** First Monday of the Month **

Every first Monday of every month, at exactly 9:00 am, our town and/or county, does a "test" of our Warning System. You know, those obnoxious blaring sirens that go off when there's a tornado warning.

When one of my grown sons was younger, he was terribly afraid of storms. This lasted for a few years and even interfered occasionally with his school days. Some months, I would be aware enough to warn him that today was Test the Sirens Day, before I dropped him off at school. Even at that, I would practically hold my breath when that horrible noise started up and blasted on and on and on. Would he remember that it was just a test?

To this day, whenever I hear that test siren (or any sirens, for that matter!) I stop for a moment and recall those long-ago years when I was a young(er) mom. Memories wrap around me like a swirling fog, a bittersweet smile comes to my lips and I feel cozy and contented.

"Rainbows apologize for angry skies." ~ Sylvia Voirol

** Friday Night Tails....uh, Tales...**

Our wacky weather is at it again. Waves of fierce storms blowing through; three or more just today. The trees bending sideways, the rain raining sideways. An hour after the first one, bright sunshine and dry pavement. Tonight, we even had tornado sirens blasting. That is one sound I truly dislike! I'm the first one to head for the basement and Tiger usually follows along without any discussion. Husband is always Mr. Stay Cool (or in my opinion: Mr. Wrong)...but fortunately the latest storm blew over and it's now quiet again...for now.

Another fortunate incident: Last night, I got the bright idea to fix a little bed for Tiger in our bedroom. Duh! It seems like such a simple answer to her desire to be near us, or ME, in general. I really didn't think of it before, because she's never been a dog that slept in any of our bedrooms. She had her various places she liked.....on the landing at the top of the steps....or near the front door.....or in the hallway, etc.....but never in our bedrooms.

(image courtesy gottoast.com)

So, last night, I called her into our room, showed her the old comforter and pillow that I put on the floor in the corner for her bed. She circled it for a moment, layed down for a second or two, and then wandered back out into the hallway. BUT, she saw that she was Welcome and that we had begun our new Open Door Policy! I'm pretty sure that tonight will be a good night......because even if it does begin to storm again....no sleeping on the couch required!

(Tiger in the family room)

"We derive immeasurable good, uncounted pleasures, enormous security, and many critical lessons about life by owning dogs." --  Roger Caras, A Celebration of Dogs