A Time for Healing

Glad that week is behind us. Thankfully, the healing has begun.

Recovery from Mr. T's shoulder surgery is going well. He feels much better as he heads into the second week, although the localized pain around the surgery site is pretty intense at times. Most thankful for his pain pills, now that he no longer has the benefit of the On-Q pain block thingee. For some reason, he has the most pain from a spot on his back/shoulder blade that doesn't appear to have been involved in the operation. No stitches, no redness, no lump, bump, or bruise. Odd. Well, maybe we can learn more about it at his upcoming follow-up visit on Friday. We shall see.

"The kiss of sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God’s heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth."
          -- Dorothy Frances Gurney

Those lines from Gurney's poem are on a metal plaque that Momma purchased for her garden in Smithville...then I had in every garden since 1990...until Missy M "inherited" it during the move from MO to NC. At our house, as you are no doubt aware, the garden is a source of much solace and healing. And, with our current situation, we are relying on what we know to help make us better. Since Mr. T's usual vigorous participation in yardening activities is limited (ever tried hoeing with one hand, your non-dominant hand at that...the dominant arm being trapped in a sling?), our weekend Fall clean-up was briefer than usual. Still, he probably did WAY more than he was supposed to...any surprises there? Paid for it the next morning, of course...but he's back out there today, playing with Abbie. (Post is up on our garden blog, Gardening with the Giants. Click here to go there.)

John F. Kennedy - 11/2013

Of course, flowers always make boo-boo's heal faster, don't you agree? Here (left) is a picture of one of the most beautiful blooms that we've had this year from the John F. Kennedy rosebush. It went into Mr. T's "Get Well" bouquet.

'Gethsemane Moonlight’ mums

Actually, we have two JFK bushes in the back yard, along with a couple of Sheer Bliss roses and one Miss All American Beauty, and they are ALL putting on buds like crazy...most of which will be nipped when this latest 'artic front' blows through tonight ("they" are saying possible snow mixed with the rain!) . Everything else is pretty much spent, with the exception of the perfect-for-Fall persimmon-colored Pat Austin roses in the Rose Garden and the Chrysanthemum X ‘Gethsemane Moonlight’...clumps of which are now scattered throughout the property, thanks to my unexpected success with turning late Spring prunings (when you clip off the early growth in order to encourage lush flowering later on) into rooted cuttings. Here's a shot of the clumps growing at the mailbox (right).

So, that's how the physical healing is progressing. The emotional healing from the loss of our dear Elmo is happening...albeit at a slower pace. We have moved beyond hourly showers to just a few daily sprinkles. And we are more aggressive in moving into the phase of "remember when Elmo..."  The grief is still there, still close to the surface...but telling his story makes it much easier to contend with.

Until...

From our walk...

The day I took that picture of the mums at the mailbox (above) was a lovely Fall day: bright, crisp, with a bit of a cool breeze. The sky was the most brilliant blue...it took absolutely my breath away. Had to take a picture of it! (left)

I had taken Abbie for her walk (those are going very well, I might add) and stopped at the mailbox for the picture and the mail. There was the usual pile of circulars, ads, etc.; a bill or two; a "get well" card for Mr. T from Cousin H & S (cute card...thanks!); and a large, padded envelope. I tossed the first bunch in the green toter as I passed it in the driveway...garbage in, recycle out. When I got inside, something else caught my attention, so I dropped the surviving mail on the counter and headed off to take care of the something else. An hour or so later, when I came back into the kitchen to start supper, I noticed the mail and started opening the envelopes.

The padded one was heavier than I'd originally thought. I zipped the strip along the short edge and pulled a beautiful card from the interior. It was from the Emergency Animal Clinic in Greensboro, signed by the whole staff, sending their sympathy on Elmo's loss. The tears started flowing.

Then, from the depths of the envelope, I pulled a smooth, cream-colored disc...with his paw print captured in clay, baked into an ornament. Literally, took my breath away. I had to sit down...and then I had to jump up and find the box of tissues. The flood gates were open. I'm tearing up just writing about the experience. Showing the thoughtful gift to Mr. T, I had a partner in crying. We continued until we were both exhausted. Start supper? Forget about it. PBJs were about all I could manage.

The next morning, I knew I needed to let someone at the Clinic know how much we appreciated this beautiful gesture, but I couldn't bring myself to make the call. I just didn't think I could make it through a whole conversation without becoming weepy and incoherent.

Until...

I woke up this morning, much earlier than I'd intended since I'd stayed up last night watching Monday Night Football (not sure why...since I could care less about either Miami or Tampa Bay). And, something told me that I could make that call...now. Since the Emergency part of the Clinic closes at 8:00 a.m., I hustled into the kitchen and found the number. I spoke with the sweetest-sounding young lady...who took the time to listen and be gentle and kind in her responses...as she was aware that the emotion was still raw for me.

Breath in...breath out.

So, there you have it. Evidence that healing is indeed happening here at Casa 3917. And that's a good thing.

And Then There Were Two

"His name is Elmo, he's 3 years old, he's red and white, he's extremely shy, and he needs to be an only dog. No other pets in the household," said the GABR foster mom. That information...and that last bit of advice...was about as close to wisdom as we were likely to get in making our second adoption from Guardian Angel Basset Rescue. For even though we knew exactly when Elmo was born – February 25, 2002 (not usually the case with rescues), we would learn precious little else about his first three years of life. But then, all animal adoptions are a crap-shoot, aren't they? So we rolled the dice, had a meet & greet in our driveway in O'Fallon, and signed the papers on Saturday, September 17, 2005.

When I say "we," I mean Missy M. She had moved to her Memphis-area apartment from an on-campus room, and she was missing her two Basset buddies, Duchess and Gus. Gussie-man was our first GABR rescue two years earlier, Elmo would be the second. A beautiful, shy Basset who needed to be an only dog? Perfect. Absolutely perfect, right? When in doubt, follow the wisdom and advice of the expert, right? Welllll...

Not exactly. Elmo hated being by himself while M was at work and/or in classes. Left to his own devices, he could absolutely destroy a bed. Oh, and he let everyone know his displeasure by baying and barking...long and loud. He could aahroo with the best of 'em! And a yappy, unhappy Basset is the last thing an apartment dweller can have.

Sure, M tried all the other bits of advice about an unhappy dog: long walks (twice a day), soothing background music, leaving the TV on, etc. Nope, nothing worked. It became quite evident that Elmo needed...contrary to the 'expert advice'...not to be an only, but to be part of a happy pack. 

