Library Meeting
As you know (if you read this blog) Charlie passed his test last week to be officially certified as a Therapy Dog. One of the programs that I was hoping to become involved with is called “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” where the therapy dogs go into schools and libraries and kids read out loud to the dog. This program is beneficial to children who struggle with their reading skills. The dog is non-judgmental and a very good listener providing the necessary positive reinforcement to build reading skills.
I had an appointment at the county library this afternoon to present the program to their Children’s Department and to hopefully gain approval. They were familiar to similar programs but as of yet had not implemented one so they are willing to give it a try. We will do all of the necessary paperwork, scheduling and planning and start with the program (on a trial basis) right after labor day.
Musical Influence
I have often said that God speaks to me through my iPod. Actually, he speaks to me through other means as well… it just seems pretty straightforward when it comes in the form of a song in my ear. Due to the recent death of Michael Jackson, I had picked a shuffle of his songs for my walk with Charlie this morning, but that quickly got old so I switched to Nickleback (another favorite.) The song that come up first on the shuffle was “If Everyone Cared” which immediately made me think about the commentary that I needed to write on yesterday’s gospel from mass. I had been struggling with what to write and God used one of my favorite things (music) to help guide me. I always asks for help when writing these commentaries, but I don’t always accept it when it comes. I couldn’t help but pay attention today.
AC
It’s really hot here right now. Leroy wanted to go to a cow sale in Sacramento and I didn’t want him driving home by himself so I reluctanty agreed to go. I knew it would be really hot and sitting under a tent full of people and cattle was not my idea of a good time, but I didn’t want him to drive home alone. It’s hard to keep him awake on a good day… but not when it’s so hot and it’s late in the evening. When I heard that my sister-in-law had reserved a hotel room for the night… I got very excited at the thought of waiting for him in the room while they enjoyed the sale.
On the way to Sacramento today we watched the temperature reading and it got as high as 113 on the freeway. Officially, we’ll probably hit a high of 108… but it HAS to feel hotter in that tent. Sierra and I have enjoyed the afternoon watching TV and surfing the internet in the comfort of the beautiful Hyatt hotel in Sacramento. They’re not back yet… so we’ll wait patiently… and cool.
Neil’s Toss
I love the Neil’s Toss salad at Harvest Moon. I was introduced to it on my first visit there with a friend (Joan) a couple of years ago and I have enjoyed on every visit since.
Today, a couple of friends of mine went to an On Location photo shoot to Knight’s Ferry. It was a lot of fun and we got some great shots, but I have to say… it was pretty miserable considering that it was close to 100 degrees. We were there from 9:00 – 1:00 so it got a lot hotter later on, but it was still pretty hot to be outside in the sun. I think I have to say my favorite part of the day was the lunch we enjoyed with was purchased and packed by my friend Trish… and it included a Neil’s Toss salad.
I don’t know who Neil’s is… or what he tossed, but I’m sure glad he did.
Basil
I have a very small, simple garden planted this year. I plant things I love to eat… tomatoes (lots and lots of tomatoes), basil, parsley and cilantro. I put them in containers this year and with the change in the weather lately (it’s finally beginning to warm up to our normal summer temperatures) my little garden has grown. (Using good soil with Miracle Grow and a moisture retaining ingredient has helped since I’m not real regular on the watering.) The tomatoes are not producing yet… (I planted late) but the herbs are looking great. The basil in fact is growing so much I had to cut it back. I’ve been quite addicted to pasta with tomato and basil lately, but I can’t use as much as I have. My mother in law doesn’t care for basil so I just cut it and threw it away. What a waste… but boy did my hands smell good.
Photos by Julie
I have a friend on Facebook that I have never met. I don’t know much about her other than what I’ve learned from her profile but she has become a HUGE inspiration to me through her photography and journaling.
Julie is married to a high school classmate of mine (John) and they live in Texas. (I think.) A while back, John found me on Facebook and when I looked at his page I noticed the extraordinary photographs he had of his family. I inquired about them and he said that his wife got a camera for Christmas and that she was the artist behind this pictures. I looked at her photos (as many as I had access to) and just felt like I had to see more. I told John of my obsession and asked if he thought Julie would be my friend to open up the access to her work. He thought she would agree so I requested and we became “friends.”
Julie is working on a 365 project where she chooses 1 photo for the day and journals about the picture. (Similar to this blog but with the added work of a photograph.) And to call what Julie posts as merely photographs seems way to simple. Julie posts art… each and every day… art. I don’t know how she does it. AMAZING work with the camera, editing and then the words she writes to accompany. She also has a group of “photo buddies” who post some remarkable photos as well.
My friendship with Julie truly has sparked a new interest for me in photography as art. I am shooting very differently these days and spending much more time editing… Things I never took the time to do before. I sure wish she wasn’t so far away.
Summer School
When I was a kid growing up in the California Bay Area, my parents would enroll me in summer school just as an enrichment and for something to do while they were at work. I loved these classes… and remember them well. But, Steel is not happy about summer school. He is re-taking the second semester of Chemistry for a better grade and to improve his GPA… not for enrichment and certainly not for fun. He does however have a classmate with him so that will make it easier.
