Awesome God

The year in review would be one spent mostly out doors.  If I were to do a year in review.

God has been more than gracious to provide the most lovely seasons for us during this pandemic.  Spring.  Summer.  And oh, the most gorgeous fall...  

The year has stung, that's for sure, in that vacations, church, gatherings, and family get-togethers have been a no-no - thanks to Covid.    

But God's presence has been huge, at least in my experience with this year.  I am finding Him and His peace even though the world seems to be falling apart around me.  My God is an AWESOME GOD!!

As Covid rears it's ugly head in  a very big way once again, numbers climbing and some urgent changes in how we do things, I stand on His love and His peace and His protection in all things.  

Gracie says, she concurs.

 

Still Cannot Comment!!

Gracie had a nice birthday.  A neighborhood walk was in order (she can only do half-a-mile now but tries to convince us to do the full mile).  Even with the half-walk, she could hardly carry herself to the bedroom later that night.

Fall is in the air and my girl Gracie and I are loving it!  

There's so much beauty to behold this time of year, and the temperatures are so much more tolerable.

Gracie got a small ice cream treat after her walk and we chilled on the front patio for a while so she could enjoy the side of the house with traffic and activity that she doesn't usually get in the back.  She was delighted!

She was done by days end and I almost had to carry her into bed!   

But according to her, it was worth it!

NOTE:

I am still not able to comment on most blogs and I have tried everything!  It's so frustrating.  I spent hours the other day commenting on different blogs, thinking I had it fixed but - nope - no fix.  I am not on my laptop much, but I think I can comment if I am on there.  So if you don't hear from me, it's not for lack of trying..    Have a great rest of the week and weekend!!

Take The Dog

Fall is not fall without a visit to the annual Springs Folk Festival.  There is plenty to see and do. 

Some of the highlights are....  

 Running into four-legged furry friends such as this sweet guy.

Country scenery and settings...

Food!!!  Especially the fresh baked bread smothered in butter and apple butter.  Yummmmm

I have a love/hate relationship going on with this time of year.  I love the cooler days, the autumn smells and all the great festivals.

But I hate the shorter, grayer days, forever rain, and the season that follows this one.  I won't say the word.  It's a bad, bad word.

Summer will be with us throughout the year thanks this little cutie.  And speaking of Summer, we went to my grandsons soccer game last week and she found the thing that makes her happy in any season - DIRT!

While there, God decided to show off a bit with some eye-candy right above the soccer field.  Thank You God, for all good things.

 Gracie, Gracie, Gracie! What will we ever do with our girl Gracie?

We have a camera that we can check in on her if we go somewhere.  Lately, we have found her barking and howling the entire time we are gone..  even if it's just for half an hour.  We never leave her alone for long.  But it seems she has developed extreme separation anxiety no matter what.  Now, if she thinks I am over at my office she is fine.  And so, on Sunday when we went to church, we left the TV turned on and snuck out without telling her we were leaving.  She was fine.  Upon returning home, Gary dropped me off a block down the road and I sneaked up to my office door and unlocked it - pretending I'd been in my office all along.  I hope this works or we will be forever bound to our home and needy dog.  Oh, the things we do for our dog!!!

Sigh

Dear Mom, Dad or Whomever It May Concern,

Last year you started a trend.  One that has become embedded in my sweet doggie heart...  it's called camp and Buick.  There are so many wonderful things about going to camp and so many awesome smells when one sticks ones head outside of those windows in the Buick when it it moving....   but the best thing is spending time with the peeps I have grown to know and love.  Yea, that's you guys.  Oh, and another thing you started was dragging me along each and every time the wheels on that Buick go round and round.  Yep.  Dad, me and you we hang out in the car while Mom goes into those big buildings and comes out with bags of more stuff and ....  I've grown accustomed to accompanying you on each and every journey outside of these confines we call home.  So, yea.  Sure I'm anxious about you leaving the house without me.  Why wouldn't I be?  You created the monster problem now deal with it in a way that is humane and kind and good.  Take the dog with you.  Wherever you go.  Forever and always.  

Gracie 

The Face

The face of corn on the cob addiction...

The face of pure joy and freedom....

The face of embarrassment....

The face of confusion.  Wait.  Where's my face?  And is summer really winding down?  And gee dad, looks like you need to invest in some new pool toys for next year...

Let's Face it...  It's all work....   and it's time for a rest...

Falling

Help!  Fall is Falling....