"Bring him home. He'll fit right in here." And he did! Thus, Duchess, Gus, and Elmo became the Drool Gang. Truly, you could not have wished for a better pair of BFFs than G and E.

Mo-mo, Little Mo Man, Little Boy (since Gus was sometimes called Big Man/Boy). As with all of our pets, he went by several pet names. One of my favorites was Sweet Baby...because that's what he was. Sweetness itself. Elmo was so passive...to the point of being scared of most people outside of our immediate family...that he was easy to love, especially since he was so huggable. He was my Sweet Baby Boy, and he loved to occupy The Lap. And pretty much any bed or bed-like surface. He was a real snoozer!

The Gang was briefly broken apart when we moved from MO to NC, since the Houndz spent the transition months in KY with Missy M and her 'new' puppy, Ella Rae. The two E's, Elmo and Ella, shown together below, bonded over their energetic playtime...called Smack Down. And it seemed cruel to break up the pair at the time.

But then, heartbreak struck. Elmo was diagnosed with primary glaucoma...a particularly painful disease that afflicts certain breeds more than others, with Bassets being high on that list. It always ends in blindness as it would for E. And experts said 'a blind dog needs more round-the-clock supervision'...more than Missy M could provide while working full time. 

"Bring him home. He'll be fine here." And so, Duchess, Gus, and Elmo (shown L to R below on our NC deck) became the Drool Gang, once again. Of course, the joke was on all of us because Elmo took to his total blindness within days...sure, it required us humans a little longer, but he was a gentle teacher. Couldn't even tell he was blind from a distance, could you?

The past year brought two major adjustments in the Drool Gang: (1) Gus crossed the Rainbow Bridge and left us last July, and (2) Abbie enlisted in February. The Grand Plan was to make sure Elmo wasn't left as an only dog when/if 13 year old Duche$$ made her crossing (which we thought she was going to do in January). Boy, did we get that scenario wrong.

For the past couple of months or so, Elmo has been "not himself," showing signs of distress that ranged from not eating to lethargy to upset stomach to weakness...but always returning to his food bowl after a day or so and acting normal again. During his periods of distress, he would go under the deck (which ranges from mere inches to only about 2' off the ground) where he was inaccessible and only occasionally visible (if he chose to repose under the steps). At first, Abbie the Aussie Sheep Dog (on her Momma's side) would stay outside watching over him...literally straddling his head, if she could stand up where he was. I spent several nights, getting up every hour or so to look for him, trying to make sure he was OK.

Because Elmo feared car rides, changes in his routine, and most other people...and because any change in setting can traumatize a blind dog...I talked myself into not taking him to the vet right away. When he would emerge from under the deck, he would seem fine again...who wants to upset the applecart by subjecting him to more trauma?

Until last night. 

He emerged from the deck, but barely made it into the screened porch before collapsing. I got him calm and quiet for the rest of the evening, but he had labored breathing and seemed to be in a stupor. He began moaning in pain about 4:00 this morning, was drooling excessively...and I could tell he was feverish.

Although our hearts were breaking, we realized it was time. Even though we are both limited in what we can lift... Mr. T only has the use of his left arm following surgery on the right shoulder...and Elmo weighed nearly 50 pounds, we managed to devise a carry-sling out of a blanket...and somehow got him into my car. The drive to the Animal Emergency Clinic was the second-most saddest drive I've made...topped only by the lonely drive back home without my Mo-Mo.

The vet said "most likely bloat," another nemesis of Bassets and other barrel-chested canines...with "probable secondary septic peritonitis." Surgery to fix the problem is difficult even without an infection; costly; requires a lengthy recovery period; and isn't likely permanent...it can happen again, especially in senior dogs. I chose not to make Little Mo Man spend his last hour being poked and prodded, tested and tubed. It's the most difficult decision a pet parent has to make, but I chose to let him go in peace. Goodbye, Sweet Baby Boy...we shall miss you.

Tonight, Elmo and Gus can chase squirrels together again. Woo-woo!

Holidays are Upon Us

Whew!  Let me catch my breath.  And, maybe have another cup of coffee.  I need some caffeine!

N/M/E enjoys a shopping trip
to Cracker Barrel

I've been decorating the house for the Holidays (photos in the next post), doing some baking, writing the annual newsletter, signing and addressing the Christmas cards, and...in my spare time on Thursday...driving Miz Edith.  Mom had made her list and checked it twice...and she was ready to go shopping as soon as the sun came out.  Cold weather or not...

To get me moving in the direction she wanted to go, she tempted me with an offer of breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  I'm a sucker for country ham and biscuits, don't you know?

But, she had a bigger plan than just enjoying a meal together.  Power shopping!  I'm telling you, that little lady (photo, right) can spend with speed!  Even using her walker didn't slow her down much.

If you know me, you know I was out of the room when they handed out the shopping genes.  I'm not much of a shopper...never have been, never will be.  Make a list, know what you want, get in, get out.  But I do have great respect for those who are.  And, she is.

After attacking CB, we headed to another fav stop of hers:  Kohl's.  Because of the size of the store, she agreed that the wheelchair was a better idea than the walker.  She had an idea of what she wanted, and since most Kohl's stores are arranged alike, it was fairly easy to roll our way to where she wanted to go.  The only thing that slowed her down was my skills...or, lack thereof...pushing the chair.  I keep misjudging the turning distance/radius...and I usually pick an aisle that isn't quite wide enough to accommodate us.  It'll fit. Famous last words.


Permit me a moment on my soapbox, please.  Have you ever realized how difficult we make it for people in walkers and/or wheelchairs to maneuver?  Most stores have nice, wide main aisles...but then the secondary aisles where the merchandise lives are a much tighter squeeze.  And, there's no "give" in a wheelchair.

One of the worst offenders of creating barriers is the building where several of our doctors are.  The front doors do not open automatically; you have to push a button to make one of the double doors swing open.  When you are inside, there are fire doors (that are supposed to be kept shut) that block access to and from all the hallways where the offices are located...and more importantly, to the hallway where the lab is.  And, this is a new building, finished just this year.  Come on, people!  (To their credit, the staffs of the various doctors recognize the issues, and they have taken it on themselves to put door-stops to keep the doors open...and make the offices accessible.  Still, if the Fire Marshall makes a visit, I fear they'll be in trouble for their kindness.)



