34 Years

a person is only complete

when they have a true friend

to understand them

to share all their

passion and sorrows with

and to stand by them

throughout their life

~from our vows

Thirty-four years ago, I married the most wonderful man. 

Like today, the day was both raining and sunny. When the clouds parted, we went outside with friends for the ceremony.

 yup - a real hippie wedding

Internet Withdrawal - Gone Sailing

Who knew going without the internet for 3 days would be so hard?  But now I have a shiny new modem.

This was my 35th year teaching sail school. Because of the anticipated litter of Cedar's puppies, I had declined this year. But alas, when asked at the last minute, I could not resist the opportunity to teach sailing on my favorite boat, the Laser. Besides, I could not get on the internet and one can only pull so many weeds.

Twenty students. Eighty degree weather Wind 2 kph. 

A Laser is an Olympic boat and a speedster. Usually such a large class means kids in boats scattered all over the lake by the time everyone gets launched. This year they were scattered about but not quite so far. To "teach" handling skills without letting the kids know they were "learning", we often play games. With this game, we tossed 50 tennis balls and numerous water balloons in the water. The kids collected and tossed balls at the other team. If you were hit, you had to dump your stash. The balloons were just for wet fun. Of course, we tortured the kids with sailing drills too.

I was able to sail my Laser, Sweet Spot, away from all recent stressors for a few hours each day then come home to my excited dogs. Much better than weed pulling therapy.

Father's Day cont.

Waiting for Dave to get home to celebrate Father's Day.

McKenzie

 Koyuk

 Cedar

Dad's home! Happy Father's Day! 

Happy Father's Day

My sister had father's day all planned - forever. We were to take dad and Iris to a cabin he had built but hadn't seen in several years then to a "special restaurant" for lunch. Linda's husband became ill and not wanting to possibly pass the cold onto dad, she had to stay home. I have not seen the cabin in over 30 years and didn't have a clue where it was but wonderful Dave drove dad, Iris and myself on the great search. We actually did find the cabin but dad had such a hard time getting in and out of the van, we did not get him out for pictures. As to the restaurant, we never did find it but enjoyed a nice lunch in a small roadside cafe.

Pictures came after we got back to dad's.

 Iris and dad

 McKenzie really loves dad and the feeling is mutual.

 Of course I really love dad too!

 

 Cedar was hanging with Dave as he took the group picture.

Happy Father's day dad and to my wonderful husband Dave, who had a meeting to get to thus once back home, did not stick around for pictures.

Prayers on the Wind

Tibetans believe that prayers are carried on the wind and become a permanent part of the universe as the flags fade from exposure to the elements.  I find great comfort in that belief. A friend sent me Prayers on the Wind. Today it was time to rebuild the BrownStone graveyard.

When Willie and Cara died we received a wonderful dog sculpture made from rusted garden tools. Tags from all our beloved dogs hang around his neck.

We later found it's feline mate for tags bearing names of our cats.

Cara, Willie, Galena, Nikolai, Willy and the ten Chocolate litter pups along with Pooh and Annie my eternal prayer goes out to you:

"You have gone ahead

And nothing is the same

Leaving paw prints on my heart

That will always remain"

 You were loved. You will always be a part of me.

I live not in myself but become a part that around me.              ~ Walt Whitman. 

Tonight as I sat on the patio, Ma Nature reminded me how miraculous life is. 

This pregnant doe and her buck munching on the tree are a reminder of the cycle of life. 

I do miss Willy and the pups so much, but am starting to be able to again enjoy all the wonder around me. 

Nightmare Continues

Yesterday I received a call that Dad had taken a turn for the worse and that I should come. I threw dog food, spare clothes and the dogs into the motorhome and headed north.. Dad rallied after I got there but checking him with the stethoscope, I could hear that he was in pretty severe heart failure. I did not think taking the dogs would be an issue. Dad loves the dogs. They are so stressed away from me right now. They relax at his place and do so well around strangers. That evening I noticed they were chewing on something. When I checked it out, I saw a large tin with blue-green pellets. A while ago Decon had been put out and forgotten. I rushed them to the emergency vet where they spent the next four and a half hours vomiting and drinking activated charcoal. I was up with them most of the night. They will be on Vitamin K for a month. Only time will tell how much damage was done.
Today we put Dad into the hospice system then I came home to snuggle with the dogs and sleep.