Simple Sunday

I don't know who this pretty girl is, but the photo was taken by L.N. Wade, Artist, out of Lapeer, MI

Enjoy your Sunday,

Duker-day...Just Another Saturday

Duke here.

I see that my mom hasn't been here all week. In her defense, she's been busy. And frankly, the whole thing hasn't set well with me. I mean, it seems like she's spent more time over at Jamie's new place than she has here. And I only got to go once. It didn't thrill me either. It just wasn't home to me.

Apparently, Sosha has had a hard time getting used to her new home too. Let's hope she adjusts well.

I miss her, but I'm kind of enjoying the undivided attention right now.

Sosha keeping an eye on things in her new home.
No, Jamie will not normally keep a portable air compressor in her living room.
There are still a few things that need doing.

Simple Sunday

I bought this picture a couple of weeks ago when Jamie and I went to Frankenmuth. As you can see the picture was faded and hard to see. There was something about it though and I like pictures that have something about them. I did very little adjusting, but wanted to be able to see it better. What is the little girl holding? A picture? I see a cat. Is the cat in a wicker doll buggy?  Maybe some of you can see it better than I can.


Enjoy your Sunday. It's moving day for Jamie...

Duker-day and the Empty Nest (maybe)

Duke here.

My mom says: "I wonder if I should give this whole blog thing up. I mean, I'm not very consistent in my writing. People get tired of that."

I think she should keep plugging away because someday she'll get to a point where she will be able to write more often. This IS supposed to be her journal. And mine. She should keep a journal. That's what I t hink.

So, please don't abandon her. She'll come around. I think she'll need an outlet because it seems that she's going to be an empty-nester very soon. And I'll go back to being an only dog (depending on how well Sosha adjusts to condo life).


My mom has been real excited about this for months. She's so happy that my sister, Jamie, bought a condo. Jamie has been wanting her own place since about a week after she moved back in three years ago. It is a good thing. It is time.

But my mom realized something last night.

This is permanent. My brother owns his own house and my sister owns her own house. This means (God forbid that anything happens) that they're not coming back. And my Mom (even though she's happy and excited) is a little sad.

Simple Sunday

This says "Aunt Jade" on the back. Nothing else to identify the subject or location.
Was this meant for Aunt Jade or did someone, at some time, identify the subject as Aunt Jade so she would not be forgotten?
At any rate, when we first spotted this, I thought for sure it was a boy.
But holding a little pocketbook?
No, I just think this poor little girl looks like a boy.
Maybe her hair is very long and pulled back into a ponytail or braid.

Enjoy your Sunday...

Duker-day...And The Very Good Week

Duke here. For some reason I missed my regular day last Saturday, so I'll pick up here where I left off.

After that terrible week when my mom and sister left us and went far away to Minnesota, there was a very good week. It started when my dad worked like crazy to be caught up, loaded up the car, then told Sosha and I to hop in!

I could tell it wasn't just any trip. It was a trip to the cabin. And the lake! It's a long drive, like four hours. Dad stopped along the way at the place where we can get out and stretch our legs. And sniff around. And pee. Several times.

Then we got to the cabin. My mom was so happy to see us. I didn't mean to run right past her as she came out to greet us. BUT THE LAKE WAS THERE AND I WANTED TO SEE THE LAKE!

She forgave me. She's good that way.

Ahhh...the lake. My. Favorite. Place. Ever.

We went to a place called the Sand Dunes. And, except for the place where you buy the park passes, we didn't stop at any place where dogs can't go!

Beautiful views.

We even got to stick our paws in the waters of Lake Michigan.

After such a busy day, we were tired.

Some people and a small black dog got to go paddle-boating.
I just could not bring myself climb into that thing.

I felt it was my duty to swim out and guide them back. Over and over.

Don't do it Sosha! The water's over your head.
Sosha did decide she likes the lake, but after a couple of mishaps.
I think she knows now that you can't walk on lilypads.

 Jamie and Sosha left a couple of days before my dad and mom and I. And we went on another adventure. A working farm set during the depression era (whatever that means). And they allowed dogs on the tour. I DID NOT like the tractor wagon ride, but luckily we weren't on that very long.

