Ooooh, tis a sultry one out there.  Tended to my plant and gave her an additional drink to the one she got last night.  It's good to have some one thing that depends on me.

There's nada newsy.  The boyfriend is watching a new condo being put up adjacent to us.  Large haulers bring the building pieces in, and the workers assemble it.  Amazing.  

I've had my nose buried in courtroom dramas the last day or two.  Also watching videos of the nomadic people of Iran.  They are some of the most loving people, and they adore their little children.  Knowing about other cultures stretches one's views of how the people of the world really are.  Have also been watching the Arkansas Highway Patrol traffic stops, some of which discover drug mules carrying mega amounts of cocaine, meth and fentanyl across our interstate highways.  Makes a person sick to see what's going on right around us when we innocently travel cross country.  

I've got to get my soul immersed in another substantial project, but can't decide what to do.  It's so hard to make something and then not have anyone to give it to.  The last thing I want to do is unload my stuff onto someone else.  Guess I have to scratch that thought and dwell on the creative process.  It's that business of worrying about silly stuff.  Wish a person could unplug the worry button and throw it into deep waters where it would be virtually impossible to recover.

There's a haze outside, don't know if it's humidity or smoke.  With the humidity, it's quite oppressive, to my personal preference.  Stay cool.  Ta-ta.  

It's been a beautiful day outdoors.  I tended to my hanging plant by picking off the dead heads and watering her.  The plant is the only living thing that I care for other than the two of us.  Perhaps it's a silly thing to write about, but when I'm in my favorite spot I look out at the plant and savor her beauty.  Even the lady next door commented on how she enjoys looking out at our plant.  It's the smallest of things that may seem inconsequential, but in truth can play a significant role in another person's day.  We just never know. 

Our world appears fresh and clean and alive after the one-inch rainfall.  We consider ourselves blessed.  The sky tonight at 7:30 is still blue with layers of white puffy clouds.

Tomorrow evening we're celebrating a special birthday of a special friend with our special friends..............how special is that!  We're hosting the get-together, serving Casey's pizzas.  One of the gals is bringing the dessert.  

The boyfriend is visiting via cell phone with his cousin in Alabama.  Today I've been immersed in videos of the nomadic life in Iran.  There's so much to learn about our world that is entirely contradictory to what we hear on the news.  For myself, I'm thankful for my curious mind that wants to see the world for what it really is, not what the media wants us to believe.

Till the morrow.............  

Friday:  Leftovers for tonight's supper.  The word "leftovers" can be deceiving, especially when they consist of half of the chicken pot pie that the boyfriend made the night before.  To say it was delicious is an understatement.  

Saturday:  A bitter-sweet day for us.  At 3:30 p.m., we packed up all of Cuddy's things and took him back to his real home.  His parents treated us to yummy refreshments, a bbq rib supper topped off with amazing strawberry shortcakes.  The shortcake was homemade, the real deal!  

The drive back home from Cuddy's house was quiet.  A profound emptiness.

Sunday morning:  We slept in till 10:30.  Dale deserves a good sleep-in now that he doesn't have to take Cuddy out for his morning walk.  Our area was blessed with a beautiful rainfall last night.  Today it's overcast and looks like there's a light mist coming down.  

We're settled in for a tranquil day.  Just the two of us. 

Robin shares this picking of strawberries from their garden.  My mind visualizes them drenched in chocolate and me dipping each one in a tub of Cool Whip!

June is the month we all wait to hear that the strawberries are ready to pick.  It's the season for eating sundaes and shortcakes, pies and preserving jam.

Legend has it that if you break a double strawberry in half and share it with someone, you will fall in love with each other.  The strawberry was a symbol of Venus, the Goddess of Love, because of its heart shape and red color.

A FACEBOOK FIND

 What does it feel like to be old?

The other day, a young person asked me: - "What did it feel like to be old?"

I was very surprised by the question, since I did not consider myself old. When he saw my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question. And after reflection, I concluded that getting old is a gift.

Sometimes I am surprised at the person who lives in my mirror. But I don't worry about those things for long. I wouldn't trade everything I have for a few less gray hairs and a flat stomach. I don't scold myself for not making the bed, or for eating a few extra "little things." I am within my rights to be a little messy, to be extravagant, and to spend hours staring at my flowers.

I have seen some dear friends leave this world, before they had enjoyed the freedom that comes with growing old.

Who cares if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 in the morning and then sleep until who knows what time?

I will dance with me to the rhythm of the 50's and 60's. And if later I want to cry for some lost love... I will!

I'll walk down the beach in a swimsuit that stretches over my plump body and dive into the waves letting myself go, despite the pitying looks of the bikini-wearers. They'll get old too, if they're lucky...

It is true that through the years my heart has ached for the loss of a loved one, for the pain of a child, or for seeing a pet die. But it is suffering that gives us strength and makes us grow. An unbroken heart is sterile and will never know the happiness of being imperfect.

I am proud to have lived long enough for my hair to turn gray and to retain the smile of my youth, before the deep furrows appeared on my face.

