* Nostalgic Sunday * (With Pets)

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Lately I've been thinking about my age, (I just can't be that old!) and the wedding anniversary coming up for The Ronald and me in February. (Can it really be 30 years?!) And during all these years of marriage, we've had three dogs (not all at the same time!) who quickly became part of our family.

First, there was Rocky. (1983) We got him when he was just a pup, a mixed-breed. As I wrote in a story about him, I said he was "part Gordon Setter and part some kind of big dog."

Rocky, and my oldest son Scott, and a much younger, thinner me!

Rocky lived to be about 14 years old and I was so sad when we had to say good-bye to him. I didn't even want to think about getting another dog for at least six months,

but a month later we brought Tiger (Gal) home from the Humane Society. She was 6 months old and we fell in love with her, partly because she resembled Rocky so much.

(Tiger: January 2009)

Tiger was such a sweet companion. I worked from home most of those years and was even more attached to her than I had been to Rocky. When we had to say good-bye to her a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2010, I was devastated. I couldn't even think about getting another dog, yet I knew we would someday because our home was empty without a beloved pet. 

          On March 12, 2011 we brought home our newest family member: Vern!

Vern is a Lab Mix and is the sweetest, smartest dog. He has a real personality & we get such a kick out of him. (As you can see, I've always preferred larger mixed-breeds, bi-colors, and with long noses!) And we've always been so fortunate to have good, healthy, well behaved dogs, who lived long lives. We adopted Vern from the Humane Society when he was almost 10 years old, and we obviously hope he has many more good years ahead. 

“You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, 'My GOSH, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!” -- Dave Barry 

“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” -- Dean Koontz, False Memory

** I Could've Fallen Down the Steps! **

* This is my post for The Deja Vu Blogfest. It was originally posted in June 2010. Whether you've seen it before or not, I hope it makes you laugh! *

Yesterday was one of those (rare) days when I had a lot of energy. I did some laundry, whipped up some homemade (from a box) brownies, picked up clutter around the house, worked on my homemade birthday cards, stopped at the library to pick up a book, stopped at the post office to mail a package and got some stamps, etc..etc..!!  I LOVE those kinds of days, because they usually are few and far between. I just do not have a high energy level...never have, and never will....I guess.

Anyway....I told you all about that, so I can tell you all about this.

 Because of my super energy yesterday, I was still in high gear after my husband had gone upstairs to bed. I made several trips up and down the stairs, returning things to where they belonged, etc. One of those times, as I walked up the steps, I carried a couple of folded t-shirts and was talking to our dog, Tiger, who faithfully followed me. Thinking my husband was probably still awake and watching TV in the bedroom, I was in my own little world...that is until I reached the first landing and saw something out of the corner of my eye. He was standing there, resting with his elbows on the railing, just waiting for me to look up and see him......and when I did..... he scared the absolute *%#$? out of me!!! I was SO mad at him... (because he scares me so many times by quietly coming up behind me, etc.)....I think I danced in place for a second or two, screamed, threw the t-shirts at him, and cussed like a sailor! Besides being scared within an inch of my life, what makes me the angriest is that he always acts so innocent!! He always says, "What? What did I do? I was just_______!  Just fill in the blanks...."Standing there, walking into the room, waiting for you", etc.

I would've loved to have seen the look on my face. Every time I think about it now, I start cracking up, which aggravated me at first....but still...in afterthought, it WAS hilarious! It makes me think of the scene below....... Ron's lucky I didn't react the way Ferris' sister did when the high school principal surprised her in the kitchen! I think it is THE funniest scene in the entire movie.

Please leave a comment and let me know if it made you laugh out loud, too!
AND, do you have friends or family members that enjoy scaring the heck out of you?? Or are YOU the one who does it?

“The person who knows how to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused.” -- Shirly MacLaine

A Birthday Party for Vern!

During my time away from blogging, our awesome dog Vern celebrated a birthday. He is now 10 years old! We had a small party for him, which I'd never even thought to do for our previous canine family members! And by small party, I mean The Ronald, our son Mark, his girlfriend Jenni and me.

Vern didn't know WHAT was going on. That's Mark holding him.

We got him to stand still long enough for this picture! He doesn't look very happy, does he?!

Oooh, a present! And it's a beefy smelling rawhide bone!

Yum...Loving this other chewy thing, too.



And you're saying, "Where's the birthday cake??"

