Quiet Holiday week?!

 How did it get to be July already?

Monday morning dawned wet.  The Prisoner balanced on the deck railing, and I managed to snap this shot about five seconds before Ember came charging out and booped the cat on the hind quarters, knocking him off.  Typical cat, he landed on his feet.  I tried to avoid giggling out loud; since he didn't get hurt it was a funny moment.

Morning walk had to wait until about 10 a.m. and it was humid!  We avoided the noon time sudden downpour that caught practically the whole town by surprise.

Rabbit day (Tuesday, first of the month) dawned cool and pleasant.  Ember happily played retrieve off the deck with her dummy gamebird (sand-filled) before going off to daycare.  Since my personal trainer is off seeing his grandkids that live in Tennessee, I went on cleaning overdrive.  The muddy mats and dog-towels in the laundry.  The vacuum out to deal with two-dogs' worth of hair from Carl's visit on Saturday.  

Wednesday we finally addressed the siding damage from running a Northern Flicker B&B. Early morning showers caused a bit of dog schedule reshuffling.  But Mother Nature delivered a new tree branch for Ember to carve.

After the rain stopped, Jeff the handyman showed up with all the things he needed to make repairs.

My little diva behaved very well and earned a reward walk.  It was hot and humid, so we just went around one block.  Came home and tucked inside the AC for the rest of the day. 

Once painted, the siding looks terrific.  Hope it stays that way.  But Jeff says the mama flicker is still in the vicinity.

Ember and I enjoyed some deck time in the warmth and shade of Wednesday evening.  My son called and he and I had a long rambling phone chat that was reminiscent of the ones I used to enjoy with his father.  So many topics, chaining from one to another.  

We commiserated about the state of the world, among other things.  

He let me know his full licensure has earned him a substantial raise in pay, which I think anyone would welcome!  

There were the parenting questions:  "Mom, how did you get me to do chores when I was six?"  😁😂😀

My response?  "Did you do any chores when you were a kid?  I don't seem to remember you doing any!"  

In the end, we concluded that kids mostly learn from the example that their parents set of "doing the right thing" or including them in "this is how we..." wash the dishes, mow the lawn, take the trash out, etc. and it keeps the household running.  Grocery shopping, dog walking and feeding, all the family stuff that make up LIFE!  I do remember bartering transportation for yard work... you boys (grade 6 at the time) clear out these weeds and bushes and I'll drive you to the pool next village over.  The old "after we get these family things done, we can go to the mall" swap.  

Having no siblings, he didn't really get the parenting bug / need for parenting skills until they plopped him into a squad leader role in the Army Reserve.  He was picked for the role mainly based on being a year older than the other recruits.  But suddenly he was responsible for the behavior of the group, and he learned fast.

Meanwhile, back in Emberville, my furry diva has demonstrated a calm gun-dog attitude toward the booms and pops that are prevalent this time of year around here.

She just settles into a deck chair and watches the world go by or even closes her eyes when she gets a little tired.

Some of the whistle-whizz-sounding fireworks lead to a head-whip and a check-in with mom, but the booms might get an ear cocked, only.  None of the "go hide under the bed" that so many have found they must deal with.  Something I am grateful for.

It's July 3rd as I write this, and I can hear the now-legal booms and pops in the neighborhood.  Ember is in day care today, and I felt it a great treat to be there when someone brought a majestic gray brindle Great Dane in for the day.  Very calm and friendly dog; he offered me a paw, and I gushed over him, then felt guilty because when I turned around, there was another owner with an adorable poodle.  Ember had already been taken back so she didn't have the chance to feel jealous over her hu-mom's attention to others.  Face it, I love all dogs!

I'm settling into the Summer and hope the same for others.  Avoiding the news has been good for my mental health.

Hope that my Canadian friends and former Sparkers had a good Canada Day, and wishing a happy Independence Day to my US friends and former Sparkers!

Life is good.  Keep Sparking!

A lot of this n' that

Ups and downs in Emberville.  Weather has been mostly hot and humid.  This photo was taken in the angled morning light, and it downright looks as humid as it feels.

Ember was off to day care Thursday morning, and I was off to my own workout with the trainer.  He's on vacation next week, when we'll have the holiday.  Grandchildren, funny how they land high on anyone's priority list!

It's deck weather, i.e. Summer!  Ember curls up on a deck chair during "last call" before tucking in to bed Thursday evening.