Nutcracker at High Point University



OK...let me climb down now.

After Kohl's, we went to Home Place/T J Maxx, CVS, Belk (in the Oak Hollow Mall here in High Point), Company's Coming (to get something for supper) and finished up at the Sweet Shoppe Bakery.  Hey, after all of that, one of us needed a sugar fixx!


Before heading back home, we toured through the campus of High Point University, where they have a display of nutcrackers and toy soldiers on one of the pedestrian walkways.  It was turning cold again as the sun was setting, so I took that shot (left) from the comfort of a heated car.  Wish they had lined the figures up along a driveway/street on campus...would have been easier to see.  Still, it was a neat Holiday treat.

When we pulled into the driveway, we were happy to see Mr. T's car.  He'd been out of town for a couple of days, and we didn't think he'd beat us home.  Hmmmm.

After giving us a tongue-lashing for being away from home all day long with only a few morsels of ham in the doggie bag, the Houndz all returned to their respective spots.  Holidays or no, we still have a dog on nearly every soft surface.  Below, you see Gus on the sofa (with some of the collection of 58 nutcrackers on the table behind) and Elmo on our bed, where some of the teddy bear collection lives for the Season.

We're still wondering how one of those bears got down off its perch and waddled over to the middle of the living room floor...where Mr. T found him, upside down and a little moist around the ears.  Drool, you think? 

No one's talking.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

First snow of the season

 Snow! Snow!! Snow!!! Snow!!!! S-n-o-w!!!!! (Sung to the tune from "White Christmas."  You know that one, don't you?  When Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye meet up with the girls, played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, in the train's dining car?  On their way to Vermont?  You know the one I mean, right?!)

Yes, it's the first snowfall of the season for us here in HPNC.  And, as always, I'm loving it!

Mr. T and I got up earlier than we usually do on a Saturday morning so we could take the Houndz to the Fluff 'n Fold...our pet phrase for the Grooming Center at PetsMart. Although they are never happy to make this journey, they all really needed to go to the salon; their nails were turning into talons! Duchess' dew-claws looked like the Wicked Witch of the West...and she certainly knows how to use 'em. Ouch.

After herding the Basset Brigade behind the swing-door in the store, we humans headed for Bruegger's Bagels in Friendly Center.  We don't have a bagel place in High Point, so we treat ourselves to Bruegger's whenever we can.  Usually we sit outside, but not today!  Brrrrr.  It was just too cold, so we opted for an inside two-top.

The conversation turned to our Christmas Tree, and I shared an idea with Mr. T.  On Thursday, I had gone shopping  in Winston (I like Hanes Mall there better than Four Seasons in Greensboro, and Thruway Shopping Center is still one of my fav places:  Dewey's Bakery = yum!); as I passed the Sandy Ridge exit off I-40 on my way home, I'd noticed the sign at the Piedmont Triad Farmer's Market, where they were advertising NC-grown sweet potatoes and Christmas Trees.

When we lived here before, we used to enjoy making a whole day out of driving 421 to Boone, having lunch at the Dan'l Boone Inn, shopping at Mast General Store, and then cutting our own tree at one of the many, many Choose 'n Cut Christmas Tree farms in that area.  We had hoped to revive the tradition on the Friday after Thanksgiving when Missy M was home, but the rainy weather interferred with our plans.

Then, we contemplated buying an artificial tree.  We already have a couple small trees that I have used for years to supplement our "real" tree; I usually decorate one of those with all my sheep ornaments, and N/M/E uses another one for all of her Santa ornaments.  But, with sustainability on the brain, we've discussed which is more environmentally-friendly for the "big" tree...live or artificial?

Live and local won!  When we finished our coffee and bagels, we headed out Market to the Market to see what they had.  OMG!  There must have been 10-12 growers from the mountain counties of Watauga (Boone), Ashe (West Jefferson), and Avery (Crossnore).  Fresh cut trees, straight from the NC mountains...and they came to us; we didn't have to drive to them!  Life is so good.

Choosing our NC Tree at the Market

We wandered around the retail area, thoroughly enjoying all the decorations and the wonderful fragrance of the firs.  When we lingered at the Sunnyside Trees stall (a Choose 'n Cut retailer from West Jefferson), we found one that measured out to be about 8 1/2 feet tall, which would fit perfectly under the 9' ceilings in the great room...once we lopped some off the bottom and got it nestled into the tree stand.  First things first:  take our picture!

Just as the tree guy snapped the shot (right), he said :  "Look!  It's snowing!"  Perfect, said I.  Just like a little kid.

By the time we got home with the tree, the flakes were coming down fast and furious.  Big, fat, fluffy flakes.  Wet and ploppy...you know that sound they make?  Plop...plop...plop.  Not a bit hard and pingy, like they are when they have ice inside.  I prefer ploppy myself.

Anyway...



Mr. T with Duchess, Gus, and Elmo in the snow

We headed back out to go pick up the pups, returning about 3:00ish (photo to left).  The more it snowed, the colder it got.  By the time we'd returned, we had an inch of snow in the rain gauge and the temp had dropped to below freezing.  With that, the need for warm, comforting food had risen substantially.  A day like this calls for Brunswick Stew!

I got out N/M/E's recipe (such that it is...:) and started a pot of stew, taking a short cut by using the other half of a Rotisserie chicken I'd gotten at Harris Teeter on Thursday.  Shred the meat...boil the bones for stock.  Chop the veggies...oh, drat:  no onions.  No problem...out to the garden (yes, in the snow...:) and get a couple.  I'm loving this whole Fall garden thing, you know.  It was too late to start baking a loaf of bread like I usually do on stew days, but no worries.  I'd gotten a loaf of freshly-made Sourdough on that little trip to Dewey's Bakery.  It would fit the bill.


Hot apple cider on a cold day



I've blogged about Brunswick Stew before, so I won't repeat the recipe here.  Hopefully, that link will take you to the post I wrote about stew for the crockpot, which is similar to what's cooking on the stove at the moment.  Similar.  Never quite the same.  What can I say?  I learned some of my cooking techniques from my mother...she who never follows a recipe. 

As I was saying...

Mr. T laced up his boots and headed outside again to fill the bird feeders, all of which were being well-visited throughout the afternoon.  Here I was in my nice warm kitchen...and there he was, freezing his tail-feathers off.  Gotta fix that!



