Tag Archives: summer
Wordless Wednesday – or I think I ate a bug.
Wordless Wednesday – or why we have no tomatoes.
We now return to our regularly scheduled blog
Katie here.
Things have been kinda strange at our house. For one dad’s been missing in action. I guess he was just down South enjoying himself at the lake, but I wasn’t sure and it was a bit worrisome. Then my mama has been having my best, most favorite teacher in the whole world come and take me out at lunch time. I really like that but usually when that happens it’s cause my dad is missing, so it’s a mixed bag. When my dad comes home my teacher lady goes missing! It’s all just so hard for me to figure out.
And then, did I tell you, the most horrible thing of all happened right in the middle of all the crazy comings and going! I had to go to doggie camp! For 6 whole days! Rumor has it that my mama went down South too to hang out with my dad at the lake. I ask you, don’t you think I’d like to go to the lake once in awhile? OK, so I don’t like to get my feet wet. Whatever.
So when my mama picked me up from jail…um…camp…I was real excited to see her and then I made her feel really bad by sleeping up next to her all the time making sure part of me was touching part of her. All. The. Time. So when it finally got to be the weekend she took me to a different park and we did some exploring. I even pulled her way down this big hill.
I’m a mountain climbing doggy!
I didn’t make her go back up it though, we walked back to the car along the creek. We had fun, but it was only one adventure in a really really long time. And right after that we had a big storm, and all my barking didn’t make it go away fast enough and there was a big lightening bang and guess what? It fried the modem thingy, whatever that is, and the big TV! So mama didn’t have a computer or TV for more than a week! All she had was her phone and she wouldn’t let me write a blog on that!
I just knew all my peeps would be worried, so when dad fixed the computer tonight I got right on line. I wanted all of you to be able to sleep tonight. I know it’s a big weight off of my shoulders, so I think I’ll just go to bed now myself.
Happy almost Monday to you all! Mama doesn’t seem happy that it’s Monday tomorrow. But I am, cause I’ll have my dad all to myself!
Night night!
Letter to Mom
Hey Mom,
Sunset at the lake
We’ve been thinking about you as all your kids gather in the house you and Dad built on the lake. I’m sure you two were here too, laughing over the silly stuff, bobbing out at the end of the dock, your toes pointed to the sky, maybe even jumping from the dock for the traditional family photo, though I know you didn’t like to get water in your eyes.
Hey Mom
Last night we went out to the big water to watch the sun set. I know you and Dad liked to do that and the neighbors say he went out alone just about every evening that summer after you died.
Heading home
It sure was great out on the warm water with the crescent moon hanging overhead. The sunset didn’t pan out all that well; we only had one pink cloud, but we had a really nice time anyway.
Of course I’m sure you already know that.
Wish you and Dad were here.
Jump!
Spend a relaxing weekend
On the lake.
Doesn’t it seem like people are stressed more than ever lately? Frightening sights from all over the world flow into our nightly news every evening. The economy continues to wallow and we all work harder than ever trying to get by, trying to make a difference, trying our best.
So I appreciate a lovely long weekend filled with nothing but good food and good company. Here in the United States it’s Labor Day Weekend, when we celebrate the labor of so many generations before and appreciate those people that worked so hard to build the country we are lucky enough to inhabit today. It’s a time for family barbecue, camping in the woods, bonfires, boat rides, long walks, and naps.
I’m spending this holiday weekend on a lovely lake in the South where the weather has cooperated and the waters are warm, where the skies fill each afternoon with towering clouds but only a little bit of rain falls.
When I head back to work next week I’ll keep the memories of boat rides and deck sitting and bobbing in warm waters tucked safely away in the back of my mind. And when that customer demands immediate attention or the coworker calls in sick I’ll pull those memories out and smile again.
We hope all of you are having a lovely weekend as well. May we all relax and then start again next week with high spirits and wonderful memories.
Wordless Wednesday, “To the Start of the Race in Flint MI”
Another weekend, another park
Isn’t this a cool place?
Katie here. You know how I got my Mama to promise to take me on an adventure every weekend? Well this past weekend it was getting to be Sunday afternoon and still no adventure! I stomped my perfect little feet and tossed my beautiful curly locks but all she did was put me outside in my pen.
WELL!
I was having none of that! An afternoon in my pen is not an adventure! I made myself a general pest and eventually Mama said “OK little one, let’s go walk in the woods.” It was about time! But she picked one of my favorite activities so I forgave her for being so tardy.
Which way should we go?
We went to the Holly Recreation Area and walked on a path through the woods that we’ve never explored before. It was awesome. We need to take Peep exploring on that path sometime soon! We did have to go up a big hill.
You sure you want to go way up there Mama?
But I didn’t have any problem with that.
Well let’s get going then!
Mama was very patient and waited for me to check stuff out.
What’s in here?
Some of the path was through the woods with big trees. The mosquitoes weren’t too bad and Mama was wishing she’d come earlier in the day, because we had to turn around before I wanted to since it was getting dark.
Fun times!
We’re definitely going back. And I hope it’s soon!
But I’m still not getting my feet wet.
What’s to miss about running.
