Fallen branches

 

The gifts of nature return.  Tried to take a leash walk on Sunday and got distracted by a pile of fallen branches at the neighbor's house.  Neighbor said Ember was welcome to take one, and of course she planted herself mid-pile and chewed until mommy (that would be me) got impatient and "helped" her drag one all the way into our own backyard, behind the fence.

I then unclipped the leash and took myself inside, leaving Ember to do her own thing, and she managed to drag that branch through the yard across the patio and up the steps to the deck.  We went through a little education about how the branch is an outside toy, and the puppy may come inside but like the garden hose, the branch has to stay outside.

She's still working on it, Monday morning.

We learned that the soccer venue does not allow pets inside the park. We drove down to at least wave and say "hi" to the foster grandkid on his way to his game.  They were running late, so it was very brief hello / goodbye, have a great game.

Monday we got in two leash walks and a car ride.

Tuesday was Ember's Daycare day, and she was still working on that "branch sculpture".

Wednesday it is still there, but the branch is slowly shrinking as she chews it up.

Wednesday the new collar and ID arrived.  We're changing colors... in honor of the foster grand-kiddo, whose favorite color is yellow.  The bigger collar just pops against her dark fur.

We took a trip to the dog park Wednesday morning, and got a leash walk in the afternoon.

On the human front, an online article spooked me into attempting unsuccessfully to contact the Social Security administration, but I finally found the update on their website (could NOT get through on the phone, either local or national, they disconnected me without even offering the option to leave your name and number for a call back). 

I clearly was not the only spooked client!  I did eventually find the information I was seeking on the website!  To wit:  If you are already receiving Social Security via direct deposit, you do NOT need to go to the office and verify your identity UNTIL you need to make a change.  That would be a change to your name, address, or bank deposit information.  If you need to make such a change, or if you are applying now, and not yet a current recipient, you will need to go to an office and verify your identity.  And to go into the office and be seen, you need to make an appointment, and the best way to make such an appointment is on the phone to the "local" office.  The rest of us should probably get off the line so that those who really do need to make an appointment can do so.

I swear some of the news outlets leave out the information that would help keep you calm and steady (and the phone lines working for those who really need them).  My father, who started his career as a newspaper man, would be spinning in his grave looking at how reporting is done these days.  News reports that are misleading, like the one that stirred me up, only make matters worse.  Written in the wrong order, the important stuff gets buried... and that is often the goal of online sources, to get you to click deeper in search of something so that they earn more ad revenue.  Sigh!

*** Vent done *** we now return you to Emberville!  

Life is good.  Spark on!