I carried my take out supper outside, to eat at the patio table, and tethered that big Blue dog to his new 30’ tie out leash. Next thing I knew, the neighborhood children, who’d been playing a few doors down, migrated to the edge of our yard and asked if they could say, “Hi” to Blue. Since he was sitting at the edge of the yard looking longingly at them I said, “Yes”. Next thing I knew the four children had Blue chasing his chewed up soccer ball and runnin’ laps across the backyard. I managed to eat a few bites of supper, here and there. In between I was untangling the leash, checking on the rest of my family inside and quickly explaining to my fry eatin’ boys, that their friends were in the yard to see Blue. He’s Mr. Popular after all. The air is cooler tonight, in a nice way. Refreshing. Not too shivering. April has begun.

I am not a fan of April Fool’s Day, however I live in a house of tricksters and pranksters SO after a predictable, “You have something on your face” from my oldest son, I countered with, “The cinnamon rolls are gone.”
To which he replied, “WHAT?! Who ate them?”
Me: “April Fool’s!”
Gotcha. 
Good luck out there. 
The school teachers are probably glad it’s on a Sunday this year. 
Palm Sunday at that. One of my favorites. ~ Janean

cat care

I’m sitting in a dark, quiet room in a comfy chair, with a purring cat on my lap. I wish I could stay here a little longer. But it’s only a temporary stop. I’ve taken too long here already. Was just supposed to get mail, feed and scoop after cats and go, but I’m running on empty. Everyone’s been home on spring break all week. I’m tapped out. Zapped out. Needing a fill up with some quiet time and space. Kitty cuddles help too. I like this lap warming cat a lot more than the yelling, mad, hungry wisp of old gray cat that met me at the door. I think she was running on E too, needing some cuddles right back. Ah, much better. I should be able to face the noise, chaos and commotion that one man, two boys, a six month old puppy and mad about the dog cat fill a house with. My house. I’ll be walking in the door in five minutes…once I get up from this chair that is. ~ Janean

The Wheel

mikefrawley:

 The wheel of life is ever turning
even as laughing children play

Inexorably toward their future as
tomorrow’s seniors faded grey

Spinning though you may resist
why waste a moment day or year

It won’t delay for you or me
nor shed one solitary tear

Live life now, live it well
what’s to gain if you do not

Still waiting for a great event
or some degree you haven’t got

The wheel spins just the same
you couldn’t stop it if you tried

And wouldn’t it be a tragedy to
never have lived before you died

dog tired

Is it a bad sign when it’s not yet 9:00a.m., there is still coffee in the pot, and more than anything you just want to go back to bed? I figure it is too early in the day to call it a nap. Puppy was up at 2:30a.m., sometime between 4 and 5, and again at 6:30a.m. That’s when I got up, planning to stay up for the whole entire day. The previous times I took him out, then back in, took him out and fed him and back in… In between I kept rekenneling him and going back to bed. I must have slept. Each time I was there long enough to have crazy dreams before being awoken sooner than I wanted to be from the dog sounds coming through the puppy monitor. For the record, there was a thirty minute walk in there too. Alas, no back to bedding, no napping. Not for me anyway. That dog?! He’s sawing logs, happily curled up in the family room, where the TV is blaring a dog themed show, and the rest of the family is done with breakfast. It’s Spring Break here. Day 4 of No School. Woof.

not always

I saw someone at church today

whom I haven’t seen in years

from opposites ends of the hallway

we met in the middle

as I drew within earshot

he said of me, ”She’s always smiling.”

I shook me head “no”

and said aloud, “not always”

he stated, “It’s not your husband with cancer.”

I countered with, “Yes. It is.”

him: “It’s pretty bad. Isn’t it?!”

me: “Stage 4. Two surgeries. Chemo now.”

him: “Is he bedridden?”

me: “Last summer for awhile,

with chemo and radiation simultaneously.

Workin’ light duty at a desk right now.”

him: “We’ve been praying, but we’ll pray harder”

me: “Thank you.

We know that’s what’s gettin’ us through.”

then we parted ways

he and his wife went one way

I went another

they are headed back to Michigan

to the church he’s senior pastor of

it was good to see him

on this Sunday morn