Welcome to the world, James Lawrence

James Lawrence Cole was born March 9.  He joins a most loving and fun family! How amazing when one of your own gives birth.  Humbling and reassuring about all of life. 

 Mom Jenny and sister Jodi.

 Aunt Andrea holding James.  Cousin Finley obeys Mare to look at camera.

Are you my mother?

Goodbye, Baxter

We had to let Baxter go this morning.  Arthritis had made it almost impossible for her to get around. She was in such pain.  What can I say about her?  She was ... Baxter.  Annoying much of the time.  LOUD.  Her braying during walks brought neighbors outside to see who was being killed.  She begged mercilessly for food.  If you didn't comply, she stole it. The grandchildren were favorite marks. She could pinch a hotdog out of its bun with one stealth move.  There you are, holding an empty hotdog. 

But of course what this little hound dog loved more than anything was to follow a scent. What adventures she had.  Like the time she and the late great Tex went missing. We found them about 5 miles away, three days later!!  They were camped out with some nice lady who said she let them sleep with her in her bed!  It's that beagle look of "love me."  I let her out the front door this morning for one last adventure. As if nothing was wrong, she took off, nose to the ground.  For old time's sake, she even left something for our neighbor across the street (I should probably go get that). 

Thank you little Bax for letting us love and spoil you for 13 years.  Say hi to Tex!!

Shirley Lochridge, 1927-2016

Shirley Evelyn Lochridge left us 2-9-16

In the darkened room, the sounds of Shirley's beloved Moonlight Sonata mixed with her labored breathing.  She appeared peaceful.  At peace?  Finally resting.  Just before she fell into a deep slumber I got to tell her "I love you" and hear her say it back. "I love you, too."  What a gift!   Throughout my life, especially as a child, I got privileges my brothers did not as I was the only girl out of six children.  So when it became obvious Shirley needed extra care, it fell on me. I wanted it.  With that, came the privilege of sharing her death with my immediate family.  I held my mother, my children and husband held me.  A steady stream of love poured in before her passing from children and grandchildren living out of state and out of country.  Shirley had lived in Texas a short five months.  The plan is to reunite Shirley and Frank to spread their ashes at Flathead Lake, Montana.

Shirley did not fear death.  She accepted it as part of life.  From her living will:

I ... do fully recognize that death is as much a reality as birth, growth, maturity and old age -- it is the one certainty of life.

 

Rest in peace momma.

Celebrating life transitions

This is a week of contrasting transitions in my family.

My oldest granddaughter Addie Mae started kindergarten yesterday.  Later this week my mom Shirley moves to Texas from Montana.

I've been thinking about these two events.  How serendipitous they should occur together, reminding us of the beautiful order of our lives.  Sunrise and sunset.

These two will experience many of the same feelings this week including excitement, anxiety and even sadness.  They also will share tons of support and encouragement from loving family members.

        

Happy Anniversary, Paulie!

Tomorrow, August 19, Paul and I celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary.  Go figure.

So I didn't know what to get him as there's nothing traditional listed for year 37.  Year one is paper, year two is cotton and so on through year 15.  Then it jumps by five years after year 15, which is crystal by the way.  If we make it to 40, Paul gets that ruby he's always wanted.

We recently were discussing these traditions attached to anniversaries.  Our oldest daughter and her husband celebrated their seventh anniversary last month.  Paul and I cautioned them about the seven year itch.  Neither knew what we were talking about.  Paul pointed out it was the title and subject of a Marilyn Monroe movie.  Still not a clue. 

The discussion turns to stages of anniversaries/partnerships in general and my daughter asks what happens at year 15.  I say it's the I Hate Your Guts stage. She laughed.  I hope she's still amused in another eight years.

Back to Paul's gift.  I came up with the perfect idea and found it on Amazon: Nature's Miracle Jaw Scoop!  Photo below.  Yes, a pooper scooper.  I know my man and he is going to love it. It wasn't cheap, either.  It should still be working in three years when he can use it to scoop up our rubies.

                

    

old dogs barking

Is there anything more precious than an old dog?  Maybe an old dog barking.

Mika the border collie, almost 12, and Baxter the beagle, 13, have slowed down in many ways.  They are not as fast as they used to be.  They sleep even more now.  Mika's eye sight is so bad she's only catching the tennis ball about 50 percent of the time.  Bax is limping from arthritis of the neck. 

One activity that most certainly has not declined: barking.  These dogs have not let old age hamper in any way their long held job of protecting the house.  Mail/UPS/FedEx people dropping off stuff.  Barking.  Doorbell or knocks.  Barking.  Dogs walking by the house.  Barking.  Car doors slamming shut nearby.  Barking.

And now it appears they have upped their protection.  Relying on experience in the absence of good eyesight and fast reflexes, they are barking at everything.  I close my closet door.  Barking.  The other border collie Sami, age 3, moves unexpectedly and makes a noise.  Barking.  Paul drops something.  Barking. 

Old dogs barking just in case.  Adorable.  

Big Sister is watching

I am a little scared of the power of my smart phone, a Samsung Galaxy S5.  It's the overreach that concerns me.  I get that some sites glom onto your cookies and then suddenly a kid in China knows your every move.  Certain ads appear seemingly out of nowhere.  Some even embarrassing.  Never mind which ones.  Although annoying and frustrating, I get how my phone becomes my stalker.

Then there are other behaviors of my phone that I don't get.  At all.  Such as the times I open the screen after it's been resting and a random page appears. 

Take this morning.  I awake my phone by swiping across the lovely faces of my daughter Jenny and granddaughter Jodi, and up pops the screen with the voice activated browser asking me to "Search Bonobo apes."  I kid you not.

Initially, I am confused.  Then intrigued, leaving only one course of action: obey the "S Voice." 

Here's what I found:
 
Bonobo Apes are one of humankind’s closest living relatives, yet most people are not even aware that bonobos exist. These great apes are complex beings with profound intelligence, emotional expression, and sensitivity. The most unusual and compelling feature of bonobos is their society–matriarchal, egalitarian, and peaceful. Bonobos are also well-known for their creative and abundant sexual activity. Their gentle and amorous nature has led some people to call them the “Make Love, Not War” primate. The last great ape species discovered, bonobos could be the first to become extinct unless concerted action is taken now to protect them and their rainforest home.

Get outta town.  So interesting.  But so very, very random. 

Oh well.  I always wanted a Big Sister.