Friday was cool in the morning so we got a leash walk in before it got Summer-hot.  We've had a couple of accidents where Ember has chosen to drop a plop in the basement, rather than go outside.  Yikes!  I had been thinking she might be ill, or going at daycare, but no!  So, cleaned up after discovery, and reiterated training message of not here, outside.  I don't care if it's hot or raining... outside!

Friday afternoon I took leave of my senses and volunteered to host Carl on Saturday.  Why?  Because his people are planning a lake with inflatables outing at a state park, and dogs are not allowed on that part of the beach/lakefront.  Carl would not be happy leashed on shore, and it seemed like too many moving parts to the plan, which includes the foster kiddo and a friend, and the other grandparents, so... puppy pool in my backyard is a better choice for Carl than being in his kennel at home the whole time.  

Photoshoot Saturday, amid a whole lot of wiggles and waggles

You may remember that Ember chewed up two puppy pools last Summer.  This is a new puppy pool, big enough to fit two dogs.  I waited until about 1 p.m. to bring it out and fill it up.  We had a lot of dog greeting energy to wear off first.

Two pups sharing a bone.  Sometimes it amazes me how well they get along!  I can't take a picture at the same time as I'm giving hand signals to the pups, but I did manage a couple of "two puppies sit" and one "two puppies down" positions, for which they got synchronized treats.

Synchronized chilling, canine style.  I tried splitting the x-pen into two compartments.  This experiment lasted about five minutes before they figured out the divider wasn't attached and could just be pushed aside.  Once they were in one big pen together, they played nicely, and in this particular rest period, curled up and napped nicely.

 

Out on the deck, Carl takes his Doberman guard dog heritage very seriously (he's a dobie / GSP mix).  When you look at the two dogs, side by side, you can definitely see the breed differences.  Carl is tall and lanky; Ember is all lab, shorter and stockier.  The tails are different, the snouts are different, the eyes are different.  But still people will ask if they are related.  Only by human, friends, only by human. 

I told Carl it was his job to terrorize the squirrels.  But the squirrels made themselves scarce.  They know a serious chaser when they see one.  Ember doesn't bark at them.  Carl not only barks.  He chases them up whatever they can climb.

By the way, it was 90F out there.  So the chilling inside was partly cool down.  They kept me busily refilling water bowls and opening and closing the door all day long.  But they graced my life for the day.

Meantime, the kids were out on the floating playground.

This was at a nearby state recreation area.  It's set up like the Japanese TV show "Wipe Out" which I find unwatchable!  Definitely not my jam, but the foster grand kiddo and his friend that they took with had a great time.  When my son came to pick up Carl, he remarked that he will be feeling it on Sunday!

Turns out with the number of kids that they let on at once, there's no way an adult is going to make it through the course.  Son gave up and spent his time on course as an impromptu lifeguard, fishing kids out of the water and getting them back on course.  Muscle man used every last one.

I would say the whole family had an active day, be it me with the canines, or them out in the water!  And I know I made the right choice for me.

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!

The Old Ball Game

 

Friday night, on a HOT June evening, we had a family outing to the minor league baseball game.  Foster kiddo's stamina gets tested in this kind of thing which is mostly sit and watch, and he made it an inning and a half before wanting to go off to the in-park playground.  I managed to get photos of the adults in the group while hiding the kiddo.

There was a nice breeze, and my co-mom-in-law got us tickets in the shade, but kiddo was happiest out being active and playing on the berm! 

It was a long game, and I didn't get home to let Ember out for last call until after 10 p.m., but it remained over 80F even overnight.  Summer is indeed here!

Saturday morning on our brief walkies, we found windfall. We brought a fresh branch home for sculpting!  The heat wave continued, topping 100F again Saturday.

On Sunday we did not crack the 100-degree mark, but it was still plenty warm in the mid-to-upper 90's.  Ember and I rounded the block in the morning breeze at 7:18 a.m.  Several pauses to watch the wind blow trees, or flags, or watch other people or dogs.  Fortunately, we did not bring home any fallen branches, though there were certainly plenty out there!

Later morning and all afternoon, we watched a parade of potential new neighbors trooping through the open house across the street.  

I did a "pick up sticks" outing in the front yard while she was out on the deck and tossed them over the fence, so she has "toys" in that corner by the gate.

Ember took a nap that allowed me to dash out on a brief shopping outing for coffee and gum, and her chew sticks.  I got her a replacement for the comfort carrot!  The original lasted all the way from Easter to this week.