There was a summer kitchen. My dad and I waited outside while my mom listened to the ladies and took pictures.
They were making something called sticky buns. This was my favorite part of the whole day. My mom brought a sticky bun out for my dad and he shared it with me. And a lady I didn't even know gave me part of hers! I was her friend after that!

My dad and I looking at...stuff.

And more stuff.

This very good week almost made up for the very horrible week. I hate it when my mom or dad go away. I really hate it when they both go away at the same time. I love it when they take me with them!

Souvenirs and Aldi's

Jim doesn't like souvenirs. I've gotten him cutsey little things, or shirts, or hats, or tin signs when we go to Frankenmuth, but they don't really thrill him. He'd rather I not spend the money on him.

Unless it's food. So, I brought him black liquorice, cinnamon bread, and an eclair (and one for me!). Those things he likes.

I talked to him when we were getting close to home yesterday and he was at Lowe's picking some things up for Jamie's home fix-up. He said he had to stop at Aldi's and get some of the pre-cooked sausage patties that he likes.

He came home with:

• eight cans of frozen orange juice concentrate. I just bought 6 on Monday, but he didn't know. We do go through a lot of orange juice. The man doesn't ask for much and he likes his orange juice!
• frozen hash browns 
• donuts
• fudge stripe cookies (which he claims are for me)
• potato chips
• frozen eclairs (even though I told him I was bringing him a really good one from the Bavarian Inn)
• a lemon meringue pie
• and...sausage patties

This man should not be allowed in Aldi's by himself!

Poetry on Wednesday

I'm tired. But I'm trying to keep up here and I like to find a poem for Wednesdays. It is Wednesday, right? For a little while longer anyhow. I found nothing ahead of time and nothing strikes me right now. So, I'll just say:

Our Little Getaway

We had a great time;
Jamie and I.
Shopping and eating;

but not too much.
We laughed a lot;

and remembered the fun

that we had with my mom

on these trips when she could come.

My son texted me last night;

with a wonderful idea.

He and his lovely girlfriend

would meet us for lunch today.

They were traveling through the area

on their way home from 

a weekend away.

The perfect way

to end a wonderful

time away!

                                                                                            ~Laura Welser

Yes, I realize that is not a poem and I made it up as I went along. But I centered it and italicized it so it kind of looks like a poem. I probably shouldn't have signed my name to it though.

I'll do better next week!

One step forward...

...and two steps back.

Sometimes that's just how I feel.

I was all caught up on everything that I needed to be caught up on before we left on our trip and vowed to stay that way when we came back. For some reason that's not what happened, right away anyway. Sadly that usually means my little blog got little attention over the past several days. But I worked hard this weekend and all bills are paid (I wasn't even behind with those), packages and parcels that needed to be mailed out were prepared and sent out today. I did the banking and the grocery shopping. The house is neat (although my office is sadly in need of attention). Even the hen house is clean!

And that, my friends, is why I don't feel guilty about going away again. Only for an overnight. Not even two full days and not even two hours from home.

Jamie and I are headed to the happiest place in Michigan (besides the cabin):

First here

Then here

Hopefully we get none of this

Yep, it's that time of year again. We have to go, you know. It's tradition. Things are a little different this year, but we're big girls, we'll deal. Besides we're bound to eat healthier when one of us has multiple food allergies and the other can't eat certain things either. Both of us lost weight on our vacation!

Poetry on Wednesday

A Bird Came Down the Walk

A Bird came down the Walk ---
He did not know I saw ---
He bit an Angleworm in halves
And ate the fellow, raw,

And then he drank a Dew
From a convenient Grass ---
And then hopped sidewise to the Wall
To let a Beetle pass ---

He glanced with rapid eyes
That hurried all around ---
They looked like frightened Beads,
I thought ---
He stirred his Velvet Head

Like on in danger, Cautious,
I offered him a Crumb
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home ---

Than Oars divide the Ocean,
Too silver for a seam ---
Or Butterflies, off Banks of Noon
Leap, plashless as they swim.
                        ~Emily Dickinson

Enjoy your day...