Norcal Gma 2

We stayed home today except when I had to take a sample to the lab for my husband. He is suffering from a partial kidney blockage again. More tests are in order and most likely a trip to San Francisco soon. We are hoping to be accepted for treatment by a urologist at the VA. While we wait we are celebrating that the election went our way. Dare we hope for positive changes? Summer says yes. Still wishing for elusive rain as we watch the sunset sky. It doesn't feel like rain. I told her that the forecast teases us with raining cloud emojis but never delivers. I guess it will happen when it happens.

Last night's election results were hard to believe. We are so used to disappointment followed by despair. I actually woke up in the middle of the night and had to look again to be sure the blue tsunami was real. It was. This morning Summer wanted to sit on our deck and ponder. She looks towards the ocean but she can't see the wave. I told her that it is one of those things that you feel in your heart and soul not see with your eyes. She asked me what's next? I asked back what she wants to happen? Summer who is wise says the Democrats have to buckle up and keep their foot on the gas. Run right over anything that gets in the way of creating a government for the people and their pets. Just say no to the billionaires. I promised that we will keep reminding our representatives who they work for. Together. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

My postcards might have helped. It is time to shed some happy tears over a bowl of ice cream.

What's wrong with this picture? Summer thinks I won't notice that she pilfered one of my socks. She finds comfort in holding a forbidden sock. With all of the angst and unrealized, so far, hope in our corner of the universe today I will choose to allow her this small comfort. She never chews them up. Today seems like a good day to let her hold my sock as her touchstone just like I hold her as mine. We are so thankful to hear that her happiness is contagious and touches others. It is a joy to share her joy. Thank you for being our Mastodon friends. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

The last of the Summer adventure photos from the beautiful Northern California shoreline today. Fun was had. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I took way too many pictures of Summer at the beach today. It was windy. She retrieved my hat several times. The sun was intermittent. What a joy to spend an hour on the beach with a happy dog. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer convinced me that going to the beach would be a perfect distraction on this anxious election day. Almost like waiting for Christmas as a kid but hoping Santa brings you at least one of the gifts you asked for. All of us that have been hoping and being good resisting citizens for the last two years deserve a reward. Summer says we have to think positive. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

We keep alternating between light sprinkles and sunshine. When Summer saw the rainbow she said it was a sign. A happy sign. An optimistic sign. A sign that we should launch an adventure to the beach. Something to think about. It's not much of a rainbow but a rainbow just the same.

Summer is a little nervous about it being election day. She is already asking for results. I told her not yet. She says she is staying under the table until we know. I said that I would start cooking breakfast anyway. Just in case. Low and behold she changed her mind to check out the tantalizing aroma. We will know when we know. Fingers crossed. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I told my sister that I've been sharing some of our family photos. I have very few from my childhood for reasons like that I wasn't very cooperative. I was a stinker according to my mother and echoed by my sister who remembers. She sorted through what she has and sent me an envelope full of snapshots. This one was a surprise. I was wearing a dress most likely under duress. It looks like Easter. My dress would have been a hand me down but the shoes new. I can remember the few times I got to shop for rare new clothes. I was the third daughter. My childhood was a mixed bag but I looked happy to stand next to my sister who is my only living sibling. What's funny is that I was always protecting her even though she was older. To some extent I still am. I had to wear the red sweater until I outgrew it so I was easy to find when I escaped. I think I was a good stinker at heart. I try.

Last photos of Summer's almost a beach adventure this morning. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I thought that because of the high surf and sneaker wave warnings we might have the beach to ourselves. I was wrong. It was grand central. People parked everywhere you could park including our favorite beach going trails. Undaunted and because we were at the spit between Humboldt Bay and the Pacific Ocean we carried on looking for the path less populated. We found a parking spot meant for duck hunters and started across the dunes. Right as we broke out to see the ocean we also saw the person with a whole pack of off leash German shepherds that haunts our local beaches. Besides my past experiences with these dogs I've seen recent reports of them attacking other pets. I gave Summer the hand signal to back up and we snuck back the way we came without being noticed. That was it for me. We came home. I did get a few pictures on the trail. I am so biased but I think Summer is beautiful. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer and Tennessee are waiting for breakfast. She thinks it's late. I promised that right after we eat we can pack up for an adventure. The ocean is wild. I can see the waves from the house so we might not actually get onto the beach proper. We will have to see. Summer says she is flexible. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

So this was our morning. Feels like rain but not wet. Summer says it's coming. She also declared her unhappiness with the time change and how it upsets her applecart and meal schedule. I told her it screws with my sleep so I hear her. We talked about her pal who has blood pressure readings that are up, down and in-between. We aren't sure why but Summer has a theory. She says that she thinks he is suffering from the midterm "ick" that can manifest in a myriad of ways and that the best way to ride it out is distracting him from the news. I told her that together we can do this. Hopefully he can relax a little after Tuesday. Me too. Summer too. Good morning Mastodon.

