Booming Banter

A happening today made me think looking at life from Scooby’s perspective could be fun. So here goes. Let us know if you like it.

Ma and me had a good walk this morning I wanted to go further but she dragged me home as she smelt a thunderstorm. She was right. We dodged a big bullet. Storms don’t frighten me but she gets all edgy so I figured why tug!

We played ball for a while and then she had nice leftovers from yesterday. Even though I snuggled up real close she only gave me the tiniest piece of potato and she dropped nothing. Bummer!

When deciding whether to huff or not her phone started to ping! Good sign! It makes all sorts of noise but this particular one often means shes planning to meet one of her gal pals and these days that means a walk!

Sure enough she got the coat on and off we went again. By now the thunder had past but it was blowing such a gale. It felt so good. That head wind gives you such a workout.

When we turned right it was clear we were going to meet Lori which means we’ll go to the park. It’s so good when these two get together because they never let up talking so it gives me plenty of time to do my own thing sniffing in the woods and spotting squirrels.

All was going well and we were heading home just at the point of parting with Lori when I did a big naughty. I chewed through my retractable leash. Ma gasped and I knew I was in trouble. The freedom was fantastic though!

Off I went with the handle in my mouth and left her with the little bit. She was panicking it was clear so after about one hundred feet I stopped let her catch up a bit and then took off again.

Of course this being one of our favorite routes it was easy to smell my way home. She plodded as fast  as her two little legs would carry her behind me.

When Mrs Postie came past in her van I pulled off into the grass to show I was a smart hound with a clean driving license and totally in control of making wise decisions.

On reaching my own kingdom I lay down and waited for her highness to arrive. Since I wasn’t at all tired I had a great little run around for a while until she gave up on me and left me alone. That was no fun so I slunk in the back door.

After posing for a mugshot it was time to suck up to her again.

After all she is by far the snuggliest    of the lot when you need a snooze.

Blessing #665 – Home and Dry

Instead of getting up and dressed in our Easter best we lazed around in casual clothes and drank loads of coffee.

We went to the park, cut daffodils from the yard and then watched Church in the kitchen while we baked our buns in the oven.

There were lots of texts and messages coming and going from family and friends. Many more than on any other Easter Day.

One was especially lovely little Luna greeting her baby brother Ben born yesterday. 

Aaron had surprised us with two big chocolate eggs and we gave him a few surprises too with a little treasure hunt for eggs and bunnies that we hadn’t done since he was little

Everything is at a slower pace but we are more connected and focused on LOVE and the meaning of the day than ever before.

With our tummies full we are listening along with some two million others to Andrès Bocelli direct from Milan

That’s one very special treat speaking of which it’s just about time to bust a bunny!

Blessing # 664 – Making Fun

46 Days without a sweetie or savory snack and what a 46 days it’s been. Unlike any other and destined for the history books!

We’ve had a lot more to worry about than loosing seven pounds. Just for the record though not an ounce was lost. Given the circumstances though with no zumba or gym maybe not such a bad result! None gained either!

Heaven knows where the needle might be if cookies, crisps and chocolates were not off limits.

The urge to eat sweets has not left me at all so tomorrow there will be a fiesta of decadence.

A hankering for hot cross buns overtook me during the past week. Of course they can’t be found for love nor money so baking from scratch is the only option. Never made anything with yeast before so today is a first.

Made a few mistakes along the way but the dirty dozen are now in the fridge for their second proofing overnight. We’ll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Let is hope we can say that they as well as “He” is Risen!

Blessing # 663 – Sweeties Slumber

Many of you might have had plans for the holiday. Some may have been heading to the beach or taking a flight to warmer climes. Instead you are staying home. Many are enjoying that prospect just as much as me.

The Easter egg hunts will be in our own homes or gardens instead of parks. Big celebrations in restaurants will be replaced with dinner in our little nuclear families and for sure for those who can afford it there will be even more focus on feasting.

Yesterday Yale University’s Professor of Happiness was on TODAY giving tips on how to stay cool when things might get a little tricky or sad. 

Someone snuggled up on my lap follows these rules to the tee.

We have so much to learn about thankfulness and simplicity. Will we forget this time when it’s over or will it drive a change for good?

The surgeon general Admiral Adams just reported that the high rate of COVID19 infection among African American is « alarming ».

On this day when we remember the crucifixion of Jesus let us pray that this Good Friday will be a historic turning point and the beginning of the end for hunger, poverty and discrimination.

Blessing # 662 – Sacrifice

Scooby is earning a reputation as a star step instructor. He has had three appointments already today and is definitely a little hero willing to walk at six feet distance with his human clients at anytime. Essential service!!!

Of course he needs to recover from all these work out sessions so snoozing is essential. Today I got a little video of him and you can see he’s trying so hard to keep his eyes open but just can’t stop nodding off! He is certainly not alone.

A few days ago we got an invitation to join a Facebook group of families who had adopted from the Canine Collective. Of course we joined and discovered so many other tiny trainers.

They all share one thing in common they will do anything to keep their humans fit! Tireless and tired out!

One very special little puppy we reconnected with was Scooby’s kennel mate from Texas. He was called Oreo when he bunked with Scooby and they were besties maybe even related who knows.

