I’m late posting these beauties to the blog as they came during the period in which I didn’t have a computer and I wanted to give them their own post. My longtime blogging friend, Grace, is a wonderful artist. She painted a beautiful picture of Scout a while back, which I have hanging over my desk.
Grace recently did portraits of all our dogs. She posted them on Instagram and soon, they were winging their way from Canada to my post office box. I was stunned when I opened the package – stunned not only by their beauty, but by their generous size. They are extraordinarily beautiful.
They made me cry.
Winston, our first baby, with his favorite ball.
Scout, pouncing, with a twinkle in her eye.
Sweet Riley. I believe he was looking up at me from the porch.
Aren’t they beautiful? I don’t know how Grace does it. There is such detail. I can ‘feel’ Riley’s coat, remember exactly how it felt under my fingers. The same with Winston and Scout.
Oh, how I miss them all.
Thank you, dear Grace, for these priceless remembrances of our babies. You’ve given us such joy. For more on Grace and her beautiful pet portraits, visit her on Instagram at this link.
One more thing for today. Don is overdue for his next visit to the eye doctor, partly because his original appointment was canceled as the doctor had a family emergency. He’s been trying to reschedule but there was no answer at the office. Well, that’s because there was someone in the office – patient or staff, I don’t know – who tested positive for COVID. The office is closed until the middle of this week. He received an update on their protocol from them today: Only medical grade masks because cloth masks do not work on this variant.
I thought I should pass this information on to all of you. We use cloth masks, sometimes double masking. But I just ordered some N95 masks because we’re not going to mess around with this virus.
And what is happening in Afghanistan is breaking my heart.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Those portraits are amazing…such a wonderful gift. Now you will have to find a space to hang them.
I have heard also that N95 masks are the best option for Delta. We do have a few. I find them harder to breathe, less comfortable so haven’t been wearing much. I guess I should suck it up. If only everyone who can would get vaccinated.
Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.
Stay safe
Marilyn,
I just wanted to thank you for adding that caveat, “everyone WHO CAN would get vaccinated.” Due to a serious, permanent, and life-changing reaction to a previous vaccination, my rheumatologist, in consultation with an immunologist, told me that I was one of four of his patients he was advising against the vaccine. He told me that I wouldn’t even be allowed to take it if I told the truth about my history. I continue to ask for updates once a month when I see him, and I have further contacted another doctor who has told me the same thing. Yet, before I knew he was going to advise me that way, I had signed us up to get in line for vaccinations in our county and four other surrounding counties as soon as they were available, at multiple sites in some of those counties. I was getting up in the middle of the night checking vaccine sites for open appointments, which is how I ultimately got my husband slotted into a spot. I live in the middle of the anti-vaccination crowd, but I am not one of them and yet have not vaccinated. I’m doing my part as best I can. I stay home, except for required medical appointments, but it’s hard to get an infusion via a telemed appointment. I understand why television commentators cannot give such caveats, as it would give those who can and should be vaccinating an out. I have no quibble with that tactic and even agree with it. However, I can’t get over feeling like a leper sometimes, and I sure do appreciate that little caveat here in this forum. I also appreciate all of you who do vaccinate, like you and Don, Claudia, and are careful. I’ve been double masking since we first heard about double masking, and my N95 masks are due to arrive tomorrow.
Claudia, those portraits are wonderful and priceless to you, I can imagine. What a wonderful gift.
When talking about vaccinations on Instagram, I have routinely said that I know some people have been advised by their physicians not to get a shot because of medical conditions or, as in your case, a previous reaction. I think most of us understand that not everyone is a candidate, Linda. I’m sorry you can’t get one. I know it’s hard and having to routinely explain why you can’t get one must be difficult. Hang in there and I know you will stay safe.
xo
It is difficult. I don’t tell many people any longer, unless I’m going to be around them for some reason–medical personnel, etc.–and then I always say I am not vaccinated and tell them the precautions I’m taking to keep them safe. I knew your blog space was a safe one, though, and sometimes it’s lonesome being in this spot.
hej, linda ….
sorry you have such difficulties. praying for your safety, improving health and peace of mind.
sending a virtual hug, if you like.
while i am fully vaccinated, i want you to know that you are not alone.
kathy in iowa
Feel free to share your thoughts on this any time, Linda.