Well, we didn't have a "real" one, but we used this cool cake candle for photos!

Those of you who don't know the story about Vern, here's a condensed version: Three months after we had to say goodbye to our beloved Tiger, I was ready to look for another dog. Wanted an "older" dog....a companion, and not a frisky puppy. Found Vern, a lab mix, online at a shelter. His age was listed as eight, but found out he was really nine and a half.....big difference in dog years! But, we brought him home with us (in March) and have been in love with this fabulous dog ever since! He is sweet, loving, smart, funny and just plain perfect. Happy Birthday, Vern! May you live MANY more years.

Also, Welcome to my newest follower, Christine. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace."
Milan Kundera

* IT'S A BOY! *

We added a new member to our family today. We adopted an 8 year old sweetheart from the Heartland Humane Society. He's a Lab mix and his name is VERN! He is the sweetest, laid back dog and he's perfect for what we wanted! Yes, he likes to get up on the couch and yes, we let him! (*We found out a little later that Vern is actually 9-1/2 years old, but that's okay, too!*)

It will be 3 months ago tomorrow that we had to say good bye to Tiger-Gal. I've missed her so much and I'm so glad I finally was ready to accept another dog into my heart and home. Can you see me smiling while I type these words?!

"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." -- Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'

Borders, Books, Dogs & Cats

* Yesterday I made an impromptu stop at a neaby animal rescue, knowing full well I'm not ready to get another dog. So, what did I do? I looked at the cats. I saw one in particular that reminded me of some  friends' gorgeous cats. He/she kept rubbing right up against the cage and letting me pet/scratch him/her. "It" was the only one in the entire room of cats I was interested in, so I went to the desk to ask about being able to hold it. There was paper work to be filled out. Then an attendant walked with me to the cat area. Inside the little "getting to know each other" room, the cat had no interest in me whatsoever. The little rascal only wanted attention while IN THE CAGE. Not to worry, says the attendant. I've got just the right cat for you. She brings back a boney, scrawny cat that doesn't seem any more interested than the previous one. This one, though, has a special effect on me. I STARTED TO BREAK OUT IN A RASH THAT ITCHED. (yes, I have been "kind of" allergic to some cats before, but that thought never occurred to me. Duh!)

Tiger-Girl   1/1/1997 - 12/13/2010  (I miss her so.)

Okay, so I allowed myself to be escorted back to the dog cages. There were about 20 dogs, and none of them did a thing for me. Just proves I am NOT ready for another dog in my life. And maybe I never will......And it also proved to me that I really do NOT want a cat, either...and that's good to know.

* This evening I got an e-mail from Mike Edwards, President & CEO of Borders. Betcha didn't know I was such good friends with him, did ya? Ahhh, I can't lie. It was a mass e-mail to everyone on their mass e-mail list. The good news is that Borders IS NOT going out of business. Whether Borders is your favorite book store or not isn't really important. As a book lover and published writer, I don't want to see any book store or publisher or agent go out of business, but that's exactly what is happening in the industry. Partly due to the economy and partly because of ebooks and self publishing. (That's a whole other subject which I'm not going to go into.) I'm just happy to know that Borders, as of today, filed for Chapter 11 and is reorganizing. Anyone interested in reading more about it, here's the link: www.bordersreorganization.com.

(The book stores and online store are all supposed to be Open For Business, as usual.)

A special Welcome and Thank You to my newest Follower: Beth Fred. Thanks, Beth! I hope you enjoy stopping here from time to time!

And, speaking of stopping by blogs....I want to apologize... I just can't seem to keep up with all the blogs I want to check on! I do peek at some, from time to time and just don't leave comments, and some I don't even get around to very often. I hope no one takes it personally. All my blog friends mean so much to me. Please understand that I'm desperately trying to get my memoir completed. That is at the top of my list, and other things are suffering because of it. But, Wow....is it ever gonna be worth it when I'm finished!

"Give me a home with stacks and stacks of books, warmth in the cold of winter, and coolness during a heat wave. Give me plenty of my favorite drink(s): coffee, tea and diet soda. Give me my loving husband and entire family and friends.....and still with all of this.....I weep because Tiger-Girl is not here to share it with me." -- Becky Povich

Finding My Muse, Once Again

My writing brain finally kicked back into gear yesterday. It's been stuck for so long. I'm consciously aware of some of the reasons.....the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, losing Tiger Girl, trying to force a couple of stories for contests and calls for submissions, promoting three anthologies, etc. And then there are those often times lurking thoughts of Who am I kidding? I don't have enough talent to be doing this! etc.