Regardless when all this home based workout is over we plan a big reunion and lots of partying.

In the meantime we are enjoying our togetherness!

Blessing # 661 – Weighted Blankets

This morning wearing a fetching little bandana it was time to make a run to Aldi for some fresh foods.

The staff at Aldi are doing such a great job. Someone was standing outside the store cleaning all the shopping cart handles.

At the checkout careful markings showed where to line up and the cashiers were distanced from shoppers by plexiglass.

Just in front of me was a lady in her late sixties or early seventies. A young store assistant who was stacking shelves asked her very politely to move to another check out point. He explained he’d be right there to open up to help her.

She began to make her move when out of nowhere a man, most likely her husband, arrived from behind. He starting yelling at her asking why she was moving, was she stupid and to get back in line.

Well she gave him as good as she got and quite honestly it looked there might be a real fight with fisticuffs. Too much time together?

Eventually he moved out of the way and sat huffing at the packing deck. She checked out but once she’d paid the whole battle began again when they were packing things up. A symptom perhaps of current circumstances let’s hope it for better back home!

Most admirable in the whole  incident was how calmly the young man on the check our handled all this. He just carried on like it happened every day.

The funniest thing though was how those of us observing all this reacted. Each masked we had to resort to eyes and eyebrows to let each other know that this was absolutely the last thing anyone might have expected from this little Darby and Joan who needless to say were unmasked!

Blessing # 660 – Shopping Alone

Today Krishna, Scooby and I had a little jaunt into the countryside.

Nestle Pensions had sent from Switzerland their annual request to provide evidence we are still breathing. The proof we’re alive has to be validated by a notary.

Usually it’s easy. You run round the corner to your local bank and get this done but many of the banks have closed their lobbies already.

Fortunately the bank where we have our account is one of those still open for notarizing documents but only until Thursday. It’s half an hour’s drive from where we live so a good excuse for an outing! Off we went.

Driving cross country with fields all around we saw lots of signs of new growth with our first crops of winter wheat advancing well. The farmers have been busy ploughing too and soon the soy and corn will be planted to fill the huge silos of these thousand acre ranches.

Since there weren’t many cars on the road we were able to stop and take a few pics including one of a flock of local vultures having lunch on a squashed squirrel!

They are impressive but nothing to fear if you’re accompanied by  fearless warriors

Felt like the good olde Wild West!

Blessing # 659 – Scooby & a Bandit

It’s very refreshing in this beautiful weather to see so much play going on. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never say a bad word about the internet and social media again but it’s hard to beat the outdoors.

Today Scooby and I came across a lot of little kids running around in their family groups and a lot of evidence of fun underway in driveways too.

Aaron is trying his best to keep active too. He’s just in from a good ten mile bike ride and is doing some weight lifting. Scooby is such a versatile trainer!

Yesterday he put up his tent in the back years and would love to light a campfire too. That was scuppered so he took to the stove instead.

Some decent soda bread was made for lunch with fried eggs and then breaded chicken tenders for dinner were made from scratch.

You gotta hope that when the stay at home is over kids will have learned so many old tricks they’ll stick with them as new forever fun

Blessing # 658 – Back to Basics

 

 

 

 

Each day as well as checking the Coronavirus news from the UK a check on Krishna’s homeland India is called for.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems such a fine man. He is caring and courageous. Recently he has had to take some radical steps to limit the spread of COVID including a 21 Day lock down of this huge country of 1.3 Billion.

His government has pledged to feed the many millions of migrant workers hired by the day or hour. Many multinational Indian companies like the Tata’s have made huge contributions to support him.

The migrants are frighten though and many have tried to get home to their villages some walking for days to find their Social Security.

This morning I came across an article from the BBC. Take the time to read it and watch the videos. It seems balanced and thoughtful.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52086274

Some of the pictures especially those of the old people are heartbreaking.

How can any of us complain? 

It’s normal that we are all concerned about this virus and its potential impact on those we love and on our own community.

As we enter Holy Week perhaps it’s a good time though to reflect once more on « Who Is My Neighbor? »

From afar what can we do? Truthfully I do not know!

If a virus can spread so fast then why can’t support for men like Modi who may make a difference for many many millions more!

Blessing # 657– Moving India

Don’t you think all the leaders worldwide must be feeling very tired? The pressure they are under must be tremendous yet the media often seems to relish picking holes in everything they say.

It can’t be easy to handle something that we’ve never experienced before in our lifetime. You gotta feel sorry for them. Many are no spring chickens. Just can’t believe their stamina!

The story of the face mask is a case in point. It’s true there has been a change in CDC recommendations but what is better implement change and admit we’re learning or doing nothing at all?

The thing that many of us value most in a leader is honesty. It instills trust. We don’t mind if a leader says they have changed their position or even that they have made a mistake provided they don’t lie to us.

It’s sad and oppressive to see that even at this time of crisis there still seems to be so much finger pointing going at the highest levels. We need to see leaders working together. To build confidence they, like our Scooby have to show they have our safety at heart and have ever door and window covered for us!

Blessing # 656 – Loving Leaders