Libby

PURE JOY - About 5 months ago DKW and I adopted a rescue dog (our third).  Libby is a 5 year old Bichon Frise, weighs 12 pounds, and is white (but almost always looks in need of a bath.).  She is very gentle and never complains - even when I give her a bad haircut.  Libby never fails to bring a smile to my face when I take the girls out. (All my rescues are spayed females.)  She will suddenly start running full out.  Her bushy tail and floppy ears trailing in the wind.  Not only does she run, but makes what seems impossibly sharp turns and course reversals.  Often spraying gravel in the driveway like a car spinning its tires, and the whole time the ends of her mouth are turned up in an infectious smile.  She seems so happy and carefree it never fails to bring joy to my day.
Watching her, its hard to believe that she was in a puppy mill (with multiple litters per year) and abused.  When we were adopting her we were warned that she was very shy around people she didn't know and was VERY afraid to come close to any men.  She tended to run and hide when men were near her.  What a difference a few months make!
I took my time and let her get used to me and within a few weeks she was resting with me in my recliner whenever I sat to read or watch TV.   She is now my "best bud".  She (most of the time) comes when I call and has bonded with the other girls.  When I offer them a treat, she is literally bouncing straight up in the air like a mini-kangaroo. Such a sweetie!
Last week DKW and I took a trip to Pennsylvania (from Mississippi) so she could attend a family reunion.  We had planned on leaving the girls at home with a pet/house sitter while we took the trip.  We had it all set up when a family emergency forced our sitter to cancel.  We called our back-up sitter and were told - "Not a problem.".  So we planned and packed.  Then, just hours before we were to leave, she had a family emergency and had to cancel.  So, it was take the girls on the trip or not go (and this was not really an option.)  So off we went, DKW, me, and the 3 little girls in our Toyota Yaris - towing our teardrop camper.  I have to say we are very proud of our 3 girls and how they handled the trip.  They traveled without fussing or causing trouble.  There were no potty accidents in the car, and they did well on leashes.  Which they don't normally were at home.  They all acted like seasoned, veteran travelers!  I have no qualms what-so-ever of taking them along on future trips we may make.
Everyone have a great day!

Ch-ch-ch-changes............

Don't mess with a Smart Car!
EXTERMINATE!

Well, Retired. Hmm! Takes a little getting used to. I still get up fairly early (though not at 5:30 anymore) and the girls (my 4-legged children) are getting more used to my being around more.  I up now at approximately 6;30 - give or take a half hour.  I've been getting up at that time most of my life and can't see it changing.  I'm staying busy doing things around the house, but not doing too much.  I feel like I've got a pretty good handle on my limitations.  I still read a lot, watch some TV, and cook.  I've got a couple of hobbies, so there is always something to keep me busy.
That said,  I would like to have a part time (20-25 hours a week) job.  I've a wealth of experience as an office administrator/worker and many years experience in food service as a cook & manager.  Since I just turned 60 on Good Friday (April 3rd) and am in great shape physically. (Just ask the wife - wink, wink.) :-)  I can afford to be a little picky as to where I apply to work - but I would like to earn a little pocket money so that DKW and I can go out every now and then, or save up to visit the kids. (Retirement pay will cover the bills, but not a lot of extra - ya know?)  I'm waiting until after the Cotton District Arts Festival (on April 18th) to really start looking as DKW is on the Starkville Area Arts Council board (which promotes the CDAF) and is the co-chair of the Writer's Village at the CDAF.  So, lot going on this time of year.
Now, I'm currently reading a a book edited by Augustus Derleth.  Derleth was a friend and contemporary of H.P. Lovecraft.  Lovecraft's novella " At The Mountains of Madness" is in this short story collection (titles "Strange Ports of Call:}first published in 1948.  A few are obviously dated, but most are outstanding science fiction.  I would highly recommend it. I started reading sci fi as a pre-teen and still do.  The due-date slip in the front of the book showed it was first checked out in 1948 and I got to thinking about the teens and pre-teens (at that time) reading the book and wondering what they were like. SOOOO- if anyone out there, born 1938 or later, has read this book I would like to chat with you - one senior sci fi fan to another.
HAPPY EASTER!
Everyone have a great day!