But while cleaning up the kitchen and listening to the radio, the old gears unclenched and I felt my muse returning. It began when I heard Darius Rucker singing. I love that man's voice. He first became hugely successful with the group Hootie and The Blowfish back in the early 1990s. I don't know the story, but somehow he wound up being a country music star now. I say Congratulations! I greatly admire people who reinvent themselves. That's a big part of what I believe about my life.

Encarta Dictionary says this about reinvent: to invent something again, or bring something back into existence, use, or popularity after a period of neglect or obscurity. to change radically the appearance, form, or presentation of something or somebody.

I didn't discover my passion for writing until I was...uh....kind of old! Sometimes I wish I would've discovered it when I was a lot younger.....but things wouldn't have been the same. I wouldn't have the wisdom I have now....what I know about life.....what my life is and has been about. And it took the near death of my estranged father (in May 2001) to trigger those deep, hidden emotions, which flew from my fingertips to my keyboard...and voile'.....a writer was born.

So, I'm getting back to being organized about my writing deadlines and what I want to write about. I've found my muse...again. And I'm reinventing myself, somewhat....again.

And a HUGE Thank-You to Julia Christie for leaving a sweet comment on Tuesday's post which included these words: "...looking forward to a wonderful new year and hearing that your book is finally available!"

How can I not be excited and eager to finish my book, when I read something like that?!

Look Out World -- Here I Come!

"I believe that dreams—daydreams, you know, with your eyes wide open and your brain machinery whizzing—are likely to lead to the betterment of the world."-- L. Frank Baum

* Staying Busy & Looking for Joy *

“The key to success is often the ability to adapt.” -- Unknown

                                                                                                         

"Believe in love. Believe in magic. Believe in Santa Claus. Believe in others. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams. If you don't, who will?" -- Jon Bon Jovi

 

"Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends." ~Margaret Thatcher

(All photos taken by Becky Dec. 2010)

I'm trying to stay as busy as possible, so I don't have time to sit around and miss Tiger Girl too much. It gets a little better every day, until something happens to trigger a specific memory. I know we did the right thing and she's in a better place....but that doesn't stop me from missing her constant presence. 

I hope to get back to my "normal" self soon.....to post often, to write again, to not have an ache in my heart.

"Dogs are miracles with paws." ~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

* Tearful Goodbye to Tiger-Girl *

We had to bid a tearful goodbye to our beloved Tiger Girl this morning. She has been my constant companion for almost 14 years and I can't begin to express how sad I am. She was such a good and sweet dog. She had ovbiously slowed down the past year, but was doing fine, for an older dog. Then the past couple of weeks, she wasn't eating well and was sleeping more. This morning, we knew something was terribly wrong. Fortunately, I was able to reach Mark, and he came home to go to the vet with us. We held her close, and told her goodbye at approximately 11:00 am, CST.  The following photos are from various years, mostly the past two or three. One of my favorites is of her, napping on her bed, complete with her special pillow. *NOTE: I forgot to mention that we got Tiger at a shelter when she was only 6 months old. After we'd had her for only a couple of weeks, she was diagnosed with Parvo. Not able to see our regular vet that night, I was told we should just "give her back" before we "get too attached to her"! Can you imagine? We already were attached to her, so she got the treatments and obviously survived!

I will miss her so, so much. There will never be another dog like my Tiger Girl.

* Beautiful Moments Need Not Be Expensive *

This kind of says it all, doesn't it?

I just realized this morning that I missed my 2 Year Blog Anniversary by two days! I began blogging on November 10, 2008, after much persuading and urging by writer-blog-friend, Karrie Mcallister. She helped me realize that I did indeed need a blog. Karrie even helped me get started on blogspot...all the way from Ohio. Yay for e-mail! I'm sure other writer friends told me about blogging, too, but Karrie was the catalyst.

Thanks again, Karrie! I owe ya!

Remember when I posted a picture of this old tree recently? I mentioned that's where we see an owl or two from time to time. Well.....I know it's very hard to see, but at the top of the tree, a little left of the center, is one of those beautiful birds! I actually took this picture from my office window this morning, holding my camera between the slats in the blinds. I zoomed as close as I could (not the best camera for long shots!) and used the "no flash" feature. If you click on this, though, you'll see a huge view.