Once upon a time a long time ago I use to run. I was never fast but I got to the finish line. I used to train for races along with a group of women I’d met online, and then in person at races, and then in person just because they are really cool women. Then I got busy and I didn’t train as carefully as I should have and I tried to get ready for a half marathon having not run for awhile. I ran too much too soon and too far and I suffered a hairline fracture in my foot.
The wheelers get ready to start their race.
I knew as I was going the longer distances that something was wrong. I knew the morning of the race as I got up before light and packed the car with all the essentials, warm up clothes, clothes for after, water, food, extra socks, pins, number, that I shouldn’t be running this race. Still. I had trained for it. People were expecting me. It was an inaugural half marathon through a pretty part of the country.
I wanted to do it.
During the drive to the appointed meeting place I reached over in the dark to the stack of clothing on the other seat. I didn’t feel my race bib with it’s number, that I KNEW I had put on the top of the pile. I pulled into an empty parking lot and stopped under a light. I searched the car. No bib. I drove frantically home and searched the house. No bib.
It was a sign, I decided, that I wasn’t supposed to run this race. I called my friend and told her I wasn’t coming. Then I went back to bed.
And I never seriously ran again. It’s hard to start from scratch. It takes dedication and time and resolve. And I can’t seem to get out the door. It’s been years, the stress fracture is as healed as it’s going to be. I’ve gone to a foot specialist and purchased custom orthotics. I could do it.
Anticipation before the race.
I see runners when I’m driving to and from work, or when we’re on trips. Portland Maine seemed to be the capital of young athletic fit bodies running half dressed through the streets. All seem to float effortlessly. I become enamored again with the concept.
But I don’t float. I slog and running is not as romantic as I remembered.
Here they come!
This weekend I went up to Flint to see the start of the Crim Festival of Races. Ten thousand plus runners and their supporters were celebrating healthy activity, and the love of running. I felt the familiar twinge. No not in my foot; in my heart. I miss the sense of community running gave me. I could do that again, I thought to myself.
In order to run you just have to start.
Just start.
Adventures! And more adventures!
Katie here. Hey! Did you know I got to go camping with my mama? A lot? I bet you saw it on Facebook. I swear, she needs to get me my own page, she’s always letting the cat out of the bag on that thing. And I hate cats! All cats should stay in the bag, I’m sure there’s a law about that somewhere.
Another of my favorite parks!
So anyway, today I got her to take me to a park, because daddy said she owed me cause she went to work this morning and Saturday’s are supposed to be about me! I used to go to school and everything and now she says I’m ‘retired’ whatever that means so I don’t get to do anything! You believe me, right? That I’m a poor abused ignored dog? They never feed me and I have to stay at home all the time. You should probably send help.
Oh. You don’t believe that? Well it was worth a shot.
Soaking up a little shade on my walk today.
So today I made my mama feel guilty and she took me to a big park nearby. We walked down the bike path and I was very good, didn’t bark at any bikes or cars or anything. OK. One car that was hauling a noisy trailer…but really who could resist barking at that!
Not worried about that bike in back of me.
But I bet what you really want to hear about is the camping my mama and I did a couple of weeks ago! We went to a real park and I got to sleep in my tent for two nights! There were lots of kids there and mostly I sat in our camp site and watched them go around and around and around the campground on their bikes and scooters. And I did not bark at any of them! Not even once!
Watching the kids go by.
The best part of our camping trip was when my friend Peep came to visit and we went on a long walk through the woods. Actually Peep and I don’t care particularly if the other one is there, we just like that when our mamas get together we get to go on long walks!
Peep and me.
Sometimes one or the other of us finds a particularly good smell and then the other one of us will go check it out, but mostly we walk our own walk. We’re very good together because we pretty much ignore each other. Mostly Peep went ahead and I brought up the rear. I like to take really long sniffs of stuff you know. Plus I have this big heavy coat to drag around.
Anyway, mama and I had a really good time. She read a bunch of books over the weekend and I got to go on a bunch of walks. Sometimes we walked on trails in the woods and sometimes we walked around the campground. Lots of people said I was pretty. And cute. And really good. Cause I am.
We went on lots of trails.
The mosquitoes weren’t as bad as our last big adventure, but there were still enough that sometimes we retreated to the tent. That was OK, just meant another nap. Naps are a very important part of camping. I take my napping responsibilities very seriously.
zzzzzzz
The weekend was perfect!
Then last weekend mama and I camped out three nights in a row in the backyard! The moon was full and she didn’t put the rain fly up and we got to sleep under it and stars. It was wonderful! I only barked once when that mama deer snorted at us. It was her fault for waking us up anyway. A dog has to to what a dog has to do. Right?
What’s out there?!
So all in all I guess my mama really does love me. And yes my daddy loves me too, he feeds me right on schedule and sometimes early if I make my sad dog eyes at him. And I get to go on adventures almost every weekend. So I guess my life’s not so bad, but don’t tell them I said so, OK? I like to keep them feeling guilty.
I get more treats that way.
Love,
Katie (The Adventuring Sheltie-girl)
This is our little secret!
Change Is Hard 