Great Dogs and Cats

The pets are enjoying the better weather, although Jay was skitterish about the potty area because of the dried plants that were being stored there. It had become a phobia for him. We have moved the plants and he is a little more comfortable.

Both iggies now sport belly bands which discourage them from any random house accidents. We tell them that they are going "treat potty", meaning that the belly bands come off, we put treats in our pockets, and they run outside. If they go potty, they get a treat. We have a bell for them to ring, too, and we're working on "bell potty", which would be bell, potty, then treats. Who wouldn't respond happily to that? Former foster iggy Blaze, who has a wonderful home and is a happy little fellow, is now trained to his bell so there's a lot to live up to. Blaze in fact rings the bell and his "owner" lets him out.

The kitties are fine. Bea now gets combed after her play session. Taylor was mortified to learn that there is a cat grooming business a few minutes from her house. Of course we would never take Taylor there, but she cannot understand why any self-respecting cat, let alone the most senior cat in the house, would allow herself to be taken out for grooming. There's no need for it, she says. And no one is going to handle her.

The yard is splendid, with green grass growing in the back and the mud flats merely a memory. The deck looks lovely. It is better to be out there than watching television news inside. We talk about the need to be creative and thrifty since we've been hit by the economic downturn. We are a good strong household and can weather this, although it is difficult for the dogs because they have to hear a lot of complaining and they did not get the most expensive bell in the store for bell potty. We are all having to cut back, we tell them, and they look blankly at us then nibble on the edges of their belly bands.

This is Peggy writing: Many years ago, I took my grandmother to the cemetery on Memorial Day to see my mother's grave for the first time. About a half mile from the cemetery, I looked over at my grandmother, who was wiping tears from her eyes. It must be the hardest thing to visit your child's grave. My grandmother and mother had been so close. After we got used to the cemetery, we walked around the cemetery, both of us being such walkers. My grandmother told me that Memorial Day was called "Decoration Day" way back when and the families would spend the day at the cemetery, decorating the gravesites and eating picnic lunches there. Cemeteries must have been less spooky places then since they were the sites of get-togethers. I might visit the cemetery this weekend and see my mother's and brother's gravesites, which are close together. And, of course, I'd visit my grandmother's grave, which is a few yards away.

Yard Update

Yesterday, the crew came, removed 6" of "top soil" (which, in our case, is another word for "clay"). They replaced the clay with 6" of new topsoil, then laid the sod. The work was done under the watchful eyes of JayJ & Nevi. They spent half their day on the deck peering into their yard in anticipation of getting to sun on the lawn. I understand we're shopping for chaise lounges next weekend!

The pets, the book, the shopping

Taylor Mae, our 11 year old cat (birthday this past week) is very happy with her new Tiki food, so much so that she sits by Kathy's head while Kathy sleeps. That's Taylor's way of saying, "Yum". Taylor is not afraid of the dogs any longer and they don't bother her. If you want someone who is a little standoffish to love you, serve them a plate of Tiki cat food and see what happens.

Bea plays with the string on a wand every night at 8:15. She is an extremely agile kitty who can fly when need be and is not hampered by the chubbiness that visitors comment on. She insists that she is simply "big boned".

JayJ is an angel and an extremely handsome dog. He absolutely adores Kathy and is nothing without her. He becomes despondent when she is not around, but then who doesn't? He is a popular dog among the iggy set and he likes them, too. He is indeed a little gentleman.

Neville and Peggy are in there with each other. Neville now jumps up on Peggy's lap and falls asleep. Neville has become more confident over the past couple of weeks and shakes less. He barks and growls at JayJ, who pays him back by stealing his bone from his kennel. When JayJ does that, Peggy gives Neville some yummy gluten-free Gorilla Munchable cereal and Neville doesn't even have to do a trick to get a few pieces of cereal. Actually, we have not stumbled upon a trick that little Neville can do.

Peggy's editor says she has to turn her book over to her in 36 hours and simply leave it alone now that it is "near perfect". Peggy thinks about her book all of the time and feels pretty good about having fulfilled the 40 year dream of writing it. It is a wish fulfilled. From Peggy: "It posed a few of the questions I had about poverty and answered a huge question that I have about life in general. After the editor cleans it up, I will look for a literary agent and see if the book can be published. It can take a year or so to find a literary agent so I will concentrate on other things rather than re-writing. Things like...well...writing a second book."

Kathy and Peggy nervously thank those of you who followed the Backyard Project to completion. The landscaping crew laid sod this afternoon after a couple of weekends of placing drywells and related duties. It looks great out there and the household is jazzed about having a nice looking backyard again. Tomorrow the household drinks coffee on the deck, re-instituting a weekend tradition.

Kathy and Peggy have a warm-weather vacation coming up and are assessing their wardrobes. The television show "What Not To Wear" says that walking shorts are a good alternative to crop pants. You know how Peggy feels about crop pants (she is undone by them). Incomes being what they are (not), a trip to Penneys to check out the Charter Club line is in order. Just generally, items of clothing have come down in price by about $20 per item, so there may be a bargain in store, although you can be sure it will not be a crop pant, especially one in a fruity color.

The kids weigh in

I forgot to mention that JayJ and Neville carefully supervised last weekend's project and are ready for the landscapers tomorrow. They don't really walk in the mud, though, but JayJ says I can carry them through the muck so they are able to complete their inspections. Great!

EDIBLE???


GET TO WORK YOU GUYS! Nevi Supervises "Da Wurk"



WAIT WAIT! THERE'S A CRUMB . . .!

Muddy

The first 2 photos show our yard last October after the wall was constructed, new drainage system in place, trees and plants moved, and new sod installed. By Christmas the lawn had drown. Hey guys, what's up with the water standing on the lawn? Thank god for Michael! He came to our rescue last weekend, waded through the mud and installed drywells. Ah, I like that idea.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the landscapers return to repair the damage done by the water. Took some persuasion to get them to cop to their mistake, but they finally did. Here's hoping tomorrow will bring a better result than last go-around.

Saturday with the gang

Taylor and Bea are extremely pleased with their new Tiki food to the point where Taylor, who can be a little standoffish, grooms Kathy at night. It is better food and tastes extra yummy. Taylor is much more relaxed with the iggies and now gets up on the bed when they are there. Jay has let go of his intense interest in Taylor, which is a good plan.

Neville is a lovely little iggy. He is Jay's littermate and looks a little like Jay, although is much smaller. He is a quiet little dog, very watchful. He does get a kick out of riling up Jay every couple of days or so, growling and mild snapping. Neville is the opposite of former foster dog Blaze, who we see often and who has a big personality.

Jay continues to be the finest dog, caring for Kathy, playing with Bea, and as mentioned, ignoring Taylor. He thinks Neville is o.k. as long as he keeps his place.

We are all excited about our backyard project, which continues on and on. Today Michael is coming and with the help of two other people and Kathy, will sink drywells. We hope someday to have an actual backyard, one that is not a swamp.

We are all also excited about Peggy's book, which a few people and their dogs are now reading. Peggy will start looking for a literary agent one of these days. The story is about poverty, the kind you don't necessarily see because it is tucked away in another neighborhood. It is also about how to think of someone who disappears.

That's it from us. We have a very active day ahead, so onward!