Author: boomingbanter

We are having a rare event today a Blue Moon that falls on Halloween. Spooky Stuff! Won’t happen for another 19 years it seems! Who knows where we’ll be by then.

I got out early to see the main event this morning and put on my best werewolf costume.

I’m keeping it on for the trick or treaters who should be calling soon at our place. In the meantime I nipped round to Auntie Lori’s party and snagged a whole bag of bacon bits just for me. Note I was the only canine present.

I’m not allowed all the chocolate stuff but there are skeletons all over our house and neighborhood. Pity they weren’t real or I could have a good old time munching through them.

Blessing # 864 – Bark or Boo!

Ma is working this afternoon at the antique mall so she’s doing a short secretarial service for me a bit early.

All morning she’s had her nose in her phone. She hardly had time to take me to the park. Says she’s working on «The Menu »!

What the heck do you need a menu for if all your offering is Tea?

Well it seems there are all sorts of tea and wouldn’t you know it she’ll be offering MINT Tea!

I should have guessed! All this stress and nonsense is simply an outlet for that green weed that’s taken over my yard.

She says there has to be accompaniments for her beverages! Next thing you know she’ll be testing lavender cookies.

Wish she’d just stick to shoving plants in a vase like any reasonable person would do.

Mind you if the beverage is accompanied by something substantial I might reconsider my perspectives.

Unlikely to happen though! This puppy ain’t no «Finger Sandwich ». Maybe the bro and I should start our own venture! I’ve even got a name in mind.

The Scooby Snack Shack!

Blessing # 863 – Sumptuous Spreads

Can you believe this is my 200th epistle. It’s hard to imagine all the water that has passed under the bridge since I put paw to paper. A lot more will be flowing downstream by the time today is over too!

We all had hoped and prayed back then that COVID would by now be a distant dream but it is just a recurring nightmare. It’s a big bad bug!

This morning Ma dragged me out of bed early and then tossed me in the trunk of the car and took off into the dark in the pouring rain.

We are now sitting in a parking lot by the airport listening to the planes take off. Seems someone’s going somewhere but it’s not us! Never been this up close and personal with an airplane before. Even if you can’t see them they sure make a mighty roar!

We’re just waiting for this downpour to stop long enough to get out for my constitutional.

If it doesn’t ease off soon we’ll need to make a run for it.

At least the earth has turned sufficiently for us to now have light in the sky. Ma says the only thing worse than being wet and cold is being wet and cold in the dark.

It doesn’t worry me one jot as long as we’re together. Oh wait we just saw a plane! There’s hope!

Blessing # 862 – Promise of Clearing Conditions

Ma was paint sniffing again most of the day but she sandwiched that between two walks with me.

On our morning outing we met Auntie Denise and even though it was drizzling we headed for the park like brave country folk do.

Half way there, passing through an adjoining neighborhood I was stopped in my tracks by the smell of gas. Ma smelt it too and so did Denise so we did what good neighbors do and rang the doorbell to tell the homeowners.

No one there! What to do? By now we’d got used to the smell and started to wonder if it was for real. We decided it was best to call 911.

Auntie Denise made the call and stayed by the house while Ma and me went on to the park. When we got back our trusty fire service and police department had already responded. They are GREAT! So fast and so efficient. They checked out the site and gave us the all clear. Seems that this can happen sometimes and they said we did the right thing.

This afternoon when Ma came home and had a big cuppa chai tea we went downtown.

We hadn’t been for a while but since it was threatening rain again it’s a good walk that allows us to get back to the car if it starts pouring.

Who knows why but again we were struck by a smell. This time the smell of roses. A few are still blooming in our village green. We sussed them out and discovered it was the few yellow ones that were giving us a salute. May be the last time we smell them this year but like the fire brigade and police we can count on them to return!

Blessing # 861 – Faithful Friends

The greening of my life continues and I’m not even slightly envious by nature!

Before she left to slap on more semi gloss at the project she cut about half a field of mint to keep Dad and me busy while she was gone.

We were now all set to get started on the annual chutney making bonanza. Friends who like it hot get this for their Christmas. Good Grinch Gunk!

The table was covered in newspaper to collect all the stems and dodgy leaves and it took poor Dad and me four hours to pick those leaves off.

Tedious job best given to Dad as Ma has not the patience for this work.

She says she had the time of her life painting one of the floors. Discovered her vocation. It gave her such joy.

Seems while she was on her knees it struck her that the poor Queen probably has never experienced the delight of transforming a dirty old plank or two with a big pot of paint.

It’s gleaming! Better than any jewel!

Blessing # 860 – Emerald

I’m deeply disappointed that my mother is planning to promote OUR business with a card that features a teapot rather than me.

Look I get it she is selling an experience but I’ll be part of that. People better get used to the fact that I’m a fixture in this establishment. I look so much more attractive than an empty chair!

Today as well as painting she’s been researching food that she can get at Gordon’s. It’s a big shop for restaurants and foodservice professionals.

They don’t do all the things she needs like scones and sandwiches but they do have a selection that could come in handy as a reserve.

We have to do our sums now so I’m getting out the calculator. I’ll be sure to factor in leftovers just for me.

Blessing # 859 – Puppy Pastries

I have been tortured for the past 24 hours. Ma decided that she’d get the scissors out and give me a going over.

She cut out a bucket load of tats from my neck and butt and underbelly last night and then hit on me again before dawn. I tried to escape to no avail.

To even me up she also did my back but she’s afraid I’ll take a chunk out of her if she tackles the head and legs.

So I look a bit like like a Lion or maybe make that Chewbecca.

I got a serious amount of treats though for my patience and good behavior so that made all the trials worth it in the end.

Blessing # 858 – Regrowth

We took Dad to see all our progress at work today.

On the way we made a pit stop at the BIG sausage shop.

Much as I tried I wasn’t allowed inside but the smells were magic!

Mom says we’re going there to get our ham for the holidays and our sausage for our stuffing.

My mouth is watering already. This place is so smart

They also have these fabulous pies. They’re about three times the price of supermarket pies but Mom says they look amazing so she’s already told the bro he can take his pick on which ones he wants.

I was so fired up by all those smells and the prospect that we’re only a month from the Thanksgiving feast that I clean jumped on the table and did a little dance for Dad.

I didn’t have to jump too high as the table hasn’t it’s legs on yet. It looks more like a Japanese tea ceremony than an Irish homestead right now but a GREEN floor will fix that soon!

Oh and I forgot to say Dad said we did GOOD!

Blessing # 857 – Thumbs Up

What a chockablock day. First we met Auntie Liz and my friend PJ and his new bro Eddie who is now four pounds.

PJ and I are very protective of the little guy and we took him on a two mile hike around the neighborhood. He did well and even walked on his little leash for a while like us grown ups!

When we got home we quickly hit the road for work passing all the landmarks that are becoming so familiar.

We headed north on 315 passing Liberty Church built in 1810.

Soon we said goodbye to the river and joined State Route 23.

We could see blue skies ahead but now know as soon as we pass the sausage shop we gotta take a right onto route 423.

That leads us into farm country past the barns and big pumpkin farm and finally into the center of town.

When we pass President Harding’s home where he did his campaigning that led to his election a whole 100 years ago this month we know we’ve reached our destination.

It’s right beside our place and wouldn’t you know it’s GREEN!

Is there any other color!

Blessing # 856 – A Road More Travelled

It was serious strange this morning when we ventured out at 6:30. Dark and silent and very hard to see anything

Ma said it was something called FOG! Made me a bit apprehensive. It was sort of wet but not raining and the my feathered friends all sounded scared and strangled.

I was glad to get back in but herself grabbed the camera and pulled me out again to smile for the birdie!

All the car lights were spooky too so I was glad to get back indoors.

That wasn’t to last though. We had to meet Auntie Denise and saw something totally weird shaking in the trees. No Halloween decoration up yet so what was it?

A gigantic spiders web.

Fortunately no spider or it would have been as big as myself.

Blessing # 855 – No Fear