So here's the short of it, 
My morning routine on a work day goes something like this.

And here's the long.



I wake up and grab a cup of the coffee that's brewed before I awaken. (I set it up the night before and Alan turns it on when he wakes up  -  that is always long enough before me that it's done by the time I'm standing groggily at the coffee pot, cup in hand).





Then I start my Bob's Red Mill Extra Thick Cut Organic Oats, and turn the burner on the lowest temperature while I get my shower. By the time I'm done and back to the kitchen the oats are done. I divide it into two bowls. One for me and one for Sophie. My bowl gets a stir in of raisins - hers does not.  Sometimes we both get a stir in of chopped almonds or pecans too. Both bowls get some milk and I get my second cup of coffee.

Sophie and I eat our oatmeal (and she gets a bowl of dog food as well) out on the patio when it's warm and dry enough or in the house if it's cold or wet.

As I put the dishes in the sink I get my coffee thermos ready for work then go finish up getting ready while finishing my coffee from breakfast.

I keep my coffee thermos with me in the car and have it finished usually by lunchtime - and that's my cut off for coffee for the day.

Now I have on my to do list - cut back on coffee when I retire   -   Although coffee is supposed to protect against cancer, diabetes, and parkinson's disease jut to name a few.  Of course it also raises blood pressure, and keeps me awake if I drink it much after noon.

In the meantime, when I have a work morning ahead of me, that routine propels me out the door with good nourishment and a good outlook on the day.

This morning I was awfully tired and only had about a half cup of coffee before I got out the door.  And when I got to work I discovered that I didn't have my coffee thermos with me!
No wonder I was tired out by the end of the day.

So here's the short of it, 
Thanks Mom!

And here's the long.

So glad to be back at home - but so glad that we were able to go and be with Jen and Charles as they start out their life journey as husband and wife.

Now we're back home and ready to start another week making our own life journey what it is.  Sophie and Lola were delighted to see us.  I'm sure Aimee took great care of them, but Sophie wants us.  Mom made us dinner tonight and I walked down a little before for a visit just the two of us. Alan said that Sophie was just wailing and carrying on as I walked around the curve in the road.  Then he said when he left she did the same.  When we got back home, she calmed down, ate some dinner and then relaxed and fell sound asleep right next to me.

Mom made us dinner tonight.  We had quiche and fruit.  It was really nice not to have to think about making a dinner after having been on the road all day.  

So here's the short of it, 
The wedding was quite non-traditional.  

And here's the long.

Here are a few of the things I loved about the wedding we went to today.

The couple said vows to their friends and family.
Friends made vows to support the couple in their new life.
There was no bridal party.
Rosie, Jen's dog came to the wedding in a lace collar with a white rose attached and was allowed to roam throughout the venue after the service.
There was a very small wedding cake and then a whole array of delicious cakes and pies made by friends.
There was not a band and DJ.  Instead the couple performed a song as the party got started and then turned the music over to friends, who played and sang the rest of the evening.
Did I mention that Rosie was allowed to roam around the party tent greeting the guests with a quest for scraps (I don't think she got many).
Liga came with us and shared this special event.
There were lots of little children there with their parents to share the occasion.

And of course there was lots of wonderful family there.

Tomorrow we have the long drive home.  I'm sure glad we were here!

So here's the short of it, 
CowPoke 

And here's the long.

In the late 1950's in Southeastern Kentucky when Emily and Gene Howard loaded their kids in the car to go to Grandma's house, to visit Odie and Pap, or any other trip of any length, you could be sure there'd be windows cracked for fresh air (unless it was dead of winter), singing, and at least one game of Cowpoke.

Along the two lane roads of rural Kentucky, we'd pass farms and drive through small towns.  The trips were long and like all children we were sure to get rowdy if not occupied.  Dad came up with the game of Cowpoke to pass the time, and I suppose we thought every car full of kids that we passed on the way was playing Cowpoke too.

