Sweet "Aloha" -- Goodbye for Now

Aloha Oe

How Nutty Are You?

For some reason, I am compelled to take any quiz like this. Here's the latest one. According to the nut test, I'm a cashew.

And here's what this apparently says about me: "You are laid back, friendly, and easy going. Compared to most people, you have a very mild temperament. You blend in well. You're often the last person to get noticed. But whenever you're gone, people seem to notice right away!"

Come on, girl chillen and friends, try the nut test and find out what nut you are. And be sure to share.

Dog Days of Summer: Putting the Baby to Bed

By now you probably know that we have a dog, a Beagle named Bo. He has lived longer than we ever expected--he's about 119 in dog years. He doesn't hear very well, and we're noticing that his sight isn't the best. He doesn't get as excited as he used to, and he sleeps a lot. I have expressed on this blog before how this little tri-colored pup has burrowed into my heart, which is an amazing thing to me. When we bought him for our four-year-old son almost 17 years ago, I simply tolerated him and was pretty proud of my aloof attitude about it all. But I quickly learned that dogs are called man's best friend for a reason. And I'm pretty stuck on Bo.

Though he is old and slow, Bo still clings to his bark. I remember the first time I heard him bark so many years ago. I flashed Bob a look and asked, "What's that? Does he have something stuck in his throat?" I was told that no, he's a hound, and that's the noise hounds make. Well, he still sounds like a hound, but he's quieter and he doesn't give it the effort he used to. Which leads me to the purpose of all of this.

One evening several weeks ago, at about 9:00 pm, Bo began to bark. I have to tell you that barking is a process with him these days. He starts out with little short under-his-breath "woofs", warning us that the next one just might be for real. He reminds me of an old car that has to warm up before taking to the road at full throttle. On this particular night, I heard the pre-barking grunts, but didn't think much of it, other than it was a little late. Both Bob and I ignored him. We thought that whatever was bothering him would go away momentarily. It didn't. Soon came the full-blown bark, every five seconds or so. Bob and I looked at each other, a little mystified.

Suddenly, I was having flashbacks. Flashbacks of babies and toddlers who didn't want to go to bed. I had hopped through C. S. Lewis' magic wardrobe and had found myself in Mommy mode. "Bob," I ventured, trying not to sound totally out of my mind, "Maybe he just needs to be told it's time for bed. Why don't you go out and talk to him?" Bob gave me the incredulous look I expected, but like the good husband he is, he did as I suggested and walked out to the back yard. When he returned, I asked him what had happened. He said that Bo was already in his dog run, standing up, watching the house. He saw Bob coming, but he didn't move. "Did you talk to him?" I asked. "Yes," answered Daddy Dog. "I talked to him." We didn't hear anything from Bo for the rest of the night.

We now have a new evening routine. Every night, at 9:02, 9:04, or sometimes 9:08, Bo begins his goodnight bark. And Bob wanders outside and tells him everything is ok, it's time to go to bed, and he should go to sleep now. Bo studies Bob's face, then turns toward his doghouse, goes inside it, and lies down. And he is quiet until morning.

Yep, Bo continues to let us know he's part of our family, and as long as he doesn't start demanding a two o'clock a.m. feeding, I think we'll keep him.

A Super "Shout Out"

"City Lights"

Some of you have asked about the incredible totes I've been toting around. :-) Bob's cousin Suzanne, who lives in Colorado, is the talented lady who makes them. She is not only an expert seamstress, she has a knack for color, fabric, and ways to put everything together. But, you've already seen that. The good news is that she is giving away a tote in the next week or so, and you can enter your name in the drawing by hopping over to her site on http://www.justanotherhangup.blogspot.com/. The tote in this contest is totelicious! *groan* She's also giving away a Dwipe, another item she makes. Don't know what that is? Take a look and put your name in the pot for both freebies!

Reflection

I'm reflective by nature. It often gets me in trouble. In writing this, I somehow feel I should apologize, perhaps because this forum is better served by levity. But though I love to laugh and am really trying to learn not to take things too seriously, this last week has been one when the bigger picture has been casting a rather large shadow, and try as I might, when this happens I find myself in an introspective, contemplative sort of mood.

