Embrace The Suck

How old is one in the 2nd grade? 7? 8? My second grade teacher was Mrs. Burducks (I have no idea if that's how you spell it). At the end of the year we were all promoted, even Mrs. Burducks. My father was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, outside of Chicago, IL. The elementary school was in Waukegan, IL. I fell in love for the first time in my life while in the 2nd grade. George Couch. Granted, it's been many years and many loves since, but George stands out for a few reasons. He was lanky like me with blonde hair. He was funny. His goal for the school year was to buy me  rings for every finger and toe. Bubble gum rings. I still swoon at the idea. When you live on a Navy base, your life is pretty regulated. You play with Navy friends. You don't venture too far from home. If you were of dating age, you usually picked the son of a Navy family on the base. An officer's child. Enlisted men were not to considered. George Couch was from Waukegan...

Sweetie and I went to the movie today. Mr. Holmes starring Ian McKellen. It didn't take very long to figure out that the aging Sherlock had some severe cognitive deficiencies. In fact most of the movie was about him trying to remember a case he'd worked on. I leaned over to Sweetie and whispered, "I didn't know this movie was about memory loss." His response. "Who better to learn from than Ian McKellen." Good move. Good time. Too much popcorn. I give it two thumbs up, Merry ME

Buddy at the vet for the 2nd time in a week It's been kind of crazy around here lately. I guess I should have realized it would get that way before getting the puppy. How can one little pooch be as rambunctious as 101 Dalmatians? I think I've set a world record with the number of times I've said "potty, pee and poo" in one day. To make matters worse, we found out yesterday Buddy's got an intestinal thing going on.  Once we get that cleared up maybe the number of trips outside will be less frequent. I thought he was catching on. Running to me like the Purina Puppy Chow puppy, when he heard my kissing sounds. Loving the treats he gets for responding. Alas, now he's decided to do things in his own time and own way. This morning he actually turned his back on me to chew on bark as if to say, "yeah, yeah, I know it's potty time. I heard you the first time. I'll get to it when I'm ready." Perhaps we've bitten off more than we can ...

Yesterday I joined my sister, her husband, Sweetie, a passel of aspiring ballerinas and their mothers at a book signing by Misty Copeland. Copeland is the first African-American to be chosen as the principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater's 75 year history.  Let me just say she is as poised and beautiful in person as you would imagine. Photo by Michael Bondanza www. iamjaxphoto.com Most of the questions were from the students of a ballet academy started by a young woman who Copeland mentored for several years. Sadly, this woman suffered a career ending injury. All her energy these days is focused on encouraging young girls of color to dream the dreams Copeland must have had once. What should I do to be like you? asked one girl clothed in a black leotard and pink tights. "First of all, don't try to be like me, " advised Copeland. "Be your best self. Find a path that works for you." I love that advice. What a perfect thing to say to a girl, a...

"Happiness is a warm puppy." Charles Shultz My father had several credos he lived by: Be prepared. You can never have to many flashlights. The best way to get over losing a dog is to get a new one as soon as possible. The month before he passed away his beloved Black Beauty's hind legs gave out. She was in so much pain, I did made the decision to euthanize her. The next day my father started talking up the pros of a new dog. He failed to see how much more work that would be for me. I didn't know Dad was so close to death, but I did know he was getting harder and harder to take care of. There was just no way I could handle the responsibility of a new dog so I put my foot down. Not something I did very often with my father. It was the right thing to do. But I still regret it.  Especially so because he would have loved Suzi Q.  About 6 months after Dad passed away Sweetie and I went to the Humane Society to look at a dog that had been advertised as a Germ...

truth be told I do worry but not excessively. See post below. Any way. Here's a salute, hat's off and a hearty Thank You To John Ellington. John is Mary's son who has lived with us for some time. Recently I realized she and John were discussing dogs while both were looking on line at various offerings and pet rescue places. Then I heard a discussion with a breeder in Georgia over some puppies. Next thing I know John is in his truck going to Georgia to see this puppy. The next thing I know is Mary showing me a picture of a puppy in the front seat of John's truck which is returning home. There's a message "jack will melt when he sees this pup." Mary say's "he's a gift from John and will be your service dog." I was stunned. For about three seconds. WOW Holy S___T is this for real? And My Buddy Boy has been with us for just more than a week. He is ever so much smarter than John said he would be. He sits when told to to get a treat. Othe...

Words - bless 'em, damn 'em. I know I keep forgetting words when speaking, then closing my eyes I go searching for them in the recesses of memory. what's new is getting my words tangled. tonight I told Mary I was going to go and shower. what came out was intelligible I repeated it, which came out right, but it was too late she asked what did you say before that? I repeated I am going to take a shower and left the kitchen. Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Memories - I've got plenty, but where exactly are the new ones going. There must be an Abyss hidden in the center of my brain where new thought becoming memories are meeting a cruel, untimely death. Mmmmmmmmmmm. Stumbling - My sure foot-ed-ness has abandoned me. A few weeks ago I was stepping out of the shower (wait is there a connection rearing it's ugly head here) and scrapping my foot across the sill landed face down in the bath room. No harm done, but shades of Luther. Did that rascal push me? I'm convinced this house is...

I woke up this morning well before Mary. As usual, my first stop was bathroom then on to kitchen for coffee. That made I was on the computer following my routine through the various e-mails that come in over night. Realizing it was 9:45 I went to wake up Mary and we both prepared to leave for the hospital. I went to the garage, opened the garage door and as I was walking around to open the door I realized I felt small. Shorter. As if I were in a fog. At the hospital, we went up to the women's center on the second floor and signed in. A nurse came to take us back so Mary could do the pre-op prep. Suddenly the nurse stopped and said I would have to stay in the waiting room, she would get me when it was OK to join Mary. I panicked, I felt smaller still but I did what I was told. Finally we were in the pre-op room together. Mary  handed me her rings (I shrank some more.) The Dr. came in, he answered questions, explained about the procedure and going to sleep. Then the surgeon lady ...

I had lunch today with my writing buds. Buds is really not the right word. I think "lady" friends would be more appropriate. The first thing I noticed was how bright everyone looked. Summery. Like fresh fruit from the garden. Like a glass of raspberry lemonade. Like a Mason Jar filled with a bouquet of wildflowers. Like an azure blue lake in the late afternoon sun. Like a ladybug on a blade of green grass and strawberries on shortcake. Turquoise. White. Pink. Salmon. Green. Sparkly silver jewelry. Smiles. Hugs. Laughter. Ah, yes, sweet peals of laughter like fairy dust sprinkled amid friendly chatter. Fruit filled wine. Lemonade and tea. Salads galore - all the dressing on the side. Chilled glasses of water, dripping with condensation. Muffins to go. Concerned questions. New ideas. Plans for the future. Possible moves. Casa Katy. Grandchildren. Squirrels dining on juicy GA. peaches. Magic Mike 2. Vacations. Claire the Clairvoyant. Camp Broadway....