Pets | The Road Home

Posts from the ‘Pets’ category

Birthday breakfast with my best boys

It’s double nickels for me today! I was born in 19-double nickels and am double nickels in twenty-ten…might go get a lottery ticket :)!

Thanks to all who sent cards, emails, comments and a special thank you to Regis from Belgium who surprised me mightily with a box of Belgian chocolate (Godiva!).

I had no idea when I started this blog to keep friends and family apprised of my life and as a venue for some writing that people from all over, not only the U.S., but the world, would be interested in seeing what goes on in my corner of it. The friendships, connections and sharing of thoughts and memories make the differences less and the sense of community greater.

Cheers to all!

Sunday walk by the lake and mimosa(s!) on the front porch

The early morning temperature was 48F. A cool breeze ruffled the water of Flathead Lake as Karl and I enjoyed a walk on the rocky outcroppings in Wayfarer’s Park near Bigfork.

The cloudless sky does not provide a dramatic background for a photo so you will have to use your imagination to picture a gorgeous, cool morning…

No one else on our path so we dawdled and enjoyed this continued respite from Summer.

And then…and THEN!!! – in honor of almost birthday…a blueberry-lemon “mimosa” – on the Front Porch. A big shout out and hurrah for Yellow Tail winery in Australia (HEY, Wendy!) – the YT sparkling wine is wonderful!

***Blueberry-lemon mimosa… I combined fresh blueberries, fresh lemon juice and a bit of lemon pulp with water (in my Vita-Mix super blender) to make a blueberry-lemon juice which I spiked with the Yellow Tail sparkling white wine. The “bits” you see in the glass are bits of blueberries.

The pond in Whitefish

When I moved to Montana in early 1994, I lived in Whitefish.

This pond wasn’t there at that time. The entire view you see in this photo was open, grassy land that was subject to marshiness some springtimes during the runoff. The pond – actually ponds – were made to wrangle that marshiness into submission and allow for a soccer complex, a new hospital, a church and a LOT of houses. Like all change, there are both positive and negative perspectives.

Karl and I, Zack and I before Karl – walked here when it was grassy or snow covered before the pond and other development. Karl and I walk there now when we go to Whitefish. Karl and I were there yesterday for a vet appointment – he is fine! ….but there was a question and it held the possibility of being not so fine.

The question has been “on the table” for a little over a week. Even as things pointed toward a good outcome and I, along with a small, but mighty army of prayer warriors prayed for healing, strength, wisdom and grace…still, for us humans, it is challenging to keep fear and worry completely at bay.

My dear friend, Jeannine, wrote: “I have been holding my breath and praying God’s presence, as I felt you skirting the edge of the unknown, or whatever you call that place where everything changes all at once. Changing a little at a time, we can handle with some grace.” That, so succintly put, is the rub…

But, yesterday, from sunrise to sunset, everything in Karl’s and my world flowed smoothly, gurgling happily like mountain snowmelt making its way to a valley pond. The Hand of God showed itself in the morning beauty of the pond in Whitefish and gave us calm and peace.

Christmas in August

It is hard to tell from the above photo, but those cookies are stars and Christmas trees. They are dog cookies…

Reader Pat from East Tennesee’s dog Wally emailed Karl a recipe for dog cookies a few months ago and I finally got around to trying it. I realized as I was mixing up the dough that the only cookie cutters I have are for Christmas cookies. Oh, well – Karl said he didn’t care if they weren’t bone shaped :)!

Adding to the festivities, Murdoch’s Home and Ranch Supply had a “this Saturday only”, 50% off all dog toys sale.

Well, now.

Karl and I were at Murdoch’s at 8:30 this morning procurring a few new toys.

The heavy favorite is the stuffed sheep with squeaker.

It will be torn apart fairly soon.

The squeaker and all of the stuffing will be removed. That thing that looks like a skin – that is a new kind of unstuffed toy. There is a squeaker but no stuffing. Apparently, Karl is not the only one that feels the need to remove the stuffing.

So, how were the treats???

I think they passed the taste test. That look is “Please may I have another?”

That look is “heavy sigh”…

Friday: From the front porch

This week had its challenges, but much was experienced and learned!

And now, 6:30 on Friday evening, with the work week done and a low-key weekend unplanned, I am ending the day as I started – on the front porch.

Last night was another that stayed warm overnight, barely dipping below 70F before it started heating up.

But we all enjoyed a cool morning outside…

Bob, on a chair on the front porch in this photo, but he had been out and about earlier on his morning rounds.

Karl, behind the sunroom where I sat in my chair. We shared a morning biscotti and contemplated our respective days. And yes, Karl wins the prize for best attitude in front of the camera :)!