wonderful year!

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Getting Well

This morning I  woke feeling slightly better. I still have a horrendous cough and also a small fever. But it’s a vast improvement from yesterday.

I believe that  copious amounts of water have helped, lots of rest with Arnie, and binge watching of HGTV & The COOKING CHANNEL, certainly have kept me in bed.

The shows are such so that if you fall asleep, it’s no big deal.  I have kept the window shades up and I have seen beautiful sunrises glowing sunsets.  Rain too.

Yesterday a few Chickadees landed on a shrub outside my window. I think they were looking for me.

I am not going to my daughter’s housewarming party today. Not because I  don’t want to go, but rather, I do not want to share this Flu with anyone.

The holidays are upon us and it’s important to keep everyone healthy and well.

I have even stayed away from Jack. Closing myself up in the bedroom.

Maybe I will do some online Christmas shopping. Now there’s an idea!

RIP, The Flying Fortress

Today there was a crash of a vintage B-17 Bomber Aircraft at an airport in Connecticut. There is a back story involving Jack and me and this plane. I have written about it below. So far of the 13 people on board and one person on the ground, 7 are confirmed dead.

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She was a grand old plane, who served her country well. I’m happy that I had the chance to tour her and terribly saddened by today’s events.

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This is the plane today. Aircraft #231909, The Flying Fortress! Here is her story.

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Many years back, Jack and I visited an exhibition of two WW II aircraft. The B-17 and the B-24. We were allowed to walk through the planes and take tons of pictures. Which I did, of course! This was the Flying Fortress all renovated and open for all to tour.

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What really hit me was how small the insides of the planes were. How these men were able to get around totally amazed me. Especially the area underneath the B-17, the Ball Turret, where the Belly Gunner sat. I looked and I just knew I could not have gotten in there. Or if I had gotten in, I never would have gotten out.

I spoke for a long time to the Belly Gunner of that plane, Smitty. He told us the story of when the plane had been shot down, and how he had lost his arm. He spoke kindly of the German Nun Nurse who cared for him. He told us about the struggles that the men went through.

I shook his hand with thanks, and by the end of the talk, I hugged both him and his wife.

I thought of all the young lives lost and also of all the lives saved by these heroic men. What a terrible time in world history, and yet these machines that flew through the sky, primitive as they were, flown by these fearless men, conquered overwhelming evil and restored freedom to many parts of the world.

I was so pleased that I was able to hear about Smitty’s survival. He was a real American Hero.

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So today The Flying Fortress died. She will not fly again and all that remains are pieces of her wings and tail and a pile of ashes. Over 70 years old and this was how the life of this great plane ended.

Savannah’s Play

Yesterday I went to Savannah’s play Alladin Kids. Savannah played a Persian Monkey! It was such a cute production with music and dances. I recognized many of the kids from past productions. Especially the young red-headed boy who played Alladin. He was very good. Savannah says he is really funny and likes to joke around.

Here is Savannah’s Cast Picture. I think it came out quite well.

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After the production we three girls went out to lunch! It was such fun being out to lunch with Mandy and Savi. Three generations.

Savannah is so interested in everything. She asks such good questions and also enjoys a good joke or saying things that make us laugh. Really, it was a delightful day.

The ride home was wonderful. Almost no traffic and just the hint of color on the tips of the trees reminding me that is is the start of Autumn.

My pack of dogs was really happy to see me, as was my husband Jack. It’s so nice to be missed!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

The Friday Five

Here we are, another week went by and it’s Friday!

So, here are the things on my mind, as this week comes to a close.

  1. First on my list is traffic! How do people drive in heavy traffic, day after day, without losing their minds? I got stuck in a terrible traffic jam in, of all places, Nashua, NH. I literally went 5 MPH for almost an hour, only to find out that it was a broken down Public works truck in the fast lane. My biggest question is…why didn’t they move the darn truck so that the rush hour traffic could get through? It was very frustrating. What I did in the end, to escape the total madness, was put on some music and car dance! It got me the trough the traffic.
  2. My doctor’s appointment went okay. I need more testing done before we decide what to do. This means two more trips to Nashua in the next 10 days.
  3. This is the last weekend of Motorcycle Week. Mostly it has been okay, but I am quite sick of the constant drone of the motorcycles, riders that ride tandem, so that they take up as much space on the road as a wide load truck, and what I like to call the rockers. They ride their bikes down the road weaving back and forth coming dangerously close to the centre line, and even going over it at times. The news is always full of what automobile drivers should be doing to protect the motorcycles, but what about the cyclists taking care of themselves?
  4. My daughter took this great picture of Savannah and me at her graduation. I’d gotten her a little outfit for her graduation gift.
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  5. Another great week at WW. I lost another pound. I am really loving the new Plan. I am finding it easy to stay on. I think because you really can eat anything, and many of the foods are part of the Zero Point foods. In many ways, I feel like I am finally learning how to eat correctly!

Faith

Ah, you know, they say when the cat’s away…Well in this case, while I have been recovering,  some Rotter, hacked my darling, Dackel Princess.

I shouldn’t be surprised. I have neglected my site and instead of sharing my crazy thoughts, and ideas, I have been silent.

Although what I will tell you about this whole neck surgery will make you go “EEEK” I want you to know that I have learned a big lesson.

In life, most of the time, all you really have is yourself to get you through things. Suck it up buttercup, life goes on.

But, if you are lucky, and loving,  you might just find a daughter,  son, grandchild or friend to be there for you.

Don’t give up and keep on working, to make your life better.

Even if you feel like you are totally lost and alone, there is a tomorrow, and right now I plan to do what my Grandma told me.

“Get yourself a strong rope, tie a giant knot in the end, and then hang on, Sweetie!”

Life is tough, but you can do it! Have faith in yourself and in God!

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SURGERY  Back of my neck, and she lives!

Seems just the other day  I was going in for some spinal surgery.

Slightly more painful as the incicion was larger, and through muscle

Thinking, how bad could this be, I  proceeded.

Well, sweet Mother of God! It was like having an elephant c-section through the back of my neck.

I am with Matt  Mandy,  Savannah  and Quinn and they brighten my day.

But goodness, the pain!

Continue reading “OMG”

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It’s officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why?

August. It seems that everyone is on vacation, no one is moving fast, and there are families enjoying the beach near our home. I hear children laughing and splashing and it is a wonderful happy time!

2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own?

Yes, I can swim. I think I learned to swim about the time I learned to walk. In fact, Mom used to tie a rope to me, as I would try to swim away! Here I am, about the age of three with my big sister, Melodie!

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Yes, I own a pair of prescription sunglasses and then several junkie pairs that fit over my glasses.

3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others?

My appearance I think. I try not to, but since my surgery, I have really wallowed. I am trying now to stop it and to see myself in a kinder light.

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What’s a road (literal or figurative) you’ve always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you?

I dream of taking a road that will lead me to a new home, in a new town, closer to Mandy and the children.

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what’s your favorite flavor?

Yay! And cherry is my favorite!

6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what’s involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what’s Brexit) Is this news you’ll follow or is it something you think won’t impact your life in any way shape or form?

I’ve followed it quite a bit. Although no one can predict the eventual outcome of Brexit for the UK, it actually will affect me in the form of my step-daughter is married to a Brit. and she also became British last year. They both will be affected.

I’m only doing six this week as I have run out of time and answers. I will be back next week with, I hope, a complete list!