Dogpaddling Through Life
family
What We Call Family
I looked up the definition of family at Merriam-Webster online. There are many definitions, but the first one was: a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head. I think that fits the grouping that lives in my home. True, to others it may seem as a single woman living with her pets, … Continue reading
A Death in the Family
There are a handful of people who, by my knowing them, have made life so much sweeter. My 7th grade language arts teacher, challenged me to reach beyond my abilities and compete in the school spelling bee. A former boss who gave me not one but two breaks in the work world. Friends who taught me … Continue reading
To Jerry and Annie!
Today my little brother Jerry and his long-time companion Annie are getting married. I couldn’t be there because of work. But I will be there in spirit. It’s comforting to see Jerry so happy. He and Annie have been together for 9 years. They met while Jerry was hurting from having lost his daughter in a tragic accident. … Continue reading
Everyone Called her Nell
It’s only when we’ve survived the trials of life ourselves that we learn to appreciate the difficulties faced by others. My grandmother’s name was Ellen, but everyone called her Nell. Nell and her 5 siblings grew up in poverty in England between World Wars. She was 16 at the start of World War II. Nell was determined to find a … Continue reading
I Come From a Long Line of Amazing Women
November 5th is my maternal grandmother’s birthday. While writing about her, I started thinking about the other amazing women in my family. So while I continue to think and write about my grandma, I’ll tell you a bit about these other women. . My paternal grandmother was what we today call a foster parent. Granny … Continue reading
Why You Should Skip the Holiday Gatherings and Go Skiing Instead
And just like that it’s time to start dreading that most perfect, and perfectly awful, of times- the holiday season. For those of you who will spend the next two months in a euphoric stupor of holiday magic, this post is not for you. Move along, please. As for the rest of you, show of hands. How … Continue reading
I Can’t Save a World that Won’t Be Saved
I sat in the hallways of a courthouse recently waiting for my turn to testify in a custody case. You might be surprised to learn that, as a Child Protective Investigator, I am far more likely to have to testify in a custody dispute than in a criminal trial. As I listened to the families in … Continue reading
Weekends are…..
Weekends are a time for families to reconnect and rejuvenate. A time to share the exciting as well as the mundane. A time to savor spending time with one another. And a time to sit with your chicken on your head.
A Day of Rest for Hard-working Dogs
Monday is Labor Day here in the US. According to the US Department of Labor, it’s “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” … Continue reading
Schooling Ya on Personality!
Oh Dog! We got a house bursting at the seams with personalities. It sure makes for an interesting adventure. For example, June Buggie has been sneaking around the computer again. He emailed me this picture of himself yesterday: What does that MEAN? I mean, if he doesn’t know how it works, how did he pull … Continue reading
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