Much love.
I resent their willful ignorance and the sad fact that more people will die and/or suffer from COVID – WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN UNDER CONTROL BY NOW.
Okay. Deep breath.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Good morning Claudia. Wow! My first thought was “I could reach out and FEEL those dogs”. That is some beautiful talent Grace! Our sweet pets stay with us forever don’t they. And the couch! If that doesn’t get the dollhouse juices going, I don’t know what would.
This Delta strain isn’t to be messed with. We’ve reached angry stage with all the stupidity and the evil politicians. And can I just say, I’m tied of the media portraying people getting vaccinated with big eyes like it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to them. It’s one second. Over and done. I had an arm ache and some chills. But guess what!? I haven’t died! But I still might because we are going to be in even bigger trouble with the next variant, which is now in the U.S. if not for anyone else, do it for children. They are missing out on their lives too! Sorry for the rant.
My husband now has an eye issue and we know the importance of these eye specialists. Hopefully Don will get shot soon. We think of him often.
I can’t even imagine the horrors happening in Afghanistan. Breaks my heart. This world is such a mess.
Now I need to go back up to those lovely pictures to get me back to calm.
I’m furious with all these anti-vaxxers and idiots who have made this a political issue when it’s a public health issue.
I know. I’ve read so many horrifying things today, I feel like I’ve lost hope for this world.
Stay safe, Verna.
That’s very interesting and thanks for passing that on. I almost always wear cloth masks. Now it looks like I’ll be digging out my medical ones and at least wearing them under a cloth one or on their own. Most appreciated.
Grace is so very talented. As one who does pet portraits on commission, I know how tough it is (and sometimes stressful) to just NAIL it! I mean, anyone who can draw or paint animals can do a dog or a cat and even one that resembles a specific one, with the same coloring or shape as a person’s beloved animal. But it’s doing THE dog or cat that is tough — getting the exact personality is really tricky and sometimes it is as much as the eye highlight or the texture of the fur that makes it THE pet. Well done, Grace!
She is very talented!
Thanks so much, Jeanie
Stay safe.
Oh, Claudia, what a truly beautiful gift from Grace! They really do look as if you could reach out and play with each of them!!
We ordered the N95 masks about 2 weeks ago. We stay home and wear N95 masks and 80,000 fans gather for a Packer pre-season game. I am so very very confused about the situation and what message is supposed to be relayed. This variant seems to be more easily transmitted, and the “rules” don’t seem to be in place. No one seems to be in charge at all. States apparantly can do whatever they want, and the Feds seem afraid to challenge anyone. Meanwhile Desantis is an ass, as apparantly killing as many older people wasn’t enough the 1st time around, he now is after the children…oh, except his own who must wear masks at their private school. I actually remember standing in the Polio vaccine line when I was about 4 and my mother (and other mothers) crying as we took the vaccine on that little sugar cube. Now, for political purposes, it is apparent that the Repubs are proud to charge their members to die to show how righteous and all powerful they are. I am rather astounded by the numbers who are marching on behind them. Unreal. Not quite sure who is going to vote for them once their followers are all in the ground. But they will have WON….right??
Perfectly said Chris! I remember standing in a line for sugar cubes too….those were the days when we willingly, and gladly did our part to eradicate a disease. ;)
Me too.
All these gatherings – like football games and baseball games. It’s as if no one has grasped just how dangerous this variant is.
I remember getting the sugar cube as well. We all had to be vaccinated. There was no choice. And thank God – there is no polio now and I have a friend who wasn’t as lucky (several years older than me) and lost the use of one of her arms due to polio.
Stay safe, Chris.
Another close close close member of family Covid…this one after vaccinations…she vaccinated…she masked…work and church after a year of isolation…young…healthy…because others won’t vaccinate, mask, and isolate…she is sick…she hopes the vaccine keeps her out of the hospital…family being tested…I am so tired of people complaining and refusing to do what is right…this won’t end until someone makes vaccines and masks mandatory…like school vaccines, seatbelts, no public smoking, etc prayers please prayers. She has, of course, cancelled visit to me by plane…
I don’t know if you read yesterday’s post where I mentioned this: my 24 year old nephew, who is fully vaccinated, got breakthrough COVID and was ill for two weeks. He still has no sense of taste or smell. I didn’t write about it before yesterday because I wanted to wait for Mere to blog about it.