Here are the rules.  The car was divided into two teams.  Each team took one side of the road.  Your job was to count every cow that you saw.  The team at the end of the trip with the most cows was the winner.  Goats, sheep, and horses counted premium points - decided upon by Dad at the beginning of every game.  I was a very old adult before I understood that Dad knew every farm along every road we would be traveling and he knew what needed to happen to level the playing field.  So that's a pretty fun game if you think about it, but throw in the wrench!  Anyone who saw a cemetery on either side of the road could yell out "Cowpoke", and the other team was down to zero and had to start all over.  This was a staple of travel in the Howard family car.

I've tried to play this game with our kids.  Freeways aren't very conducive to a good game of Cowpoke.  Even if you're in farm country like driving to Florida or in some of the areas of I-75 up near Lexington (lots of premium points for horses), it's not much fun - there aren't any cemeteries or very few that you can see from a freeway so you're just counting ...  And it's often hard to see the animals on the left side of the road. It's just not the same.

As we drove over to Durham today, we hit a stretch before Asheville, NC where there were cattle and horses to count.  Alan said, "Cowpoke", and I had a rush of memories -- passing a field so full of cows that you couldn't count them all.  coming around a curve and everyone in the car yelling "Cowpoke" as a well known cemetery came into view and having Dad make the judge of who said it first. or passing a little house with a couple of goats after a really dry spell of no cows to count on your side of the road.  I don't remember winning or not winning.  Surely someone won all those games, but it was the face pressed to the window, the excitement of thinking you remembered that there was a cemetery just up this part of the road, or having Dad say from the front of the car - "Now, did you really see 50 cows over there."  -He probably knew the old farmer and knew he would be lucky if there were 15 in his pasture if every single one of them were bunched up together.

So it isn't the winning - it's the golden moment suspended in memory of the five of us in the car driving down a two lane road listening to Mom and Dad singing Little Redwing and counting cows waiting for the chance to yell out "Cowpoke".

Thanks to you Mom and Dad for some wonderful memories.

So here's the short of it, 
I'm looking forward to another weekend with Alan's family.

And here's the long.

But I'm no so much looking forward to the long road trip!

We'll head out early in the morning, and drive to Durham for a family wedding.  It should be a lovely weekend, and we'll get two weekends in a row with some of our family.  That should be fun.

I'm up late - as my mother says, "I've got the big eye."  
I'm almost packed - got one more load of laundry to finish drying and I'll have everything I need for the trip.

So here's the short of it, 
Today's major story is about the keys.

And here's the long.

For many years my keys were a bit of a game.  Every morning a part of my ritual was finding my keys. I never really "lost" them, because I'm a really "good looker".  Finding things is just one of my skill sets.  I can imagine where things might be -- (my sister-in-law, Pat, says the Mom always knows where things are).  Once Alan and I were married, he helped me see the wisdom in having a place to put my keys.  So every time I come home, I put my keys on the hook inside the pantry.  They are always there and I don't have to look for them in the morning.

So...imagine my surprise this morning when I opened the pantry door and reached for my keys.  My "key hook" was empty! And imagine my chagrin to discover that I no longer even know how to look for my keys!  I can't even imagine another place they might be, because they belong on that hook.  I did look in all the common places - purse, dressing area, kitchen counter, dining room table, etc.  But time was pressing for me to make an appointment at work, so I rounded up the extra key and headed off.

As soon as I got home this afternoon I searched all the places I'd thought of during the day at work.  They weren't there.  I headed out to look around in the front yard since I went out to visit with Alan as he worked on the lawn when I got home yesterday.  I took Sophie with me thinking she might be able to find them, but I wasn't planning on taking her for a walk.  I hadn't been out very long at all before Alan said he needed to see me.  Start laughing now....

I keep Sophie's leash and her "doggie bags" in a basket inside a console table in the living room.  Since I was only looking in the yard and not taking Sophie for her walk, I didn't grab the leash on my way out.  There in the basket was the small roll of "doggie bags", her leash and on top of it all, there were my keys.

I suppose when I got home yesterday for some reason I didn't get my keys onto their hook before I went outside to visit with Alan and take Sophie for her walk.  Then when I came back in I must have just put everything in my hands into the basket.

