Booming Banter

My Mom was feeling real blue this morning so we had to find something to lighten her mood.

I tried my usual ploys like playing ball and doing tricks but to no avail. She was all forlorn.

She had to dig though Facebook until she found the trick.

The result was we listened to this geezer called Paul McCarty talking and singing with some other dude for half an hour and touring a place called Liverpool where Ma and the Bro had been last year.

All this before I’d had been out for a trot. I was busting and begging!

So when she said let’s go I took off like a shot.

The music and walk brought a smile back on her face. She said some songs bring back good memories and according to that Sir Paul said « singing makes everything feel better »

Blessing # 746 – Singers of Songs

I couldn’t believe my luck this morning. Dad had to go to the doctors for his check up so Ma said I could ride with them.

When she dropped him off we started cruising. I didn’t know where we were going but it was so cool with my head out the window I really didn’t care!

That’s when I got a shock she stopped the car right in the middle of town and took me out! Of course we’d driven through many times before but now I got to make my first official  visit! 

Well we walked for twenty minutes and did the whole round. The town hall, the village green, the bandstand and of course the stores. Our little town is tiny.

It was so great! I left my calling card and placed my paw in as many places as possible and you know what Mom said? Sometime she’ll fix with Auntie Lori to meet in town and we can all have a little stop at the coffee shop for treats!

Yeoh! I’m officially a grown up!

Blessing # 745 – Going Downtown

Wasn’t a pleasant start to the day for me. As Ma was drinking her coffee and snuggling beside me as she does she struck gold. There was a big tick stuck to me in a very delicate spot so she had to operate.

You will be pleased to hear I was very brave and wise and let her get on with the excision. The critter had got its fangs into me and was swollen like a little balloon but she got it off without bursting it. It was still moving but nearly dead. She took a piece of my skin too which hurt like #$&&

She then decided the spot needed to be cleaned so she got out the vodka and dabbed me with it. That stuff stings and stinks.

I nearly passed out and needed a head down tilt.

We presented the evidence to the bro and Dad when they surfaced and Dad promptly flushed it down the toilet. Done deal. Well NO!

That wasn’t the only entomological issue we faced today. On the way to Auntie Lori’s Ma was recounting my bravery to Auntie Denise when she barfed. We both stopped dead in our tracks as we couldn’t understand what happened her.

Believe it or not as she was talking a bug flew into her mouth and bit her right at the back of her mouth. She said it was really stingy and if she passed out we were to call 911.

She survived! It was a first though for her but seems there is precedent.

Blessing # 744 – Close Crawls

It has been complete crazy here today. People running in and out in all directions since we got up. For the humans there has not been a minute to spare. Thankfully I did get my morning outing to the park.

All around us mushrooms are sprouting up. They are really tiny. Ma says it’s a mystery where they come from but that the leprechauns would love them.

They will be well shriveled now as it is so hot you could fry them. I’m glad my humans are busy so they don’t bother me and I can take comfort in the cool. Air Conditioning is a wonderful thing.

Best to just find the shadiest spot in the house, curl up, chill and if a snooze comes that would be just fine on a day like this.

Last night I was so exhausted I fell asleep with my nose in my Ma’s pocket where she keeps my treats. Great to have a day to catch up and get that energy back. Those humans need to take a tip or two from me!

Blessing # 743 – Recharging

We sat on the patio this morning and watched our Church in Ireland. It was cloudy and not too warm so when Church was over we were well fortified with fuel and good to go for a long walk.

As soon as we got back Ma took off. She was determined to get to that flea market because she wants to restock her space with some new goodies tomorrow.

Dad and I took it easy while she was away but when she got back the excitement was great. Loaded!

She says during her drive into the heart of the country she’s finally worked out why she loves doing this. It’s like Christmas shopping all year long except you don’t know who you are buying for. All you know is that you love what your offering.

There was quite the haul. An eclectic mix ranging from needle work to rococo and wooden plates of a funny French Man!!!

All though have one thing in common in Ma’s eyes they are beautiful. Just like me!

Blessing # 742 – Eye of a Beholder

We are back where we started the day sitting on the patio drinking! This morning it was coffee now the fizz leftover from yesterday.

I’ve commissioned the table / foot stool as my bed as it gives me support and a great view. I am awaiting the next in a series of storms that ruined Ma’s day.

She had planned to abandon me and go to a big flea market about an hour from here but the first storm came in just as she was dropping Dad home after doing a few local estate sales.