Cuz its bigger on the insider.............

Had to share this funny.  And its yellow - like my Smartie!

He Lived Long and Prospered!

Dang! Another bit of my childhood gone.  Read the full article here:  Click Now!

Leonard Nimoy, Spock of ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 83

By VIRGINIA HEFFERNANFEB. 27, 2015

 

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Leonard Nimoy, the sonorous, gaunt-faced actor who won a worshipful global following as Mr. Spock, the resolutely logical human-alien first officer of the Starship Enterprise in the television and movie juggernaut “Star Trek,” died on Friday morning at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. He was 83.

Meet Libby.................

Sophie, Libby and Chiquita

With the addition of Libby to our household, our canine population is back to three girls.  Libby is a five (5) year old Bichon Frise (pronounced bee-shawn free-zey) and she is really sweet.  She is a rescue and somewhat skittish - especially around strangers.  We were told prior to adopting that she preferred being around women and did not warm up to men. (Although she seems to be warming up to me and I often have all three in my lap in my recliner.)  In appearance she resembles a poodle, but is small (normal for the breed) at twelve pounds.  So she fits in nicely with the other girls.
We still have the occasional problems as we are getting her used to house-training, but I am sure she will pick it up soon.  Just have to have a little patience.  I'm sure DKW and I can deal with that.
Everyone have a great day!

41 & Counting

In a little less than 6 weeks, I will be entering into my second retirement.  I will be retiring from Mississippi State University (state retirement) and I am already retired from the U.S. Coast Guard.  This does not mean that I am stopping working though.  I did give it every consideration, but....... I will be 60 on April 3rd and am in arguably the best physical condition of my life.  Plus I like to stay busy. (Just ask DKW or my kids.)
So I worked on a resume a bit and have already applied for a couple of spots.  Nothing yet, but that's the good thing about 2 retirements - I don't have to be in a rush and can get something I want, not need.
However, I'm not above grabbing those senior discounts wherever they are offered.  Hey, might as well save as much as I can!
Anyway, Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Everyone have a great day!

Been Away - Stuff to pass.

Shaddow & Sophie - 2011

Okay.  I was arguing with myself the other day about why I was even trying to keep up with a blog when there were so few folks that seemed to even care to read it.  Well, the main point I came up with is that I do it for myself.  It keeps my mind active and at this time in my life (I'll be 60 in 2 months) I need to do that.  It also gives me an outlet just to vent and maybe post observations on life.  So - here goes.
Christmas season has come and gone, and I was able to see 3 (of my 5) children.  We are having a big family "to-do" planned in July, and did not expect the ones spread far across the country to make it home during the holidays this year.  So, that was okay.
It did not pass without life-altering events though.  A couple shook me badly, which was one reason I actually thought I would give up the writing.
My mother-in-law, Sharon, had been struggling with heart problems for a few months and finally succumbed on December 5th.  While not totally unexpected, it still shook DKW and I.  The timing of it was doubly so for me, as my first wife, Sue, passed away on December 3rd in 2005.  DKW and I are both, at times, struggling with the sense of loss. 
Then, on top of that - on January 21st, I had to put down Shaddow, DKW's 13 1/2 year old Lab-mix (which she had from a puppy).  I had gotten home around 6 P.M. (after an afternoon taking my mother to appointments) and found Shaddow on our front deck.  She was struggling to move but unable to get her rear legs to respond.  Also from observing her face, she seemed in extreme pain and had a bit of droopy paralysis.  I knew, from past dealings with other dogs of my own that she had likely had a stroke.  It was time.  I let DKW know and she sat with Shaddow on the deck as I took care of preparations.  Once done, I tearfully said my own goodbyes (she had been in my life nearly 6 years) and did what was necessary.  She no longer suffers, but I still miss the sweetest dog I've ever known and frequently catch myself looking for her.  You will be with me as long as I live Sweet Girl!
You are missed! !