All over me...  Gracie

The Death and The Lies

my dearest fall

how I abhor you
but not totally, you know
you are a beauty to behold
dancing around
soft breezes scattering those pieces of me that could not withstand your bitter revenge
as you try to make a show of your power
your strength
your ability to kill and clear away all that once was
my laughter can no longer be heard
the pull of peace puts distance between I and my warmth
and you
you
how can I forgive you
that you have murdered me
the days darker now
night sooner
cold harsh bitterness  to follow
yes
I abhor you fall
my death is on you
but I will resurrect
and you will go away
and my friend spring shall usher in my glorious days once again
bringing smiles and sun and joy
and then you can rest
forever if you like

- summer


Dear Diary,

Evvvvvvry body gather round.  The side show is about to begin.  Graccccccie has become home for some fleas and Ms. Annoying (my new name for HER), using Dawn dishwashing liquid (ahhhhh choo!!)  (and q tips and tweezers) has decided to make THIS a daily event!  Watch as Ms. Annoying plucks fleas off of the innocent, elderly, **disabled dog who can barely make it up on to the bed by herself yet alone roll over for her (Ms. Annoying) to search her belly for fleas.  Woe is me.  Woe is me.  Gracie.

 ** disclaimer: All  recently posted blog entries where I am photographed running and jumping and laughing like a pup at the tennis courts have been photoshopped so that Ms. Annoying's bloggie followers think that I am of impeccable health and can withstand all the miserable cruel things she puts me through**  

Autumn Everywhere

Fresh kettle corn.  Hot homemade vegetable soup.  Freshly baked bread warm and smothered with butter and apple butter.  Apple cider and old fashioned sassafras root beer.  Maple syrup and maple sugar candy.  Roasting chestnuts and peanuts.  The sounds and smells of autumn everywhere.

It could mean only one thing.

The Annual Springs Pa. Folk Festival!

We enjoyed walking the path through the woods and past all the old and historic reenactments and points of interest from days gone by.

LIKE A MAGNET....  Summer is drawn to any and all animals.

  But then again... Look at that face.  

I'm drawn to these sweet little guys myself.  Summer giggled when it squatted to pee.

The weather was perfect...  with a light rain starting just before we exited the festival.

And then...  heavier rains.  

Heading for home...  Just in time.

Dear Diary,

I remember days...  oh so very long ago...  when mom said, "No jumping on the furniture, Gracie!"   I say this now, because I think it's cute the way she drops whatever she is doing to get down onto the floor on her hands and knees to gently lift me onto the chair or the couch or whatever I happen to want to jump onto but can't.  Seriously, she never means what she says.    Gracie.

Ellie

It's raining.  You don't really want to see a picture of the rain, do you?

I didn't think so.

It is good that it is raining though, because the earth needed it.  Autumn has arrived and I have actually semi-put away the flip flops.  They are there, sitting near the closet but not in the closet.  Just in case.

Gracie is enjoying the cooler temperatures and my grand dog Ellie is enjoying the kids being home from school today (Parent-Teacher conference day) because Summer has dressed her up like a princess.

My weekend begins now (I have a 4 day work week)...  and I am glad.

Gracie?

What's up with the picture of the spoiled one?  She's ruining your blog post, Mom!  Seriously!

Where We End Up

This was on the car in front of me the other day as I was stopped at a light.  I thought it was funny.

Fall is in the air.  

For some reason, autumn leaves covering the ground sadden me.  Don't get me wrong.  I think it is beautiful.  But.  It represents the death of spring and of summer.  And...  what comes after fall is not at all appealing to me.  Winter can be harsh and bitter and cold.  And for me, the last couple of winters have brought enormous losses.  

This old world spins out of control sometimes.  And we have no say as to where it tosses us or where we end up.  We just have to hold on tight and say a prayer.

 Gracie says:

You run the race, you eat the food, you play with the toys....

And then you rest...

Resisted The Temptation

 The following are pictures of this morning's soccer game starring grand-angel #2 Jake. 

A couple of the pics are repeats but...  you get the 'picture'.  Jake got knocked down by an opposing team member.  Later I told him ...  "Grammy had to resist the urge to run out there onto the field and wrap my arms around you with a grammy-hug to make sure you were okay.  I'll bet you're glad I resisted the temptation to do that..."  He smiled and shook his head.  He's so handsome.   Love that boy!

It was a great morning at the game... temps were tolerable and we got a nice place in the shade to settle in.  Had some fries, and soft pretzel with cheese.  Cheered Jake on.  Cheered the team on.  And then, our team won!!  2-0!!  Yay!

Then it was off to the music store to get Rissi's violin for Orchestra, which she starts on Monday.   She's just beginning, but Pop-pop told her she has to master the piece and learn and play 'The Devil Went Down To Georgia' to play at his funeral.  (Ha!  Guess that will be many, many years down the road since it will take a while for that one.  And that is good.)

After that it was the last swim of the summer.  Sad but true.  Summer is slowly fading and fall is waiting in the wings to take its place.  

Life is short.  Make sure you enjoy it.   

No Excuse If You Ask Me

I am not getting a walk every night like before.  It gets dark early and there is a chill in the air.  No excuse if you ask me. 

 Daily walks should be mandatory when one owns a dog. 

 Trips to Pet Smart do not count.  I want to go somewhere where I can pee on everything.   

The warning "Don't pee or poop in the store!" before walking into the store kind of makes you lose your desire, ya know what I mean?  

My 12 second video of a poor excuse for a walk: