#sol24 October 15 Grand Dogs For Me

"We've always had dogs," he said as his dog pulled desperately on the leash. "They sure are good company," he added with a smile that suggested the benefit of a dog for those of us who live alone, without acknowledging my quiet house.

There were many busy days (years in fact) when being alone was a goal rather than a problem for me; however, these days, my home is mighty quiet and alone is the new normal.

 

"I do think about it, sometimes," I offered, "and the thought of a pal sharing my porch on summer evening sounds inviting.  But, the thought of having to make plans with a dog walker if I go out for the day and the idea of bundling up for a walk late on a cold winter night have been deterrents. Plus," I added with a smile, "pets are like kids, you never know what you are going to get!"

"And," he laughed as he was pulled down the street, "most of the dogs on this street do have minds of their own." 

"I'll settle for strong-willed, visiting grand-dogs," I offered, but he was long gone on his walk/run after his beloved and strong-willed pet. Yet, my heart was remembering that long ago downy soft drowsy puppy snuggled next to me. "Grand dogs for me," I reminded myself, sternly!

 

 

#sol24 October8 Slice of Cake with Frosting

In a world where divisiveness, disagreements, and destruction headline the daily news, I am sharing a  happy slice of life about a small group of children who spent a couple of hours focused on decorating mini-cakes with mountains of frosting, layers of tiny cakes, and heaps of sprinkles!

The sugar laden picture (below) will not take away the assured pain of a huge-o hurricane nor will it restore peace in our world; yet, there is something peaceful and even hopeful about squishy pastel colored frosting oozing out of a gigantic tube filled with more sugar than any parent would allow any child to consume in a week! 

In reality, a cake decorating party is a messy event that is best held outside! 

To be honest, there was a lot of frosting wasted!

In retrospect, more sprinkles landed on the ground than on cupcakes! 

Yet, the sensory rewards from surrounding oneself with self-created sugary treasures are profound as evidenced by the smiles and laughter (not pictured)!        

This is a not-just-for-kids party idea!

 

#sol24 October 1 Good Bye, Neighborhood

I have written about the lawn jockey my neighbors

dressed for every holiday and Giants game.

He was a beloved fixture my grandchildren referred to as

the Little Man. Here is his story of his last adventure.

"I realized the end was near when he took off my Giants shirt and began to dig out my feet. I'd been a feature on the street for decades and I really wondered how many people would miss my costume changes to mark the seasons, holidays, and every sporting event.

While I was a little excited about the potential of a new adventure, I saw tears well up in his eyes and realized this was a new, and different chapter. Yet, he continued as if he was on a mission. His son finally showed up late in the afternoon and they lifted me onto the trailer with a fire pit and a mini fridge. I saw the little girl across the street watching the action from her porch."

"Can I go over to say good-bye she begged her grandma with tears streaming down her face.  I can't believe they are really taking him away!"

"Moments later, they were snapping a picture of me and the man was walking away while the tears poured down his face. I tried to be brave and smile for that picture, but to be quite honest, I was afraid.

There were some uncomfortable good-byes among the other humans, but the man stood by himself facing his old house. I realized at that moment, that life for each of us would never be the quite the same.

We pulled away moments later and I tried to bravely wave good bye to the house I had guarded and the neighborhood I had cheered for so many years.  

We had not gone very fall when I leaned over a wee bit while he was making a turn.  Without my feet being firmly planted on Earth, I leaned over and fractured my arm, the one I need to wave to my fans.  I am pretty sure it is a stress fracture as I sure was stressed!

Now, sadly, I sit in a storage unit where the sun does not shine and there are no cars going past.  I am waiting patiently, however, because that man with the tears in his eyes talked about something called retirement. He said it would be different, like a new season, and I think I saw a wee bit of a smile on his face as he told me to rest up for the next chapter. 

Right now, I'm a bit unsure about what will happen in this retirement stage, but I'll rest up for a bit and hope his smile is a sign of a new beginning, with new cars, and new human fans."