Author: boomingbanter

This morning was chaotic. We were all up at the streak of dawn and I’d a trot before you could say Jack Robinson.

Things then became so very strange I was ready to run. My bro put on this huge dress and hat. Everyone was hugging and taking pics and saying how proud they were of him! Of course I joined in!

Seems it is one of the most important days in a young humans life and this one was going to be different than any other.

Usually when high school is complete a big ceremony takes place in a huge stadium and parents and families go and watch.  This year though my bro and his friends got to do things different.

They had a drive-thru ceremony. Our car got all dressed up too with all sorts of bells and whistle stuck to it! Shame I wasn’t allowed to go!

The whole thing was streamed live so not just Mum and Dad but our family and friends all around the world got to watch. We know our nears and dears from India, Switzerland, UK and USA all followed it live. That’s unique and super special don’t you think?

The bro was quite pleased with how things went and was very philosophical about the whole affair. Instead of sitting for five hours in the one place he was in and out in a matter of minutes and on his way to his first celebratory meal of the day breakfast at Bob Evans down on the Farm!

Now they are back from the bro’s walk with his very important diploma and a cute little gift from Ma and Pa. They say they need  a quick rest before taking me for my walk before they head off again for some afternoon fun at the pool and dinner tonight. Hope they’ll remember leftovers this time!

Blessing # 713 – Graduation

Remember I told you how wet it was yesterday. Well it was so bad a massive sink hole developed on our main road into Columbus. Can you imagine that eating you up.

If you thought that’s bad it’s nothing compared to the crazy things going on in our city. It’s so serious the mayor has had to enact a curfew. We’re north of the center so we can still go out but it makes our family all very sad indeed.

We are, as you know, multiracial with all skin colors represented. We see discrimination and we know it’s so unfair that all souls are not treated equally but riots and hurting each other is not going to solve any problem. It’s just digging deeper holes.

Blessing # 712 – Common Ground

Talk about dodging storms we’ve made it our profession.

Just as we were about to head out at 6:45 so herself could leave at 7:45 to build more muscle the heavens opened. We had to retreat and she had an excuse for missing her class. She ate bran flakes and drank more coffee instead.

We squeezed a speedy mile in before she went to Zumba and then when she came home she promised me another outing. She got distracted making her mint concoction and chopping up the stems as her latest attempt to deter deer from noshing her sedums.

I had a staring stand out with one this morning on our walk and would have won had she not dragged me on. She won’t believe when I tell her all she needs is me to take care of the venison. We wolfhounds were bred for such!

Anyway I digress. We eventually took off for our two miler and had made it to the end of the street when a huge black cloud came creeping towards us. She stopped to talk to some Granny out with a baby. Fortunately they talked so long the cloud disappeared and so on we went.

I kid you not but on the return at the very same spot that big cloud had been another one appeared and it delivered. We ran home and only made it through the door when the horizontal hose pipe burst again. It was serious. My friend a big Labrador who can’t move as fast as me was caught in it with her Mum and drenched.

After chopping a whole pan full of green stuff and bolting it into for lunch Ma took off again to get the weekly groceries. The rain had stopped but she didn’t take me along as usual because she said I’d suffocate in the car. I was very miffed but she wasn’t long and when she got all the food put away we went for our fiesta siesta.

No sooner had the eyes closed than  another storm arrived and this one had big boom booms with it. One was so bad the house shook. We didn’t mind though as we were together and just snuggled tighter!

Blessing # 711 – Weathering Storms

My brother has been teaching me the art of high fives and I’ve perfected it to such an extent I’ll do it without treats.

Ma was so impressed this morning that she thought our team work should feature. You will have to excuse the bro’s get up as he was in transit from the shower in the basement to his chambers above!!

I wouldn’t mind a shower myself as it is a tad toasty. The best place for me to chill is on the kitchen floor as the tiles are cool.

Fortunately my favorite look out point in the living room is located slap in the middle of two air conditioning vents. This is helpful as one cannot neglect ones duties in-spite of weather conditions.

Herself continues to go to the rotisserie each day and is therefore taking me on multiple short walks that, under the current heat index, is best.

The workings of the mind of women is beyond me. Mine spends endless amounts of time watching videos about skin care and then does the one thing that all the gurus say you must avoid. Sunburn! Fortunately she only watches these things she doesn’t buy the stuff or I’d be treatless too!

What sense is there in this? I keep telling her to chill with me instead but it’s like talking to the bro about sleeping before midnight. It’s just water of a ducks back! At least it keeps them both smiling.

Blessing # 710 – Humored Humans

This morning herself was up before dawn and of course that meant I was dragged from my slumbers too.

She was rushing to get the trash out as it’s Wednesday and to get ready for yet another gym class this one starting at 8:00. She nearly went ballistic when she found Dad had got up and was in the shower. He got a short shift to hurry up and get out. Poor man! I hid in the bedroom as I know her fury.

Off she went and when she returned she brought the trash back in. What the heck? Seems she forgot Monday was a holiday and the trash pick up is tomorrow!! Seriously she needs help!

Off we went to the park and that was as normal but when we got back she bolted out to the pool again. Two hours later she was back, threw some lunch together and left again with Dad. Fortunately the bro was home so he took me for a spin in the car and we had good man time together just cruising.

She returned with a bunch of weeds that she thinks are beautiful and then she started boosting.

Seems they did some tough exercise today that surprise surprise didn’t trouble my Mom at all. The trainer at the gym said that her hamstrings must be really strong and that that’s because of all the walking she’s done with me.

