We are home

My passion flower is still blooming   

I guess I have taken enough time from my blog.  It really is time to enjoy writing again.  First of all, I want to thank everyone for their wonderful thoughts after our sadness came on so suddenly when our beloved four-legged furry friend, Kippy, went to the Rainbow Bridge.  Two friends, first Bonnie and then Becky, told me about the Rainbow Bridge.  It was new to me and it certainly expressed all of my feelings.  Thank you to both of you.  And to the other 24 comments, expressing your sadness, I was touched.  I even made a new friend, Kary, Diane sent a beautiful poem, and I actually felt the many hugs.

Arriving back in Florida with a little tough.  Our neighbor's Yorkie came running immediately looking for Kippy.  He still doesn't understand that Kippy did not come home with us and keeps looking for her.  On my Facebook page, I received many other notes of encouragement.  I am happy to see that there are so many pet lovers out there that truly understand.

But now, it is time to plant our winter garden, get our home back in order and very soon we will be doing our volunteering at the Children's Miracle Network golf classic at Disney.  And cooking...really need to start cooking again.  Making a spelt salad tonight that I have made before.  Also picked up a new slow cooker along the way home, and anxious to try some recipes in that.  I'll be back.



Goodbye little baby Kippy

KIPPY

Born 12-31-95, Winona, Minnesota

Died 10-11-10, Anaconda, Montana

Kippy was the most loyal, loving and best little friend in the world.  She will be missed.

Big visitors

We had some excitement this weekend when a cow moose and her calf wandered into the backyard. Usually, if you are lucky enough to see moose out west, you are in a car and photo opportunities are rare. This was different, way different.

The Trout took the camera and quietly escaped the house and started walking toward the pair. Mama moose can be very aggressive when she has her baby near her. This time though, they both were more interested in eating the grasses and daisies in the yard. They kept their eyes on the Trout and he did manage to get within 30 feet, but that was close enough for all of us.

Mama was huge! Actually, not such a pretty face. Massively strong body; much larger than a horse.

I wonder where Daddy was. A bull moose is a real trophy to photograph. I doubt he would have been so calm about it all.

We enjoyed seeing you two. I hope you come visit again soon.

And as Kippy sits inside, looking out the window, we hear her saying "Why can't I go out to see the meeses?"

How time flies!

Our youngest grandchild, and only girl, Rachel, turns 6 today. The time has flown quickly. We interrupted our retirement and moved back to Wisconsin from Florida for 2 years so that I could help out and take care of Rachel while our daughter was going to nursing school. Those two years were precious and I was six years younger. I don't know if I could do it again.

Little Kippy, to the left, is 14 1/2 and has gone through all four grandchildren, helping to raise them by sneaking cookies out of their hands, jumping in the shower with a grandson because a thunderstorm frightened her, etc.

So, Rachel, a very Happy Birthday to you. I hope your day is very special. Love you, Grandma Susie.

Our Kippy

Our baby, Kippy the Bichon Frise, spent the morning at the spa. Bath, grooming and new ribbons and scarf make it a special day for her. She loves being groomed. She has a 14th birthday on December 31, so she will look quite festive for her birthday and the New Year.

Oh help....why do we get so involved with our pets? She has been a delight 99% of the time. The other 1% we will not talk about.

What's that barking about

A lot of barking going on this morning. Unless company comes to the house, Kippy is very quiet. She loves having the front door open so she can look through the glass storm door and see everything that goes by. This morning was she was so upset, I had to go and check it out.

A large turtle was cruising on the road and then made its way into our yard, heading to the pond behind our house. I have been searching to identify this turtle for some time and I am just not sure what it is. It has this hog-nosed head and that is what I have been calling it. We usually have several in the water or sunning on the shore, but I have never gotten this close to one. I understand some turtles are very aggressive, so I was very cautious.

Kippy watched from inside where she was safe, but you know she really wanted to be right there and in its face. When Kippy was a year old, during the snowy winter, a rabbit made made its way into a fenced back yard where we let Kippy out to play and do her jobs. We saw the rabbit there and Kippy wanted out very badly. We let her out, she pounced onto the rabbit and the rabbit lay there dead. It looked like she scared the rabbit to death as there was no blood or damage. She is also usually very gentle with small dogs, but large dogs, she thinks she can conquer them and gets this crazy female attitude like "I'm so much greater than you are!"

Traveling on

We have had some good traveling and have now landed in Ohio at our daughter's home. Kippy is hanging in there, even though she was taken advantage of because of her small size. My brother has two Gordon setters which are beautiful dogs, but large compared to a Bichon.

Kippy's traveling pancake snacks, her Puperoni snacks and her glucosamine tablets were all devoured quickly upon arrival in North Carolina. I wonder why those Gordon's liked me so well. I guess because I brought unexpected treats!

