We're Not Bad Dogs...

Bonnie wanted me to let y'all know she's through the trauma of having her puppy factory removed. We did not want to bring more misunderstood dogs into this world especially when a name can generate such fear and hate.  We know it's not true and not just because of Bonnie.  We have owned many American Pit Bulls in our married life.  Not one bad dog in the bunch!

Bonnie always goes next door to check on Marcy as part of her morning rounds.  She really likes Marcy but I suspect it may have a little to do with checking the cat food supply.

She has such a soulful look you can't refuse her snacks.

If you have none, she will find her own.

She loves when Jake comes,

is very gentle with Zander

and hogs the bed with Andrew.

She wants to play with the cats so badly. They don't like to play. They line up and just stare at her. I'm not sure who is more intimidated but they do tolerate each other.

One more poor pitiful starving look in Marcy's door before Bonnie returns home again.

I suspect with her eighty-three pound weigh in she's not starving.

There are no bad dogs just uneducated owners.  Pit Bull Power!!!  May the breed survive.

For Poetry Jam: Steps

If we're lucky
Our first steps are
Hopefully into
Trustworthy arms

The next steps
Are guided
By loving hands
Keeping us from harm

Then we climb
Step after step
Planning our choices
Are charmed.

For Poetry Jam:  Steps
and for my grandsons:
Andrew, Jake and Zander
May all your steps be true.

Where I've Been...

Catching ants

enjoying hugs

lounging

enjoying the bond between a boy and his horse

watching things grow

and viewing the sunrise.

The work will wait.

The Hands That Rock Our World...

A picture taken by accident is my inspiration.  This is my oldest sister's hand, while working in the garden.  First a child, then a teacher and now retired.  She is our teacher, our matriarch and our treasure.  Marcy's hands hold the camera.

It is these hands that preserve our food,

and shell the peas.

These hands spoil my grandchildren,

encourage them to explore,

and make them smile.

These hands hold a dragonfly

until its wings dry from the rain.

They nurture us,

and every creature here...

Marcy's hands.

From The Screened Porch...

I watched the family play.

All grandsons and daughters enjoyed the beautiful day.

Football was the game of choice, for people and dogs.

The boys got hot and came in for a break.

Popsicles and ice water are always good.

The daughters and oldest grandson ran an errand,

while the youngest played at games

Nana only allows them to play.

 Yes, this is my bed they are jumping on!  My couch Jake and Zander are flipping over.  I have special games we know can only be played at Nana's.  Chase and Hide and Seek were also on the plate.

They played and played.

Papa worked on lawnmower repair.

I made a huge dish of fresh garden stir fry.

They are home now and the place is quiet,

except for someone still working on lawnmowers.

This N That

An appropriate title for this week, a week full of demands and reports...reports they asked for today and wanted last week. I am grateful I am closer to my day and a half off from work than I have been all week.

The weather is the kind you want to bathe in, cooler air, enough rain to freshen every thing.  The air is crisp and clear and clean and when you breath in, it seems to give new life and energy to the body and the soul.
I am only lacking in the time to enjoy it.

I hear the roosters greeting the dawn which has not quite made it yet.  The sky is still holding on to its darkness and that brings the sadness of shorter days.  Fall is in the air and I am wondering where the heck summer went!

I hear the shower as my grandson prepares for school and have yet to know the outcome of last night's game.  The game was away...far, far away.  I was leaving work about the time of the starting whistle.  I often wish I could carry the ball for him, do his homework or at least give him my wisdom of many years but I must let him grow on his own.  It is the hardest thing I have ever done and I have two more wonderful grandsons growing up that I shall have to let go of too.  Letting them find their wings will be a difficult job but one we all must do.

I have gained new followers on each blog and am delighted!  It still amazes me that someone finds what I write worth reading.  Thank you.

Off to the salt mines!  May each and every one of you have a day filled with wonderment and beauty.

A Day In Heaven

It rained just enough this morning to take the rest of the snow with it.  I do not know the temperature but the day was beautiful.  Coats were not needed.  My oldest daughter and I headed to the creek to look for relics and pretty rocks.

Yoda followed every step.  I believe I shall call him a farm dog now.  He learned how to jump from rock to rock through the creek.  Yoda did not panic when I was out of sight, he did not cry when the creek was between us.  Yoda actually looked for a way across and did very well.

We followed the creek and enjoyed the morning.  Melissa found a perfect arrowhead in a wonderful color we had never found before.  As usual, we returned with a pocketful.  I think we both can say we have never seen an ugly rock.

We enjoyed the walk, the water, the weather and the fun of the search.  It could not have been a better day.

A beautiful day, a gift from heaven!

We had both daughters and all grandsons here today.  I have gobs of pictures so you will tire of my Sunday before I tire of telling about it.

WARNING:  More to come!

Grandson Review

Andrew with Cutter

Jake with a dirty funny face.

Zander driving the lawn mower.

Remember When...

...the wrinkles were just on puppies

You could still put your toes in your mouth

you could chew on anything

chocolate made you high

And you were always laughing

Bring back my childhood, I would really enjoy it today!

This N That

Cousin Jake checking out Evan Zander and Dad. When asked if he wanted to hold his cousin, he said I'm not holding that little rat!

Jake Lee and Andrew Keagan enjoying the beautiful Thanksgiving weather we had. Andrew and Evan, brothers, are Maria's children and Jake is Melissa's. Now I have shown off my grand children, on to other business.

My sister, Marcy, takes all the wonderful photos. She also cooked the wonderful Thanksgiving spread all by herself! Marcy is a retired school teacher and is enjoying her retirement by doing all the things she loves to do...like playing in the dirt.

Beverly, of course, is the workaholic. I do not think I have a picture of her not working. If you will peek behind her you will see me testing the chairs that I brought from the porch. Working hard aren't I?

Marcy, with her talent of finding the unusual pictures along with the beauty, found a nest of dogs on this cold morning. There are four here. They are in their place filled with hay. Top left starting is Cutter, Squigy, Buddy and TP.

I could fill this post with many more pictures but I have decided to save some for another post. Our Thanksgiving was good, surrounded by family and, thanks to Marcy, we all had more than we could eat.

Here's your day was as wonderful as ours!

Just What I Dreamed About...

We thought we wanted sons...we had two daughters. Now we are doubly blessed. Each daughter has blessed us with a grandson. Andrew, our first grandson #39, is giving me gray hairs for sure! He has chosen football for his sport. As I have said before I just know the ball is shaped funny and that is it.

Today was a rousing game. (The only time I get pictures that are any good is when they are standing still.)

We are talking children here. I do not even see how they keep up with the ball cause most of the time I cannot see where it is. Fifth graders that have been playing since third grade. First football team in Melbourne ever.

So here is my grandson running with his teammates, knocking kids down, clotheslining them, flipping guys and they are doing it TO HIM also! I taught him to play nice! I scream when he gains some yardage, jump and holler when he tackles someone, cringe and shout to the sky when he's on the bottom of the pile. I see Andrew fly over two guys to tackle the ball and I see him stepped on, kicked, slammed, and whacked...hard!!

All that matters is that smile.

I am beginning to learn football is not so bad and Andrew is not in eminent danger of being maimed for life. I cannot sit, I want to get on that field with him and tell those other guys to get out of his way. My hair is grayer by the minute.

Now Andrew is teaching my five year grandson, Jake, to play football! Jake is pretty good already. He has a straight arm and can put a spin on that ball.

One more grandson coming in November...Evan Zander. Maybe he will be an artist or ballet dancer!