I've spent the majority of my days this week among hundreds of 19-year-old young men in white shirts. I'm learning how to teach them some specific skills that may help them better accomplish the assignments for which they are preparing. I cannot find the words to describe my experience with these young men. The truth is, I fall in love a dozen times a day and want to wrap them up and take them home with me. They are truly happy, and it shows in myriads of ways. They are respectful and helpful. They are grateful to learn--anything and everything that will help them do a better job. I often see two together, teaming up to study and practice.

Last night, Bob and I hopped in our SUV and drove over to the new high school in our town. This fall it will open its doors to its first group of students and its first graduating class. The building is stunning. We drove around the campus, and I marvelled at the perfection that is newness--the football stadium, the grounds, even the parking lots. All basically untouched. Then, we parked the car and grabbed the camera, got out, and walked to the baseball field. If a high school baseball field can be described as "beautiful", then this one qualifies. It is fully equipped, ready to go, with newly-laid grass, bleachers, and dugouts. We noticed a lone young man, standing in the batter's box and hitting balls pitched to him by an older version of himself. We stood and watched the boy take his Dad's pitches as we snapped some photos, and we listened to the distinct "ping" when the young man's bat connected with the ball. They use wood bats in the major leagues. In high school, it's aluminum, and there is no mistaking the sound. I pictured the many hours of "pinging" that would soon fill this field.

These experiences do relate to each other for me. And both have caused me to reflect, to ponder, to remember the past, to look forward to the future, and, most importantly, to embrace the present. Oh, those precious present moments. They make the past what it is and can decide what the future will be. Today, I'm thankful for all the present moments in my life that have included the "ping" of a bat and a white shirt, and for this moment of reflection.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

August 5, 1975

Salt Lake City

Answers to Photo Tag

I've been absent from blogging for a while, partly because of computer problems, and partly because of me problems :-). But, I looked over a couple of drafts and decided to post this one. So, for those of you who have been holding your breath, here are my answers to the Photo Tag posted on July 27 below:

Age: I just loved the picture. I'd never thought of that situation from a baby's point of view. :-)

My maiden name: This is a baseball signed by one of my favorite third-basemen in the business. I took a chance and left the signature in tact. If you can decipher his handwriting, the name is there. But is it his first or last name we're looking for? And are you sure? :-)

Place I would like to visit: No kidding, I would LOVE to "Get my kicks, on Route 66." Beginning to end. In a Mustang convertible.

Favorite object: Even though my mother thought it was absolutely sinful to call a piano an object, ("A piano has a soul, Judy!") it is definitely my favorite object. Sorry, Mom.

Favorite food: Moist chocolate cake. Coming in second, anything other good chocolaty thing. I don't like wasting calories on knock-offs. But, that doesn't mean I don't ever do it. :-)

Favorite color: Blue

Where I was born: Check out the letter on the mountain. It's a Y. I was born in Provo, but I grew up in the Salt Lake valley.

Where I live now: In a little part of heaven.

Best friend's nickname: My hubby's name is Robert.

My first name: The shoe is "Judy" from the "Oh Deer" line. Good catch, Jen!

First job: I worked for my uncle's engineering firm in SLC as a secretary, and therefore usually wore office-ready clothes to college, as I went to my job downtown directly from class (sometimes I'd change in a back room). One day, a day I happened to be dressed for the office and wearing nylons and heels, my uncle announced that I needed to clean all the garbage cans. If you have ever been around engineers, draftsmen, ink . . . Well, I did it. But that was my last day there. My sweet older brother gave me permission to quit. Sheesh.

My grandmothers' first names:

Lorette. This is a photo of a French basilica called Notre Dame de Lorette. Apparently the land it sits on was a strategic site during WWI. See how fun this game is?

Ellen. Either the ship in the picture, winning a race, or Dame Ellen Macarthur ON the ship, who is apparently quite the sailor in Britain. At first I thought it was the name of the ship, but when I looked for more pictures, I learned about this woman who is quite the celeb in England.

College degree: English, hence what seemed to be 24/7 reading.

What I was doing right then: Yes, Mia, I'm afraid I wasn't feeling too well. I found this drawing of a little dog entitled "Sick and tired of being sick and tired." I loved it. I'm not a patient sick person.

And there you have it!