So, had to make a trip to PetSmart this morning to stock up on what was no longer. Kippy is smiling again.

Our guest room at my brother's was beautiful. And this was the view out of our window onto the lake they live on. The Trout went fishing in the boat with my brother and we had a lovely, relaxing time, talking about childhood memories. I also told him about my genealogy research.

Now at daughter's house and loving those grandboys. Angie has beautiful snowball hydrangeas in her back yard. We are enjoying the upper Midwest plants and trees which we do not have in Florida. Need to catch up on reading all my favorite blogs that all of you write.

Heading out of here

Busy day here today as we are packing up to head north and get out of the tropics and the heat, heat, heat!! Going to North Carolina to spend some time with my brother and his wife before we head to Ohio to visit daughter and family.

Love Florida, but we still have trouble adjusting to the heat in the summer. The spring rain is slow in coming, so it is also very dry. I will still say and always say that running the air conditioner in the summer in Florida is a lot more fun than running the furnace all winter long up north.

Will be in touch and will keep up reading all your blogs. Unfortunately, Kippy, the Bichon, is figuring out that she will be in for a long car ride and it is not her favorite thing. Will need to shut the bedroom doors before she crawls under the beds in hopes we forget her. And, it looks like rain is in the forecast further north, and she is deathly afraid of windshield wipers and rain on the roof. It is the child that never left home..

Our Kippy, the model

Kippy, the Bichon, went to the groomer today, and Karen always does a beautiful job. One thing about our dog, she has always loved to be groomed, combed, bathed because she has this attitude that she knows she is going to look beautiful when done. She then can strut her stuff. Okay now, I am not boasting, but after a grooming, people stop on our walks and comment how cute she looks. What I am finding out though is that she is not very photogenic, at least with me using the camera.

Our groomer today asked if Kippy could be her model at a grooming contest in Orlando the end of October. So, we have instructions to let her hair grow quite long so that Karen can work with it. I hope Kippy will be able to bring Karen good luck.

Just a thought or two

Not much to say today, but just a couple of thoughts. Today was laundry day. Believe me, I appreciate my in-home washer and dryer more than any other appliances in the house. But can anyone explain to me why dirty laundry weighs more than clean laundry?

I have gone to laundromats in the past, and I just don't like that kind of job. When we were living in Germany in 1968-69, I went to the Army base laundromat. That I enjoyed, because it was the only time I could meet some other military wives and we could talk about places to eat, shop, etc. That was enjoyable. Any other time in the laundromat has been just short of highly unpleasant.

I said that a washer, especially, is my most needed in-house appliance. One time, when we moved to a rental home waiting to buy a new home, the house did not have a range/stove for cooking. Instead of buying one and then in 6 months buying a home with one, I opted to make it work. We had a microwave that was used daily and an electric frypan. With these two small appliances and an outdoor grill, we lived very comfortably for 6 months, December-June in Wisconsin. My mother took pity on the grandchildren and sent Easter eggs that year by UPS. Boiling was something I could not do very easily.

The Bichon, Kippy, has been a little difficult the last few days. The Vet said she needed some antibiotics because of a tooth that will probably need to be removed in June. She is over 13 years old. So, this antibiotic is a capsule like any human would take. It has turned out to be a 2 man job to get her to take it. One holding her and keeping her jaws spread, and the other one tossing the capsule down the throat. Twice a day, mind you, for 10 days. I thought we were doing pretty good until this noon I found one of the capsules stuck in her beard. She thinks she is so clever. I had some difficulty getting my two young daughters to take medicine as children, but nothing like this.

Big day tomorrow. All day we will be Orlando judging the Crisco pie contest. Did anyone say pie? I will let you know what flavors we tasted and judged and how it all turned out late tomorrow. I am very excited.

Just a little chit chat

The guys went golfing at Disney yesterday and then the girls met them at a nearby restaurant last night. The day was so beautiful--84 degrees and lots of sun and blue skies.

All ready to watch the Discovery space shuttle launch last night when I saw on the TV news flash that during fueling they developed a leak and the launch was cancelled. It would have been a beautiful night launch. We have seen several since moving to Florida. We really have to make an effort to get to Cape Canaveral to see one up close and personal. They will be stopping them soon so time is running out.

Our neighbors told us they spotted a cougar in their back yard, lying by their pond and others have said they have seen "large kitty tracks" near the edge of some of the ponds. Well, no more late night walks with the fluffy white thing we call our best friend.

Speaking of our dog, Kippy tore her ACL, anterior cruciate ligament, about 2 months ago. This was her good leg. She had torn the other knee last year and recovered quite nicely. She is 13 so surgery is not an option. So, in trying to help her, we have been lifting her up and down steps and onto the couch (yes, we allow that because she doesn't shed) and because she weighs almost 12 pounds, I have hurt my left thumb in putting all her weight on my hand in holding her. Now, that has developed into what looks like arthritis of my thumb. I have never had joint pains so had to ask someone if this is what it could be. A former nurse neighbor has described how I can make it feel better, so will try wrapping with those Icy Hot pads and see what happens. I have a physical with my doctor in early April and refuse to go in sooner. This is the beginning of those old age pains, is that right?

