Booming Banter

This morning I was filing my nails! The file I was using was one my bestie Lorraine had given me in my Christmas stocking.

This got me thinking of all the things around that I see everyday that trigger a thought about the bestie who gifted it.

There’s a lovely labrador that hangs on a Chinese cabinet that Carol gave when Darcy was alive so it’s at least twelve years old.

Next to the cabinet sits a chair with a cushion Laura gave me this past Christmas. It’s a hand painted scene of Ireland. Laura said it reminded her of our trip together there ten years ago!

Into the bedroom and there’s a candle from Dolores that I’ve never lit because it smells so good!

On the little chest in the bathroom where earrings live are two little ducks from Phyllis.

Inside the chest are gifts from Carol, Lorraine, Tjin and Flora that are all worn regularly.

Onto the kitchen and into the cupboard where we get our cereal bowl each morning we find the baking kit from Patricia with cookie cutters for our Petit Biscuits de Noel!  

All these are seen daily. Reminders of loved ones. They may not be by our side but they are always present in our hearts.

Blessing # 646 – Looking at Love

With the start of a new week many are working from home. Have you been hanging around in sloppy clothes this weekend like me? When you’re going no where there’s no incentive to glam up.

This morning with the gloom outside the only thing to do was jazz life up with some of the brightest and colorful clothes.

Our Scooby needs a boost too. He’s looking sharp with his new hairdo but he’s not himself. He seems a bit down since his change of look. Krishna reckons it’s nothing to do with his haircut it’s that he senses our mood and that things aren’t normal.

All the walking may also be taking its toll. These past few days he’s sleeping a lot more too.

Seems he’s not alone my friend Shinjie’s dog is feeling it too.

She shared this photo with me this morning and it made me laugh. Hope these fur babies adventures bring a little smile to your faces too!

This little funny Patricia sent says it so well our puppies are even more precious than ever. 

Blessing # 645 – Dog Days

Our state will join several others at midnight tomorrow implementing a Stay at Home order. Only essential services and businesses will be open. We can still go for a walk provided we maintain a six foot distance and we can shop for essential groceries, medicine and take home food.

Please do not misunderstand. This is not a complaint and not a hardship. We are blessed with many comforts and we absolutely must do this to play our part in supporting all the brave souls on the frontline fighting this war.

It is simply beyond imagination that this is happening but we all know it is and we are frightened.

Krishna our nephew posted something yesterday that struck me and gave me a big eye opener. Issac Newton discovered gravity when he forced to stop his regular work and go into quarantine because of bubonic plague.

Here in the states we see tremendous innovation already starting. Hanes the underwear manufacturers are starting to make medical masks. Pernod Riccard factories are already shipping hand sanitizers that they made in their liquor lines.

Closer to home as the Antique Mall is closing we started yesterday to move to online sales. It’s a whole new world for me and it certainly gave me a little mental exercise to get some posts going.

Guess what though it was time well spent. In the space of just 25 hours three of my items were sold!

Hardly earth shattering but it sure helps in these gloomy days to see a little raw of sunshine!

Blessing # 644 – Illumination

Last night one of our Tuesday Morning Group sent out a plea for bread donations. Her friend works in a soup kitchen that serves people who live rough in Columbus. They were struggling to provide the standard fare of sandwiches because bread donations had dried up.

We had a fresh sandwich loaf, some hotdog buns and some week old beef burger buns so we were in good shape to donate. There was no need to worry though.

Aaron returned from work with a surprising haul. Usually it’s a load of pastries but by divine intervention last night it was BREAD! Not your usually square sandwich stuff but a whole variety of continental styles from baguettes to ciabatta and rye!

Scooby helped with the delivery this morning. He was acting as my lookout with this treasured cargo. You never know when there might be an ambush!

After we dropped the bread off we had a real treat. On the river road we saw a whole flock of herons. It was such a sight there was at least a dozen of them. We stopped the car but the close of the door frightened the most of them off so we only got a pick of a couple!

There must had been something very special at that point in the river to attract them. A good spot perhaps to cast a line in summer!

Now here’s the funny thing! You won’t believe what the term for a flock of herons is! A SIEGE!! How appropriate is that!

Blessing # 643 – Loaves & Fishing

It’s official. Spring has sprung. The calendar, whatever type it may be, has turned the page!

Miraculously my first daffodil gave me joy by choosing today to bloom.

Other events take place in spring including trips to shed the winter mane. Poor Aaron didn’t luck out they closed the barbers before he got there. So with the prospect that they may not open for weeks he let his Ma get out the scissors.

A lot was chopped and it’s far from perfect but at least when he has his work cap on it’s all covered.

Not to be outdone fluffy had his first ever trip to the groomers just incase they too shut up shop soon.

This morning he looked ready to rock and roll, This afternoon he looks like a totally different puppy.

He looks more like a newsreader than a head banger and must have lost pounds! Certainly he is a fine lean and muscular specimen with all that fleece gone perhaps a bit of Greyhound lie in his genes!

He doesn’t even seem to be the same color anymore. His little eyes and nose are still the same though and he smells so very sweet. Definitely he won this round.

Look out Aaron I’ll get the shears out next time!

Blessing 642 – Lighter and Lighter

Our Scooby is living the dream. His old Ma can’t sleep much longer than the usual alarm time so she’s up before six.

By eight she has had that much coffee she’s all fired up but has no Zumba because the gym is closed.

Result? The new normal is now Mega walks. There’s no end to Scooby stamina. He’ll trot for ever.

Seems like every dog in the neighborhood is feeling the same. Cats may not be so happy!

There are so many more puppies out there emerging from who knows where. Means lots of overtime for sniffing sensors!

There’s also a chance to play a bit and try to catch the guys in front so Ma also gets a bit of interval speed walking training.

The outcome of all this? Muck! So the call has been made spring haircut tomorrow a first for fluffy!

Blessing # 641 – Lightening a Load

This epidemic is advancing so fast it’s hard not to be afraid. All day I’ve been feeling guilty about going out to buy those flowers and beer yesterday. After all they were hardly what you’d class essentials.

Last week seems light years away. Just one statistic to reinforce the point: in Ohio at the beginning of the month there were 6500 applications for unemployment benefits today the number is 78000 that’s a ten fold increase.

Our friends Paul and Winnie who live in Hong Kong have been giving us hope though that if we act fast with radical measures this virus can be contained.

Where they live things are slowly getting back to normal. They even had some Saint Patrick’s Day festivities. Hong Kong, scared by SARS in 2001, acted super fast. They closed schools, implemented strict quarantine and most importantly the population complied with hygiene and distancing recommendations.

Such message are so encouraging. Knowing that tough measures pay off is something the media should cover more. Maybe a pipe dream but it could gives us all a boost.

Its helps too to see how public figures like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been touched by the virus and about their recovery.

When well known people walk the talk on social distancing and isolation it helps everyone.

On the NBC Today show several anchors had come into contact with a person who has tested positive. They are all now working from home. This includes the  famous weatherman Al Roker, that most people who have visited the USA will know. For the past two days he broadcast from his kitchen

This morning things had further developed. Savannah Guthrie the lead anchor was also at home because she had a sore throat and sniffles. From her basement she  interviewed the surgeon general of the USA Dr Jerome Adams who was quick to commend her for her wisdom in staying home.

Many in the food industry were congratulated today for all they are doing for us in producing, distributing, stocking the shelves and making sure we all have we need to enjoy our meals at home.

Aaron is still working too he just left for his shift. While restaurants and bars are closed Panera is still open because they offer takeaway. Maybe in days to come takeaway too will be considered a luxury and pulled but for now it’s something I can imagine those on the front line appreciate when they do get off their grueling work!

Blessing # 640 – Fast Food Fixers

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Hope you all are having a bit of fun! A certain Irish Wheaten Terrier cross certainly is.

He has been helping his leprechaun, working from home and delighting in the chance to walk longer and cuddle more.

We’re also giving ourselves some extra love. We took a hike to Trader Joe’s and picked up some beautiful spring flowers and then hit Hills Country Market for some bottles of the best black beer!

Dinner? What else but spuds and cabbage and HAM dear friends none of that Corned Beef nonsense.

The hams in the oven. Must say it has a very unique look. Is it Hannibal or ET you decide!

Blessing # 639 – Irishness 

The primary elections are a very big deal in the USA. Ohio’s was scheduled for tomorrow. Just a few minutes ago our Governor announced this is postponed.

Concerns for the well being of all means there will be no in person voting tomorrow, voting by mail will be offered and the Election Day will end June 2.

This is just the last example of the brave and wise decisions this Governor has taken. Yesterday across the media he was recognized nationally for his swift actions.

On the surface he looks like a quiet Grandfatherly guy. Small of stature and gently spoken who knew that under the surface lies was a man of steel.

With time on my hands I got to cleaning and pricing some items for the store. One of these was a piece of porcelain. It looked a bit dirty and was a dull beige color.

A good rub with detergent on a toothbrush soon revealed that this little darling had been through the wars. It must have lived for years in a home full of smoke but within a short time it was glorious.

You never do know what you’ll find under pressure. As my Mother often said « never judge a book by its cover »

Blessing # 638 – What Lies Beneath

Such a strange yet special Sunday.

Our bishop in Central Ohio recommended a few days ago that for a few weeks our services be online rather than in person. 

Back home in Northern Ireland the Bishop had also suggested that services be streamed for those who were concerned about attending Church in person.

So it was that before even washing my face but with a coffee and croissant in hand and my little Scooby beside me we watched Rev Mervyn Jamison live from Ballylesson Co Down.

It was a joy to see that familiar Church and hear the congregation and to feel so close to those I love. The closing hymn was my Dads favorite Be Though My Vision which brought a little tear to my eye as he and my Mum are resting in that very Church yard.

After « Church » I had to make a run to the homeless shelter. Aaron had come back from work at Panera last night with a huge amount of goodies. It almost covered our kitchen island. I’m so glad we have a home for it and that Panera are kind enough to give it to a good cause.

For the past two Saturdays there were were no leftovers so when the big burly guy on the desk at the shelter saw me today his comment was « y’all back then ». I took it that it was his way of saying he’d missed us!

Hope y’all will be back to normal soon in the meantime prayers for all especially those leading us on this strange and scary journey.

Blessing # 637 – Good Shepherds