Poetry on Wednesday

Then Laugh

Build for yourself a strong box,

Fashion each part with care;

When it's strong as your hand can make it,

Put all your troubles there;

Hide there all thought of your failures,

And each bitter cup that you quaff;

Lock all your heartaches within it,

Then sit on the lid and laugh.

Tell no one else its contents,

Never its secrets share;

When you've dropped in your care and worry

Keep them forever there;

Hide them from sight so completely

That the world will never dream half;

Fasten the strong box securely --

Then sit on the lid and laugh.

~Bertha Adams Backus

Monday Musings...And The Living Room

We're in the home stretch. I think. I'll share more pictures when it's all done. Right at this minute, we're waiting for the floor man to come.

Our living room floor really isn't in terrible shape, but we had to empty it to do all of the other work.

So, we figured now was a good time to have it done.
It was last re-finished almost 30 years ago, so it's worn well.

The only real visible signs of wear are in the hallway coming out of what used to be the kids' bedrooms (and one is now my office). When we first moved here, my mother-in-law had rugs in the hallway. They were always crooked and I hated covering up the beautiful floor so I removed them. We've decided to put two runners in the hall because we want it to last till we kick off or move out.

The front hallway and front door are rarely used.
We are totally cut off from our bedrooms and the main bathroom until the job is done.
Jamie has moved to her brother's house for a few days and Jim and I are camping out in the basement.

At least we have access to the kitchen.
Yep, that a fireplace mantle in our kitchen/dining room.
Jim made it removable in case, in years to come, someone decides to remodel and that old brick mantle is back in style.
I am pretty excited about this. The mantle is beautiful and Jim made it so that some of the brick shows just because we're a little sentimental about it.

Have I mentioned that Jim made: the paneling, trim, and mantle? He really is talented. I must showcase his other work once our house is put back together!

Simple Sunday

Wm. Jr. - 9 mo. (that's what the back of the photo says)
I think that one day his parents said,
"Let's drag William's high chair out into
the snowy yard and take his picture!"

Duker-day...And A Possum

Or is it opossum? I never know. But really...I'm a dog, so what do I care?

Duke here again.

Not much going on here this week. I did catch a possum last night. No pictures. My mom isn't too thrilled when I do these things. She does say that it's better than messing with something called a skunk. Whatever that is.

Anyhow, my mom and dad were leaving to go out last night and noticed that, in the sixty seconds it took them to walk to the garage, get in  the car, and back out of the garage, I had caught a possum (I'm good like that). Sosha wanted it and tried to take it away, but I would not let go. My mom called my human-sister to look out the window because she thought she'd share the joy of possum-catching. Jamie was not thrilled. Usually my dad makes me get away from those things. But they just left me with it! Cool!

Hah! Jamie. Spoilsport. Made us leave it and come back in the house.

I don't understand this. I leave the possum in a spot where I'll remember...and it's gone when I go back. Happens every time.

Do they come back to life or something? Weird.

Edited to add (by Laura): No possums (or opossums) were killed during this event. They simply play "dead" until Duke leaves them alone and then will slowly come back to life, get up and saunter off. We have seen it happen every time. And that is why the possum is never where Duke left it!

Those dogs will get you every time!

I'm sure by now you've heard the story of the North Carolina dad who shot his daughter's laptop after her disrespectful facebook rant. I'm not here to offer my opinion either way.



I just heard something I found kind of amusing.

The daughter had blocked her parents from being able to see her rant. But she made one fatal mistake. She did not block the family dog who has his own facebook page. And that's how her parents discovered it.

We wouldn't have that problem here as I was un-friended by my dog quite some time ago!
Oh, and I quit playing facebook games. ☺

I got over it...

Poetry on Wednesday

All Paths Lead To You

All paths lead to you
Where e'er I stray,
You are the evening star
At the end of day.

All paths lead to you
Hill-top or low,
You are the white birch
In the sun's glow.

All paths lead to you
Where e'er I roam.
You are the lark-song
Calling me home!

~Blanche Shoemaker Wagstaff

Happy ...

Valentine's Day to you all!

You don't need a significant other to celebrate! Celebrate with your kids, a friend, your dogs, or horses!
Buy yourself some flowers and candy (or fruit if you're so inclined) and enjoy your day!
Jim and I don't "do it up big", but I look at it as a fun day for kids and their school parties (although those days are behind me). What can be sweeter?!

 Love yourself!

Monday Musings...And The Short Rant

As is often my way, I have written a long rant and have decided not to post it.

Why?

I just can't say what I want to say in the way that I want to say it. So I'll just say it in a simple way.

I have read here and there, but mostly on facebook, how Whitney Houston deserved to die because she was an addict. I find this disturbing on so many levels. I ask: Who (in their right mind) would, by choice,  become addicted to...anything? Look in my parentheses. In their right mind. Exactly. People who have addictions are not in their right mind. Something isn't connecting the way it should. There are those who face a lifelong battle with addiction. For some it's a losing battle. And that's so sad. Heartbreaking.

Compassion. It's a wonderful trait that many (including me) have a hard time practicing.

Simple Sunday

Don't like to sleigh ride is what it says under the photo.
I had to share it on one of the few Sundays
that we actually have snow here in Michigan.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Duker-day...And The Bathroom

Duke here.

I have a strange habit. Nearly every time that my mom goes into the bathroom, I follow her. I go in and lay on the rug in front of the tub. When she leaves, I follow.

I don't know why. But my mom tells me that when I was a puppy she used to make me go in the bathroom with her when she showered so that I wouldn't get into mischief when left on my own.

Seriously - do I look like a dog who would have gotten
into mischief?

Here I Am!

I really didn't mean to do drive-by blogging on Sunday saying all that "I'm back" and everything and then disappear again! Really I didn't! It's just that we're doing a remodel on the living room - paint, new paneling (that Jim made) and a new fireplace mantel (that Jim made); plus we're going to have the wood floors in the living room and hallways sanded down and refinished. It's a long process as Jim works on it in his spare time. I'm in no hurry. It'll be so worth it! So, I've been helping Jim here and there when he needs an extra hand and I've disassembled and am reassembling my kitchen. Actually just emptying some of the cabinets and cupboards and cleaning and rearranging. Gah! The projects have consumed us, but I'm very excited about how the living room is shaping up. I remembered to take some before pictures and probably should take some in process pictures. I promise I will post them. Our house isn't big or fancy, but Jim's work is beautiful and I'm happy that he's taken on this project.

Here's a waaaay before picture!
Jim and his mom, dad, and younger sister in front of
the fireplace.
In case you didn't know, Jim's parents built this house in the '50s.
We bought it from them 20 years ago.

I'm also remodeling my blog! :-)

Determined to finish the kitchen project today!

Simple Sunday...the "I'm back" edition!

Jim found this one for me. I had to buy it because:
a) I felt bad for the horse
b) I wondered why
c) It made it all these years and found its way into an antique store

Enjoy your Sunday,