While he was working, I heated up some apple cider, added some orange slices, cloves, and cinnamon sticks...and had a tasty hot beverage ready when he finished his chore.  Turned on the fireplace to make the morning room toasty.

Tasty and toasty.  Ahhh. Lovely.

Now,  let's see if we can find that DVD of White Christmas...snow, snow, snow, snow, s-n-o-w...!

We Give Thanks

What a wonderful day it was!  Even though the weather outside was not the best (drizzling rain, cloudy, etc.), we were dry and warm and well-fed inside.  For these and all our many blessings, we continue to give thanks.



Table Turkey

 Anyone who knows me knows I love to decorate for the holidays...pretty much any holiday.  I have color-coded plastic containers in the attic for practically every special day...and Thanksgiving gets two boxes.  Mr. T got them out when he put the Halloween boxes (3 of them...:) back up, so I've had the mantles and the dining room table decorated for several weeks, adding a touch here and there.

As you can see in that picture (right), the centerpiece on the table again this year is the stuffed turkey I made 20-25 years ago.  There are also matching placemats, napkins, and aprons.  I add lots of fall colors in the leaves, the flowers, and the candles...and I sprinkle leaf-shaped confetti about on the tablecloth.  A pain to pick up...but a fun touch nonetheless.



Publix Pilgrim salt 'n pepper

  Also, on the table are the salt and pepper shaker set we call the Publix Pilgrims (left).  We got our first set when we lived in Duluth, GA, and shopped at Publix...still one of my favorite grocery stores.  I also have a set of napkin rings to match.



Pilgrim Hat Pots

 This year's addition to the tablescape was Missy M's Pilgrim Hat Pots (right).  She is so creative!  She got some black spray paint for two clay pots, which she adorned with cardboard "belt buckles."  Then, she added some beautiful potted mums she found on one of her trips to Home Depot...running errands for us while we were working on the Garden Shed (yes, I'll get back to that topic in the next post, I promise...:).  They fit right in with the turkey centerpiece and all...and were a sure hit.

For Thanksgiving Day 2010, I got up early to get started on the To Do List.  Each year I write out my menus, who joined us for dinner, and on the back, I add both the To Do's and notes on What-I-Should-Do-Differently-Next-Year.  With that first cup of coffee in hand, I noticed that I had written on my list for 2004 to "remember to spray the inside of the oven bag with Pam, so it won't stick to the turkey."  A really good idea...and something I seem to forget every year.

First things first:  a second cup of coffee.  Second things and so on:  get the turkey out of the brine (my recipe calls for the bird to spend the night in the cooler, submerged in brown sugar, salt, spices, wine, water, and apple cider), into the bag (I use one of those handy-dandy Reynolds Turkey Oven Bags), and ready for roasting.  While the oven preheated, I headed out to the garden to pick lettuce for a salad, and as Ella Rae was so eager to join me, I let her dash through the gate...without giving it much thought.  Soon, she was joined by The Drool Gang:  Duchess, Gus, and Elmo.  Oh boy, let's go play in the Way Back!



Lettuce protected by row cover

 While I was busy removing the row covers from the rows of lettuces (right), they were busy rolling around in what we've been descriptively calling The Stinky Grass:  some grass clippings our neighbor had saved for us in black bags, that have been sitting in the hot sun all summer long...and that were in the last stages of composting when Mr. T spread them on the newly-tilled areas a couple of days ago.  Now, grass clippings for the garden are really a blessing, I assure you.  Having the dogs dousing themselves in the scent is something else entirely.

I could smell Ella approaching me before I saw her.  Good grief!  Mr. T wiped the Houndz down with the Baby Wipes, while Missy M had to give her poor pup two baths...the second one in diluted vinegar.  That little chore wasn't on our original To Do List for the day, but you do what you have to do, right?



Salad greens washed and ready for fridge

 While the others were attending to the cleaning chore, I put my apron on and got busy in the kitchen.  With the turkey in the oven (and the ham ready to go in after 90 minutes), I washed my salad greens (left)...including the nasturtium blossoms (yes! they are indeed edible, as well as pretty!)...and bagged them up for the crisper.  BTW, I do so love the salad spinner Missy M got for me last year...love it, love it, love it!

The last of the green tomatoes that were saved before the first freeze had turned red and would provide the color for the simple salad.  Other garden contributions to the Holiday meal would be: 

• peas and lima beans for the Three-Bean Casserole;
• yellow and zucchini squash for the Zippy Squash Casserole; and
• sweet potatoes for the Sweet Potato Souffle.

All of these casseroles had been made earlier in the week, so all I had to do was get them out of the extra fridge in the garage and ready to finish off in the oven:  get them hot and bubbly, then add the toppings to each.  I had made up the Crock Pot dressing (use the link to that basic recipe, which is similar to mine...only I use only one can of Cream of Chicken Soup, along with one can of Chicken Broth...and only 2 eggs...and I add finely diced carrots for some color...:) on Wednesday night, so I just plugged in the Crock Pot and turned it on "high" for two hours...then down to "low" for the rest of the time...just a few stirs required...and it doesn't take up a burner on the stove!  Those would be needed for the gravy, the mashed potatoes, and the rice.  Hey, we've never met a starch we didn't like in this family!

I had also made up my Potato Roll recipe the night before, so I got that bowl (it's a huge Tupperware bowl that takes up way too much space in an already crowded fridge) out to let the dough reach room temp and start its second rise.  After that, I rolled up 90 balls of dough to make 30 tri-cornered rolls.  Yummmmm!  They would be the last thing to go into the oven, just 15 minutes before dinner was served.

Things hummed along, and we were ready for Brother and SIL J&J when they arrived at around 11:00, bringing along a lovely three-pack of wine from the Biltmore Winery.  We had a nice visit while the meal continued to cook...and soon, it was 2:00 and time to eat.  Judging from the kind comments, I think we can call Thanksgiving Dinner 2010 a success.  Oh, and my note for this year's list?  "Remember to bag up some ice on Wednesday so there will be plenty for dinner."



Mr. T with J & J at Oak Hollow after dinner

 While N/M/E took a little nap after dinner, J & J, Mr. T, and I took a little stroll through the neighborhood, down to the lake (right)...and when we returned to the house, Missy M was just finishing up with the first round of dirty dishes.  Now, that's really a blessing!

I hope each and every one of you enjoyed a bountiful meal and all the blessings of the Day, surrounded by family and friends, and then drifted off to a peaceful night's sleep in a warm bed on clean sheets.  And, if you did, remember to join me and take a bag of canned goods and non-perishables to the local food pantry sometime this week.  We'll be glad we did!