The next X-Pen I ordered was delivered, too, so I took a panel out of the package and finished the containment of the couch, and we were able to resume couch training after having taken half a week off due to a gap in the fence.  I like having the lap puppy, but I'm not willing to let her tear my couch apart.

Keeping my head down as the news continues to roll by.  Not a lot that I personally can do about it but keep on living my life!

And LIFE is by definition good.  Spark on!

Birds in Emberville

 

The baby shrikes are here.  I have at various times seen three baby bird heads poking out of the siding and had a great view of both parent birds feeding them.  I'm just praying they don't break through the drywall into my bedroom, if you know what I mean.  Once I stopped worrying about it so much, I've rather enjoyed watching mother nature invading!

Ember has been fascinated, especially since some of what mama and papa bird bring to the babies gets dropped from the "high chair" and she picks it up off the patio below.  Berries!  Ember loves berries!

We are now at the start of a heat wave here, so Friday morning I took Ember out for her leash walk early.  It's predicted to break into triple digits (F, that is) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, all three.

Friday evening, we have a family outing booked at the minor league baseball game, with predicted temperatures of 95F!  Taking empty plastic bottle to refill with water as many times as needed.

Across town the roof replacement project on the kids' house has taken all week.  We had a couple of rain days.  It was supposed to happen a week ago, but one of the work crew had a death in the family, so that delayed things, and then the rains came.

Ember's "hunting dog coach" is currently in Spain for the world multisport event.  He posted some lovely photos of where he got lost (off course) looking for "the big hill" he knew was on the route of one of his bike legs.  Looks like he's having a marvelous time, and his buddies are trying to talk him into going for election to the board of USAT.  I'm no longer a member, so can't nominate him, but I think he'd be a great candidate, honestly.

Life is good.  Still avoiding the news.  Spark on!

Still breathing in Emberville

 

This is the "inner" toy from "Fatwing the dragon" (from Bark Box).  Of all the fabric covered hard toys, this is the first one we actually got the cover removed from.  These toys are incredibly sturdy and therefore worth the price IF your dog likes them.  Ember seems to prefer the ones covered in softer fabric, not the slick nylon covered ones (I still have one from her very first Bark Box that is a velociraptor egg, with the nylon cover still intact.  She doesn't like the texture, so doesn't play with it.)

When I finished the job of removing Fatwing's cover, Ember happily carried the inner toy outside, back into her x-pen, etc., making it squeak as she went.  Awesome.

Monday was a busy day for Ember.  We seemed to be past our Sunday "snit", which kept Mommy hopping.  Meals, walks, treats, according to the normal expected schedule, but visits from the bug guy (still working on the carpenter bees) and from "Aunt Alicia".  She got an extra "big" chew stick and kennel cookie during my sister visit.

Then we napped together until supper time and during the CBS evening news, Ember trotted into her crate, expecting her cookie and to be tucked in until "last call".

This was the final casualty of the Sunday snit!  A 44 year old tea-towel that I kind of kept around to wipe my glasses with.  Gone, now.

Tuesday was the usual.  Human tasks while the pup had fun with her canine chums.  We encountered her cousin Benji as we went into daycare.  Benji was on his way to grooming.  

Tuesday afternoon was beastly hot, though, getting up to 93F of the predicted 95.  Summer is rearing its head.

Turns out, it wasn't just a snit!  Ember is entering a new destructive phase. Or her training was regressing.  

Thursday morning found her tearing into the cushions on the couch she hasn't yet completely destroyed.  There had been previews of this.  I blame the flying insects that come into my house this time of year. If she's chasing them and gets into her prey drive... anything can become the target if they land on it.  Couch, wall, carpet, anything!  I had to shuffle her into the x-pen and reconfigure the pen on the fly to protect the couch after I put it back together.  

I have two pens now, one with her puppy toys and such, the other with the couch for Mommy.  Ember is allowed to come in and cuddle with Mommy only when supervised, at least for a while, until I regain confidence in her self-control.

 

I started playing a modified version of ItsYerChoice with Ember and the couch containing x-pen.  As long as she leaves the slipcovers and cushions alone, she may nap on the comfy couch beside me, or with her head on my lap.  If she starts to reorganize the covers, she gets escorted out of the pen and distracted with some other activity.  I have left a soft leash on her inside the house to remind her that she's training. 

Saturday morning's walk was a resounding success.  I was not the only one taking my pup out early, given the predicted heat for the day. 

One lady out walking her 11-month-old standard poodle on the other side of the street paused to compliment how well-behaved Ember was.  She said she'd been watching me walk her since she was small.  