The blessing is in the fact that this opportunity was even available to them. Due to the budget cut-backs, many of the summer school programs have been cut from the public schools. Our high school did not have enough interest to generate a class. We were blessed to discover a Chemistry class taught at a public high school very close to home with space available. A second chance to learn the material.
Passing Tests
Today was a red letter day. Charlie passed the necessary tests to finally be certified as a Therapy Dog. This is something that I’ve wanted to do for years and when I received Charlie as a gift over a year ago… my goal was to reach this day. I’m so proud of him.
I’d like to say that he passed with flying colors, but it didn’t really work that way. We had to go to Sonora this morning for the testing. (That is the closest evaluator in our area.) Charlie had not been in the car that long before and I don’t think he liked the ride too much. (He was hesitant to get back in when we were done.) He did very well on all of the items except two… Come when called and Waiting without me for 3 minutes. Now I knew the come when called thing was going to be tricky, but he does pretty well when I have a treat and he has on this collar and leash. (We had been practicing it that way.) Today, in the test, I dropped his leash, told him to wait and then walked about 15 feet away. I turned around, dropped to a knee and called him. He ran… straight to me and straight into me… knocking me flat on my back and possibly dislocating my finger. Then he took off and ran around the area like a lunatic. The evaluator said… “Well, the test says come when called and he did… he just didn’t stay.” Fortunately, we didn’t have to try that again.
The second problem area was the three minute wait. We didn’t practice this at all because I didn’t think it would be an issue. He is very good to go to someone else on the leash without me. The part I didn’t think about was that they were going to tie him up while I walked away. Charlie has never been tied up. I was a little nervous about this one. I took him over to the tether, hooked it to his collar and then walked away with all of the other handlers. At about 2 minutes and 45 seconds everyone started yelling and I saw the streak of pale yellow fur run by me in a flash. Charlie had backed out of his collar and escaped. (His neck is bigger than his head so he learned how to do that well, a long time ago.) After everyone else was finished, the evaluator re-tested Charlie by himself and he stood next to him for the 3 minutes and this time, Charlie didn’t pull any shenanigans.
I am very excited to get started on our visits. I’m sure there will be more blessings to report. For now, we have to file his paperwork and wait for his certificate and photo ID badge to come.
Boyfriends/Girlfriends
I know most people don’t think this way, but I am very thankful for the wonderful individuals who have come into my children’s life as a boyfriend or girlfriend. Now I don’t mean “friends”… I mean my children’s romantic interests. My children are very good judges of character and have brought home some really exceptional individuals whom we have welcomed into our family and grown to love. They have come and gone (some a couple of times) but as I write this, I’ve never been disappointed in their choice.
It can’t be easy trying to fit in around here. I’m sure that many a time they have left a family event just wondering what they had gotten themselves into, but they all have been respectful and kind and we can’t ask for much more than that. When Sierra started dating (5 years ago) I told myself I wasn’t going to get attached… but I couldn’t help myself. We’ve all been in the relationship together. People will argue on both sides of that coin, but for us it’s the only way. I always tell them, when you date one of my children, you date the whole family. Package deal.
We’ve had some highs and we’ve had some horrible lows. My heart has ached much more for my children’s break-ups than it ever did for my own. But I have to say that they’ve all been worth the effort. Like the song says, “I could have missed the rain, but then I’d have to miss the dance.” Each one of these wonderful young men and women (well, only one young woman) have left an everlasting impression on our hearts. I thank them for their time, for their love and putting up with parents that seem way too involved in their children’s lives. 
Fathers
Today’s post is going to sound like an editorial and may be offensive to some, but it’s my blog so I get to write what I think… Like it or not.
Our society has attempted to make the role of a father almost obsolete. Many women consider men only the “sperm donor” and not an important and significant role model for the children they bear, so they don’t take much time in choosing the individual to fit that need. Sad. Or… the opposite happens. They get a good man and he becomes a father and the women around him emasculate him and then complain when he doesn’t stand up and act like a man. After all, they think his primary role ceased at conception. Really, really sad. I think this is at the heart of all of our soceital problems.
God created man and woman for specific purposes and to work together to achieve their potential. We are different and created for different purposes… but to always be in partnership…. ESPECIALLY when it comes to raising children. I might be a fantastic mother, but because of my gender I am limited in the things I can teach my children. I cannot teach my son how to be man. I cannot teach my daughter how to relate to a man… I can try, but I will fail. That is not what God designed me to do. For that I rely on their father. This design was no accident. God planned it this way. It takes two to make them… and it takes two to raise them. At least to raise them well. Now don’t get me wrong… I know there are exceptions and sometimes life throws us a curve ball (i.e. death of a parent) but I’m talking about the women who make the choice. The women that feel men are basically obsolete.
I’ve had some wonderful fathers in my life. Honorable, upstanding men that have been a beacon of light for me and my family my whole life. It started with my own father, went to my brothers, to my father-in-law and then to my husband. Men who have not shirked away from their responsibilities but have done the right thing… especially when it wasn’t the easy thing to do. Today I honor them, to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for them and to ask God to continue to bless them.
