In Memory Of...

Been a bit marny today.  One year ago, I lost my beloved Joe.  He was one of the most intuitive pets I had ever owned.  We had him from the time Karl and I got together, so adjusting to life without him has been odd.  I have vivid dreams that make me feel his presence is so real that I awake as I reach out to touch him.  I know that this sounds somewhat looney, but it has happened SO many times that I really have a hard time discounting it.  I miss him dearly.

I'm thankful to have my other little loves in my life, but he was and always shall be extremely special to me.

Sorry to use the same pic of him, but I lost most of the photos that I had of Joey when I hadn't backed up my files.  Don't make that mistake; it sucks! 

Anyway, if you have that wonderful pet in your life, give them a big hug in honor of Mr. Joseph.  For  me.

I Now Present Edith Miriam Baber!

Mom and Grandpa were there too, as well as Dad, and a host of others!

Random Bits: It's What's For Dinner!

Came across this little nugget while perusing my reader today.  You can too, if you go to NPR's First Listen.
I find it exciting that two of my favorite producer/performer/musician/songwriters are collaborating on this one, due out at the end of the month.  Thanks to NPR, Neil Young, and Daniel Lanois for allowing us the opportunity to have a sneak-peek, so to speak!  (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

In other news, still no grand baby!  I'm sure that no-one is more anxious than Michele and Jason, and Judy, as well.  She is embracing the idea of being a big sister.  I can't wait to see them all!  Here is a favorite shot of her that will just have to tide me over 'til then.

She has grown so much since this was taken, but I still think that she looks adorable!

I had a craving for butter beans all week-end and finally got around to making a huge pot of them today.  You know me, I can only seem to cook for an army!  Thank goodness we have a chest freezer.  I baked some cornbread sticks and mini-muffins to accompany them.  To quote one of my favorite blog friends Ralph, "T'was guuud!"


***Warning:  Gratuitous food pic follows!***

  Ooooh:  and lest we forget!  Here's one of Mr. Gibb!  Happy Tuesday, everybody!

Help 'Em Out

Here's a cause that's close to my heart.  I used to work for a veterinarian, and later for an animal humane association.  I've seen many pets that could use a hand-up, and many shelters can certainly benefit from having a consistant food supply.  Most of the animals that have joined my family have been rescues, and they brought much love into my life. 

This project is fairly simple, and all it cost is a bit of time on the innertubes; something that we're all doing anyway.  Right ?  Right!

 For every blog that posts about the PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive through September 19^th, PEDIGREE® will donate a bag of their new Healthy Longevity Food for Dogs to shelters nationwide.

Thursday, September 16 through Sunday, September 19,  the Pedigree BlogPaws bloggers will host a Blog Hop, to help raise awareness for the “Write a post, help a dog” effort.  So easy, even I can do it!

Just go here and follow the instructions.  Be sure to link back to Life With Dogs, because that's how it works.  Okay?  Okay!

Besides, it's free!  We all like free!

There is a FaceBook page here that if you click on like, a free bowl of food is donated to the cause as well. 

So head out and help.  I just found out about this today, and today is the deadline, so hurry!  I know, I know!  I'm always late to the party; but better late than never.

 
Do it for guys like Joe.  Or for the little loves in your life.  You won't regret it! 

Have a great Sunday!

Sunday Serenade

Time once again for the semi-bi-monthly-once-in-awhile-when-I-remember Sunday Serenade.  David Baerwald is absolutely brilliant with "Stranger."

Labor Day Looniness

How do you like to spend a long week-end?

I'd say most folks like to indulge in a bit of recreation, perhaps catch up on some movies, maybe get the garden ready for next year, go clubbing with some little white balls, possibly bask in the sun's waning warmth as it kisses Summer adieu. Not me! No sir!

I pass the hours doing an uber-clean on our (hopefully not-defunct) fridge! "Gasp! you say. Does the adventure never end at Vikki's house?!!" Oh no, my friends. I'm living on the edge!

Evidently, I left the refrigerator door ajar the night before.   (your door is a jar? NO!  it was cracked open! Can you tell I'm off my meds? Yes? I thought so!) 

Anyhoo; yesterday A.M. we discovered my slip-up. After looking up solutions on-line, and tossing much food stuff, we unplugged Ol' Bessie and transferred what seemed okay to the beer mini fridge down stairs.

That's when the craziness commenced. I had been dreading the task of doing my bi-yearly super-swab on the darned thing, so it was pretty grimy, I hate to admit. The ever-so-lovely design of our less than one butt cucina means that you must pull out the whole contraption in order to remove the shelves and drawers from inside; as you have to be able to swing the doors all the way on the hinges to facilitate this action. I rationalized my procrastination because I couldn't extract the ice box from its' cubby hole.

Man; there were some major UFO's inside!  (unidentified fuzzy objects)

So, today I attacked that baby with gusto!  I scrubbed and wiped and cleaned and shined and polished!  She looks brand spankin' new!

We just plugged her back in and trekked down to the Wal*Mark to purchase a thermometer.  The freezer side is working like gang-busters.  The other side; not so much.

Why work so hard on something that may not work?  Well, anyone who knows me knows the answer to that one!  If we have to have someone repair it, or toss it; I can't have anyone thinking I would ever let anything in my house get to that stage of ickiness!  It was also an exercise in futility hope.

Here's the finished product, for what it's worth.

                                                                Isn't it gorgeous?
                                                        
                                                        Happy refrigeration, people!

So; just to let you know. I'm okay and doing well after revealing one of my worst secrets. I feel a sense of release. I know that shedding light on a subject, and some examination is always good.

Does keeping that secret make one suseptible to certain calamities and afflictions?

I was cohearsed that revealing this truth would result in the death of loved ones or myself. Classic abuser mentality.

I am taking charge of my future. He will not continue to keep me silent. I'm no longer willing to let him keep me in the shadows. I thought that my anger and disgust towards him would subside if he was to ever pass; but I just felt like I had picked off the scab.

Time to allow the wound to close again.

I have no intention of letting him win again.

Ever.