A Busy Day Already - Memorial Day

Normally, I would be standing, or sitting in my chair, alongside Folsom Street and yelling encouragement at people competing in the Bolder Boulder 10K right now.  Instead, I have just finished a late breakfast (I consider it late because I've been up and going since 5) and am starting to blog...  I have the screen panels in place at the French doors, so I can hear the waterfall, as well as the interior water feature, gurgling gently.  I've watered the organic garden and all of the potted flowers and plants outside, have fed the koi, have fed and played with the cats and dog, have walked the dog, and have taken Jim and Kathy to a drop-off site near the Start line of the Bolder Boulder.  Jim's running group was to leave at 7:15, and I dropped he and Kathy off at 7:00, 6 blocks from the starting line.  Kathy is walking the course, with her arm in her sling, as her arm and shoulder still give her some twinges.   I'm about to go over to their house and "dognap" Boo and Mona to come play with Tessa in the back yard.  I have to admit to allowing Tessa to stay in the back yard with minimal supervision; if she starts barking, I'll bring her in, but the owner only allows the dog outside to use the bathroom - and I think Tessa needs time to run and play and just be a dog.  I'll go home and spend time with Lovey and Nedi later this afternoon or evening.

   Today is Memorial Day.  A day to give respect to those who have fought for our country, and those who have died serving our country.  The majority of my family arrived in the United States back when it was a British colony - where the dissidents, trouble-makers, and those seeking religious freedom came.  People on both sides of my family have fought for (a) the British Colonies, (b) the Continental Army during the Revolution, (c) the War of 1812, (d) the Mexican War, (e) on both sides of the Civil War, and so on and so on...  I am extremely proud of my ancestors who fought and bled for this country, and of everyone else who has served the United States.  The armed forces of today deserve every one's respect and thanks.
    I humbly thank all members of the United States armed services, whether they have served us in the past, are serving us now, or will do so in the future.  America depends upon  it's citizens who, willingly, serve our country.  God bless you, and thank you.

Veteran's Day

The remnants of Hurricane Ida are messing up the beaches along Delmarva. Beach erosion, coastal flooding, rip tides and wind are once again depleting the eastern beaches. But it's just such acts of nature that created the barrier islands and keeps out coastline changing. I can't argue with five different high tide marks in Pop-pop's kitchen - it's a fact of living on the coast, or on an island. I've already walked and done my necessary shopping today... Necessities (for me) equal cat food, kitty treats, kitty litter, doggie treats, bathroom tissue and Coca-Cola. Last night, after NCIS, I was hired to work for another family up in Githen's Acres (where I take care of Alexy's cats, Brandi, the Rs, Ooch, Gila, Twister, etc.) - I'll go meet with them next week and meet their critters, a 10-year-old dog and a 6-month-old kitten. They are leaving on their trip the night that Alexy returns, so I'll just move my over-night gear two houses to the east, and be where I need to be. The kits were quiet and cuddly yesterday, as my headache stayed with me most of the day; they are both now outside trying to terrorize the ravens (who are bigger than the cats). And I can just hear both kits say, "But, Mom! They fly! So we can chase them!" Of course, they very conveniently forget that the crows and ravens dive-bomb them and chase them inside the apartment frequently. - Quality Road, the young horse that imploded in the starting gate during the Breeders Cup Classic, is having a tough time. Besides cuts and scrapes, he broke a tooth, and has a huge bruise just above one of his eyes. Monday he refused to load onto the plane for the flight back to New York. He froze, crouched, and his handlers were afraid he'd flip over backwards (and really injury himself); so he is now going to be vanned from California to Churchill Downs in Louisville, and then on to Saratoga. The plans are to let him relax, have a vacation, and then re-inroduce him to the starting gate, gently.

Today is Veteran's Day, a day this nation set aside to honor those people who serve our country. Dad was a career Navy man; Uncle Claude was career Army; Aunt Hazel was career Army; and my brother-in-law David is a career Marine. David is in his 60s and is, ostensibly, retired from the Corps; but they need his expertise as a Quarter Master, and so he spends 6-month stints in Iraq as a US military contractor... Once a Marine, always a Marine. As an American citizen, I can say with pride that one of my ancestors has fought for this nation in every conflict that we have seen. Actually, if the old genealogists can be believed, my family has been fighters since the 800s... that's going back to the Vikings and Normans. A lot of blood has been shed over the years to make America a great country. Some of those military actions were unavoidable, some were not. In any event, my forbears answered the call to arms - from their chieftain to the President of the United States - over the years. Occasionally, a whole generation of young men were erased, and not allowed to pass on their lives, history, and genes. I know that I would have been a wash-out from any service - between my height, weight, and vision problems (I don't have any depth perception, just like Dad). However, I wish to honor the memories of all the Veterans in my family tree, and any and all Veterans throughout the world. And by "Veteran," I mean to designate anyone who wears a uniform, cammies, or who has served or is serving our country in a very unappreciated task. Go Merchant Marines! Go Marines! Go Air Force! Go Coast Guard! Go Army! And, most of all, GO NAVY! I salute you with all my heart.

Veteran's Day

I've been over and seen Ooch today - it was very cloudy the morning, but great patches of blue are now visible and the sun is shining. Snow has fallen in the high passes and out on the eastern plains, but has missed us. Ooch was his usual self - talkative, loving, not too fond of being groomed and having his nails clipped - and hungry. He had consumed a good amount of his dry food, as well as water, milk, and his canned food that I feed to him slowly. He's definitely put on weight and went out to explore the front yard this morning.

My kits are fine - Lovey pitched a fit last night at 8:45 and wasn't satisfied until I opened the patio door; it was 28 degrees at that time, and she and Banichi ran in and out for 30 minutes before I shut the door and told them,"No more tonight!" Then they both curled up in my lap while I was doing research on the 'puter.

I was very happy to hear Barack Obama say that he hopes to adopt a puppy from a shelter or humane society for his daughters. Of course, breeders are now putting forth their dogs as the best type - the 5 most hypo-allergenic dogs (according to the AKC) are the Bichon Frise, the Chinese Crested, the Miniature Schnauzer, the Poodle, and the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. The country of Peru has also offered a 4-month-old Peruvian Hairless dog - a type that has appeared on Andean pottery for over 3,000 years. "Machu Picchu" is grey-skinned and has huge ears, and seems a very happy young dog.
Speaking of adoptions, if you live in the Denver area and can open your heart and home, the Denver Dumb Friends Society has 650 adult cats up for adoption. The adoption fee is only $10 and includes a free micro-chipping for ID; of course, all the cats have been thoroughly vetted, are spayed or neutered and all are current on their shots. If you can, please help.

Today is Veteran's Day here in the US. In researching my family tree, I've found people who served in all aspects of this country's defense, as well as those who have partaken in Civil Wars in both England and America. I am extremely honored to be related to such men and women, who have fought for and, in some cases, died for their beliefs. My heart-felt thanks go to any and every person who has served his or her country!