Park that puppy

Oh hey. No, I didn't forget my Friday post.

Erica is here and she and I have been busy. As in, today we went to the park.

She arrived on Wednesday just in time for church, and on Thursday it rained all day.

With a high temperature of forty-nine degrees. For about ten minutes around lunchtime.

We stayed inside. We wore our comfies. We drank coffee. We watched movies.

To quote my dear buddy Donna M: It was magical.

And yes, I should have thought yesterday about writing a blog post for you today, but I was busy working on a Beadtime Stories order.

This afternoon we stirred our bones and took Javier to a park where there was both rushing water -- due to all that rain -- and a calm pond.

Something for everyone.

There were Canada geese preening and floating and saying something that always sounds to me like Mom. Mom.

But I knew they weren't talking to me so I ignored them.

Javier was on his red leash although for some mysterious reason his matching red harness is back in Georgia at Erica's house. Where Javier does not live.

But we made do. It was still chilly out so he wore his coordinating Chicago Bulls jersey.

At first he balked at the prospect of dog-scending a flight of wooden steps to the rushing water and some flat rocks, but when he saw me walking quickly in that direction, he enthusiastically followed.

And when he got down on that drenched rocky area, his mood improved. The white foam, the spray, the sense of adventure. He was visibly elated.

Methinks he is a Pirate Chihuahua.

At any rate he thoroughly enjoyed that part of the park visit. And then we went by the pond, where in addition to the geese there were -- ahem -- other dogs.

This fellow is Ezra, a Chow mix puppy. Mama got out. Hence the mix part.

But he's a cute brindle color and seemed to be wild about having his picture made.

Not so Perky -- or maybe it was Pesky; no, definitely Perky -- an irascible Yorkshire Terrier who, according to his mom, dog-spises cameras.

When I got the first -- and only good -- shot, he jumped back at least a foot and glared at me.

Then he rummaged in some pine needles beside the path and left a comment on another dog's blog.

Javier was in arms the whole time, not being the trustworthy type when other breeds are about. He's decidedly dog-lusional: thinks he's a Doberman.

Then we went on our way.

On the trip home we took pictures of flowers, train tracks, and tombstones.

I will share the results of those endeavors with you next week.

Javier waited in the car during that part of the trip and, when she wasn't looking, appropriated Erica's spring jacket for a travel bed.

And back at the ranch, Erica made jambalaya for us, from scratch. The jeune fille can cook, ma cher.

Now she's dishing up the butter pecan ice cream so it's in my best interests to bid you adieu.

But only for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Saturdog ~ Happy Weekend

=0=0=0=

April is a beautiful word

There are two names I wish I could have been named besides Jennifer -- a name I like a lot, and which I think suits me.

Maybe that's because it is actually my name.

Sorry Mom, but even though I was born in March, one of the other names I would have liked being called is April.

I love that name. Maybe one day I will have a little granddaughter named April.

A girl can dream.

One of my favorite movies is The Bishop's Wife (1947) with Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, Gladys Cooper, and Karolyn Grimes -- who played ZuZu in It's A Wonderful Life, and with whom I have corresponded many times -- as Debby Brougham.

Karolyn lives in the state of Washington and she will turn 73 on July 4th of this year.

And one of my favorite parts of that movie is the part where Dudley (Cary Grant), who is actually an angel, sits down in the opulent parlor of Mrs. Hamilton (Gladys Cooper) and plays Lost April on the harp.

Sorry. There's no YouTube of that scene or I would have subjected treated you to it.

It is such a simple, charming song.

I did not fall in love in April. That was in February.

TG and I did not go out on our first date in April. That was August.

We did not get engaged in April. That would have been January -- when we decided to get married -- and March -- when I got a ring.

We did not get married in April. That was June.

None of our children were born in April. They were born in the months of September, March, and May.

I just like April. Step off.

I do not associate it with the tax collector, because April is the month our granddaughter, Allissa, was born.

On tax day. So there, Infernal Revenue Service. You cannot ruin April for me.

April has the most charming weather of the year. Have you looked outside? I will wait.

Oh look. You're all yellow. 

Sincere a-pollen-gies.

The pictures of my TG were taken by me, but not in April.

That would be last October.

Which, all evidence to the contrary, is actually my favorite month of the year. Any year.

And I may lose this April in a few days, but unlike the lyric, I can't lose my beloved and he sho 'nuff can't lose me.

We're in it for the long haul.

Love you, darling. This April and all the Aprils, forever.

*V*V*V*

Lost April, where did you go?

Like winter's snow, I saw you vanish.

Lost April,

So soft and warm,

A memory

Not even time can banish.

Lost April,

That taught me this -

A single kiss

Can lead to Heaven.

But April

Had numbered days -

So when they passed,

Love couldn't last.

I lost love and you,

And April too.

*V*V*V*

Happy April Wednesday

I wish you bluebirds and love

*V*V*V*

Put a fork in me :: I'm done

This has been a long time in coming but finally I have made a decision.

As of tomorrow there will be no more I'm Having A Thought Here.

No, I'm not running off with Johnny Depp. He seems to have misplaced my contact information.

It's just that, I've reevaluated my priorities.

I appreciate all of you who have made my five-plus years of blogging such happy and productive ones. I will never forget each one who has encouraged me.

I'm cutting way back on picture-taking too. When it comes to photography I'll never be more than a rank amateur. Who am I kidding?

No more writing either. Mari posted about spring cleaning and I felt truly embarrassed.

I need to spend more time sparkling up this here domicile.

Besides, I'm a firm believer in knowing your limitations. I don't think you should ask them over for dinner but you definitely should make their acquaintance.

Publish or perish? Pshaw. Publish Schmublish. Leave book-writing to the experts.

So this is goodbye but I say it with considerable sorrow because I have loved being part of your lives.

Get a good long last gander at the Pirate. Going, gone.

~~~ APRIL FOOLS ~~~

Yeah right. You wish. Stop jumping up and down.

As long as I can frame a shot, mash a button, mock a liberal, maim a keyboard, draw a conclusion, spin a yarn, compose a sentence, form a thought -- cohesive or otherwise -- you're more or less stuck with me.

And I sure am writing that book. Do not doubt.

So did you fall for it? Were you Jenny'd? Fess up.

*V*V*V*

Happy Monday ~ Happy April

*V*V*V*