Report Card

As I look out my window in my new office (formerly known as just the Dining Room), I see all the neighborhood children enjoying their release from school for Summer Vacation.  Hope they all had great report cards!  Makes me think about how things are going here.

First things first...the Drool Gang Report:  an Elmo update!  Well, as you can see from that photo (left), he's feeling great stress these days...NOT!  Stinker-puppy that he is, he's sleeping on my pillow...and doesn't even look a bit bothered by the fact that I will have to change the pillow case and quite possibly the zippered liner...eewww, dog drool! 

Seriously, he's adjusted to his blindness better than we ever imagined.  Nothing seems to hinder him...with the exception of my moving the furniture around, slowing him down a tad.  He knows where his food bowl is...hasn't missed a meal.  He heads out the Doggie Door on his own, or rings the bell on the other back door for Service when it suits him. He's still eager for the nightly w-a-l-k with Daddy and the other Droolers...still takes the lead, being the mush-mush dog.  He's still timid with strangers...but he always has been...so, no harm, no foul.  But, if you saw him sitting in his favorite spot on the deck, "looking" out over the yard, you'd swear he was staring at the squirrels or the birds.  You just have to look closely to see that he is sniffing, not staring.  Nose at work, instead of eyes.  Such a sweetie pie. This report gets an A+, since Gus and Duchess are both doing well, too.

OK...next item:  Doctor Report.

Back from our second doctor visit this week, plus second trip to the lab for bloodwork.  Whew...I'm worn out from it all...and I'm just driving Miss Edith.  Still, shouldn't complain.  Good, quality knitting time for me while we are in the waiting room(s)...and a pair of socks on the needles makes the perfect "doctor visit" project.  Am calling these "Chasing Cables," but won't say anymore about them, as they are to be a gift for a friend.

Anyway...back to the dox...

Monday's visit was to our Family physician, the same one we saw when we lived in HPNC before.  Great guy.  Super doctor.  Takes all the time you need to make sure he provides the proper care.  Talks a mile a minute.  I chiefly serve as the simultaneous translator:  Doc-talk to N/M/E-talk; N/M/E-speak to Doc-speak.  Such a fun day.  See why I knit? 

Mind you, I continually have to say "now, remember...I'm not medical."  I do my best to use the correct terminology, but usually fall far short of perfection.  (I know, I know.  "Perfection is NOT the goal...excellence is.")  For instance, I'm trying to get the Doc to "write" a prescription (there's no "writing" prescriptions anymore...all done on computer...showing my age...:) for the size needles I need for N/M/E's B12 injection.  He's talking CC's ('cause that's Doc-speak), and I'm responding ML's ('cause that's what's written on the wrapping).  Plus, I keep calling them "needles" ('cause that's the part I'm terrified of), and he keeps correcting me with "syringes" ('cause that's the correct medical terminology).

Yeah.

Did you catch that?  I'm terrified of needles...the business end of the syringe.  And, yet I'm giving N/M/E her B12 injection.  Something's wrong with that picture.  Only because our last Family Doc in MO insisted that I could do this.  Made me learn how.  Well, sure...I suppose you could train almost anyone to administer an injection...but you can never, ever make me like it.

But, I digress...seriously...

So, Family Doc pretty much gave N/M/E the definitive diagnosis of what's wrong with her (fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, etc.):  she's 90.  Yep.  If he said that once, he said it 4-5 times.  "Well, remember...you are 90."  He did make a couple of changes to her meds and order a couple of additional blood tests to "rule out" some other issues, since I'm guessing you can't really "rule out" being 90.  Let's give this one a B+.  Stay tuned.

Doc #2 (today) was the Foot Doctor, who's been treating N/M/E's torn ligament/heel spur issue during our bi-weekly visits over the past 2 months.  Thinks the 3 cortisone injections he's administered have done the trick, as she's almost pain-free in the left foot.  Hopefully, we can remove him from our regular rounds for a while.  Oh yeah, an A+ for this one.

We try to make these Doctor Days a bit more fun by heading out to eat (either breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of the appointment).  Today we went to McAlister's Deli, a favorite that reminds me of Memphis and Atlanta.  Of course, I used to get the Sweet Tea (elixir of the Gods...:), with lots of lemon (which they will give you with a smile).  Now, I'm limited to the Unsweet Tea, lots of lemon and 3 packets of the Yellow Stuff or 2 of the Pink Stuff (never, ever the Blue Stuff); ah, still tasty.  We had the Reuben sandwiches and fruit cup.  Definitely an A+ for the Lunch Bunch Report.

And, back at home, the Garden Report is mixed.  I spotted a Dad's Best White daylily in full bloom in the holding garden (photo to right), and also one down in the new Mailbox bed.  Both look healthy and happy in their new surroundings.  We've had some of the Happy Trails to bloom this year (yeah!), as well as some of the Roadside Orange ones (double yeah!!).  Holding my breath for blooms on both the Wayside Royal (purple) ones and the South Seas (coral) ones...at least I hope that's what those are. Still, I'm thrilled that so many made the move from MO.  Definitely an A, with opportunities to go a bit higher when those others bloom.

The Black Beauty zucchini are blooming (photo, left) as are the crookneck squash and the cucumbers!  Hooray!  Fingers crossed on pollination, as this all depends on the bees at this point.  I've tried to populate the garden space with enough flowers to capture the bees' attention, but we'll see.  An A for the bloom; an I (incomplete) for the fruit-set.

And, the "mixed" part?  Well, I dosed all the new purple hull peas, pole beans (KY Wonder), bush beans (Blue Lake), corn, tomatoes, and peppers, as well as the blooming squash and cukes, with fish emulsion yesterday.  Nasty, stinky stuff...I don't care how much the label says they've "neutralized" the smell.  Anyway, on this morning's Coffee Walk (where I take my cup of French Roast out into the garden to see how things look in the morning light), I noticed that the newest leaves on the Purple Hull Pink-eyes were all crinkled and curled...almost like they had been singed.  Hmmmm.  A look in my gardening books pointed me to the possible culprit:  me!  Apparently, one should apply fish emulsion (or any fertilizer spray) in the late afternoon/early evening, not in the morning sun like I did...so you don't BURN new leaves.  Lesson learned.  E for effort...F for execution.

I'll do better next time.  Promise.

