• Late start today, as I slept in a little and had a nice long phone conversation with my sister. My nephew is going away to his new college today. It’s a big day and a big transition. I’m very proud of him.
• Yesterday, I weeded for about 2 hours, cleaning up all the garden beds. Usually, at this time of year, I’ve given up on the weeding. But, though it was tiring, I’m so glad I did it. Everything looks much better and more defined – and my rambling, country garden needs some definition.
• Around the property:
The limelight hydrangea blossoms are the bigger than ever this summer. Very impressive!
Another zinnia is opening.
And the wild Queen Anne’s Lace is blooming down by the mailbox.
It always evokes memories of my childhood, when there was still an open field across the street from our house, and I’d see Queen Anne’s Lace everywhere.
• Look! There’s a baby springing up from the soil! This is the mother-in-law’s tongue that my parents nurtured for over 40 years. I was so happy to see this little baby that I had to send a picture via text message to my sister. Mom and Dad would be pleased.
• This morning I woke up missing my dad’s voice and our phone calls. The other day, I lost it and sobbed about Scout – about all my dogs. I explained to Don that I missed talking and singing to Scout. I talked to her all the time, explaining what I was doing, explaining what I wanted her to do, telling her about my adventures, telling her how beautiful she was and how much I loved her. And I sang to her all the time; little songs I would make up on the spot.
I miss that.
I know that some of you will say, “You can still talk to her.” I do, at times. But, let’s be real: it’s not the same. I did it all the time. And there’s a quiet now, an emptiness of sound, that sometimes knocks me down and brings me to tears.
• Our dear friends of many years lost their home to a fire a couple of days ago. They live in Los Angeles: it wasn’t due to a wildfire but most likely an electrical fire. I think that has yet to be determined. Thank goodness, all are safe, including their two dogs. I can’t even begin to imagine how devastating this is for them. They will rebuild. They are in our prayers. Everything can change in a moment.
• For all of you who missed Don on Mr. Robot: You can see it On Demand, if you have that option with your cable package. Or you can do what I’ve done in the past and will do again. You can watch episodes on the USA network’s web page. Here’s the link to his episode. He did some fine work in this one.
Happy Friday.
I feel out of sorts today, Claudia…moving my daughter back to college. She reminds me so much of my late husband…a kind and loving nature, always thinking of others, makes me laugh until I cry. I’ll miss her.
We all carry memories and emotions of loved ones we’ve lost. The sadness stays with us, ever bubbling below the surface, then sometimes bursts forth unexpectedly. We all balance the sad and the happy…some days are easier than others. I hope today tips towards the happy for you.
I know it must be hard to send your daughter off – you’ll miss her company. Sending love your way, Wendy.
Heartfelt sympathy to your friends devastated by fire. I can’t imagine although I’ve considered the possibilities too many times since I live in a Southern California fire-prone valley. We in fact are in for high wind warnings and low-digit humidity today which means excessive fire danger in the summer heat (although we fog in, in the morning, like now at 8:15 am or so, we are still reaching mostly low 90s late in the day, for weeks). My previous cottage was in a deeply-foliaged lot higher in the hills above town, so there’s part of me that is glad I no longer have that scared feeling inside me when we are in wildfire threat around here.
I’m so sorry about Scout. I, too, often think of all my dogs and cats. Sometimes, due to the number of years gone by, their quirks and traits begin to blend in my mind. When I first got married and had really never had pets of my own…heretofore, with my first family, Mom was the ‘caretaker’ and the rest of us just got to enjoy the pets, and they were always animals that got the benefit of an inside/outdoors life, a big part of our life and of course we did ‘talk’ to them…but when I became the doggie “Mom” as a newlywed, I had a co-worker (fellow dog lover) who talked to me quite earnestly about the need to regularly talk to your dog and have real communications/interaction…so, I did that, although it also simply came naturally, and I talk to my dog all day long. She knows a lot of words! She loves the sound of our voices and is happiest when we’re her bookends, with her sandwiched between us on bed, sofa, etc. Their humans are everything to them. My near neighbors never talk to their big male dog; they treat him like a farm animal, just something to be fed and watered. I have a way to sneak to pet him and give him a doggie treat; he becomes so still when I talk gently to him because no one ever talks to him and he has no other canine companions either. It disturbs my husband and I so much because he is a stellar animal who gets so little from his human ‘owner’. We have considered going to them and asking if we could adopt the dog, since the dog doesn’t seem to matter to them but, well, they’ve already gone thru several dogs since they’ve lived there, and if we take this one, they’ll just get another and do the same thing. And they don’t like people messing in their business, so…
I wish you could take that dog, Vicki. At least that dog would have a better life with you and your husband.