It was like music to my ears! She’ll for sure take the walking to a new dimension now. Pity it doesn’t do anything for her other wobbly bits or I’d be never home or dry.

Blessing # 709 – Professional Endorsements

There was a spring in Ma’s step this morning. She whisked me round the block at breakneck speed then jumped in the shower, grabbed a book and took off.

I was left hanging around waiting for her till two o’clock. She was all full of herself because her gym was open again so she did her Zumba and Pilates and swears she will not be able to walk tomorrow.

She was also a tad pink on the nose and shoulders and her hair was all stuck to her head because the pool has also opened so she’d been in there too.

All this she assures Pa is being done very safely. The gym classes have been moved to a huge room and all people have spots six feet apart. The pool now has time slots 11:00-1:30, 2:00-4:30 and 5:00-close that you need to book in advance. Only family groups can sit together and all food you order is brought from the kitchen in a bag like take out. After the time slot is over everyone has to leave and the staff spray and clean everything.

I’m not fussed about swimming so won’t protest about not being taken. Really all that concerns me is that I get my walks and have a chance to see my pals. Fortunately herself did take me out when she came home and as it was hot and we didn’t go more than a mile I’m getting another outing later. That’s a good deal!

In the meantime I’m sticking to her like a leech just in case she takes off again.

Blessing # 708 – Summer Fun

The taste of the road trip was still lingering today so Ma suggested we all go on a little one as there were no parades or pool or usual Memorial Day things to do. Herself decided we’d go a place with a funny name that she’d often seen but never been Mount Gilead!

When the bro surfaced we took off with him driving while I sat in the back with Dad. That’s not an ideal spot as Dad is grumpy and doesn’t let me ride shot gun like the other two do. He kept tugging me and making me sit still. Grumpiness can rub off on you. While I felt like it I restrained myself from taking a chunk out of him.

We saw the usually Ohio countryside things like big red barns and had a few surprises too. This included finding two fields full of these funny red flowers growing among ragweed.

We had no idea what they were but did some research and discovered they are Crimson Clover! Very pretty indeed. Would have liked to romp around in that field for a while but alas no on we went to Galion.

This is another one of those seen the signs but never visited places. Ma says she’ll have to make a trip back when things open up. For now after a Big Mac menu for the bro with a few fries thank you for me it was time to head home.

We had a long wait for a mile long train to pass during which Ma took a few more snaps!

Until that is the bro told her in no uncertain terms to STOP! Talk about level crossing! Not level at all these men of hers just CROSS! She’s so lucky to have me!!!!

Blessing # 707 – Full Family Outing

Today started out great. Ma took me out on our three mile circuit before it got really hot and sticky.

When we returned I got concerned. She took off to the bathroom and you know by now that spells trouble. Dad was cooking so I sat by him and sniffed.

Finally she emerged and was all dressed up with face paint on and puffy hair and of all things was wearing a dress. OK Dad had done some good food but I couldn’t believe all this was for that?

Alas no. She then proceeded to sort through all her old CDs and filled a whole case full of them! That spells only one thing a long car drive.

I put on my very best take me with you I’m such a good quiet puppy look but she left me with Dad. Sorta glad I missed that music though because when she rediscovers a song she likes she plays it on full volume twenty times. It would drive you nuts!

SIX HOURS later she returned at sunset. Seems she’d been to her pal Laura’s for a celebration.

Oh well it was a tad hot today so best to walk close to dark anyway!

Blessing # 706 – Happy Returns

Ma and me have been reflecting as we wander on how many flowers at this time of year are purple. There are all sorts of shades of course but why would that be. Don’t be shy speak up if you know! Our theory is bees like this color!

In our yard we have a big weed growing that’s related to mint. It’s common name is Creeping Charley  or if you’re of the botanical persuasion Glenchoma hederacea! Ma says we’re keeping it as it has medicinal properties that might come in handy. We didn’t plant it some bird or bug did that for us!

Also planted by wildlife we have some much more elegant specimens called bearded iris. They are huge and have just come into bloom. Deer hate them so Mums loves them deeply.

Auntie Lori gifted us a beautiful big pot of pansies at Mother’s Day. They are blooming like crazy on the door step.

Next to them in our flower bed the lilac Ma planted two years ago has taken off at last and is giving us perfume and pale purple flowers surrounded by mint and lavender. The lavender hasn’t bloomed yet when it does we’ll shout snap!

So here is the twist to this tale. We’d decided to share these thoughts today and had even taken our pictures when low and behold Auntie Carolyn arrives for our afternoon walk with a beautiful bouquet for us. The color?

You guessed it! Purple of course in a vase saying LIVE LIFE HAPPY!!!

Blessing # 705 – Perfect Pickings

Memorial Day weekend is off to a good start. Perfect walking weather if you manage to dodge the downpours as Ma and I did all day. It was just right as Goldilocks would say. Not too hot or too cold!

This is the unofficial start to summer for us in the USA so that means BBQs and eating outdoors.

First thing today Ma was cleaning the screened porch. It was gruesome. When she pulled out the grill and cooler the amount of critters and dirt that had hidden since the last party at Christmas was horrific. A centipede the size of a sausage ran past me. Shortly thereafter it met it’s end.

The bro is home today so he said he’d grill. The Ma had to light a fire under him though to get going. He doesn’t get the concept that chicken takes time to cook.

He’s huffing now and won’t let me out to help him which is a shame.

It’s OK though I can watch and wait and live in hope! Did I really hear he’s playing Country Roads!

Blessing # 704 – Grilling Good