Oh, What a Week

Mr. Dickens said it better than I can:  it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Let's start with the best...

I had a fantastic time last week at the 2010 MESDA Textile Seminar, "'Trees of life bear fruits of love,' New Research in Southern Needlework and Textiles."  I learned so much, as this was a "scholarly" seminar...plus, I had fun.  Period.  It was the first seminar/workshop/class that I've attended in years, just for the fun of it. 

As I am more of a hand's-on learner, I would have to say my two favorite sessions were the MESDA Research Center Exploration on Wednesday, where we were given an assignment and got to play "treasure hunt" throughout the Research Center; and, the Coverlet Turning on Saturday, where we got to see (up close and personal) more than 25 coverlets and quilts from the MESDA collection...many that have never been exhibited before.  The photo on the right is of one of the quilts we saw on Saturday.  It is an applique, c. 1850, from Baltimore, credited to Alice Baynes, in pinks and greens (with the pink-est fabric being added at a later date as a replacement). Beautiful!

While at the seminar, I also got some information on my great grandmother Holland's coverlet, although not a definitive pattern name yet.  I did learn it is called an Overshot weave (as there is a float on the reverse, wool over cotton...learned about that, too...:), and I got some names of reference materials for more research.  I learned how to fold it for display (in 1/3's, over a clean, cotton sheet; refold it 2-3 times a year to keep from damaging the fibers by putting too much stress for too long).  And, I got other vital bits and pieces of information that may come in handy for another project...down the road.

Of course, it wasn't all serious.  I had to laugh when I approached the main entrance to MESDA...and was met by a family of guinea fowl.  They do their best to get inside the museum...and on occasion, they make it!  I had to snap this shot of a guinea hen greeter (left). 

Anyway, that was my best of times for the week past.



On to the worst of times...

Dear, sweet Elmo had almost a whole week, free of the pain of his primary glaucoma...following the surgical procedure to his right eye last Monday.  We were thrilled to learn that he still had some vision remaining in his left eye, and we continued with the eyedrop routine to protect what he had.  Supposedly, dogs with primary glaucoma who lose the sight in one eye can have 6 months to 3 years before the glaucoma will strike the other eye.  But, it was not meant to be.  Late in the week, he began to exhibit all the symptoms of a glaucoma "episode" in his left eye:  swelling, pain, etc.  We had an appointment for a re-check on Monday with Dr. Nasisse (dear, wonderful fellow), and we were prepared for what he had to tell us:  it was time to do the procedure to the left eye.  All went well with the injection, and we got to bring Elmo home yesterday afternoon, a bit groggy from the anesthetic, but alert and aware.  He's doing fine...learning to navigate around the furniture, walls, and doors...and to follow Gus's barks.  Best of all, he's still got his healthy appetite.  Give him a few weeks, and he'll be able to handle anything that comes along, I'm certain.

So, what's so bad, you might ask?  I'm not sure I can handle much more "that comes along"...on my present dwindling energy resources, that is. I was quite simply drained last night.  I can't help but tear up whenever I think of Elmo not being able to see ever again...so, I guess I wasn't completely "prepared" for it after all. Sigh.

But, a few days of quiet and calm...and hopefully no more immediate issues to deal with...and I'll be back in form.  We've got a party coming up in a couple of weeks...lots of family and friends coming to help celebrate Mom's 90th birthday...and I want to be ready for that.

Stay tuned...

Start of Something New

I really don't want to jinx anything ("You're not superstitious, are you Leon?"  "No, I'm just a little 'stitious."**), but has anyone else noticed a touch of Spring in the air?  I trimmed some branches off our one forsythia (side yard, under our bedroom window...:) and popped them into a vase of warm water...along with some King Alfred daffodils that had opened this weekend...all for the dining room table.  Of course, about an hour after I did that on Saturday, it started to HAIL (English pea-size).  Ah yes, the joys of Spring:  flowers, rebirth, and changeable weather.  It's always something new at this time of the year.

Last Friday brought another "something new" into my life.  I started my volunteer job with the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA), a part of Old Salem in Winston-Salem.  It was raining and dreary outside (as you can see in that photo over there that I captured with my phone), but I fell in love with all the beautiful things...and the lovely people...that were inside.  I received such a warm welcome...I got the Grand Tour by two enthusiastic staff members...and I was shown all the "off-Tour areas," too. 

I love that part, don't you know?  When we lived in the Memphis area, I used to be a docent for the Mallory Neely house in Victorian Village (which is closed now, I'm sad to see), and my favorite part was to explore the off-Tour areas (although it was sometimes spooky).

Anyway, I'm excited about helping with the Textile Seminar that starts this week.  I'll also get to attend all of the workshops and sessions, so it's best of all worlds.  I have a coverlet that was woven by my great, great grandmother, Nancy Elizabeth Dudley Holland, who lived in middle Tennessee in the mid- to late- 1800's, and I'm hoping to get some more information on it from the instructor of the session called:  "From Home Looms and Store Shelves: New Considerations of Southern Backcountry Textiles".

An update on Elmo's eye...

He's doing remarkably well, thank goodness.  He keeps both of his eyes open now, even though he only has sight in the left eye.  That means that the pressure in both of his eyes is under control and not causing him pain just to open the lids.  He continues to "get lost" sometimes, walking behind an open door and bumping his nose on the wall.  He just adjusts his journey...sorta like a Roomba...and retraces his steps!  Still doing the drops daily (different kinds in each eye, three times a day.)  Amazingly, he looks "normal" when you look at him, as you can see in this photo of him enjoying the rest of Gus' breakfast.  One thing's for sure, he hasn't lost his appetite!

Have I told you about my new March Madness committment?  No, this has nothing to do with the NCAA Tournament, starting this week.  I doubt I'll even do a bracket since my own Memphis Tigers didn't make the cut...they'll be heading into the NIT, playing St. John's on Wednesday...sad to say.  Anyway, I joined other About.com knitters in making a commitment to resolving our UFO's this month...and not starting any new projects until April 1st. 

So, how's that going, Patricia?  It's killing me!!!  I've recently unpacked all of the boxes of yarn that we moved from MO (...whoa!...:), so I was keenly aware of just how many projects I had on the needles...and just how many were in the wings.  Seemed like an excellent idea at the time I read about it.  But, now, that I'm holding myself to it?  Painful. 