A second lady asked to greet her, and Ember kept all four paws on the ground like a good girl.  

Another block further, as we were trying to figure out what path to take to avoid two other dog walkers converging on the same corner.  A woman coming up behind us asked to meet Ember.  This lady had just had to have her own lab put down in the past few months.  

Ember enjoyed all the attention.  

Another block along, two women and a pup were in need of assistance is the form of a poop bag.  They had got away from home without theirs.  Fortunately, I had a full supply and was able to share.  One of the two ladies came over to collect it and gave Ember pets.  

At the very end of our walk Chad from down the block (has two dogs of his own) made a point of stopping in his solo walk to give her some love, too. All in all, it was a very social Saturday morning walk.

Saturday afternoon we did a little more couch training.  I think we may be getting the idea.  But I dare not brag on her, or I'll see regression!

Saturday presented us with another hot afternoon, and it's predicted to continue warmer than average for the next week.  We go from chillier than average to hotter than average, and back again.  Weather is a safe topic.  Politics and news, not so much.  Shaking my head and avoiding those things as much as possible.  

Prayers for those more directly affected, and ducking from the cross-fire of differing camps spinning away!  One does still have to get along with the locals, and the family, even while hearing the dissonance.

Life is good.  Keep Sparking!

Crouching kitty, snoring puppy

Here's that snoring puppy, from Friday morning.  Prior to Friday the week was pretty much a "lather, rinse, repeat" week in Emberville, with day care for her on Tuesday and Thursday, trainer workouts for me on those days in addition to the usual "clean the house while the pup's away" routine.

I am trying to gradually shrink the x-pen and give a little more freedom to the puppy outside that space.

There is now human foot room in front of the couch.  I'm keeping the wooden furniture protected still and fencing off the floor lamp with its cord.

And here's the "crouching kitty" on a puppy day care day.  He's considering spilling my coffee... but did not manage to do so.

On the human front this week, the court date for "permanency plan" for the foster grandchild (and his siblings) was held.  The short version is that he will live with my son and daughter in law "for the foreseeable", while the state goes about terminating birth dad's parental rights, for failing to fulfil court requirements.

That leaves a long legal road, at least several months, and lots of details to figure out in that time frame!  A lot depends on whether birth dad will relinquish parental rights or fight their termination.

Saturday afternoon / evening took me with my older sister to a family wedding.  We did a sister catch-up on the drive (55 miles) up and back.

It was a lovely ceremony, outdoors and with perfect weather.  The groom was one of my cousin's sons.  The bride and he were high school sweethearts and have been together all the way through college to this new chapter.  Her grandfather is a minister and performed the ceremony.  

The reception was a very happy gathering. We were musing on the last time my two cousins my sister and I were in the same room at the same time, and determined it was at these cousins' mother's funeral.  Yep, we are at the weddings and funeral stage for family gatherings.

We were seated with the groom's immediate family.  I felt honored.  This is the family I lived with when I was four years old and my own family was scattered about among the relatives while mom was hospitalized for a few months.  Father of the groom on the right, cousin closest to me in age between my sister and me.  I hold many happy memories of "life on the farm" from my time with them.

Ember survived her extra crate time well and did not object at all to getting fed late and then on time the next morning.  We enjoyed some deck time together Sunday morning.  She posed in the deck chair while I sipped my coffee.

We went on our morning pack migration (walk), and the reactions began.  Very distracted by cottonwood fluff floating down from the trees.  

Once we got home, the reactionary behavior set in.  Ember decided to remove the couch cushions and slip covers on the couch that she hasn't yet destroyed. 

If her goal was to get Mommy's attention it certainly succeeded.  Mommy hustled her out of that room, put up the baby gate, and asked her to respect it.  Then Mommy got her something to destroy (puppy bombs) in the x-pen.  I eventually tucked her into her crate for a little while, so mommy could put the couch back together. 

Based on prior episodes of me going away for longer than usual periods of time, having a reaction was predictable, and I had already told the kids I probably would not make the t-ball game Sunday afternoon.

I took Ember on a car ride after the clean-up, and she was nicely settled down after we got home.  After lunchtime for me, she even voluntarily trotted into her crate for a cookie and puppy nap #2.  Which leaves me to take a mommy nap now, as well!

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!

