Chloe

     Dogs, pets, animals in general have always been a very important part of my life. I feel much closer to them than most people I know, and I have never had to worry about their dedication and faithfulness to our friendship. After several months of not having a dog, we decided that we were ready to add a new member to our family. This is not a decision to be taken lightly and for several months I researched breeds, their temperments and the health issues that were prevalent in the breed. After much deliberation, I finally came to the realization that every time I saw a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, I would wish we had one. So the search began. I talked to people in the breed organizations, searched breeders in the AKC registry, and asked other owners for referrals to breeders. After about 3 months of calling, Kathleen Woodard (where we got Stephanie's Paisley) had a new litter. One of her little females had unusual black markings on her face making her look like she has eye make-up permanently applied. Well to make a long story short, it was love at first sight. She came to live with us Mother's Day weekend.

     The next dilemma was naming her. I don't know when I have ever had such a time coming up with the perfect name. After much discussion and research, we decided on Chloe. What a welcome addition she has been. She goes with me as much as society and the weather will allow. We just completed Puppy Kindergarten. I am not sure which one of learned more, but it was a great experience. We were fortunate to have a group of puppies who all had wonderful temperments. Chloe was so excited each Thursday to get to see her friends. After a couple of weeks, we started allowing them time to romp and play together for a few minutes each session. Chloe also attended many of Luke's baseball games and the kids had fun making over her. Needless to say, she is quite social. Her disposition is very pleasant, and it is fun to go home to someone who can't wait to see me. So far she is listening pretty well. As with all youngsters, Chloe sometimes doesn't seem to hear, but all-in-all she is trying to do what we ask.

     I have decided to continue with the puppy training as much for me as for Chloe. Time slips past me so easily when I don't have a scheduled time to accomplish an activity. I am much more apt to practice our lessons when I have an appointment to keep. We will start Advanced Puppy classes this week. It is amazing how quickly they learn when we take the time to show them what we expect of them. Also, Chloe is not nearly so apt to be startled by new sounds and experiences. Of course, our grandsons expose her to a lot of activities that David and I would not. She loves to romp and wrestle with them, and they run much faster than we do. What a fun addition she has been to our household! Now I just keep wondering how much more fun 2 could be. Oh well, I doubt that David will go for that, but who knows? Not anytime soon though because 2 puppies usually also means 2 old dogs at the same time and I don't want to go through that.

The Adventures of Life Through the Pages of a Book

I have recently returned to some of my favorite pastimes of the past. I have always been a reader, but somewhere along my timeline, I became a collector of books instead. Most of the things that I have learned to do, I have learned through the pages of a book. While anticipating a vacation of relaxation this past winter, I was concerned as to how I would pass the time. The long cold winter was getting to me and I just wanted to be warm, so I decided to take a chance and go with a group of friends.

It is very hard for me to sit and relax while at home because all of the things that need tending are calling my name. With impending airport layovers and a fairly long flight time just to arrive in Curacao, not to mention several days of nothing but time, I knew I needed to find something to fill the hours. Armed with my counted cross stitch and a couple books that I had been meaning to read, and several magazines, and my new camera (my Christmas gift from David) I hoped that I could somehow sit still for long enough periods of time so that I wasn't a distraction to our friends. Not only did we endure the planned layovers, but one of the biggest ice storms of the winter began just prior to our departure time. Flights were being delayed and delayed again and then cancelled. Our daughter Jennifer, called and said the radio was reporting that the airport had been closed. However, our flight began to board but even then we were told not to get our hopes up. There was still no guarantee that we would ever take off, and this was coming from the flight crew! After a fairly short wait, considering the situation, we were sent for de-icing and on toward the runway. I didn't know whether to hope that we would start to taxi toward Curacao or that we would be sent back and told to enjoy our stay in Columbus, Ohio. We still aren't sure how or why, but we were cleared for take-off and our adventure began. For some reason the old TV show, Gilligan's Island kept creeping into my mind as the six of us headed to our island adventure in the Caribbean. Oh well, I will blog in more detail about our experiences there another day.

As I mentioned earlier, I had practically stopped reading anything longer than a magazine article because I become so engrossed that I do nothing but read. The plot and cast of characters become so real to me that I live through their experiences and can't wait to know what is happening in their lives so I spend every moment that I can spare, and some that I can't, engrossed in a good book. When the book ends, I feel as though my best friend has packed up and moved across the country. I don't get an update on her life until the next Christmas card arrives or the sequel is released or ever. Armed with plenty to keep me occupied, I was ready to embark on this new adventure. Suprisingly, I not only was able to sit and relax, but I found an old friend on that little island - reading. I also made a new friend in author, Kristin Hannah http://www.kristinhannah.com/content/index.php.  Her books are very believable and while true to life , it is not my life so I can feed my imagination and let it grow as well. I have read 5 of her novels since February. I have enjoyed each one, but each in a different way. She teases you with bits of what is to come, but not a clue as to the details. Sometimes I feel that the Lord does the same thing with the greatest book of all time, The Bible. We just have to lose ourselves in the plot and identify with the characters and become a part of the storyline to understand the true meaning. I think that is why I enjoyed William P. Young's The Shack http://www.theshackbook.com/ so much. Mr. Young was able to personify God in 3 Persons in a way that my mind was able to grasp and hang on to. After reading this book, the argument of whether God is male or female, black, white, brown or pink is no long an issue or even relevant to me. God is God and God is who I need God to be at the moment that I need God. I had always gotten hung up on the meaning of the words instead of the impact of the story. Ok, enough with the philosophizing, now I need to realign my reading habits once again and spend a little time each day reading the Handbook of Life.

I am anxiously anticipating my next reading and relaxing vacation. Any suggestions for a location are welcomed. I think I may have entered a new chapter of my life.

Until the next time, STAY FOCUSED.