Now, to answer the question honestly, I can say: -I like being old, because old age makes me wiser, freer!-.

I know I'm not going to live forever, but while I'm here, I'm going to live by my own laws, those of my heart.

I'm not going to regret what wasn't, nor worry about what will be.

The time that remains, I will simply love life as I did until today, the rest I leave to God.

~written by Dame Judy Dench

We're having a fun day preparing for a special birthday party tomorrow.  Cuddy helped us in the kitchen, laying right beside me.  We've got the pill-giving down to a science already, and so far he is tolerating them well.  

The ideal way to give a pet meds is to crush the pill and mix it into tiny meat balls of canned dog food.  Put them in a small dish and leave it somewhere for him/her to find.  By doing that, they think they've discovered something all by themselves.  The meat balls will get gobbled up and the dish licked clean.  Easy-peasy.  One of his pills is a gel type that can't be crushed, but he's taking it just fine in the meat ball.

I try to make everything a game for him.  He's been outside watering the plant with me, and he's had his breakfast.  Now he's taking a snooze.  

Tis a gorgeous day.  Yesterday they fertilized the Venny lawns.  This means Dale takes Cuddy in the little red wagon outside the grounds to potty.  When we went for a drive the other day, we noticed lawns that are drying and turning brown.  It's only June.  We need rain.  Would love to hear a good-old fashioned thunder storm, not one with damaging winds or hail.  Just rainfall, thunder and a few streaks of lightning.

House yards have colorful flowers in planters and some landscaped.  We can all contribute to the beauty of our world by displaying a little color to share.  I enjoy looking at the ways people groom their yards.  A simple planter on the porch, filled with colorful flowers, is all it takes.  

It's been an exhausting 24 hours, but we're fully advised of Cuddy's health issues.  After blood work, x-rays and ultrasound, his daddy opted for a medicinal treatment.  Cuddy is almost 16 years old, and surgery would be too much for him.  He is on a total of 6 prescribed medications, his dog food has been changed to low-fat, and his daily food is decreased to no more than 1-1/2 cups per day.  Milk bones are okay, as are the tiny treats for joints.  No other treats or food allowed.  The mass they discovered could/will eventually affect his food digestion.  

This morning I organized the pills.  Gave him his morning doses which were concealed in tiny balls of canned dog food from the vet.  Being his food amount is decreased, he was hungry and gobbled up the meat balls.  So, he's now officially in treatment.  I am to notify the vet if he gets tummy upsets, that sort of thing, and they can adjust doses.  There is no crystal ball, and we take a day at a time.  We are showering him with love.

This morning he came out on the deck with me to dead head and give my petunias a drink of onion tea.  There is a blessing tucked inside of all this.  If he hadn't been scheduled for the dental work (which he didn't have done), this mass would not have been discovered.  

When we left the vet, we took him for a drive so his little nose could enjoy the open-window breeze.  The vet technicians are made of solid gold, and I think Cuddy was pampered yesterday.  He's been going to this clinic his whole life, and his gentle demeanor is quite well known.  Guess during his xrays and ultra sound (which necessitated shaving an area of his tummy) they didn't have to give him any sedation.  That's Cuddy.  When it comes to love, well, he gets it in great volume.  There isn't any one, human or animal, that would ask for more.  In that, I take my consolation.

It's another hazy day.  The Canadian wildfires are affecting parts of the U.S.  New York has been under dangerous air alerts for the last few weeks.  This presents problems for those with respiratory and heart conditions.  

Well, I've got things to do here.  I appreciate the concern about the precious fuzzy one.  My mind is focusing only on the immense gift given to us the day Cuddy came into our lives.  Nothing and no one lasts forever.  It's a fact that's certain, yet terribly difficult to deal with.  Think of the time wasted when love isn't shown.  There are some poor little creatures who live their whole lives without ever knowing what love is.  That is a sorrow.  Cuddy was given the opposite in his life.  He was given love and care that makes his cup run over.  That's a beautiful thought, and perhaps that's the thought that will ease the pain in my heart.

Let's all truly appreciate one another.  Like I said, nothing lasts forever.  Regret must be an awful emotion to endure.  

Have been in absentia the last few days, mostly due to the monthly newsletter.  The topic I chose to write about required the ability to fit the Pacific Ocean into a thimble.  I asked the editor for a couple extra days, and at 8 yesterday morning I sent the final draft over to him.  There was no way I could disengage my brain from the article to write a blog.

Well, today isn't the best of days.  Cuddy was scheduled for a dental appointment, and we took him to the clinic at 7:30 this morning.  A few minutes ago the lady vet called to say that Cuddy's blood work came back with some high numbers regarding his liver.  She needed authorization to x-ray to see if there's a tumor a mass or some other problem.  

You can about imagine what this does to my world.  He's at the clinic now, and we'll wait to hear what the x-rays show.  There may still be a chance that he's good to go for the dental work.  Teeth extractions may be part of the procedure, and the vet needs to have more information before going ahead.

