Author: boomingbanter

Ma is delighted we’ve had showers on and off today. This means she gets her rays but also doesn’t have to water her plants. Win win!

She says that this is gentle rain and reminds her of her own Mom who would recite Shakespeare on such occasions.

Herself was reading aloud a few times today. She’s half way through  A Passage to India and the guy who wrote used some uncommon words. We hit pages today that were loaded with them and she has to sound them out!

Ma says this is the sort of thing that during school days there would be a whole discussion around the meaning. Today she has to rely on google to expand her vocabulary.

She repeated one particular word CALUMNIATED about ten times.

It made me wonder was it a new command for me and should I do something like turn the page for her to earn a treat.

Instead I jibbed. That’s another new word! Much easier to pronounce thankfully!

Was altogether a very pleasant experience we shared that little literary lesson. Now The Tempest is approaching so no walk till that passes but the silver lining is another day lies ahead without the need to water and it’s Friday!

Blessing # 732 – Bookworms

Mother and I have come to understand that there are times of day when you see different critters out and about. Yesterday we were a little later than usual for our morning outing and saw a lot of bunnies. At dawn and dusk we see our deer. Today we were early and hit the chipmunk lunch break. They were out in force.

That’s nothing to get really excited about though is it?

What shocked us was what we saw in a cool shady wooded area with a tree stump in the middle. It was like coming across King Arthur and the knights of the round table only they were all squirrels.

No kidding there were at least eight of them and they were sitting in a big circle as though they were at a meeting.

Now you may think she had been on the margaritas but trust me it was only nine in the morning and nothing stronger than coffee had crossed her lips and I was there to witness this event.

Of course we had to then look up the collective term for a gathering of squirrels and we found it is a SCURRY! Isn’t that so appropriate. Especially since they spend most of their time running away from me.

What were they up to? Having a party perhaps or was it strategic planning? Whatever we predict that in the near future the bushy tail is up to something significant.

Blessing # 731 – Tufty Times

Another day of Mama Mania. After Zumba she trailed me out to the adjacent neighborhood and was walking with great purpose. That’s a sure sign of trouble ahead.

She was so focused on her mission she didn’t see a bicycle creep up behind us but I did. I nearly took him out and I gave herself a big blister tugging the leash so hard. The cyclist survived. Just! I’m so mean I need my own mugshot!

I was expecting her to yell at me but she just said I was a BAD BOY and walked on.Soon I understood why. On the way back from gym she’d seen someone had thrown out garden furniture and she’d a plan for it. Shes been promising the bro a fire pit for ages and since she hacked the tree down she has wood but no pit. This furniture would be perfect for sitting around the campfire making s’mores.

She raced me home got the car and then started loading the stuff into it. It took her three runs to get it home including a trip on foot with a kind neighbor who helped with a trolley to push the bench. She has absolutely no shame.

Poor Dad was mortified. All the neighbors saw the event but she was pleased as punch. Said the cushions even matched her pots.

Now it is taking up almost the entire patio. I’ll give her credit though those cushions are comfy!

Blessing # 730 – Recycled Goods

Aaron and Mom abandoned Dad and me today. We have been lonely watching and waiting for them. Just as well I have a strong bladder or there’d be trouble!

Aaron is at work seems Auntie Lori was one of his customers today. He was very attentive and fast by all accounts.

Ma is running around like a headless chicken working on her projects.

She bought a new shelf for her booth this weekend and was up half the night dreaming how she’d rejig the entire space. So of course that means she wakes me up too!

She’s been listening to the people who’ve been in the business for years all about merchandising and pricing. You need to group goods together and understand what people are willing to pay for a particular item. Working in the store has really been insightful.

These points may seem obvious to some of you with a business brain but Ma doesn’t have that.

Still you must admit she doesn’t give up easily and when you look back over the year she’s been at it she’s sold enough to break even.

Blesssing # 729 – Lifelong Learning

Today Ma introduced me to two of the finer things in life.

The first is cruising around with your head out the window. Dad doesn’t approve of this as you might imagine so don’t let on to him.

We drove to Auntie Carolyns for a walk around the lake and on the way over and back I got to sit up front listening to The Eagles

Its so cool getting that wind directly on your face and seeing the world go by. I barked at every jogger and bicyclist which was really funny.

All the little flowers have been planted in our town so we admired those while waiting for the train to pass. Very pink don’t you think!

When we got home we got things ready for dinner which we’ll have late as the bro’s at work till 7:30 and then we sunbathed.

This is also new to me but I really loved lying in the lounger with Ma. It’s super snuggly and I can watch all that’s happening in the yard and on our street. 

I have decided that we’re going to make a habit of this when it’s not too toasty. Might need a pool too!

Blessing # 728 – Facing The Wind and Sun for Fun

What a difference a day makes. We   dropped about 15C but it felt so refreshing. It spurred us to do lots!

After Ma had shaken her booty for a bit at Zumba we hit the park. It had just stopped raining and there was a smell in the air that she said reminded her of the Palm House at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast. Of course I can’t validate this but it was what I’d describe as earthy.