We are family

 

Sunday evening a week ago.  At last call, I slid open the door to the deck, and The Prisoner and Ember came nose to nose.  Prisoner repaired to the deck railing.  When Ember came outside, they touched noses.  I put my right hand on The Prisoner and my left on Ember's head, told them I love them both, and let them sniff one another's scent mixed with my own.  We are family.

Monday was an overcast, cool morning, followed by a drippy afternoon into the evening.  Ember and I got a nice neighborhood walk that morning.  It being a holiday / long weekend, there were lots of people and pets out and about getting things done.  Ember spooked a bit at some workmen a few doors up the street.  They came at her with a paintbrush (one of them) in hand, and given how she responds to brooms, that was likely a trigger.  She jumped away.  Got her calmed down, and the other started coming toward her all friendly, but she wasn't sure, so we just moved on.  There were other dogs on leashes attached to their own people, and we just chose different paths.

When we got home, we loaded up into Dexter (the car) and drove over to the Children's Zoo so that I would know which parking lot to drop foster-grand-kiddo off in.  And also so I would be aware of the current state of road construction.  Yes, it's THAT season!

I'm not a Zoo member, and they have built on to it considerably since I was most familiar with the layout.  Ember had a good ride, no queasy tummy, and we were riding with the seat protecting cover flopped up to allow for kiddo's seating beside her.

Ember napped in the crate long enough for me to call a cousin who is once again battling cancer.  We did a family catch-up, not just about the diagnosis and treatment, about the dogs, her daughters and grandson, etc.  Thankfully she has both daughters local to her, and when you need family for this sort of thing, you really need them.

One day at a time, people... finding moments of joy and moments of peace, and if the cure starts to be worse than the disease, maybe take a pause.  My prayers are with all who are battling it out with many diseases!

The next court date for foster grand kiddo is looming, June 5th.  His siblings are on an extended stay with birth dad's sister, next state over.  So many unknowns at this point, and so little control, but each day he gets to spend with son and DIL is a skill-building day for the rest of his life.

Tuesday was a day care day for Ember, but I asked them to have the vet take a look at her, because of her ears, head shaking, and the belly spots.  Allergies?  But definitely by the end of the day we had a diagnosis of double ear infection.  They sent us home with meds for the next two weeks, and instructions to re-check at that point and make sure it's working. 

Wednesday was a busy day, with a long car ride to take foster grand kiddo to zoo camp, a morning walk, a ride to the store where unfortunately I had to get help to get Ember back into the car after a practice walk to the door, through and back to the car.  Sigh.  Still needs work on that!  Then we did the puppy parade after supper.  End of day?  She didn't come out for a last call, too tired!

Speaking of the ride to zoo camp, I took foster GC's photo while we were waiting to check in.  He asked me why I took his picture.  "To send to your mom, to show her that you are safe.  She always wants to know you are safe."  He accepted this answer.

Thursday was a day care day, and workout day for me.  I also indulged in the purchase of a new pair of running/walking shoes.  Saucony this time.  I explained the need for sturdy uppers that the dog can't easily shred (not that she still does but the memory lingers!)  

My grandma heart melted when I heard from my son's father-in-law that foster grand kiddo expressed that he was hoping I would be driving him Thursday morning!  Since I've been less present in his life than DIL's parents I am gratified that he's starting to like having my presence and interest!  Grandpa Bob assured him that I would be his driver on Friday.  He was chatty on Wednesday morning and I enjoyed his company.  I find children to be fascinating people!

Friday we got FGC to Zoo Camp just fine.  Starting Monday June 2nd, he'll be in a different recreational program for the Summer, so I won't needed for taxi services.

Saturday was an "Ember and Mommy" day, we skipped out on the fun outing during which Carl proved he has grown into a good boat dog, laying down on the front of the kayak that FGC paddled while my daughter in law paddled nearby and snapped this photo.

Sunday was the first T-ball game for FGC.  I managed to tuck Ember into her "safe space" (crate) because she was napping at the right time anyway, and I went on my own to be part of FGC's cheering section.  Got to meet his friend's mom, cheering her own little guy onward.  It wasn't too terrible getting in and out, the worst part of it was the slow traffic through the park to the ball fields.

I came home to medicate and feed Ember, then she wanted Mom's company on the deck for a little outdoor time before the pre-last-call tuck in.

Ember is still working on this particular stick sculpture.  It was too warm to do much in the way of retrieve games, but we got a nice long walk in Sunday morning before it got hot.

And that's enough to wrap the week in Emberville!  Summertime brings LOTS of activity!  

Life is good.  Spark on!