Summer's pal is feeling like he wants us to keep him company this afternoon. Exercise still needs to be had. Good thing there are toys to retrieve on the dry grass. Still wishing for rain. Laundry is washed, folded and put away while we listened to the Detroit Lions radio broadcast. We love winning. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

#SilentSunday

My favorite lap dog shared my chair this morning. Warm and cozy is the perfect way to start the new month.
We all got some good sleep last night. Thanks to everyone for the supportive toots as I miss our grandson who moved to another state. I know that all of our grandkids are capable, kind, empathetic humans and they will make the best of the circumstances we are all slogging through. Today is laundry and cooking raspberry jam day. Maybe a Summer adventure too. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer finds every little friend that scurries by. We watch them and they watch back. No barking and no touching. Frogs and lizards are her favorites.

I'm adjusting. Most of my life I've tried to be the glue that held our family together. My mother, siblings, kids, grandkids and husband have always known that I would find a way if there was a way to be found to overcome whatever and support them no matter what. My house was never fancy but was always a comfy, safe refuge. How lucky I've been. Today one of my grandkids moved away from California so he he can be who he wants to be. Humboldt has little to offer young folks. I always knew this time would come. As long as I can I will be here just in case. Getting old is bittersweet. Might be quiet for a day or two.

Another home improvement day today. Some of our windows weren't exactly the right size. Five are in and five have been reordered. One huge second story picture window is the most challenging and will most likely be today's biggest project. Half of the painting is done. All of this makes Summer anxious. The lift makes a loud alarm sound every time it moves. The new windows are so beautiful I have to touch them to be sure the glass is there. The contractor was in awe of our sunset view from the master bedroom. I wasn't sure about our contractor's political views. He was listening to his phone while he worked. All of the sudden I heard Trump's voice and they all said "oh shut up" and he turned it off. It made me smile. Summer and I got our cuddle in early before the crew arrives. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer

Yikes! The contractor and crew showed up two hours early. A mad scramble to get things done before they start taking out windows. Luckily they left again to pick up the lift and scaffolding. Summer's pal agreed to hold her breakfast bowl while I moved beds and my exercise bike. Will all be worth it. Good morning, Mastodon.

Lots got done today. We are almost ready for new window installation tomorrow. Cookies were baked for the work crew. The windows will be the last planned improvement at our house this year. Next year we will work on more accessible bathrooms. I told Summer that I'm allowing myself to feel hopeful. Way better feeling than the opposite. I figure why not? There are positive signs that people might be tiring of the current US political leaders. I am wondering if I should plan to be standing on a street corner with a sign on Tuesday encouraging voters? Probably couldn't hurt. Another lovely evening with sweet Summer on our deck at sunset.

Tomorrow all of the windows in our house will be replaced. Today I am shuffling furniture, medical supplies and anything else in the way. Baking cookies for the contractor and workers. No time for tooting. Take good care Mastodon friends. Happy Wednesday.

There were a gazillion brown pelicans and seagulls on the beach. We watched them come and go. Whole families of birds. Aunts, uncles and cousins. #Birds

More Summer beach adventure from this afternoon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

After all the appointments we decided to get some outside time. The weather was perfect and Summer said that she would lead the way. It is always fun to adventure together. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Early morning for all of us. My husband had to be at the hospital for a scan so we had to get a move on. After the scan we had to do a quick turn around to get him to the dentist an hour away. As few things go as planned... The person doing his scan screwed up his ileostomy bag so a frantic drive home to clean up and make repairs before the dentist happened. Yikes. But back to the start of our day. Summer and I opened the front door to dark clouds. She insists on wandering the entire property so we were treated to a most amazing rainbow on the flip side of the house. You just never know. Today is a mixed bag of easy and not. Dark and light. We hope you find the light side of your world today like we did. Good morning, Mastodon. #Rainbow

These two have a special way of communicating. They make funny noises. Trade kisses and cuddles. Summer was only eight pounds the first time she sat on our laps. Now she is a perfect seventy six pounds. Are there lap dog weight limits? Summer says not. She is very smart and knows lots of things so we know she must be right. She also knows when my husband can handle a few minutes of in lap cuddles and is super careful. A great way to finish a great day. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Today's focus was Summer. Celebrating her birthday all day. We are lucky she joined our family. From the first time I held her I was smitten. She is so loving. My husband is her favorite but I try to get attention here and there. Tonight we froze for our sunset watching while sitting on the deck stairs. Chilly willy. I told her that it looks like the rain is done for now but the cold is here to stay. Time to get out the extra blankets. Summer is thankful for all of the birthday good wishes from her Mastodon friends. She really is a happy dog.