BTW, "resolving" means to either finish the thing...or frog it.  I've finished knitting N/M/E's Entwined Shawl (still have to weave in the ends), and an I-cord necklace with buttons (I'd done the I-cord/knitting...I just had to sew about 20 buttons on it for decoration).  I'm working diligently on a belt for Missy M (sock yarn on US 1's...going slowly).  I also have a baby blanket that I'd started crocheting a couple years ago that I've been working on.  Actually, I have two of these baby blankets started; but, in the spirit of things, I'm trying to finish one before I pick up the other one again.  I've yet to frog anything, as I'm putting the ripping out off until the last week of the month.

And, where are the pictures of these things, you ask?  Well, it appears I've misplaced my camera...yikes!  I wish I could ring it up like I do my cellphone when I "lose" it temporarily.  No such luck.  Soon as I can put my hands on it, I'll be back in business.  Until then...stay tuned.



**A great line from NCIS...Special Agent LeRoy Jethro Gibbs to Director Leon Vance, followed by his response.**

Yes, Things are Looking Better Around Here

If you've been reading my posts lately, you may think things seemed pretty bleak around our abode.  Woe was us.  The Winter of our Discontent.  Well, now with some lovely warm temperatures and Carolina Blue skies, I can misquote the Bard by saying it has been made glorious Spring by this sun of High Point.  I ask you, how can things be bad when it's 65 degrees, the sun is shining, and the daffodils are starting to bloom?  That's the first one (left) in our yard...a King Alfred...the first of many, I hope.

Yesterday brought some resolution to Elmo's struggles with primary glaucoma, which is a breed-related defect in the fluid drainage system in the eye(s).  After a particularly trying weekend where he barely raised his sweet head off the sofa...not eating at all on Sunday...he went in early for his appointment with the wonderful Dr. Nasisse, Veterinary Ophthalmologist at Carolina Veterinary Specialists.  We reviewed the options for treatment that he had outlined at our last appointment and decided the Intravitreal injection of gentocin was the best choice, as Elmo could no longer see from his right eye.  With this procedure, he will no longer have pain from the pressure, and he will keep his own eyeball which will eventually become smaller than normal since the fluid-produing cells will stop working permanently.  The procedure was quick and only required a short sedation; the complication rate is very low, we were told.  Although one of the other choices (evisceration) may have provided a more cosmetically-pleasing result, we were concerned about the discomfort and swelling following that type of surgery (synthetic intrascleral prosthesis...a silicone implant)

Good news!  He sailed through the procedure with flying colors, and we were able to pick him up later in the afternoon.  He continued to be a little sleepy from the anesthesia, but was up-and-at-'em by 6:00 p.m...devouring his supper (and some of Duchess').  We continue to use two kinds of drops in his left eye, twice a day...as a temporary measure.  Dr. Nasisse says Elmo can still see out of the left eye, but it will eventually be affected (6 months to 3 years)...we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.  We also are using an antibiotic eye drop in the right eye 3 times a day for the next 10 days, along with administering a liquid Meloxicam solution...or, trying our best to...to help relieve any pain or inflammation from the procedure.  Elmo just won't take pills...and yes, we've tried to hide them in cheese...in peanut butter...wrap them in ham or turkey or chicken or roast beef...coat them in bacon grease (yuck!)...no luck.  He's too wise to our ways.  So, they gave us this med in liquid form...with this squirty-syringe to aid in getting the medicine in his mouth.  Imagine trying to penetrate a stone with a straw.  It took two of us to get about 1/4 of a dose down last night.  I'm less-than-eagerly looking forward to doing that again tonight...by myself...as my DH has deserted me gone out of town on business.  Ah well...it's all worth it.

Here are the Boyz (Gus on the left in the photo, Elmo on the right) enjoying our new storm door.  I took this shot today, so you can see that Elmo is doing really well; although there is still some swelling of his right eye, it is much less-noticeable after his procedure. You can also see a reflection of our other enclosure to prevent wandering Bassets:  a wire closet shelf, turned on its side, slipped into (and easily removed from...) anchors that are screwed into the porch posts.  It's a perfect solution to the problem.  You may not realize it, but Basset Hounds are fast when they want to be...that is, when an unguarded door is left open.  Free Bird!

Speaking of Bassets making a mad dash for freedom, Duchess (AKA Queen Houdini)...who is doing very well these days, recovering nicely from her ordeal with the cyst...was lounging on the sofa at the time.  Usually, she is the one in the window...watching the world go down her street...waiting for just the right moment...

Ready, Set, Go!

Let's see...where was I?  Oh yeah.  We had a houseful of dogs (four...count'em, 4).  That all changed last weekend when Mr. T and I made the "mad dash" to meet up with Missy M  at the half-way point...a Subway parking lot in Charleston, WV.  We still had snow on the ground here, but we'd already put this little trip off a couple of times due to the weather...and with more snow on the way, well, we were afraid that we may not get there until the Spring thaw.  So, we loaded up the Endeavor with Ella Rae and all her stuff:  donut-shaped bed, blanket embroidered with her name, and a bag full of toys...and off we went.

Snow?  You ain't seen snow until you've been up I-77 through Fancy Gap, VA to Ghent, WV.  Mr. T asked one of the toll booth operators (yes...it's a toll road through that part of WV) how much snow they had on the ground.  She said 27 inches.  And, snow was falling at the time.  It snowed on us...well, mostly flurried on us for almost the entire trip.  But we made it just fine.

Needless to say, Missy M was thrilled to see her pup...and, oh yes, her parents, too.  We hugged, we kissed, and then it was time to go again. Ella Rae jumped out of our car...did a little business...and raced back to "her" car.  This one!  This blue Honda right here!!  Let me in, let me in, let me in!!!  She was ready to roll. 

That photo up there, left is from the Tamarack Travel Plaza on the WV Turnpike (I-77) where we stopped on our way back home to take a break and get some coffee.  It was still snowing on the return trip...a little harder, a lot colder.  We were so glad to get home again.  The Drool Gang sniffed us up and down...Elmo searched in vain for his buddy, Ella...but they finally seemed to be appeased with the ham bites I brought back from our supper stop at Cracker Barrel.   Time to write a new chapter in our lives in NC.

Elmo continues to receive the three types of eye drops, three times a day for his primary glaucoma.  Our next appointment is March 8th, and we imagine that we will hear the pressures in his right eye are still off the chart too high.  Sigh.  We are spending this in-between time helping him get used to his "new" environment, so that he won't be lost when he loses his eyesight.  So far, so good.  He seems so happy to be here, and he's made himself right at home...reestablishing himself as a member of the Drool Gang.  I'll keep you posted.

