Our Dog Maggie - #4

A day in the life.....

Who new dogs could actually be sneaky? Wouldn't you love to spend just 5 minutes inside your dogs head just to get an idea of what they were thinking and how they process thoughts?

The other morning, I took Maggie out for her morning constitutional and she ended up going down by the woods near our home. She started pawing at the ground and sniffing something there. She then got that lean going like she was going to roll in something really fragrant. I called to her and she backed off for a minute and then went back to it.

Thinking that she might try to roll in it again, I called to her and gave her the command to come to me; which she did. When she got to me, she faced the door like she thought I was mad at her. I let her in the entry and she ran to the interior door and was facing that as I approached. Again this was her behavior that told me she thought I was made at her for something.

As I reached around to open the door, I noticed what I thought was a leaf stuck to her lip. I asked her what she had gotten into and reached down to pick it off her face. It wasn't a leaf at all but a pair of tiny legs protruding from her mouth. She had stuffed a dead mouse - at least it was dead now - into her mouth and was facing the door to hide it from me. I told her to drop it and I picked it up and took it back outside. She had this forlorn look on her face like, "Hey, I worked hard for that and I was going to go in and give it to Mom!!!!"

This is not the first time she has brought home a present. Once she caught a pigeon in flight, but that is a story for another day.

Our Dog Maggie - #3

Pets, you have to love them but there are times......

In the middle of the night last night, our dog Maggie, that is her on the right, decided that several rooms in the house would be her new poop spots. In her defense, she probably had eaten something during the day that didn't agree with her. I am guessing it was probably some dead - or even live - rodent. I say this because she is 4 years old and isn't prone to pooping in the house unless she is sick.

Of course sick or not makes no difference to me at 5:00am when I get up to make my bladder flatter and in the dark find one of her piles. Nice, real nice. Then my wife wakes up as she hears me running the bath water and can't figure out why I would be taking a bath at 5:00. So she gets up and we have a clean up party. Great way to start your Saturday morning.

That wasn't the end of the story though. Later in the day we went to the golf show in Novi with some friends and upon returning home with those friends, was greeted by a foul smell and a rather unsightly pile right smack dab in the middle of the living room carpet.

All in all, I think it may be time to replace our carpeting!!! I am thinking of replacing it with concrete.

Andrea Bocelli The Lord’s Prayer

Just listening is like a little bit of heaven!!!!

Andrea Bocelli The Lord’s Prayer

July 4th, 2011

This 4th of July Loverly and I were treated to a small town (albeit an affluent small town) celebration of the holiday. Norman Rockwell should have been there. We both thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

It all started with a parade at around 1:00 in the afternoon. Well I have to admit it probably started earlier than that because I think the American Legion Post had a breakfast earlier but Loverly and I usually don't get motivated until the crack of noon. So, we started with the parade. It was great. There was a ton of local support from all community groups as well as some from surrounding communities. When the military color guard came through, people stood and removed their hats!!!!! A lesson to all!

When the parade ended, everyone moved to the art fair that was taking place in the park down by the local beach. People meandered around the fair and found food stands a plenty for snacks and light lunches. It was great. I locked my wallet in the car so Loverly wouldn't sample all of the beautiful handmade jewelry at the fair.

Throughout the day, people were friendly, courteous and very tolerant of the many dogs that were in town. I am not sure I have ever been to a more dog friendly community. Dogs are welcome just about everywhere it is legal to take a dog. How cool is that???!!!

Loverly and I had a little down time and took in a movie and dinner then returned for the fireworks. Now I am used to the Target Fireworks in Detroit so this town had a long ways to go to impress us. I have to say I was impressed. While there was not the 1 million plus crowd that Detroit pulls, everyone in the area was there and left with smiles on their faces. It was the perfect ending to a great 4th of July weekend.

Loverly and I return home tomorrow though I am sure a fair amount of the folks we met will extend their holiday through the rest of the week. I love it, it is great for them and great for Michigan.

Michigan is a state that depends on the tourist industry. I truly believe that for every $1.00 you spend in Michigan during the summer and winter months, you get back $1.50 in fun and enjoyment. Part of that is the resources we have in Michigan. The rest is brought to you by the fantastic people who spend time in small towns giving of themselves in the manner Loverly and I saw this weekend.

Thanks Harbor Springs!!!!! .....And thanks to a dear friend who housed us all weekend and to our friends who mentored us through the weekend of events.

The Aftermath

The funeral was yesterday for my dear friend. It was a nice event. In fact, my Loverly said it was one of the best in both format and substance. There were a lot of people in attendance: friends, family, and business associates.

As part of the service, people were invited to come forward and tell amusing stories about my friend or simply reveal feelings about the life and passing of my friend. Several of us took advantage of the opportunity and told stories or expressed feelings about events that took place during his life. They were all well done and heartfelt.

Today, I stopped at the grave site and talked with my friend. I committed to return and discuss important issues with him and experience the comfort of still being able to share my thoughts and decisions with him. I also shared with him that cemeteries kind of freak me out; they are not my favorite places to visit. I will get past that though and stop and discuss things with him periodically much like I do with my family members who have passed. Sorry, but that is what I do and I believe it is good for me and honors those who have passed.

So, life goes on. It always does and always will. In this case, as in most, it will go on with a void and a sorrow that will take some time to mend. That is the grieving process. Once past it though we learn that life is a constant renewal. My friends passing is part of that renewal even though it will take time for us to really view it as such. God has called him home. His life learning was complete and he needs to prepare room for the rest of us schmucks left behind. I am confident he is doing that as we speak. Of course he is doing that between rounds of golf on the best golf courses heaven has to offer.

Play well my friend!!! I will be there some day and I want strokes!!!!!

Passing of a dear Friend and Colleague

Back in January I wrote of my friend that was fighting the good fight against lung and brain cancer. He fought bravely and won many battles but he lost the war yesterday.

Last night I began thinking about how you summarize a man’s life and the impact he had on the world he leaves behind. At different times in his life, my friend was an athlete, a husband, a father and a friend. He was devoted to his family and you always knew he had your back when the chips were down.

Speaking of chips, my friend liked to gamble a little and loved to play golf. He was passionate about his work both in the educational community and as a businessman/owner. He was a man of integrity and of good character. There was one way to do something and that way was always governed by his moral compass.

I believe my friend knew Christ in his heart and he was never ashamed of that and demonstrated it at every meal before which he prayed.

How do you summarize a man’s life and contribution? If you knew him you already know the answer to that question. If you didn’t, then know this; he was loved by many and he loved in return. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.

My Friend - Marty Thomas

My "Brother from another Mother"

Seve Ballesteros: His Spirit Lives On - Jason Sobel - Golf News & Articles | Golf Channel

The golf world lost a Champion today!!!

Seve Ballesteros: His Spirit Lives On - Jason Sobel - Golf News & Articles | Golf Channel