Friday, March 31, 2006
Time For Spirit!
With Jay not being able to see it was a problem this week. Then on Wednesday he became ill and nausea became the next problem. We carried on with things as best we could but some of us got a little neglected in the process. With Brandy needing the trips outside and the daily routine to be followed it seemed that my Spirit was feeling left out. A session of paper tearing and trying to bite me gave me a clue that something was amiss. I had gone through the pay attention to me momma with Molly a couple of days before. So the cure was to take time out to hold and pet this baby for a change.
Today Jay is feeling better and we spent half the day reading his blogs to help him catch up on the happenings of his favorite people.
Saturday Cindy and I will attend a bridal shower in Waterford MI for Marguerite’s grand daughter so Jay will be fending for himself. I wanted him to spend the day with the eldest son’s family but he assured me he could see enough to get around the house alone. So it will be Jay looking after Brandy and Molly or the other way around.
Hope you have a pleasant weekend planned and that we can visit again next week.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Yea!!!
8:50 am North of Otisville, Michigan Spring has sprung! I just saw a ROBIN hopping in the sunshine in mt front yard. I’m so happy I could cry!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Where Have I Been?
Good afternoon!
We have been a little busy the last few days. On Friday Jay started losing his vision again. The blood pressure was up and straining to see the computer screen for several hours seem to bring on first the blurring and then the blood spots. We have been through this before and know that nothing can be done except lowering the blood pressure and resting the the eyes. When the blood spots start to dissolve then the Dr. can treat the bleeding capillaries. So we added the sugar testing, pill giving, syringe filling, and additional meal making to the daily routine. That meant cutting down on the computer time. But I did manager to visit some of the blogs even if I didn’t get to post.
Sunday Jeanie’s son-in-law Wayne came over with his family and dug two post holes for putting up the Blue Bird houses. He had planned on doing Saturday but something else came up. While he was here Wes, Deb, and Jasmine showed up for a visit so Wes mounted the houses and helped set the posts. Now all we need is the birds!
Thought I’d add a picture of Brandy here because she is much cuter than either Jay or I. Besides I had a special request for a new picture! The white owl in the picture was one of the toys the Jenkins family bought Brandy but forgot to bring with her in Feburary. So they brought that and a ball up for her Sunday.
I’m at adding the edging to the first baby blanket today so I’m going to bid you a fond farewell for now!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Spel Chekker
Jay Axsom found this little gem while reading The Allotment Lady’s Blog from Norfolk in England. Hope you enjoy it!
Candidate for a Pullet Surprise
I have a spelling checker.
It came with my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot sea.
Eye ran this poem threw it,
Your sure reel glad two no.
Its vary polished inn it’s weigh.
My checker tolled me sew.
A checker is a bless sing,
It freeze you lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.
Each frays come posed up on my screen
Eye trussed too bee a joule.
The checker pours o’er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.
Bee fore a veiling checkers
Hour spelling mite decline,
And if we’re lacks oar have a laps,
We wood bee maid too wine.
Butt now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
Their are know faults with in my cite,
Of nun eye am a wear.
Now spelling does knot phase me,
It does knot bring a tier.
My pay purrs awl due glad den
With wrapped words fare as hear.
To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should bee proud,
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.
Sow ewe can sea why aye dew prays
Such soft wear four pea seas,
And why eye brake in two averse
Buy righting want too pleas.
Jerry Zar, 1992
Friday, March 24, 2006
Calling Me This Morning!
Good Morning Sunshine!
I was up around 7am to take Brandy to the exercise pen for her morning constitutional. I turned on the coffee pot on the way out. As we came in Molly went out. I fixed water and food dishes for both Brandy and Molly. I fixed a cup of coffee, let Molly in and took Brandy back out. After a few minutes of worrying a stick Brandy was ready to come back in and Molly was waiting to go back out. I swear I need a revolving door some where in this house.