Tonight they are right where they are supposed to be - so in the morning it will be one less thing I have to think about.

So here's the short of it, 
I'm starting to think about this coming weekend's trip.

And here's the long.

I'm rested up from our trip to Deerfield and I'm starting to get wound up for our trip to Durham for a wedding.  Alan's double first cousin's daughter is getting married and we are going to help her celebrate the wonderful occasion.  Jennifer is a new attorney and we got to meet her fiancee a couple of months ago when she came into town for a bridal shower.  She looks very happy -- and she's such a sweetheart.

We're going to drive to this event instead of flying and Liga was able to get away from work to go with us. It'll be nice to have another weekend of family time.

I haven't even completely unpacked my suitcase so it will be easy to just get everything together Thursday evening and be ready to go.

For now, I think I'll get myself to the bed!

So here's the short of it, 
Great report from my eye doctor!

And here's the long.

I had an appoint with Dr. Funderburk today to see how my left eye is healing from the laser surgery.

He said that it was doing better than expected and told me I didn't have to come back until June.  That was good news.

I was dilated, as I have been many times before.  BUT  I really responded to the drops this time!  I was really feeling miserable in my office, until my office mate suggested that we turn off the overhead light.  I also closed up the blinds and kept my sunglasses on almost the whole day. I don't ever remember being impacted for so long by having my eyes dilated.  

I'm really glad that my eye is doing well and that we have such amazingly competent physicians here in Chattanooga.

So here's the short of it, 
And so it goes, no matter how much fun the trip was, it's always great to be home. 

And here's the long.

That direct flight to Chicago from Chattanooga is nice!  It doesn't take too long - even though the plane is small, it's comfortable enough, and it's really worth not driving!

The weekend was wonderful.  It was so nice to hang out with family and to see how the Chicago branch of the family does things.  Saturday services were really nice - they use the same new Reform Prayer Book that Mizpah is now using. I like its egalitarian language, the way the prayers appear on the page, and its more contemporary spirituality. Ellie and another Bat Mitzvah, Emily, made the service such fun to watch and listen to.

The party Saturday night was special.  Viper Alley is/was a bowling alley turned into a nightclub.  We were actually seated on an elevated floor and could see the alleys running under our floor.

The band at the party was an American tribute band called Brit Beat.  They played Beatles music dressed in costumes from four different eras of Beatle music. It was great that the music bridged the generations.  And it was lots of fun too!

And now we're home.

Russ and Greg are still here, Betsy and Wayne were here, Steve drove up for the day, and Joyce stopped by for a visit on her way home from the PEO convention held here in Chattanooga.  We were home in time for lunch and Liga and Valdis joined us too.  It was a nice lunch - and nice to have some visit time with the other side of the family.

So here's the short of it,
We're in Chicago

And here's the long.
We boarded our flight from Chattanooga in time for our 12:00 take off time. We taxied to the entrance to the runway, got our safety instructions, and readied ourselves for take off. The pilot came on and explained that air traffic was backed up in Chicago and that we would be delayed for an hour. So we had the pleasure of waiting. I have a much better understanding of the complaints I've heard over the years!

When we arrived it was cold!! I'm glad most of the weekend will be inside.

We had a lovely evening at Susan and Arthur's home - but now it's time for a good night's sleep.

-- Post From My iPhone

So here's the short of it, 
Pat Summitt

And here's the long.

Ok all of you who know me know that I'm not a sports fan.  I know the difference between basketball and football.  I can always be called on to cheer for Kentucky basketball. And I will watch any sport on the face of the earth if one of my children, grandchildren, students, or other such are involved in it. But I don't "follow" any sport at all.

Pat Summitt steps down

But Pat Summitt has my great admiration. She's a classy lady who put her self wholly into creating opportunities for young women.  I was so saddened to hear about her diagnosis and knew that it wouldn't be long before she would have to step down - but now that it's here it's hard to believe that she's stepping down.  I know, I know, she'll still be a practices; she'll still be there for her players; and she'll still be seen around the campus.  But it will be so different.  You see, I never remember UT women's basketball without Pat Summitt.