Stay safe.
I read it
She is 20
xo
I am not whining. For the past nineteen months we have lost loved ones and friends…some
Covid some not. Fifteen plus
Thank the Lord this one is vaccinated and will be okay we pray
Yes, I’ve lost friends to COVID. I suspect all of us have.
xo
P s
She is quite young
Those portraits are so special. Grace is so talented….their fur looks so realistic. What a gift!
This country is a mixed up mess. Chris is right….. contradictory messages from different sources, it’s become very confusing. My brother in law sent us a video of some ER nurse hawking a miracle cure, and talking about how we have all been lied to about Covid. I used to think he was a reasonable man. He was a reasonable man! But, he’s become a science doubter because of his new religion…he’s a Jehovah’s Witness. All his common sense, and trust in the medical profession has gone out of him, and he lives in Florida to boot. I want to scream at him…but I know it won’t do any good.
Enjoy the rest of your day! ;)
I don’t know if that’s due to JW – my next door neighbors are Jehovah’s Witnesses and they’ve all been vaccinated. Blood transfusions? Yes, they don’t believe in them. But they go to the doctor routinely, as did my JW next door neighbors when I was a kid.
Maybe more to do with living in Florida…
Stay safe, Donna
Don’t know…just wish we could change their minds. They are only a few years younger than us, and his wife has multiple health issues.
I wish you could, too.
xo
I’m lucky my husband was on top of this, but he started ordering some N95s a few weeks ago. We were down to 3-ply masks and they were saying, earlier in July, to at least have 5-ply. I’m glad he ordered when he did because he said the N95s are now scarcer although I’m sure that will be improved upon after people made the big rush all at once to order. I have never worn a cloth mask, as in those eye-catching fabric ones which I would prefer. I know someone who makes those gorgeous masks with the satin, velvet, embroidery, etc. But I’ve had to keep to the disposables.
How does the artist catch the expression in the dogs’ eyes? That’s not an easy feat. Treasures for you.
I find myself getting very upset with the news coverage about Afghanistan; tears to my eyes. My husband and I have gotten in some heated discussions over the American presence there in these past decades. I don’t understand it all; I’ve been politically unaware/not knowledgeable about Afghanistan or even Iraq and Pakistan, ashamed to admit such ignorance/head in the sand. But what’s gotten to me about the coverage in the past few days is how much it reminds me of the fall of Saigon. (How can we forget those newsreels of the day; watching the evening news on TV at dinnertime; was tense times.)
I was even LESS aware of current events in my younger adulthood than I am now, but I was replaced in a job (as I was promoted to another one within the same company) by a woman, maybe ten years older than I, who was Vietnamese and part of those last airloads out of the country. Even though it’s been 45 years ago, I remember a lot about her; the firsthand stories of being an evacuee aren’t something you forget after hearing them from somebody who lived it.
At the time, she seemed credible; I had no reason not to believe her stories; she had anguish in her eyes although she was a decidedly-upbeat person. She’d clearly come from a privileged background; had been largely educated in Europe, had lived in Italy as a student, was fluent in French and three other languages. We (fondly) called her Kimchee but that wasn’t the spelling. Her husband had been a world banker and they lived in a lovely home across ‘the bay’ from Premier Ky, per her. She said she left behind Ming dynasty vases that had been in her family for a long, long time. Expensive jewelry was sewn into her clothing for safekeeping during evacuation (she’d wear those baubles and they were rather fabulous, blinding us with their brilliance; I think she sold some; they needed the cash after trying to reestablish in the U.S.). They got out, on one of those last flights out of Saigon, with two regular-sized suitcases (for her, the husband and their two small, adorable daughters).
When she came to work for our company, they’d barely gotten settled within the year of fleeing their homeland (I don’t think they’d been here for maybe all of eight months; can’t imagine what a period of adjustment for them; after all, they had to get their daughters back in a school, too). Kim could type, but that was about it in terms of being an office worker; however, they needed jobs. She was eager to learn and happy to take an entry-level position (the one I’d scored while I was still a teen, also with no work experience). So her husband went to work temporarily in a bakery, making French pastries, which had been his hobby. And it was a start for them. They didn’t ask for anything from anybody. I never heard a complaint, only gratitude; no regrets. When we’d ask about their life back in Vietnam, they were happy to talk about it, but they didn’t ‘dwell’ there anymore; they knew life they’d known there was over and they seemed energized to make a new life, which I know contributed to their achievements.