We've decided to cancel our trip to France this spring. The economy is just too uncertain. It will be hard not going, but we have lots of memories of previous trips and I am thinking everything will be looking better next year.

Have a good day today. I'll be thinking of you all.

Our little wagon

I never dreamed that a golf cart would be one of our modes of transportation. It was just too odd to even imagine us as 'older' people tooling around in this little wagon.

Our Bichon, Kippy, has always cringed at getting into the car. Usually it means going to the Vet, to the groomer, or a 3000 mile trip to Montana. No joy riding for her. But, the golf cart is a different kind of ride. She actually sits in the Trout's lap with her front paws on the wheel and ears blowing in the wind as we travel through our little village.

Remember the song "Surrey With the Fringe on Top"? "Isinglass curtains you can roll right down, in case there's a change in the weather." Well, we have these isinglass curtains. Three sides fold down and zip together at the corners to keep out wind and rain. How convenient. The cart is mainly used on the golf course, but we also go to visit neighbors in the cart when we don't want to walk. It's fun and the grandsons have found they feel kind of important if they can get behind the wheel.

Grooming Day

It was grooming day at our house for Kippy, and she certainly understands what we talk about. The Trout and I mentioned last night that she will be going to the groomer in the morning. So, she got up, ate breakfast and then disappeared. After searching each room and calling her, I found a very small bit of her tail peaking out from under the guest bed. I advised her that her hiding left something to be desired. She actually loves being groomed and is very patient with all the hair design a Bichon needs, but it is the car ride that she despises. Always has and always will. To this I need to add, we drive 3000 miles to Montana and back each summer and she rides along but she is not happy until we get there.

I actually think she is not too happy with the ribbons and the picnic-like scarf around the neck. It's just part of being pretty, I guess!

A Birthday and 2008 Memories

It's hard to believe, but our little baby turns 13 today. She has been a joy to us all those years. I would certainly recommend her as the White House dog as she is hypoallergenic, no shedding and just lots of in your face love. We had a beagle prior to her for 17 years so longevity comes with our household. Happy Birthday, Kippy! We rescued you from a trampy life in Winona, Minnesota all those years ago. It's a good thing!

I have also been thinking of the highlights of 2008 as this year comes to an end. At the top would definitely have to be my high school class reunion in August. Such wonderful people I grew up with since most of us started in kindergarten together. Dear friend Connie housed me for the weekend and it was so good rejuvenating our friendship. I truly have not laughed so much in many, many years.

Our trip to France in May would follow as a highlight. The Trout and I simply love France even though we still do not know the language well enough to converse, but we do know how to order our food and drink and read a menu. That is great because a second trip to Le Presidial restaurant in Sarlat was just as wonderful as the first time.

Being able to spend the summer in Montana at 7000 ft. altitude once again was such a refreshing delight. We love it there in the mountains among the trout!! Having a wonderful anniversary meal at Pearl's Cafe in Missoula, as we do every year was very memorable.

Reuniting with family and friends in Wisconsin is always fun. Spending time with our four grandchildren in Ohio and Wisconsin was a top highlight. They are growing up so quickly. Can't imagine life without grandchildren.

Lunching with my cousins in Iowa was great! We rarely get together and we had many laughs and some tears. Seeing my only and favorite brother in North Carolina was wonderful. We just have not had the chance to be together much since childhood.

Starting this blog in October has been the most fun. It keeps me sharp (lol) and always thinking. I feel it is a journal for the future. And, my goodness, have I made bloggers friends. My world is so much smaller.

And last, I would have to say a highlight of this year has been the many wonderful meals The Trout and I have cooked together. It's been a lot of fun.

I guess I have to finish with another memorable event even though it certainly was a lowlight for me. I broke my ankle slipping on a frosty step on August 20 in Montana. The very next day I flew to my class reunion. It was painful and difficult but it turned out to be such a wonderful weekend.

I am thankful to each and everyone of you who read my blog. I feel I am sharing my life with friends that I can't be with everyday. I love that. Thanks and keeping visiting.

My best friend

My best friend is an almost 13-year-old Bichon Frise named Kippy. She has sometimes been referred to as "the child who never leaves home." We have found that a Bichon is one of the most loving dogs we could ever have in our home. Ever faithful, ever loving, and a cold nose on a warm day. Today is a good day for Kippy and I wanted to introduce you to her as I am sure she will be mentioned often in this blog. All you dog lovers, wave your Milkbones to Kippy.