Missy M got home just in time for another huge snowstorm.  She sent this photo (right), showing her deck and backyard, looking out her back door toward the garden shed.  She used her cellphone to take the photo, but maybe you can make it out.  The little black fluffball to the right of the shed is Ella Rae, running through the fluffy white stuff; the snow-covered blob to the right of Ella is actually an Adirondack chair!  Can you say Snow Day? 

Through it all, I've been knitting.  I finished Mr. T's Shawl Collared-Sweater, which I've been working on for 18 months or more.  No, it wasn't that difficult, although I've never done a shawl collar before...or a pocket in the manner the pattern directed.  It was almost a casualty of The Big Move:  I "lost" the second sleeve I'd been working on at the time everything got packed up.  Finally found it...finished it...and dedicated 3 days to sewing it all up.  Whew!  That's a photo of it over there on the left.  To recap, I bought this scrumptious Alpaca With A Twist Highlander yarn in colorway 3016 Tartan Red in Scottsdale, AZ at Arizona Knitting and Needlework.  Yeah...went all the way to AZ to buy a yarn made in IN.  Ah well.  Glad it is finally a FO.

And did I ever show you a photo (right) of the Waikiwi "Possum" yarn socks I knit for Missy M's Valentine's Day?  Can you see what the side cable forms?  I hope you can make out the XOX.  I found this fabulous pattern for Tickled Pink socks on a blog called Island of Misfit Patterns.  It was difficult to tell from her photos what the cable pattern formed, but I think it came out better in that photo on the right.  Missy M said she wore them during that Snow Day...and that they kept her feet warm and toasty.  I'll bet...

Possum yarn, you say?  Yes.  It's a New Zealand yarn which blends NZ Merino Wool, nylon, alpaca, and possum fibers.  Paradise Fibers says:  If you aren't familiar with possum fiber, it is known for its softness, lightness, and warmth."  I guess I've never seen a cold possum, now that I think about it.

Anyway, I needed to get those projects off my needles, so that I could cast on my Ravelympics 2010 project.  For those of you not familiar, Ravelry (a social networking site dedicated to knitters and crocheters) has teams that start a project (or more than one in some cases) during the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics, and aim at completing that project by the end of the Closing Ceremonies.  I'm competing on Team Charlotte Purls (no local team was organized when I was setting up my project) in the Sweaterboard Cross and Nordic Colorwork Combined...tee hee.  I cast on my Fair Isle Collar Jacket (from a Vogue Knitting pattern) at exactly 9:00 EST (Opening Ceremonies started at 6:00 PST in Vancouver, you know).  I've got the body of the sweater completed after one week; that's a photo of it on the left, when it was nearing the bottom border color change.  I'm currently working on the collar, which is going a bit slower because of all the colorwork involved.  As this pattern is a top-down raglan cardigan, I should have few seams to finish...just a couple tiny ones under the arms...and only 3 buttons.  Much better than the pattern I chose for Ravelympics 2008...too much sewing in that one.  I was racing the clock to finish and earn my Badge!  I hope I won't be working on this come Closing Ceremonies next Sunday...that I'll be wearing it instead!  Stay tuned...

One of Life's Lemons, an Essay by Elmo

Hey folks!  One of my humans (AKA: Mommie) asked me to post today.  Actually, she's doing the typing, but I get to do the fun stuff...woo-hoo!  Mommie's still a little stunned by our trip to see Dr. Nasisse, my new NC Vet Ophthalmologist.  I don't know why she's bothered...he used that Tonopen thingie on my eyes, not hers.  Maybe, it was the big bill when she went to get my medicine (photo to right) that really did her in. Yowza!  But, I'm getting a little ahead of myself.

Mommie's already told you that I have glaucoma.  More to the point, I have Primary Glaucoma, which affects lots of other Basset Hounds, too.  Here are a couple of links to learn more about it, if you really want to: (1) http://www.blinddogs.com/articles/glaucoma.htm ; (2) http://www.bhra.org/glaucoma.htm

Or, you can just trust me when I say this is NOT GOOD in capital letters.  Mommie has to put those drops in my eyes three times a day...3 different kinds, three times a day.  When I lived in that place called Kentucky, I used to fight my other human (Mommie calls her Missy M) when she started putting drops in, but now I'm OK with it, I guess.  She taught Mommie how to do it just right...and to always kiss the top of my head after putting the drops in my eyes. (That part is the best.) The Dr. says the drops will help keep the pain from the pressure of glaucoma away for a while, but (and this is the part that made Mommie cry) they won't save my vision.

So, where does that leave me?  Well, for the next few weeks, Mommie says we will continue with the drops, mainly to slow down the disease in my left eye (AKA, my "good" eye), which still has normal pressures when I am using the drops.  And, even though I still get the drops in my right eye, Mommie and Daddy (my main human buddy) are coming to terms with the next step.  The Dr. will have to do a procedure to put an antibiotic compound in my eye (don't ask how...I'll be sound asleep when he does this) to permanently stop the pressure build-up.  The downside:  I will not be able to see out of that eye anymore.  Truthfully, the Dr. says I'm not seeing out of my right eye anyway, since the pressure is so high...but, I've been doing a good job of acting like I can see...a little...when they do their tests.  If this procedure works out OK, I'll get to keep my eye...which Mommie calls beautiful.  And, even though I will eventually lose the sight in the left eye, too, I'll have some time to get used to being blind.

Still, this isn't all bad news.  I am now back in the same house with my Hound Hero, Gus...woo-hoo!  And, Duchess, too...although she's as grumpy as ever if I get too near her on the bed.  I've gotten used to the doggie door thingie that we use to get out into the back yard, and I have even learned to ring the bell that hangs on the kitchen door that goes out onto the porch.  And, as Mommie keeps saying, I'm still a Basset Hound:  I have a Nose and Ears...and I know how to use them very well!

Meanwhile, Mommie is doing what she does best:  coming to terms and moving forward.  She's found this website for owners of Blind Dogs, and now she wants to order one of their T-shirts (that's it, over there on the left).  One of their suggestions is to put bells on the other pets and people in the house, so she says we will all soon be jingling...whatever that means.  Just as long as she keeps my food bowl and the water bowl in the same place...and she doesn't move the furniture around (again...:), I'll be fine with it all.

Lemonade outta lemons, right?