Yeah, and get this – – purely by happenstance today, about an hour ago, I wound up in a conversation with someone who lives there who volunteered that the reason they pen up the dog so much is because he has fleas and people in the house are getting flea bites if they’re out in the yard. (What? Do they think the fleas don’t jump? Penning the dog up in a far corner of the yard makes no sense!) I gently suggested that many forms of flea protection, at all diff prices, are available for dogs, even OTC…we’re currently using a chewable prescribed by the vet, so easy, just once-a-month chew…and the person said to me, “Well, the dog owner is low on money and can’t afford to buy anything.” So, in the meantime, the dog is eaten up with fleas with no treatment and, yes, their yard is contaminated…and I’m trying to understand. I could go buy flea medicine to give to them, but another neighbor tried to do that with eye drops one time when another of their dogs had an infection, and she was treated rather coldly over the offer (and for what they appeared to view as meddling). It’s a dilemma; I think in this case it’s a lot of ignorance and I don’t think they really view what they’re doing to the dog (or not doing) as ‘neglect’; we have a good-enough relationship with the people, (although we don’ know them well and I am VERY disappointed about what’s happening with the dog and it’s all I can do to bite my tongue over it), that I don’t want to escalate a problem (I’ve already got that on the other side; the other neighbor who thankfully will be moving in the next few months [I can’t WAIT; few neighbors like them; they are AWFUL people]). I don’t know WHAT my husband is going to think about this flea debacle when I tell him tonight once he gets home from work. I wish I had an ASPCA chapter near me anywhere in the vicinity. They are so good about going out to a house in helpful mode rather than ‘police’ mode and sometimes all it takes is guidance/resources from an authority. The problem about asking to take over this big guy is that he’s a huge mastiff, never altered, never trained and my girl shepherd is older and smaller but feisty. Neither my husband nor I know if we could even handle such a large animal in terms of transport, walking on a lead, etc. I’ve watched and, in enthusiasm when getting even the slightest acknowledgement/attention, he does jump and, because he’s so big, he can just knock a person down, especially a child. It’s one thing to pet his massive head over the fence when I can – – but quite another to take on a gigantic, mature, unneutered male, super-large breed who is technically not socialized around people or other animals (although he’s remarkably loyal, not a big barker, not fussy; sweet – – like any dog who learns to live with no expectations). Anyway, we’re going to have to put our heads together this weekend and decide about doing anything, if anything; starting a neighbor war is not a good thing and I know many people would read what I’m saying, to in turn say, “Mind your own business!!” But I do know that in Southern California, if you have a domestic animal like this and do not attend to their health needs, you can be cited by Animal Regulation if you’re ‘caught’ at it. Flea infestation, as you’d know, is unacceptable and an agony for the animal and of many things, causes anemia (and worms) which then leaves the animal prone to other catastrophic conditions. I can’t treat the feral cats I feed…they’re elusive, you can’t catch them…but they live on a hillside, in the wild. This next door to me is not ‘the wild’ and they are not doing right by the dog when it’s such a simple fix. The way you yourself don’t get flea bites is to treat the yard, treat the dog. It’s called AN EASY SOLUTION to a problem. I’m frustrated, as you can tell. I know this dude has a vet; he has on occasion taken other dogs to the vet. Maybe they have a plan I don’t know about; they’re not ‘bad’ people or ‘bad’ citizens but they sure take borderline ‘care’ of their pets. When we had a cold snap earlier in the year, the owner didn’t bring in their caged birds and one or more birds froze. I heard that from their own daughter-in-law. They felt bad about it, but ignorance and not watching the weather report is no excuse. Oh, I’m sorry, I’ve written too much again. I need another outlet to rant but, Claudia, you’d be going nuts with this, too; I know how much, by now, you love the living creatures! My heart is hurting for the big boy.
I hope there is some way to help him. I cannot understand people like this. Why have a dog if you’re not going to love and care for it?
And here I thought I was the only one who sang to the dogs and the cat all day. (Izzy has some great rhymes!!) Even when they just come up to me for a hug or a scritch, I sing to them. I know you have some traveling you want to do this year, but I think, and I wonder, if possibly your heart may be making room for the possibility of a new fur-baby in the future. Time has a way of doing that for us.
We had a million dollar rain this morning. Just what we needed….and I don’t have to water!! Have a wonderful day!!
When it’s time, we’ll know, Chris. So glad you got some rain!
Well, it seems from your commenters that you and I are not alone in talking and singing to our animals. I’ve always done that, too, and am quite sure that they love it. For the two years we were at sea (literally), just we two and our dog, I probably spoke more to the dog than to the husband. I love the way they turn their head and cock their ears, seemingly trying to grasp what’s being said…hoping it has something to do with a treat.
Your flowers are so pretty! The only thing thriving in the heat and rain around here are mushrooms and the Queen Anne’s Lace, tons of it. I only wish it would last in a vase better than it does.
Yes, I never pick it. I just let it grow. It does better in its natural habitat!