Two of the sales were useless for antiques but at the first she picked up a 1957 watercolor for free by a man called Micheal  Sweeney.

She takes pity on homeless works even if they have serious issues. This one was especially interesting since she likes ducks but it was covered in big brown marks.

All sorts of horrendous smelling things like bleach and acetone were tried to remove them but to no avail. A brainwave hit!  Out came the paint and since it was still storming and the flea market was scuppered she decided she’d add to the original. Vincent help!

She didn’t do too bad a job. At first it was going to be clouds but that soon evaporated and it just became a wash. It is better than before for sure. Angelic? Maybe!

Once the paint was out there was no stopping her. She hit the bathroom that had been Versailled by herself a few years ago. The stencil work was awfully annoying so today we said adieu!

Flip me it went on for every and I was totally spaced out by the fumes and had to retire to bed but at last it’s done. Love

It’s meant to be distressed. More possessed if you ask me but anything is better than before.

Blessing # 741 – Restorations

Many people love Friday, so much so it’s given rise to sayings and even a restaurant chain.

Our superheroes like Trinny on social media also do something special for the start of the weekend. This helps build excitement even if we’re going no further than the living room.

My Dad doesn’t go so crazy about it as Mom does. Mind you he rarely does. You can’t make herself mad on Friday unless perhaps your name is Aaron!

There’s no reason for this now as she doesn’t work five days a week and Friday is one of the days when she actually does work.

So why is this? Maybe because she saves her fizz for a Friday night or it could be the prospect of pizza and no need to think of what’s for dinner. Dad cooks it for us too!

Whatever it is if she’s happy so am I. We both feel that the sun is shining.

Blessing # 740 – Frown Freedom

My Mom follows a number of Facebook groups to get ideas for her antique business. One ironically is called Style On A Shoestring by Gill. 

I sit close while she’s screening through waiting to hear all the oohs and aahs. She’ll tell me what she finds if it excites her and this morning the topic was sweet peas.

She says they smell wonderful and always remind her of her Auntie Helen who grew them in abundance many years ago on a fence in her garden.

We tried to find some old photos of them in bloom but only found the fence! It has two tiny humans in it too. One is my Mum and the other is her cousin and Auntie Helens daughter Mandy. They sure look like little rascals don’t they! Bet there was some mischief going on that day!

Ma has given up trying to grow sweet pea the best she’s ever managed is a few flowers.

Fortunately there are other plants of fine fragrances like lavender which she has managed to get going. Albeit somewhat wild!

Today we plucked our first blooms and again Ma thought of Auntie Helen because lavender is her all time favorite.

Strange when the mind pulls up one memory many more pop up too. They must all be in the same filing cabinet deep in the soul!

Blessing # 739 – Prettiest Perfumes

We canines appreciate almost everything in life. Bicycles are my exception to this rule!

We are born to sniff out joy.

Over the past months I’ve taught Mom that no gym in the world can beat a long walk with me on a fine day or even in the rain provided we’re together. It’s builds appetite.

Pretty much all food tastes good if you are hungry but it is nice to spice it up a little now and then.

The simple things in life like being able to dig a bit in the earth is a great stress reliever and when it results in a little harvest of home grown flavors it’s even better.

We are very fortunate that we have all we need and don’t have any worries about where our next meal is coming from.

If my humans wanted to they could get takeout or even eat out every day but don’t. They eat the same breakfast most mornings and the rest the menu rotates around about thirty main dishes.

Why do they make this choice? My guess is like me they find their joy in simple things like snipping a scallion and making a little meal from scratch that fulfills and satisfies and comforts.

Blessing # 738 – Staples and Spice

A little sunbathing is a delightful thing. My favorite spot is by the gate on the patio. I just lie there and watch the world go by.

After a while when the hard ground gets to be too much I hop on the sofa and that can induce a slumber.

When it gets too much I seek the shade and sleep.

Clearly I’m mobile and smart and can take good care of myself. The reason all this is on my mind is that I’m thinking about eggs!

My Ma and me found a tiny one in our yard that had the most beautiful color. Just like the sky. It was all alone but perfectly intact. It wasn’t by a tree so there was no nest unless it was in the ground cover.

We didn’t know what to do with it but wondered would it not get cooked in the intense heat. Just in case it’s Momma was sitting on it we decided it best not to move it.

Today we went to look for it and it had vanished. Was it eaten? Or did it hatch?

We sure hope it will be back someday to spend some time with us. Aarons tree is a very fine spot!

Blessing # 737 – Eggshell Blue