So Pat Summitt - as Alzheimers steals your memories, I pray that somewhere deep inside you always know what a difference you made in the lives of the young women you coached.

So here's the short of it, 
I was so surprised when CNN flashed on my phone this afternoon with the news that Dick Clark had passed away.  

And here's the long.

I'll have to say that in my household, growing up, Superman was on opposite American BandStand after school in the afternoon. So we (that would be me and two brothers) hardly ever had it on.  But my, oh my! we sure knew about it and watched for a little bit from every once in a while.  We watched to learn the newest dance steps before going to the high school dances.  And from time to time my interest in girly things won out when I was home before the brothers and I turned it on to OOH and AAH at the famous guests. And what fun to rate the records along with the audience.  Goodness probably many people my age have such a personal connection with Dick Clark and his programming.

And the man himself - did Dick Clark ever age?  He was the epitome of the drive to never grow old.  Apparently he was a great businessman and was well loved by those who had the opportunity to work with him.

Dick Clark - thanks for rocking and rolling us through the years in such a charming, funny, and gentlemanly way.

Photo coutesy of TMZ

So here's the short of it, 
I mostly escaped the plague today.

And here's the long.

I feel so much better today - well that's not really true.  I really didn't feel awful yesterday, just totally washed out.  I was worried that I wouldn't even be able to sleep last night - but that wasn't even a problem. I was still tired. But since I wasn't having to be in the bathroom every 30 minutes to an hour, I decided to go on to work.  I don't like getting days behind on stuff I need to do, and I don't like working from home when I'm being charged for a sick day (and that last part might be called a change of attitude for me).

I'm thinking maybe it really was a virus.  Alan passed me this morning as I was headed to the shower and said, "I think I've got your dire rear".  I got to start the morning with a chuckle.  I think he only had a touch of it.  Liga called to say she had just a touch as well.  Leah fussed at me a little about coming to work to share my germs.

I sure do hope I was not contagious today!

So here's the short of it, 
Home all day today.

And here's the long.

I woke up this morning feeling yucky.  I had a return of diarrhea similar to the days of chemo!  At first I thought it was something I ate, but as the morning wore on I knew it had to be something else. Maybe it was a 24 hour virus.  I reverted to lying on the den sofa with Sophie on the floor right by my side and Lola curled up in the crook of my knees.  I napped off and on all day getting up every so often to visit the bathroom.


By late this afternoon Alan brought me some Imodium - We should have bought stock in McNeil PPC way back when!  Since I took that at about 6:00 PM, I haven't made a trip to the bathroom!  I'm hoping that I'll be able to go to work tomorrow without any problems.  I'll have to remember to take that Imodium in my purse tomorrow when I head out to work.

I hope I can get to sleep at a decent hour tonight since I napped off and on all day today.

Here's a shout out to my Sophie and my Lola for deciding that I needed tending to today and in their most unobtrusive way just scooted up close to me and let me snooze.

So here's the short of it, 
What a nice weekend.  

And here's the long.

All over the neighborhood (both the physical one and my virtual one) people are getting the grill going. I can smell the Barbecue all over the place.

Alan worked most of yesterday getting our little garden space ready for planting, and I'm so excited to get some tomato plants going!

I've just read an article about BPA levels and eating canned soup. I know that the same kinds of cans are used for tomato products.  Mom used to give me canned tomatoes for many years, and then I canned them myself for awhile. But for at least 15 or 20 years I've bought canned tomatoes.  I think after reading this article canning my own tomatoes is the way to go.  And I'm a little uneasy about buying them to can because you can't tell if you are getting Genetically Modified Plants since there is no requirement to label them as such. Maybe one of my next causes will be truth in labeling for GMOs.

So here's the short of it,
I had a lovely luncheon with Mom today.