I live with my daughter and her husband. We too lost our home this past week due to fire. Our little town of Lower Lake California burned down do to arson. Our entire street burned to the ground. We are devastated. Our beloved cats were inside the home also. Animal control officers tried to save them but the fire was too intense and to fast so no one could save them. We are staying with my daughter’s in-laws for now. It’s hard to believe that we lost everything. I am so sad.
Oh April! What a loss you have suffered! My prayers are with you and your family at this devastating time.
Tana
Oh, April! I am so, so sorry. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking the loss of your home and your beloved cats must be. My prayers and love are being sent your way. Words fail me, my friend. Much love to you and yours. Claudia
Oh my goodness April..I just read about the fire online..so much loss…bless you all..
Oh, April. That’s just awful. Can’t begin to imagine how you feel. Just let yourself take things slowly, a step at a time, as you & your family begin to adjust & rebuild. Take good care of yourself and may the Force be with you…. 💛
Oh, I just read your comment to the post and I am so deeply sorry for your multiple losses. I am thankful human life was saved but I can’t imagine losing everything else. I pray for your healing and continued safety. Hug your dear ones close; you will rebuild your life. I don’t know what else to say but what you’ve written has really affected me and put some of my aggravations in perspective this evening. I went to the cemetery this afternoon and they wouldn’t permit me into the lane where my family is buried…where many of them have been resting for 50 years. They are going to dig up the road to make room for more grave sites and the entire area will be under demolition for months, well into next year. I’ll have no near access by vehicle now. Never again can I park a car under “our” tree, like I’ve been doing for decades and sit in shade and solace, in the breeze and with a view, with my loved ones there at rest, not unless I take a long hike by foot on uneven ground, up a long hill from another road, which is not going to be easy for me, since I’m older now and will only get older still. They ‘stole’ a long-standing tradition and comfort from me today, with no warning. When it comes down to it, though, it’s just geography; inconvenient. I’ll get over it. But, for you, there is no comparison, NONE, my day to yours; what was stolen from YOU is completely life-altering; unspeakably harsh, unfair and senseless. If they haven’t caught the arsonist, I sure hope they catch him/her/them soon. Think to yourself that your cats are in no pain, they are in Heaven now. They are not suffering. If you lost old photos, take new ones. Do not let this knock you down. Easy for me to say, but it’s hard to know even what to say; you’ve suffered such tremendous loss. Life can be so hard; hard to justify or find reasons but, again, you are with your family; you’ll somehow find your strength. My heart goes out to you! I’m in Southern California, too, and I hate that wildfire and arson fire has to exist here. You didn’t deserve this and I feel bad it happened to you. Take care, dear. We’re all thinking of you.
I tried to get ‘educated’ just now about your circumstance. I didn’t realize these were the fires in Northern California. I’m relieved they caught the monster who caused the fire; justice should be served for anyone who would ever do something so horrible to others.
Lots of things to talk about today. First, I love the shape of your hydrangea. I have never seen that shape. Second, I miss my dogs still too. To make me feel better I try to think of what their life would have been like if my husband and I had died first. Would they have gone to the pound? And thirdly, I can watch On Demand, and since it is so hot today and we don’t have air conditioning, I am going to watch Mr. Robot! And spray water on myself.
I think the Limelight is the only hydrangea with that shape, Tana. Enjoy Mr. Robot!
I am so sorry for April and her family and for your friend. Terrible tragedy .
Such sadness and loss, Doris. xo
Grief is grief regardless if it is over the loss of people, places, animals, environments, events or possessions so it is perfectly understandable to grieve for the loss of your beloved dog Scout, your dad as well as your friends home which burned down. I believe that grief indicates that our hearts are still soft and are filled with love and compassion.
What tempers the grief however is finding something to still be grateful to God for i.e. our health, our families, and happy memories of those good times, which we can then draw new strength from.
Very true, Elizabeth. I express my gratitude every day.
That limelight hydrangea is so pretty…the petals look like little butterflies to me..I also love Queen Anne’s Lace…I left a message for April..I know what it is like to loose everything…our loss was to floodwaters..knowing she lost her kitties touches my heart…I always enjoy seeing new growth in flower pots..
Thank you all for the kind words. xo
I cannot imagine the horror of losing one’s home to fire. My sympathies to your friends. I’m constantly talking, whispering in my kitty’s ear…I know he understands every word! But, I’m not a good singer at all…seems, I’ve lost my voice to age. I’ll be weeding on Sunday…I high of 73…three cheers for cold fronts ! ;)
Oh goodness – I’d love a high of 73! It’s in the eighties here today, and very warm at the moment – maybe because we just got back from a brisk trail walk.
I have that same plant from my mother. I love having a plant she nurtured, too.
Almost as if our loved ones are here with us.
I’m a day behind in commenting but I’m so sad at the loss of homes to this horrible fire and April’s kitties. I have been missing Charlie a lot lately also. I’m feeling sad today but hopefully a visit with the Grands will change all that.
hugs,
Linda
Have a good day with the Grands – they will surely cheer you up, Linda.