Smells Of The Season

My favorite time of the year has begun. I love to start thinking of the holidays and making plans.
One of my traditions is to brew on the stove a pan of a delicious concoction that will fill my home with a holiday aroma.
I started this when my children were small and they still remember and enjoy walking into my home with that particular smell happening. Now I want to create those memories for my grandchildren.

Mom's brew: sauce pan of water, add 6-7 whole cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks and the peelings from 1 orange and 1 lemon (cut the fruit in half if you have no peelings). Boil then turn down to simmer and enjoy. Your nose will thank you.

As we all get ready for the holidays to start lets try and enjoy this time remembering exactly why we have Christmas. Yes, a baby was born, but he grew and became a man who lived and died for us. Do you thank Him for all he has done? Do you talk to Him? Do you have Him in your heart? He is the true and only gift we need.

Still Waiting For Fall

Yes indeed, I am still waiting for fall. The only thing that reminds you that fall is " 'a comin" are the decorations in the store. While it is hot enough to fry eggs on the sidewalks, I still have a great desire and need to decorate. So I did!!! When you think about it, we have a longer time to keep fall decorations up than Christmas. When the last pumpkin and garland of leaves are packed up and put in the attic after Thanksgiving, you might as well bring out Christmas. Makes sense to me.

Now it is not my fault that I tend to rush the seasons. All the stores know about me and when they see me coming get all excited for the economy for some reason. I know that somewhere on my person the word "sucker" is visible.

But life is too short for not enjoying simple pleasures like a festive arrangement on the dining room table or a gorgeous mantle adorned with the bounty of the season.

Wow I think I need to go get one more pumpkin. Happy decorating!

Waiting For Fall

August is when I start thinking about all things fall. Orange, brown, sweaters, cordoroy, pumpkins, crunchy leaves underfoot, you get the idea. I think since I have been a kid that fall was my absolutely favorite time of the year. Things have not changed

It is so hot here and the humidity is so high that I am longing for a breath of cool air. Each evening when I let EllieMae out and in the early morning hours when I do the same I expect to feel like maybe it is coming. But no cigar! August is for people who love the beach and sun and wearing bathing suits (Ugh) I would rather curl up in a soft warm throw by the fireside. What's wrong with me?

I know it is coming. I know the pumpkins are still growing and the cider is fermenting and somewhere there is a chill in the air. I just live in the wrong place right now. So I will fix another glass of lemonade, turn the AC down and take a cool shower and wait.

The Dog Days of Summer

Yes, well these days of summer have not been Ellie Mae's finest. I know she would agree. Her bo's bo's, as I talked about in an earlier blog (July 3), have gotten infected and she actually has a staph infection. She has had her tail wrapped up this week but after another trip to the vet it is time to let some air get to it. This demands constant attention to her where abouts. At bedtime she wears an Elizabethan collar. (She hates this). She looks at me with such disgust each night. But I have learned what tough love is.

Her meds consist of nine strong antibiotic pills a day. Two pain pills a day. Three sedative pills a day for her, not me and watching her every move that she does not scratch, gnaw, bite or rub the sore areas. Basically we are back to umbilical cord training that we learned at Canine Assistants many years ago.

This has been quite a process, but worth every minute. When she looks up at me and still hands me her paw, it certainly makes it all worthwhile. Maybe she needs some chicken soup. Not really, but an extra Milkbone would be nice.

Pleasures With My Sis

My sister, Jill was here this week with her grandaughter, Campbell. They came for a summer visit so we could give the two 4-year olds some time to play together. Our daughters grew up together and now it is their daughters who want to be with one another. The grands are five months apart and enjoy each others company. So we think it is necessary to make the time available for these two little lives to experience life as cousins.

While Carly was riding heard at romper room, (thank you Carly) Jill and I shopped, decorated, ate and visited. We talked about family matters, our great husbands and the fact that we are so blessed to have two grandaughters who are so much like their mothers (our daughters).

We remembered dressing Carly and Courtney alike. (they brought "happys" that were matching "jammies"). So it sounds like the tradtion will continue.

After three days of dress-up, tea parties, crayon masterpieces with their great grandmother,
MiMi and countless pleas of "Jack get out of here", Jordan Ann and Campbell hugged and kissed and promised to see each other in another month for more summer fun.

Now Jill and I do not need much excuse to get together but now we have another generation of girls, who like that great old song says " just want to have fun".

Ellie Mae's "bo bo's"

Golden Retrievers have alot of fatty lumps on their skin. That just goes with the breed. Last week Ellie Mae had a large lump at the beginning of her tail just below her back along with several on her side. We had our vet look her over and all were checked and came back benign. Two days later they became infected and were "hot spots" that she would not leave alone. Back to the doctor we went to hear that this problem is very painful for a dog. An operation on her tail followed. Well I went to pieces when I saw the struggle she gave before being put on the exam table. Her big brown eyes looked at me as if to say "Mom, please don't leave me". Tearfully, I left the office knowing she was in good hands, but also knowing that this was the first time we have ever been separated since 2001.

You hear about pets becoming like children, but this experience hurt as much as when my children were sick with fever and I felt inadequate to care for them.

After a long night, we picked her up sedated and somewhat dazed. Her big brown eyes were half closed as she glanced at me. I know she was thinking "why did you let them do this to me?"

Her tail was shaved with a bright blue compression bandage wrapped tightly around down to the end and a little pom pom of hair (like a rabbits tail) was left. On her back there was a 5 inch square of hair shaved in the middle of her back with several stitches exposed for all to see her battle wounds. She had two more places on her side where tumors were removed. Her leg had an area shaved for the use of an IV. All in all she looks pretty good for the war she has been in.

After two days of drugs and a sedative that made her "zombie-like" she is becoming more like herself again. The bandage comes off today and her tail will look more like a snake than a beautiful plumb she once had.

They say time heals all and I know that is true. I have learned once again (as if I needed to be reminded) how important this dog is to me.

Have a safe 4th of July! Ellie Mae says "ruff."