Yup, life is a real deal.  Life spans are short for the most loyal creatures on this earth.  All of us who are dog owners know this for fact.  Cuddy doesn't belong to us, yet I'm gonna say that for sure we love Cuddy as if he was ours.  Now I remember why, after we lost Little Emma, I swore never would we own another one.  We're right back to how we felt back then.

This isn't a pity-me party, but in the last three months I've lost my brother, my non-biological brother, and now Cuddy enters a stage of his life that cannot have a good ending.  While Cuddy is in our care, he has fun, he is loved, hugged, kissed and cared for as if he was made out of solid gold.  When he wants to get off the bed at night, I get up and sleep on the couch beside his little bed.  He hates riding in the car and shakes, but I showed him what it's like to open the passenger car window and let the breeze blow on his little nose.  Then he stops shaking.  Every time he puts his little paw on the screen door, we open it so he can go lay out in the sun.  What Cuddy wants, Cuddy gets.  Three times every day Dale takes him out to go potty.  His daily routines, even at age of 15, are absolutely spot on.  In snow, rain, and ice Dale sees to it that Cuddy is comfortable and okay.  Between the two of us, we treat him better than lots of people treat their own children.  

Maybe it's time for another major project.  One that will consume my mind and keep my heart from floating up into my head.  

I'll end today's post with a picture Dale took of the peonies blossoming along the Venny garden fence.  In the background, the haze is from the Canadian wildfires.

Saw a pretty yellow butterfly in the flower garden below us.  It was the first such sighting this spring. 

Another hazy day, overcast.  Devoted dog walkers are out early this morning.

Cuddy's stay has been extended until the 23rd of the month.  This way he gets in on Sharon's birthday party this Thursday evening at our house.  Sharon and Bob puppysit for Cuddy, like this coming Saturday when we go to an out-of-town/state graduation.  

The boyfriend is heading out for groceries.  He needs to stop by Cuddy's house for more food and treats to tide him over for a couple more weeks.  One day Cuddy has a doctor appointment to get his teeth cleaned, so we'll take him for that.  My maternal instincts kick into gear when it comes to Cuddy needing a cuddle.  I'll be on standby  eagerly waiting to hold him close on our drive back home.  I'd imagine they'll give him a sedative for the ordeal.  

Reading Tao, I came across simple words with a real punch.  Every day that passes our life is shortened by 24 hours.  

Guess that'll be the thought for the day.

A couple of days have passed since my last posting.  There are times that I choose relaxation over accomplishment and make no bones about it.  I read somewhere that each life has an expiration date so am making sure this chick's wishes are met.  

For those who faithfully follow my days, I feel compelled to say that my good luck just keeps happening.  Now I've won a Ryobi One Chainsaw from Harbor Freight.  It's a bam scam world out there.

Yesterday I got wound up in two YT murder interrogations.  In one of them, the Texas Rangers were brought in to assist in the solving.  Learned a lot about the Rangers in those interviews.  Quite a remarkable group of individuals.  After that, I got involved in part of the one trial and listened to what the judge had to say to the murderer just before he ordered a life in prison w/o possibility of parole.  

There's a haze in the air this morning.  Bad air quality type of day.  My eyes are dry and driving me nuts.  Wish I could take 'em out and soak 'em in water for a whole day.  Our eye doctor tells us to use eye drops several times each day.  

There's nothing earthshaking happening, and that's a good thing.  Kinda fits with the old saying that no news is good news.  

Stay cool......temperature wise and otherwise!

This intriguing cloud formation caught our attention last evening while sitting out on the deck.  Brats were on the grill and toddies in hand.  Just imagine all the beautiful sky art that goes on above us that we never see.  

What makes this picture so striking is the way the clouds are layered.  Clouds are kinda like snowflakes, no two are the same.  There's a movable feast floating above us all the time.  All we have to do is look up and lose ourselves in the whipped cream clouds and wisps of blue.  

Man alive, am I on a roll.  Just won a Harbor Freight Power Washer and a Kohl's Ninja Air Fryer.  Must have a 4-leaf clover in my pocket!

A few Venny friends are putting together a picnic for Friday afternoon.  Boyfriend will be grilling burgers, there will be potato salad, and we'll wait to hear what we can add to the table.  This is kind of an impromptu affair, one that sounds really fun.  It's gonna be a lighthearted gathering, cuz one of the guys told Dale to leave me at home and bring Cuddy instead.  Love the humor!

Gonna be another warm day.  The faithful walkers have been out already doing their laps around Venny.  The only exercise I get is watching them.  My left knee threw a fit this morning, so I'm taking it easy.  My joints get kinda snappy some days, so I simply give the space to get their act back together.

How can it already be June?  The summer is zipping by.  It's once again time to write an article for the newsletter.  I have a topic in mind, it's just how to put it together.  Have to gather more facts before I start.  

Nothing newsworthy.  Just another ho-hum day.  Cuddy's eaten his breakfast and is taking a nap.  It's gonna be too warm for him to be out on the deck.  He's about where he needs a haircut, but we'll let his daddy take care of that when he gets back from his fishing trip to Canada.  He sent us photos that he took of the brilliant Northern Lights.  

There is beauty in darkness.