We came home and immediately went treasure hunting. We found a little dolls rocking chair and a shelf that had to go into the back seat of the car as it wouldn’t fit in the trunk. Gave me a bit of a tight squeeze but it was a good excuse to claim my position up front.

When we got back she decided to go to the groomers as she hadn’t been since Christmas and returned shortly thereafter looking quite different. It’s her though. I gave her a good sniff and she stills smells the same.

She got a bit mad with Dad as he didn’t say anything and she had to ask him did he like her new do. I got off side as I could sense the tension and then she took off.

About ten minutes later she was back asking for a saw! I was petrified was she really going to kill him this time?

Fortunately she had taken to hacking up a half dead tree at the garage door. Brute force wasn’t sufficient. He found a saw that wouldn’t cut a pencil and off she went again. Determination diva!

Our neighbor took pity on her and brought her a bigger one with which she hack up half the tree. I said nothing just sat patiently watching and waiting for a walk!

After she’d removed the bottom third of the poor things she came back and took me out.

Can you imagine she had the audacity to put up one of her « I’m so sweet butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth » signs on that poor specimen. What a spoofer.

Even I couldn’t kiss her after that.

Let’s hope, like her hair, it will recover and grow back quickly!

Blessing # 727 – Going for the Chop

Why are Friday’s always fun?

This morning was absolutely beautiful so cool and sunny. Along with just about every other puppy Mummy in the neighborhood my Ma skipped Zumba and took me for a VERY long walk. We got in all our steps for the day before 9:30!

She then took off with the bro to the pool so I hung out with Dad and vegged. We had a good time just the two of us. So peaceful without the bro’s phone and her  chatter. I can relax with Dad he isn’t always darting here and there like some crazy person.

When they returned they brought me the gift of a new tennis ball. I’ll be playing inside though because it’s boiling hot again right now.

I just got out for a quick pee that’s all I can handle in this heat. Only thing for it now is a cool bedroom and a good stretch for an hour!

These people don’t know how lucky they are that I’m so adaptable to their ever whim.

Blessing # 726 – Cool Character

The storm was fierce and snapped some of Ma’s plants on the patio so now we have little bunches of  flowers everywhere.

That wasn’t the only ravage of the night though. The deer have hit the hostas. Herself was feeling confident that the mint had done the trick but last night they plodded through it and almost totally took out the biggest and brightest plant. Hard to imagine this was a substantial sized bush!

I’m doing my best to stand guard and help with the situation but the big bucks banquet mostly before dawn when we’re still slumbering.

We are coming into fawn season now and saw the first one in Auntie Denise’s yard the other day. I was really well behaved and didn’t bark or anything. It seems the wee one felt so comfortable it came back the next morning and had a siesta under her table.

We do love our wild animals because this is their home just as much as ours. All we ask them is to eat our grass and not our borders.

Touch those lilies Bambi and we’re  throwing the book at you!

Blessing # 725 – Fighting On

It’s been another powerfully hot day and now we are waiting for big storms to come our way.
Ma is hoping there will be no damage but is actually looking forward to the rain because she doesn’t want to water her plants. This is another thing that is hard for me to understand. Why go crazy planting things and then huffing and puffing because you have to water them.

We have a sprinkler system but she doesn’t put it on because she says it’s a waste of water and isn’t « GREEN »We already have cut hay while neighbors have perfect lawn because they do use theirs.  

This gets her singing a very old song from her childhood. You do not want to hear this, well at least her version!

It was released about the time my Dad bought the book UTOPIA that she has just finished reading. His signature was on the inside cover with the date! The price is on the back. Funny currency back then!

Seems that place was very strange. Everyone wore the same clothes and lived in the same sort of houses and got to eat together in big communal dining halls everyday. They also had to go work down on the farm ever few years.

Ma said it was all a bit creepy and not what she was expecting at all. Seems it impressed many people over the years though.

Just as well Ma isn’t one of them or we’d be off!

Blessing # 723 – Staying Stateside

I’ve learned from yesterday’s indulgences and so has Ma. We got out early before it was hot and walked less too. I’m resting up and hydrating well. I’m also working on my glycogen stores stealthily seeking snacking  opportunities.

The bro was starting work at 7:00 so was up and cooking his breakfast when Ma and me surfaced at 6:15. He makes a mean fried egg but he didn’t share a single morsel with me.

Ma always throws a little sprinkle of Frosties on my morning rations but my Dad’s the softest touch when it comes to sharing.

When the bro brings home treats Dad always gives me some. I love it when we get Panera chips that are so yummy. They are really hard and salty and crunchy.

When it comes to body building I’ve  been contemplating cracking into the creepy crawlies as it seems they are all the rage when it comes to alternative protein sources.

Imagine they might tickle a little going down. Ma doesn’t think it’s wise. Seems my predecessor Mr Darcy ate spiders and they caused him to salivate to the point that he had to go to hospital.

I’ll stick to standard sausages.

Blessing # 722 – Food for Thought