I sat, drank my coffee, and worked in my puzzle book waiting for Brandy to settle down and Molly to want back in. Two puzzles completed and two slices of cinnamon and raisin toast later Molly shows up at the door. I let Molly in, check on Brandy--sleeping on her pillow--, check on Jay----comfy in bed, and I debate going back myself.
To sleep perhaps to dream? No I’ll come visit with you a while. Though I must admit that comfy bed is calling my name. Can’t you hear it? It calling Momma--come back to me for a while. Sorry folks the bed wins for now!!!!!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Yeah Right!!!
It is hard to believe that it has been almost a week since our last visit. But we have had a guest at our home who required sleep and think time. With decisions to be made that we cannot help with. We can only offer the thought that no matter what we will be there to help where we can.
On the lighter side as you can see by the picture Miss Brandy has started claiming others toys for her own. The gray elephant was Spirit’s substitute for a clutch mate when we brought him home as a baby to live with us. The yellow fuzzy thing on a stick and string was to be Molly’s new toy but Brandy saw it and liked it better. As to the relationships between our ‘children’ Molly now lays in the sun on a chair in the dining room and ignores Brandy. Spirit has climbed down the cage to get a closer look at Brandy but hasn’t started to bark or call her as he does Molly. Brandy on the other hand loves to run the 39 feet of floor that composes the living/dining room area. Also racing around the table is a great game.
When I saw my brother last Saturday he was in a very good mood. He was all ready trying to figure out what he was going to do for a job even the treatment still had five weeks to go. Jeanie, his significant other fed us corned beef, cabbage, cooked carrots, and a big bowl of mashed potatoes. As my brother says mashed potatoes are his favorite fruit! Jeanie had made a spice cake with candied ginger for dessert.
I received a very lovely card in the mail expressing a thought about Echo from the Vet. A kind thing to do.
Well the one baby blanket has a few more rows on it but I have a ways to go before I can call it done. The yarn for the second one sits on a dining room chair waiting. I went out yesterday, bought a Pound of Love in a nice blue and a skein of Bernat Softee Baby in variegated pink, purple. white, and that same blue for the edging of a on a third blanket.
I read a little of Teacher Man by Frank McCourt but I ran out of day before I got very far. I’ll try for a little each day in between running Brandy ‘outside’, working on the blankets, and trying to keep the house shoveled out.
On Saturday Jeanie’s son is coming over to dig two post holes so we can put up the Blue Bird houses our neighbor Phyllis gave us last year.. I am so fortunate because Richy loves our Apricot jam and it will cost me three jars to pay for the work.
You know I remember saying long ago--I’m looking forward to retirement because I’ll have so much time to do nothing. Yeah Right!!!
Saturday, March 18, 2006
This Week!
Catching up on the week. My brother Gene finally left the hospital Monday night and will be recuperating at home for a while. Reconstructive surgery on his foot will come later.
Tuesday it was down to Clarkston, Mi. for our first haircuts of this year, Jay’s eyebrow were so long they were into his hairline and you saw me with Brandy. The trip greatly improved both of our looks. Jay no longer scares little children and makes them cry. Plus Brandy doesn’t think I’m a large version of her mother!
Cindy was up on Wednesday to visit for a couple of hours and show us the new hair color. I told her at first that being a blond was shitty but as I continued to look at it it wasn’t half bad. By the end of the visit I kind of liked it.
David rode up with her and graciously took time to remove the snow plow and accessories from the tractor. He started installing the mower deck for us. This is a job that is too heavy for either Jay or I to do. Thank you David.
Thursday was the trip to the Vet’s which was a sad but also a good visit. Brandy who is 2.4 lbs. was switch to dry food. Molly is 14 lbs and in very good health.
Yesterday Jay went to the basement to start the construction of the wooden tray to hold the twin Aerobed for when Courtney is up with Les and Anne over night. No more sleeping on the couch or having to wait for everyone else to go to bed. It will have wheels on it to slip it under a large shelf in the computer room. To use it you will be able to pull it out into the room. I hope to have a picture of it when it is completed.