Summer had a perfect sunny beach adventure today. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I had business to attend to this morning so it looked like Summer's birthday adventure might have to wait until tomorrow. All of the sudden opportunity knocked. We quick grabbed our backpack and drove towards the break in the weather that seemed to have stopped right over our favorite beach. Summer was so, so happy. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer's birthday started with a spot of rainbow colors in the sky. Good morning Mastodon.

Today was an easy day of book reading and watching football. A sunny afternoon when I should have cleaned up the garden. Instead I didn't. Summer did point out that pink flowers seem to be the only color left blooming so we took a few pictures. We also spent some time watching hummingbirds feast on the apples we leave on the tree for them. Supposed to rain tonight. I hope so. Being productive can wait til tomorrow. #BloomScrolling

Summer was awake. I got the paw. I got the paw again. She didn't want me to miss the sunrise. We took the first photo from our bedroom window and the second from our front door. Summer was a happy dog spinning around and making happy dog noises. Happy Sunday morning from our little family to you. Good morning, Mastodon.

Summer and I watched the sunset from her front acre tonight. We were looking at the full moon too. I was telling her that I'm done with my low cholesterol diet until after the election. Ice cream is my comfort food. It gives me a moment of joy. So does my morning coffee. Small pleasures like the sunset sky help too. No tracking of exercise or my heart rate for now. I am going to party for the next ten days or so. I told Summer to buckle up because we are going to have fun, fun, fun. I'll get back on track when the world gets back on track. A week from Tuesday will be a good start. Here is hoping that I'm right.

Summer and I had a long talk. She likes to hide under the table. I tell her she is loved. When she is ready to come out there are hugs waiting. I tell her that we understand. Some days are like that. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer's wrinkly forehead makes me smile. Even when I'm not in the mood to smile. Then I am in the mood to smile and it's all her fault. It is close to impossible to be cranky around here. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

My husband was a terrible student, then a soldier before he made his dad happy by joining the family business. When I came along I encouraged him to follow his own dream of flying airplanes for a living. His family wasn't happy with me. It took awhile. For years I worked while he studied, gained his ATP certificate, and logged flight hours. Eventually he got his dream job as an aerial firefighter. We also bought his dream airplane a Beech Staggerwing. He logged years of flying stories too. Today Summer and I are listening to firefighter stories. I think he remembers the details of every fire. We look as interested as we can muster. Summer finally gets antsy and the focus changes. She is my hero. Good morning Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Today was one of those days. Summer got in the car to wait for an adventure. She is hard to resist. She was confused when we opened the car door because everything in the glove box and console was strewn around. Someone ransacked our cars last night and helped themselves to whatever they wanted. They didn't want my masks. They left me half a tank of gas. We weren't so lucky with our pickup. I am thankful that the vehicles weren't damaged. Fresh air at the beach was just what I needed to blow the what the hecks away. Summer says it's what she needed too. Ice cream might be necessary today too. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer's groomer spiffed her up yesterday. She is soft and warm on my lap. We are planning our day. Summer says she want to work on her book. She is opining on how to train a regular family to be a dog family. Her methods might be unique. She has definitely changed our household for the better and wants to share her success. These morning cuddles are my favorite time of day. We are relaxed, warm and happy. Good morning, Mastodon. #Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I got my wish. It rained. Not enough but it rained. No time to spare for playing on Mastodon today. Must be busy taking care of the business of keeping our household going. Baking, cooking, laundry, Summer's mobile groomer visit, phone calls with the bank, doctors and advocacy so medical referrals are approved. It is a full time job to continue to say please when needed referrals are denied. I almost always win in the end but the time it takes is mind boggling. So we are quiet here today but making noise everywhere else. Miss you all and will catch up tomorrow.

Summer and I kept going out on the deck to see if the rain that looks and feels so very close will actually fall on us. I can hope. Summer says that rain is a pain. She thinks she is being funny but getting dried off and getting your feet washed before you can come in the house is a pain. I understand but we really need rain. Everything feels too dry, looks not green and smells funny. Soon Summer says. I hope she is right.

My sister sent me a packet of family photos today. I have been looking for a particular photo of my mother that was taken when she was working for the Howard family at Ridgewood Ranch. She also worked for the famous author Jessmyn West. I don't know what happened to her set of autographed books. The missing photo was of her sitting on Seabisquit. So far I haven't been able to find which family member ended up with the framed keepsake. It is probably lost. After she left Indian Boarding School she worked as a servant for wealthy households. My sister didn't find the photo in her stuff but sent me other horse related pictures from my mother's photo album. Two were taken on the reservation when she was a baby and a teen. It looks like the same saddle. My mom was the real deal. She could ride, hunt, fish, shoot straight and hold her own on the round up. I think I got some of her pluck. It's cool to see these new to me photos.