A New Year's Eve Tale

So Darryl, Deb's boyfriend, has a granddaughter. She is a lovely little girl. And he has a new photo of her in the house. It is a head shot ... and it is a life-size head shot. It's wonderful, and really brings out the essence of Winnie. It's beautiful, and it makes you feel like she's right there in the room.

Well, apparently it was just too life-like for Homer and Fred. Fred, Homer and Atticus joined Dana and me at Dutch (that's Darryl's nickname) and Deb's place for New Year's Eve. Good food, good drink, good fun all around. However, we were sitting in the living room having some appetizers and champagne when we noticed Homer was just standing behind the sofa. When we looked closer, it turned out he wasn't just standing behind the sofa for no good reason. His head was pointed up, his huge brown eyes locked on that photo of Winnie. He stared and stared and stared at that picture. Man, it was so cute. He seemed completely convinced that she was going to greet him, so he just stood there, waiting anxiously. Homer is very in tune with his behavior around little kids (translation: he is much calmer than he is when meeting adults, intuitively understanding that he must be accomodating to their smaller and sometimes delicate nature), so I believe he was just being a good little boy and waiting for her to come make the first move. It was just a wonderful moment.

Later, I think it was after dinner and once we'd gotten into the game playing part of the evening (Dutch was on quite a roll with Quiddler last night ... harumph), we stopped to enjoy a performance by Fred. He was standing on the back of the sofa. He'd finally gotten a look at that life-sized photo of Winnie ... and had a low grade growl going, heading into something a bit more menacing. Keep in mind that he would never have hurt Winnie if she were really there. I think he just didn't like that she was standing outside the window, staring back at him like that! So funny.

The final act of the evening belonged to Atticus, who didn't seem bothered by Winnie; I'm not sure he even noticed her. But he did step toward the sliding glass door after it had gotten dark. We don't have anything like that at home, nothing to allow him to see his reflection. But see his reflection he did. He started barking like a crazy man intent on protecting his brothers and his human peeps, too. He would probably be pleased to know that mommy thought him to be a very brave and impressive boy, even when it was obvious he was just being a silly git. Homer caught his own image in the 'mirror', but he just seemed happy to spot such a handsome man out the door!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Well, another year has come and gone. I've been hearing people say that they hope 2010 is a better year than 2009. I have to admit that except for losing Bailey, I don't really have any major complaints about 2009. It was a major transition year for me, where my income was reduced by a serious amount. This lowering of my household income was purposeful, as I from here on out will always be, at minimum, semi-retired. It is a challenge, especially when your roommate doesn't come through with the expected monetary contribution!

Another major change: my status as a Master Gardener volunteer. This has been something that has brought lots of positives into my life. Good people who are excited about spreading the gospel of good gardening practices. My favorite part of this was the success of my own vegetable garden. What a wonderful thing, to walk out into your yard and pick fresh vegetables and herbs to take directly to the kitchen. It was a learning experience, for sure. And of course, the late blight with tomatoes this year was such a disappointment. I will make changes in the garden - no oregano, more beans, eggplant rather than squash - and hope for a better year for tomatoes.

My sisters and I all met up in Charleston, SC for Spoleto Festival in May. I love this festival of music, dance, theater, art and artisans. It's a wonderful atmosphere: sophisticated but casual. My sister Deb is treating me this year to another visit for my 50th birthday. I love Charleston and all of my friends there.

It was a mixed up emotional year on the dog front. I lost my dear Bailey. He was a big guy who lived eight years, six of them with Dana and me and Miller, Boo and Fred. He was a pain in the butt but also a sweet, sweet boy. And he also spent time with my new arrival, Homer, who I adopted from the Elmore SPCA once we returned from Spoleto Festival. He's a joyful boy. He and Fred are well on their way to becoming the best buds that Bailey and Fred were, or that Miller and Boo were.

Miller is getting up there in age: he will be 16 years and 8 months old on January 20th. I recognize that my time is short with him, so all conscious efforts are to make sure he's happy and getting the attention he deserves. He's been the best dog, a wonderful companion. He's been mine since he was 9 months old. As everyone who knows me is aware, all of my dogs are adopted from shelters or the local SPCA. Miller has been around for every home that I've ever owned, and has been brother to Boo, Goofy, Bailey, Fred and Homer, and cousin to Bernie, Menolly, Piccola, Gigi, Puccini, Boomer, Murphy, Lira, Merlin and probably a couple of dogs I've forgotten.

Snow up here in the north country has been something to get used to. It's not hard, really, because I do love the snow. I love watching the dogs romp in the snow. I love the way it sits on the boughs and catches in the bark of the trees. I even like shoveling it. And the vistas up here after a good snowfall are absolutely stunning.

So, I have mostly fond memories of 2009. But it's true, there is nothing wrong with hoping that the next year will be better than the last. And for all of those people who have had a hard time of it with the economy, or have had to deal with the loss of a family member, like I did with Bailey, or who miss loved ones who are away in the military, I truly do hope that 2010 brings better things.

FROM MY HOUSE TO YOURS, HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!