Postponed

Well, I had all good intentions of getting to my sister's this month or July, but several things on her end and mine will postpone the trip.

It is hot and humid here--my least favorite time of the year. I was raised without air conditioning--sometimes wonder how we survived! I never remember being hot when I was a kid, and I was very active.

Like many bloggers, my thoughts are with David and Sherry. I'm wishing for fall when we hear good news and that they are back to living their dream--like the Princess and the Cowboy.

Jack and I have been lazy though we take a couple of short walks per day, and then his sister, Susan (girlfriend) comes over to walk him to his favorite place. There's a couple that walk at the nature center with their big black lab named Jack, and Susan meets them and the two Jack's have a blast sniffing and smelling their surroundings. Susan said they greet each other and get along very well. Susan ran a race with them. The picture isn't too clear--I'm not sure where it came from or who took it, but she emailed it to me (#437). Susan is in great shape and keeps very active.

She is considering adopting a dog name Maddie. http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22966208 I'm trying to stay out of her decision even though she is asking me for my advice. She must make the decision and decide whether she wants to make the commitment. Maddie is in foster care, now, but Susan met her and said she's a lovely dog. She really does sound like a very sweet dog. I know I'll have to be "involved" to a degree, but I'll need to keep it to a minimum. Jack is my first priority, and he's getting older so I want him to have an uncomplicated life without another dog in "his" house. As it is, I'm committed to watching my son's pups and my granddaughters for some time in July, but we'll go down to his home so the girls can be around their friends. He's always been very friendly and accommodating to any dogs who come into the house, but since it's such a long time, now, that it's just the two of us I think he feels a bit put out, and he pouts. I do have to laugh at the looks he gives me--"Woe is me."

Jack has become afraid of the dark. I don't know whether he may have smelled a coyote OR whether he's not able to see as well as he once did. When he knows it's time to go out at night, he high tails it for the other end of the house, but I put a leash on him so he knows I'll be right with him. I can tell that he's very nervous, and literally runs back to the door when he's finished (I let go of the leash).

It reminds me of when he was young. Lizzie, who was black as the ace of spades, used to hide in the darkness and jump out at him, scaring him half to death! He'd get on the patio and look around trying to figure out which direction she was going to come from. It was the dog version of a spooky movie--funny to watch. I think she was getting back at him for all the tail biting he did when he was a puppy. :) During the day, she would lay up on the hill in the same spot every day and he would stalk her, stopping with foot in mid-air as though she couldn't see him. She would have a bored look on her face as it took him 15 minutes to get 30 feet to her before he pounced. Rich and I used to love to watch the fun and games. Yes, pay back is hell, Jack!
I didn't post this picture of him when we were in Charleston--he's such a handsome boy.

The Father of My Children

Here's to You, Rich.

Memories
You and I raised three wonderful children to be wonderful adults. I wish you were here to see them, now, you would be so proud. I am.

Beautiful Portrayal of Texas

A good friend of mine, Ellen, sent me the video called Texas State Photographer. Well worth watching. Following is the message in the email.

Wyman Meinzer, the photographer, used to live in the old jail in Benjamin, TX. 
The photo of the coiled rattlesnake appeared on the cover of a wildlife
magazine in the 80s. He said, there were times he crawled a long way on
his belly to get a good shot of a wild animal.    

"The music is by Doug Smith. Doug is from Petersburg, Texas and lives
south of town. Doug plays by ear-He can not read music, but has many
CDs. A pickup accident left Doug paralyzed and he does not play any
more. Most of the pictures were taken in the rolling plains..Cap rock
to Seymour, the Fork, 6666, and Waggoner Ranches. There are some scenes in Palo Duro Canyon.

I don't know if I've ever seen such fantastic use of music set to amazing animal and landscape photography. The changes in the tempo perfectly compliment the scenery."

Texas State Photographer

My Traveling Tribe

We never made it to St. Augustine because of weather, but all turned out for the best. The day after we got home Susan was off again to Panama City with a friend. They went dolphin watching and swam with the dolphins! I'll hear all about it as they will be home, today. I was hoping she'd give me one more picture, but nada. Had to steal this one from Facebook as it is.

View From Schooners

Michael and Laura are showing his two girls New York City. They landed yesterday morning (I started this post on Sunday) and have already seen Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and have been on an evening cruise to see the city lights. The girls are amazed. I got a text from Keely saying, "So, when are we going to move up here?" Today, they are going to the 9/11 Memorial, Soho, and to a Broadway Show tonight. Then I know there will be some shopping and dinner at an Italian Restaurant with Laura's whole family. They are on the go, that's for sure. I'm getting "some" pictures taken with phones. Laura and Michael have been planning for months to make the most of their visit to the big Apple so the girls would have the optimum Big Apple experience. I think they succeeded! I lived on Long Island, and they've probably seen more than I have in my lifetime. 

Which Bridge?

9/11 Memorial-they said it was very moving and feelings indescribable. From the picture, it reminds me a little of the Oklahoma City Memorial--peaceful.

Times Square

From Circle Line

What a Great Experience for My Granddaughters

Times Square

My eldest son, John and his wife, Lisa, are on their way to St. George Island. They are there with their three girls, their Grandmother and Grandfather (MiMi (sp?) and Big Daddy), and all their cousins from Lisa's side of the family (except for one who had to work). The kids all rented a house for themselves and the grownups are nearby including my dear friends, Martha and Jim Turner (Lisa's Mom and Dad).


I had so much fun last night. There is a live web cam on the island and my grand daughters were all waving to me as we were on our cell phones. Technology is just incredible. My Dad would be in hog's heaven--he loved any kind of gadget!

Everyone's Favorite Family-Beautiful Inside and Out

First picture in from St. George. This is Leland, Lisa's brother. Great picture, huh?

Cousins: David, Sam, and two of my granddaughters Kellie, Missy. There are four other cousins (and some husbands) roaming around, somewhere. 

Jack and I have been taking it easy. We went for a ride, yesterday, and several short walks but we're still recovering from the whirlwind trip over to the coast.

I think I'm going to leave the trailer behind and ride up to see my Sister, in New York. I just have a yearning that won't go away. I think I'll leave the week after Father's Day.


When I return, I'll go about my back--don't know why I'm dragging my feet on that other than I hate to leave Jack, and for some reason recuperation without Rich seems so much more complicated. He was always at my side during any health crisis--even an emergency surgery in South Dakota. He was always so caring and helpful, and not having his comforting ways is scary. There are so many reasons I miss him.