Today my brother Gene and his significant other, Jeanie, have invited us to dinner at their house. I was told to bring Brandy along so they could see her.
The run and grab saying Go Outside is working well. The accidents inside are decreasing daily. Of course running out in slippers, a nightgown, and a jacket in the cold is thrilling. The wind blowing around bare legs is, to say the least, exhilarating! Good thing we are a good distance from the road or passersby would go off the road laughing their butts off.
Tomorrow it is back to the first baby blanket again which has a length of about 12 inches with another 30 to go. I have two more to do once this one is complete.
Well my Friend I best get dressed, brush the teeth (real and otherwise), take my pills, and grab a bowl of cereal before the clock strikes the time for departing for Gene’s house. Hope you have a full and happy weekend planned.
Friday, March 17, 2006
In Memory Of Echo
Rainbow Bridge
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 when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown…
Thank you for sharing this Maria.
FOR ALL THE GOOD CRITTERS
... and the people who love them…
A man was riding his horse down a road, his dog padding along by their side. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that his horse and dog had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother of pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He nudged the horse toward the gate, and as he got closer, saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, “Excuse me, where are we?”
“This is heaven, sir,” the man answered. “Wow! Would you happen to have some water?” the man asked. “Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought right up.” The man gestured, and the gate began to open. “Can my friends,” gesturing downward towards his horse and dog, “come in, too?” the traveler asked. “I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept animals.” The man thought a moment and then turned his horse back toward the road and continued the way he had been going.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
“Excuse me!” he called to the reader. “Do you have any water?” “Yeah, sure, there’s a pump over there” The man pointed to a place that couldn’t be seen from outside the gate. “Come on in.” “How about my friends here?” the traveler asked. “There should be a bowl and a bucket by the pump.”
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl and a bucket beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then gave some to the dog while he filled the bucket for his horse. When they all were satisfied, he led his horse back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them, the dog following faithfully behind.
“What do you call this place?” the traveler asked. “This is heaven,” was the answer. “Well, that’s confusing,” the traveler said. “The man down the road said that was heaven, too.” “Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That’s hell.” “Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?” “No. I can see how you might think so, but we’re just happy that they screen out the folks who’ll leave their best friends behind.”
Author Unknown
Sent by my Daughter-in-law Anne. Thank you for the story!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Worth A Hundred Times That!
Echo came into our life over 10 years ago. An African Grey Congo blind in the right eye, age unknown, and way overweight. Her owner fed her cheese puffs and sunflower seeds. The owner had to move back home with her parents and couldn’t take the bird with her. She wanted $50. for her and we agreed to take her. When we went to pick her up we had to chase her down. She moves wildly around the apartment growling angrily. We finally got her contained and on her way to join our household of two cockatiels, another African grey, a cat, and I can’t remember if we had the cockatoos and finches or not.
When it came time to name her I remembered Cindy had taken Mythology in college and had told me about Echo. I fell in love with the name and decided that the new member of our family from then on would be known as Echo. Eventually she stopped growling and though we were never able to handle her she grew accustom to living in our household.
As the years passed little rituals developed between Echo and me. When I would feed her I would curl my fingers into the palm of my hand and offer her the knuckle side of my hand. I would say give Momma kiss and she would nibble on my knuckles gently. Also anytime I offered her apple, broccoli, Cheerios, or any treat she would reward me with a thank you of woo, woo, woo. I always replied your welcome.
The last few days I noticed what seemed to be a grey growth on either her wing or the side of her body. I called to set up an appointment with the Vet to have the growth that was getting rapidly larger check out. The Vet said that it was a tumor on the wing and that even with amputation it would probably continue to return. Also she was losing the sight in the other eye. The Vet said that that condition might slow any recovery and would pose a problem with injury to the wing. So I swallowed my tears and made the decision to put her down. I vowed long ago that my pets would never suffer.
Tonight I cry but I know she had a good life with us and brought us some happy times. I only hope we did the same for her. Even though she cost only $50. she has been worth a hundred times that. Good Bye My Echo!