Gracious hosts, I went to dinner once at their quite small (although it seemed bigger because they didn’t have much furniture yet), immaculate, light-filled/sunny apartment. They were ‘blending’ between the two countries. Sometimes she’d still wear traditional clothing because she just didn’t have a lot of other clothes (and her clothes from life in Vietnam were lovely; I remember some brocades and silk), although she was trying to slowly build up her ‘American’ wardrobe for the office. Their food at home was still very much traditionally Vietnamese; a lot of fish and a lot of spice/herbs. (I wish I could remember some of it and had paid more attention; what sticks in my mind is a lot of red and green; Kim cooked everything so fresh; vegetables; clear soups; she used fish sauce liberally and I’m not into anything fishy although this wasn’t so fishy and sometimes tasted almost minty.)
Their ‘English’ was quite good which I know helped them transition to an English-speaking area. Anyway, I hope today that they’re a secure, happily-retired couple in their 70s; I’ve thought of the family many times over the years. But, in 1975, they’d had a horrifying turn of events in their lives; a complete change. I think overall, they were just happy to be alive and be afforded a second chance. It makes one wonder how many people did NOT have the fortune of getting out; who was left behind in Saigon. Which is what I keep thinking about, in what we’re seeing in real time in Afghanistan. I even feel worried for the U.S. reporters over there, the ones on the ground trying to give us the news. What we’re watching will be turned into movies and other dramas in future years, but we can’t forget this is REAL; it’s happening as we breathe. And it happened SO fast (I just saw the headline that Kabul has now fallen; I haven’t watched or read any news yet today, so need to catch up). And I say, God bless and please ‘be there’ for the innocent women and young girls; they are in such jeopardy.
We have so much in the world that is hurting, hurting. A wounded world.
Unbelievable and heartbreaking. Biden was left with the mess of 20 years. It was never going to be anything but this, no matter when we withdrew. But the damage to all those citizens is incomprehensible.
xo
The eyes are beautiful, aren’t they?
Stay safe, Vicki.
wonderful talent and gifts from grace! i am sure you will find an extra-special place for those works of art and enjoy them every time you see them.
today on a nice long ride with some family members, we came across a huge, huge copy of grant wood’s “american gothic” on the side of a barn. a great surprise!
i love art and nature and especially my family. and the power they have to make me think, laugh and smile …
much needed always and now in this messed-up world …
the vaccination rate here is unchanged over the past couple of months … still at less than 48% … and our governor won’t end her ban against mask mandates in schools, etc. our government agencies’ offices are still closed to the public and their staff work from home … but it’s “safe” for the rest of us to go to work where masks, social-distancing and vaccines aren’t required?! that hypocrisy is maddening.
and what’s going on in afghanistan breaks my heart, too.
i’m going to close this on a happier note … if you watched the “field of dreams” baseball game and saw kevin costner’s interviews and one with the white sox player after he hit the game-winning homer, you saw my brother’s videography work! :)
hope you have a nice night and stay safe. i am going to knit a while.
kathy in iowa
Unfortunately, I didn’t see those portions of the game, just the beginning. But kudos to your brother, Kathy.
Stay safe.
Thank-you Claudia and everyone here! for your supportive comments in regards the portraits of dear Scout,Riley and Winston! It has been a joy to observe and reflect their dear spirits.
Also,i feel so very grateful to have been able to complete this project as it has been in my heart for a long time and life from 2020 has, as for many/most thrown some challenges my way,
Claudia it is an honour to be able to offer you a gift of gratitude as your blog provides a comforting and beautiful welcome to come to again and again.
In regards world events …there are so many really disturbing things going on and I like to remind myself that dark times are. often followed by (and a part of) transformation and growth.
Of course ,if it is to be a dark chapter in history, may it not be excessively prolonged, much Love to all of you
I’ll keep that thought in my head – transformation and growth. Please let it be soon.
Thank you so, so much, Grace.
xoxoxo
P.S. Nevertheless, what is so very disturbing is the insanity of things seeming regressive and…. the suffering. Prayers for the best possible outcome all around..
xoxo