It is what it is

Disney Land There is a joke in my family that any time we get together, there is an empty Wal-Mart somewhere.   We are all a bit loony, but we sure have a great time. My children are all grown-up now, adults if you will, but there was a time I wasn’t sure they would make it! Any time we went somewhere it was an adventure.   This particular trip we were going to California.   Disney Land!.   The boys were about 11 and 9 and Amanda was around 3.   It was Easter Sunday and we were, as usual running a bit late.   With 3 kids, that just goes with the territory.   We parked the car in one of those shuttle lots and unloaded the car.   There were no restrictions on number of bags so you took so you got to take however many you could carry and it amounted to nearly half your house.   As we entered the airport and checked our bags, someone realized we had left the video camera in the car.   Now, this was early video camera days a...

There was a little girl who was as pretty as a princess.   She was well-behaved, worshiped by her parents and two older brothers and as good as gold.   She was very dramatic about everything and could pretend to be just about anyone.   “You can do it” they all said. As she grew older, she became interested in acting and became more and more talented and confident.   About 4 th grade, she auditioned to be in a musical with her high school brother.   She was chosen for the chorus and became enamored with being on-stage.   Her performances included self-taught guitar and violin,   dance, baseball, tennis, golf, piano lessons, lip sync of comedic performances as well as doing her own.   “You can do it” they all said.   Many musicals, many plays, several high-school movies, many characters and many performances later, she graduated from high school with laud and honor, praises from her director, co-actors and others.   “You can...

Gallup Park Ducks see us coming and glide over to see what is going on.   Perhaps looking for something to eat.   Years ago we had a pair of ducks that would live on the top of the neighbors pool every spring until the cover came off.   My kids named them Frankie & Casper.   We looked for them every spring.   One spring, my son, Matt, probably 10 at the time, found a baby duck in the yard.   He searched in vain for its’ family that was nowhere to be found.   He tried to feed the duck bugs and worms and named it Cranston, after our street.   He found a shoe box and lined it with grass.   Sadly, Cranston died soon after Matt had found him.   Perhaps Cranston had been abandoned purposely, I don’t know. That afternoon,   to alleviate Matt’s sorrow and despair, we went to the nearest pet store to adopt what would become the first, in a long line of hamsters, gerbils, a Guinea pig, and eventually, our beloved C...

"Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.  So did my life and the lives of my entire family.  Casey was part of and still is, a part of our family.  We are adjusting, but surely not forgetting.  We trip over ourselves trying to ignore the fact that she is gone. It is still just too sad to talk about.  We start things like "Oh remember when we were in the pool last summer and we had to keep Casey off the deck....." or "Gee, it's funny not to have Casey eating anything dropped, or not tripping over her as she was always under foot."  We reminisce without saying too much at all.  We are all thinking the same thoughts.  We are all wondering if we get another dog, what will it be like.  We wonder if it is too soon.  We wonder if it is disrespectful......then think wait......to a dog???  She was so human-like.  She knew what was going on.  When she could still see, she...

RainbowBridge.com Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and ...

Last day before I start the writing class.  Glad to have Amanda home even if we do nothing!  Off to ADK picnic today.  Don't really want to go but I must since I am the new treasurer.  Worked hard last week cleaning all the places that had been neglected for the school/work year, including windows.  Only 3 weeks since Casey left us.  Seems longer.  I miss her when I let myself.  I know she was hurting at the end.  Feel so bad I couldn't let her go.  Starting to think about another dog.  Hope the right one just comes our way.  TOPS picnic was a success, ready to do more.  Think I will head to the pool and just read for awhile.  I am shopped out (and money'd out) and just enjoying the summer.  It is what it is.

Wow Summer already!  Where to start?   So much to do!  Yesterday was in the 90's and we were at Mar  &  Dan's helping to get ready for Amber's graduation party.  Today when I finally got going I cleaned our bathroom and shower, our bedroom and the blue guest room, including 5 windows inside and out.  The curtains are all washed and ironed, scheduled a load of Dr. appts. for Amanda and changed one of mine.  Day went quickly.  Dark, cloudy, somewhat rainy day.  The only people I talked to was the Dr. offices!  Never left the house.  Read a magazine for lunch.  Pretty quiet here.  Sure miss Casey.  The jingle of her collar and tags, the click of her claws on the tile, letting her in and out, checking on her, sharing whatever I eat, listening to her get a drink at the water bowl...it is pretty empty here.  Wish she was still here, young and troublesome, under foot.  It's true, you never appreciate what ...