What prompted me to look out the window was I heard the familar hoot-hoot that I hear so often! The last time that happened, by the time I went and grabbed my camera, he had flown away.

More Simple Pleasures!

Tiger-Gal's view when she lays by the front storm door.

She LOVES to lay there and keep a watchful eye, and/or snooze and I LOVE to watch her, too.

More Simple Pleasures!

Two Guys With Books!

I bought the little duck for a couple of dollars earlier this year at a place called Apple Wagon. It's located in Williamsburg, Missouri, which we pass when we drive to Osage Beach, Mo. He was just so cute, standing there holding his book...and me being a book person...I just had to have him! I didn't think any more about it....as in maybe having a "collection of book holding animals and/or people"...until I saw old Santa there, at Dollar Tree! Well, you know I had to buy him, too. So, I guess since I have TWO of them, I've officially begun a collection!

More Simple Pleasures!

"The simplest things give me ideas." - Joan Miro

** This 'n That & Tea Cups, Too! **

Life gets in the way sometimes, and disrupts our schedules, doesn't it? That happens to me a lot!

As I mentioned yesterday, I planned to photograph some beautiful trees today in a nearby neighborhood, but I just didn't make it over there. Hopefully, the leaves will hang on another day or two, waiting for me to get there with my camera! BUT, I did take this picture of my back yard neighbor's trees. Remember I posted some on September 30th, and said I'd share more later? They still haven't reached their peak, but I thought the one in particular was really pretty.

Can you see those two round-ish looking things in the top? I've decided those must be owls' nests, because they are huge and that's the direction I've heard some hooting coming from! Maybe I'll get to see some of those beautiful birds sometime soon.
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Tiger-Gal had to get her nails clipped today. All of a sudden, they were way too long. She even got a cute Halloween bandana from her favorite doggie place, Kennelwood Pet Resorts!

I love both photos, don't you?




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I'd like to welcome my newest follower, Ms. Lou Turner! Hey, Lou....great to have you stop by! If Lou's name sounds familiar, it's because she's also a member of Saturday Writers  AND my publisher from High Hill Press. Welcome, Lou!

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And last, but certainly not least....I'm finally participating in Tea Cup Tuesday again! It's been quite a long time, mostly because I just couldn't get my act together in time to post my photos, etc. I'm joining Terri at Artful Afirmations and Martha at Martha's Favorites.

 I bought this beautiful cup and saucer just this past Saturday, the 23rd. I found it at one of my favorite consignment shops, Garvey Decor. I not only buy things there, but I also sell some of mine, too!

 I never look for anything in particular. No particular brands or colors or patterns. Just whatever catches my eye, and is what I consider a reasonable price!

 I loved everything about this one. The beautiful colors, the delicate handle and the pedestal "feet" on the cup!

      My camera doesn't take the greatest pictures, but just the inside of the cup has an iridescent shine. I know I'm probably not describing it properly. Hopefully, someone knows the name for that.

The name on the bottom of the cup and plate says: Original Napco China, Hand Painted. Then it looks like the number 1, and two capital D's and 239. 

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A bit of a hodgepodge post today, but that's what makes life interesting I think! Hope you thought so, too!

 “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” -- Oscar Wilde

** Dogs Rule Day **

Did you know that today, October 9th, is "Dogs Rule Day"?  I didn't until I read it on The Strawberry Mallard. Anyone who knows me very well and/or reads my blog knows that I am crazy about my dog, Tiger. I really do love all animals, but I'm especially crazy about DOGS!!

Pedigree

Click on the pedigree link to see suggestions of how to spoil your dog....as if we NEED any ideas on that??!!... and also how to post photos on their Facebook page!

I'll just post some of my Tiger favorites right here.

ADDENDUM: SATURDAY, 10:20AM

By the way, I know SHE has a boy dog's name, but SHE is a girl!

I guess I should refer to her as "Tiger Girl", or "Tiger Gal" when I post about her! ☺

And to those of you who have already left a comment, please do not fret. I'm only adding this, so the newer readers will know.

                  LAST, BUT NOT LEAST....I COULDN'T GET HER TO STAND STILL!!

I'm ending with 8 quotes today, because I couldn't choose just one!!

My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.  ~Author Unknown

Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window. ~Steve Bluestone

Happiness is a warm puppy. ~Charles M. Schulz

Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear. ~Dave Barry

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.  ~Rita Rudner

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet.  ~Edith Wharton

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner