* MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT *

I haven't intentionally kept my major announcement a secret from y'all, but with all the other things going on the past few weeks, it just didn't seem the right time to share it. But tonight....

 

 

 

After Ron and I had to say goodbye on May 16th to our beloved lab/mix Vern, we both said, "Never again!" We truly believed that Vern was the last of the Best Dogs in the Whole World. We didn't even want to look at other dogs. None could ever "replace" Vern, we knew that of course, but we didn't want to ever feel that devastated again...

 

But time has a way of helping people look at things differently. We discovered we did want and need another furry member of our family. We still had lots of love to give, and we wanted another "older" shelter dog. And once again, serendipity worked its magic...

 

We are delighted to announce the adoption of...

 

Charlie: an 8 year old Beagle/mix

(I've always wanted a beagle!)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the day he came to our condo for a "meet & greet" he appeared to feel very much at home with us. We've had him now for about a month and every day he gets cuter, and more fun, and more loving! Isn't he adorable?? (How could anyone leave this beautiful, sweet guy at a shelter?? Well, because they did, though, Charlie has a new, loving home, and Ron and I are so happy and full of joy again!)

 

 

 

Snoopy is a Beagle....Charlie is a Beagle/Mix.....

Get it?! Your comments will make Charlie happy! J

* IF IT'S SUNDAY, I MUST BE GOING TO WORK TOMORROW *

Last week I almost worked my "normal" schedule at my job: 18 - 20 hours. 
The week before that I worked 40 HOURS. I was exhausted! My paycheck was nice, but I just can't do that very often. I still LOVE my job and all the people, though, which is wonderful.

~~~

So, I've been pretty lazy this weekend, as most weekends go. It's been so hot this summer. Yes, we DO have hot and humid summers here, but I don't remember so many days 90⁰ and higher. I make myself perform the necessary chores: laundry, and cooking and cleaning up the dishes. :)

~~~

This afternoon I worked on putting together a shadowbox frame with photos and mementos of Vern. I finally was able to begin it without being in tears. I need to get some spray-on adhesive and when I'm finished, I'll post a picture of it on here. We need to get lots of other regular frames, because we have so many photos we'd like to hang on the walls.

Here's one I've never posted before. It's from June 2011.

 

Vern was rolling around on the carpet and

I was shocked I actually got him in motion!

 

How I miss him....

 

P.S. Please take the time to stop by Robert Brault's blog. The man is a genius!! https://rbrault.blogspot.com/  

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

It's almost the 4th of July - America's Independence Day. It's been rainy and cool for the past couple of days, but we didn't have any plans...outside or in...so not a disappointment for us. In fact, we're being really lazy....

We just spent three days at our best friends' home at Lake of the Ozarks. We hadn't seen them in way too long and the weather was perfect. They also have two adorable doggies: a dachshund and a beagle, and we loved on them as much as we could! Made us feel like we should get another dog fairly soon for ourselves, but after we got back home, our common sense also returned! A few weeks ago, we'd said, "No more dogs." And even if we do change our minds, it's way too soon.... We still miss Vern so much.

I recently purchased a shadowbox frame to put memories of Vern in. When I have it finished, I'll share it here on my blog.

~~~

 

“It shocks me how I wish for...what is lost and cannot come back.” -- Sue Monk Kidd, Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story

* ♪ I'M WORKING MY WAY BACK...♪ *

Well, I've begun my way back. Back to my "normal" self. (Hey, I hear those snickers out there. I know I'm not "normal," nor would I ever want to be! Ha!)

Eeeeek!!

People tell me I've been through a lot the past couple of months. I really hadn't looked at it that way, especially because of the sorrow and sickness some of my friends have been experiencing lately. But, however, all the worry and tension and grief that I thought I was "handling," hit me when I let my guard down, and it finally took a bit of a toll...

And now...I'm working my way back...to myself. And it feels really good to smile and laugh and be goofy again J

~~~

* I'M HANGING IN THERE, AND STAYING STRONG *

Can you believe it is already June 2016?

 

I don't know why, but it seems to be part of human nature that as every month and year goes by, we all say, "I can't believe it is.....fill in the blank...already!"

 

Although I really do enjoy all the little things in life (Mr. Robert Brault!) and savor as much of each day that I can, life just gets in the way sometimes of our "plans." It's kind of like watching or listening to the weather forecast for the upcoming week. Don't bother making your outdoor plans according to those predictions. They usually change.....

 

Case in point: About six weeks ago, neither Ron nor I could have predicted what our lives would be like during these first few days in June. About a month ago, Ron had part of his right lung removed due to a cancerous "nodule." The surgery was successful and there was no chemo or radiation involved. Thank goodness! But during his recovery at home, he wasn't getting much better, and had trouble breathing. But when he went for his follow-up appointments to his lung surgeon and lung doctor (yes, two separate ones) both said things like: It takes time. You're doing all the things you're supposed to, etc.

 

Then, over the weekend of May 14th and 15th, Vern rapidly got sicker and our vet said without a doubt we were making the right decision to say goodbye to our sweet, beloved, senior guy. As most of you know, we'd had Vern just over five years and he would've been 15 years old this August. Although Vern was our third dog, Ron bonded with him much more than he ever did with the first two, and it really hit him hard. For me...I'm grieving about the same as I did for our other two, much-loved fur babies. I have my good days and my bad days.

 

So, a couple more weeks went by, and I kept telling Ron I thought he had pneumonia. I've had it enough times in my life to know the sounds and symptoms. It's not "normal" to wheeze and rattle when you breath! But, did that happen when the doctors listened to him with their stethoscopes? Of course not. One of them looked at me a bit patronizingly at that point, because I had voiced my "knowledge" but he wasn't "hearing" it.

 

....................................................... To Be Continued ...................................................

 



* SAYING GOODBYE TO VERN *

It is with great sorrow that I write about losing our beloved dog, Vern today. He'd been having some major health problems off and on, and we had to say our goodbyes to him this morning. I can't write anything else right now, or post more photos, but please just type in Vern in the upper left search area. See the Blogger symbol and the looking glass? Type Vern and you will see many blog posts and photos.

Vern and Becky 2013

* VERN IS ON THE MEND...*

Our dear Vern has been sick and after a trip to our fabulous vet (Dr. Kelly Brister in St. Peters, Mo) we found out he has pancreatitis. He was pretty sick for a couple of days but with a proper diet and medications, he is on the mend. He's not "himself" yet and may never be the same dog again. He hasn't been allowed to have any Milk Bone treats, rawhide bones or chews, or the occasional cracker or Cheezit...and it's probable he may never have them again. Ron and I are shocked he hasn't really pestered us for those things, either. We just tell him "Dr. Brister said you can't have any."...and also the occasional white lie of "No more bones. All gone!" And he'll go lie down somewhere.

He's still the sweetest dog in the whole world!

~ ~ ~

 

 

For those of you who don't know the story about Vern, here's a condensed version I posted on my blog on August 29, 2011....his 10th Birthday!

 

Three months after we had to say goodbye to our beloved Tiger, (Dec 2010) 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 2011 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.

 

So, obviously, this means we'll celebrate

Vern's 15th Birthday this August!

 

This was taken at the home we lived in then..2011

Awww.......

 

 

My laptop has been giving me trouble the past few weeks whenever I try to post photos on my blog. Earlier today, it "allowed" me to post these two...and now it won't let me do any. I keep getting this message:

 

Some library features are unavailable due to unsupported library locations.

 

And all I have to say about that is......Huh??

 

Bye for now! I hope everyone is having a fabulous Saturday!

 



 P.S. There's a huge grammatical error below.

That kind of thing drives me crazy!...

But y'all already knew it was a short trip, right??!!



 



* IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE 2015 *

Merry Christmas to All!

 

I'm sharing some photos of Christmastime 2011.....Our tree, sweet Vern, and homemade cookies!

 

I really wanted to make homemade Christmas cookies again this year, but it just didn't happen. Maybe if it finally gets cold, and we have snow, I'll make them....for New Year's Day?!

 

 

 

Wishing everyone peace and happiness.

* A GROCERY STORE ENCOUNTER.....*

I posted this on Facebook this evening and want to share it here, too. 

 

I stopped at a local grocery store today, to buy just one thing....a very important thing. A package of rawhide bones for our dear Vern! (Actually, I bought two packages because he goes through them pretty fast.) Walking from my car to the store entrance, I saw a woman standing on the sidewalk about 50 feet from the door, holding a leash with what looked like a beautiful, very young black Labrador puppy. For a brief moment, I thought she was waiting for a car to come and pick them up, but when I saw her talk to another shopper in front of me, I was pretty sure what was going on. As I got closer, she called out to me, "Would you like to have a puppy?" I kept walking and replied, "I would LOVE to, but I can't right now!" I thought how ironic it was that I was there to purchase chew-bones for my beloved, Vern, who is 14 years old, has a bit of dementia, and cannot hear any more...and I worried about that puppy. I thought about saying something to the employee inside at the Service Counter. Did they know the woman? Was it legit? Should I call the Humane Society? Usually someone has a cardboard box with a sign "Free Puppies" on it, and so I just didn't feel right about it...and yet I did none of those things, but hoped that someone would stop and give that beautiful puppy a loving, forever-home. What would you have done? I'm still thinking about that little puppy....

 

“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.” - Dean Koontz

* MY COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING - DAY 5 *

* Countdown to Thanksgiving *

 

 

Speaking of thankfulness, I was very thankful to have the day off today...and my sweet Vern allowed me to sleep realllllyyyyyy late! (after his one-quick-go-outside-come-back-in-trip at 6:00am)

 

Then I spent a mostly lazy afternoon and evening, watching some football on TV, did a couple of loads of laundry and folded towels that were still in a basket from ___ days ago! (How grateful I am to have those clothes and towels, and electricity to clean/dry them.)

 

 

I also got a few groceries (of which I'm so appreciative)... lunch type snacks to take to work, and a small pork roast, red potatoes, and frozen corn and peas. My supper will be all ready for me when I get home from work tomorrow...because it will cook in the crockpot most of the day. Yum! I can hardly wait to get back home tomorrow!  J

 

And speaking of food, combined with my countdown to Thanksgiving.....below is one of my newest sets of Salt & Pepper shakers which I purchased at a nearby Kirkland's.

 

A turkey in a roaster

Take the turkey out of the roaster,

 and voila' ...

the turkey is the Pepper

and the roaster is the Salt!

 

These are almost as small as they look. Each piece is about 2-1/2" wide. I think they're just so cute! (The least expensive items always bring me joy.)

 ~~~



Oh, I almost forgot to mention that one of my favorite "weather events" happened yesterday....snow flurries! It was so pretty coming down and obviously didn't stick since our weather has been fairly warm.

~~~

 

 

 



“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick



* YIKES, IT'S NOVEMBER *

As most people my age seem to say these days.....

Time is flying by way too fast.

I can't believe it's ________ ! (fill in the month)

Why can't time drag by, the way it did when we were kids?

I certainly say all those things and more. One of my favorites is:

Poster from the 1966 movie, "Stop the World. I Want to Get off."

Alas, that's not possible, and besides, if it WAS, where would I go?? I guess I'd just float around in space, and that would be awful. That wouldn't accomplish anything! So, I've learned to stop thinking (too much) about the passing of time, and just enjoy the Here and the Now as much as I possibly can.


Below are some photos I took about a week ago along the boardwalk where Vern and I go for our strolls. I'm so happy that I did, because the leaves were at their peak! Since then, it's been rainy and windy and the leaves are falling....and I love to walk through them, making crunching noises! Yes, I'm still a kid at heart!

* If you click on each photo, you'll see a much larger view.

"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” - -  Lauren DeStefano, Wither

* DO YOU LIKE TO READ IN THE BATH TUB? *

found on Google on various sites



I've never been able to understand how anyone can possibly read a book while soaking in a bath tub...and actually enjoy it! I tried it a time or two, always with unfavorable results. Maybe I should point out first that I don't even LIKE to take baths. I much prefer showers.

Even if you have a "book holder," what about turning pages? Aren't your fingers wet? And after you've been reading for a while, don't you want to get out of that lukewarm, or actually COLD water??

Call me nutty, but I just can't imagine that being a comfy, relaxing way to read.

SO, when I came across the above photo, I thought to myself, I've just GOT to find someone to make one of these for me! (and for it to NOT cost a fortune!) Since I'm so short, I'm sure I would fit nicely in it!

And it would be similar to a window seat which is something I've always wanted. I remember watching a TV show or movie, many years ago, as in my childhood, where a teenage girl lounged on a window seat cushion, eating a red apple, and reading a hardcover book! (yeah, that had quite an impact on me!) So, it was one of those material things I dreamed about and longed for that never happened.

Nowadays I have a daybed near a window and that would be such a close equivalent...but for now it's one of Vern's beds! Actually, when we moved into our condo, we placed the mattress directly on the carpet, so Vern could take just one step, and voila'. Previously, he'd have to get a running start and jump up onto the bed. So, it is HIS bed until the sad time arrives when it is no longer needed.

This was taken at the townhouse, when Vern was still able to jump up onto the bed.



What about you? Baths or showers?

Reading while in one or the other? J

 

Happy Monday, everyone! Have a beautiful, blissful, "autumnly" kind of week!

* HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VERN *

Today is Vern's 14th birthday!

We've had this amazing dog in our life since March 2011 when we brought him home from a shelter.

Happy Birthday, Vern!

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAYS *

 

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

This Nostalgic Sunday post is going to be about my beloved dogs, because I recently heard from my pal, Tracie Hotchner, about this upcoming Dog Film Festival in New York City, which is her project! (Sure wish I lived near there!)

"THE FIRST ANNUAL DOG FILM FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK IS A CELEBRATION OF THE REMARKABLE BOND BETWEEN DOGS AND THEIR PEOPLE. The Dog Film Festival is a project of The Radio Pet Lady Network and Tracie Hotchner. - See more at: http://dogfilmfestival.com/#sthash.9gogg1ju.dpuf "

My nostalgia today is about the three dogs I've had in my life...yes, only three, including my current old guy, VERN! We didn't have pets when I was growing up except for an occasional gold fish which is NOT a pet..at least in my opinion! (In my memoir sequel, I'm including a story about having a puppy for only a couple of days, until I had to give him back.)

Anyway....My first much-loved dog was Rocky. We got him as a 6 month old puppy when The Ronald and I were newlyweds - (1983 or '84)



This is my oldest son, Scott, holding Rocky soon after we got him.

Awww.....aren't they both adorable?!

We knew nothing about having a puppy, especially living in a small apartment, where nobody was home except in the evenings and on weekends! I wrote about our episodes with Rocky in my memoir, and also for NYMB ...On Dogs https://laughuntilyoupee.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/rocky-loses-by-a-tko-by-becky-povich/ 


A few years later, the minute we brought newborn Mark home from the hospital, Rocky was there looking out for him. He didn't want to let people get too close to him in the bassinet! Rocky lived to be almost 14 years old and was always Mark's companion.

Rocky and Mark 1988

 

~ ~ ~

 

 

Here is beautiful Tiger Gal. We got her at a shelter when she was 6 months old, just a month after we said goodbye to Rocky. Part of why we chose her was because she resembled Rocky's markings. She, too, lived to be 14 years old. We had to say goodbye to her just a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2010. I wrote about her on my blog here: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2010/12/tearful-goodbye-to-tiger-girl.html

 

~ ~ ~

 

And now....here is Vern. (June 2015)

 

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 2011) and have been in love with this fabulous dog ever since! He is sweet, loving, smart, funny and just plain perfect. We will celebrate his birthday next month - - he'll be 14 years old, and our hopes and prayers are that he lives to be 20! (as long as he is healthy and happy)

 

 

 

 

* OUR REHAB CENTER *

*Note: I just realized this is my 1,000th post!

I haven't posted anything about the craziness going on here, which began on June 30th when The Ronald had total knee-replacement surgery on his right knee. He came home two days later and has been doing amazingly well ever since.....which is exactly the way I envisioned he would.

Mercy Hospital St. Louis

The hardest part for me has been keeping track of all his medications. I made a chart listing them all, what they were for, and at what times he needed to take them. Some were once a day, others were every 12 hours, others were twice a day...but with meals, etc., etc.

And along with those chores as The Ronald's caretaker, Vern was a bit more "needy" in the early stages of Ron being back home, too. There were strange, new things around the house: a walker, an exercise contraption, a large bandage on daddy's knee, etc.

Things were settling down pretty well when just a week after Ron's surgery, I became aware of some major tooth pain in one of my back molars. Long story short, I had to have oral surgery because it was cracked, couldn't be saved, and wasn't a "typical" tooth-pulling. I came home looking like a chipmunk with a huge bruise. Still today, I have a smaller, multi-colored bruise on my right jaw, but no swelling.

Vern looking at me when I first came home as if he's thinking...
"Who IS that? It can't be Mom!"

 

After he looked at me in the above photo, I kept talking to him and calling him by name,
 and he wouldn't even look back at me!
 (Besides the swollen cheek and huge bruise,
I still had gauze in my mouth and didn't sound like myself, either!)

This was taken on Friday, I think.

So, I've been trying to catch up on "normal" household chores such as laundry (but we have also acquired a bit of a plumbing problem,) so things are piling up....so to speak! (The plumber is supposed to be here later this afternoon.)

 

 

I'd like to leave a final thought from my friend, the brilliant Robert Brault. This is from his book, The Second Collection: Thoughts and Other Writings. It is currently unavailable, but his first book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Round-Up-Usual-Subjects-Everything/dp/1499593783/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436850854&sr=8-1&keywords=robert+brault&pebp=1436850934412&perid=1GBZTDDRX8A0BQ30EHWJ

 

"Some mornings you wake up to the smell of the coffee, and some mornings you wake up to the smell of the halibut from last night's supper." - Robert Brault

* GOOFY MONDAYS *

IT'S TIME FOR GOOFY MONDAYS!

 

 

 

 

I discovered the other day that it's not a good idea (at least for me)to store two similar spray cans next to each other. They're both the same size and everything. I think it's quite understandable to get these mixed up! I mean...really..."Spot Shot" and "Hot Shot"?

 

 

I'd managed to keep them straight, though, by taking time to make sure I picked up the correct spray. That is until I needed to grab the carpet cleaner really fast the other night. Vern had been outside and stepped into something "stinky," then managed to track some into the living room and onto the carpet.

 

 

 

In my panic, I opened the cabinet door under the kitchen sink, grabbed a can and managed to spray the Hot Shot bug spray on one of the dirty spots. As soon as I realized what I did, I ran back into the kitchen, grabbed the right can, and sprayed it on the spot...after I wiped off the bug spray. Sheesh!

 

After that little episode, I came up with an idea to help me in the future..... 

 

 

 

How about you? Have you ever grabbed the wrong bottle, can, etc. and actually USED it?

 

 

 

"The day I worry about cleaning my house is the day Sears comes out with a riding vacuum cleaner." - Roseanne Barr





* I WONDER *

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER I WONDER

(which I haven't written in a LONG time!)

 

 

 

 

I wonder how many people (adults and children alike) still look up at clouds and find joy in "seeing" various things: animals, objects, faces, etc.

 

I've enjoyed doing that for many years and I believe it's one of my favorite simple pleasures, but I had no idea there is an actual word for it: Pareidolia: (par-i-DOH-lee-a) Seeing Faces in Unusual Places.

 

Various websites can easily be found, explaining more about it, and it really is an interesting subject, to me, anyway!

 

So, why am I writing about Pareidolia in my "I WONDER" post?
 

WELL, this afternoon I washed out Vern's food and water bowls with an SOS pad, and then instead of throwing it immediately away, I put it aside on top of a paper towel. Then I finished rinsing and drying, and put the bowls back on the floor.

 

When I looked back at the used SOS pad, I laughed out loud, because this is what I saw:



From this angle, I see a cute, little animal face, like a baby seal.  

 

 

 

 

From this angle, I see a scary face: scary eyes,

 and a screaming mouth.

* I promise I did not touch the pad or change it in any way. I just took the top photo from an angle and this one I took straight on.
 

 

  I wonder.....what do YOU see??