And here's the long


First Cumberland's Women's Ministry had their spring luncheon today. It's a fund raiser for their ministry works.  Mom invited me and Mia to join her.  It was a really nice event.  The ladies made every kind of salad that you can imagine.  There were several kinds of each of these: chicken salads, tuna salads, potato salads, pasta salads,  layered salads, broccoli salads, many kinds of congealed salads, and a variety of other desserts.  Everything was delicious!

After the luncheon was over we heard a men's choral group called In-Spirit. Below is a picture of them from their Facebook page. They were quite good and I enjoyed getting to spend that time with Mom. It was good to get in a bit of visiting with Mia as well.

Here's a link to their website

So here's the short of it, 
I'm so glad the weekend is here - and I don't have to work.

And here's the long.

I'm remembering days when I worked two jobs and then did some writing/typing on the side for money. I'm also remembering so many families I know where the parents work more than one job. And then of course there are places in the world where it's a daily struggle just to get clean water or a bit of food for the kids. I'm tired and I'm ready for the weekend, but I am so lucky!

So tonight I'm counting my blessings.

So here's the short of it, 
Home in time for a great visit with Ellen and kids!

And here's the long.

Ellen, Katie, and Jackson were here for a quick visit this afternoon.  What a nice visit!

They got in a nice visit with Mommy Anne at lunch and then this evening, we had bunches of family for a nice dinner at The Chop House.  I got in a short but really nice visit with Ellen and both the kids. It really was nice to have such a good visit - and it was nice of them to give us an excuse to have so many family together!

E

So here's the short of it,
I'm in Athens GA.

And here's the long

Two of my colleagues and I drove down to Athens, Georgia this afternoon so we can attend a training tomorrow. It's a lovely drive but I really don't like driving through Atlanta traffic! Every time I drive through I think of my family that are there and think of the two or three times it's crossed my mind to move there. I don't think I'd still be sane if I had to deal with Atlanta traffic on a regular basis!

As it is, we got here in time to enjoy a lovely dinner at The National - a locally well known restaurant. I've got my usual good traveling companion for a roommate and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's training.

For now I'll try to get some shut-eye so I'll be alert tomorrow.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

So here's the short of it, 
Rise and Shine!

And here's the long.

I told Alan this morning that when I retire I'll never get up at 6:00 in the morning again and probably not even 6:30 in the morning!

I have this memory of Dad being the one who would get us kids out of bed in the mornings when we were growing up.  At least he was the one who was on reserve when we just wouldn't get up.  He had several tricks to get us up.  The two that I remember the best --  He'd pounce on the bed and begin to bit on my ears.  I'm not sure if he did that with the brothers - but I would imagine that he did, because we all had our ears bitten from time to time.  For sure that would get me coming out of the bed.  Another of his methods was to come into the room and grab the covers and just throw them off the bed.  This was a particular favorite when the morning was a little chilly!  Not only did that get you up - it also made it really hard to make up the bed which was a requirement in our household!

I'll have to say I thought it was pure torture for Dad to get us up that way.
Now I know I was one lucky girl to have a Dad who was so physical, loving, and willing to bite his kids on the ears to show how much he loved them!

So here's the short of it, 
I checked off some boxes today!

And here's the long.

Got Mom's taxes together and sent to her wonderful nephew Jonathan (my first cousin). I think we might be done with that task!

Got a quick visit in with Valdis.

Got a quick visit in with Liga.

I did all that and still got a full day of work in, came home and made dinner, and walked Sophie!  I'm pretty proud of all my accomplishments today!

So here's the short of it, 
Spring Break is over. 

And here's the long.

It's been a long, long time since I spent the whole of spring break at home. Of course it's wonderful to travel and go see people and places, and make memories.  But it was very luxurious to be at home and just relax.  I stayed up late, slept in, got up and just piddled around!  Tomorrow it's back to work.  8 more weeks and I'll have 4 weeks off!  I feel like lately I'm living from break to break!

I'm going to try to get myself to sleep here in a bit and get back into the routine of early to rise (even if not early to bed).

So here's the short of it, 
We had a great evening.

And here's the long.

Mom, Mommy Anne, and Mia as well as the kids joined us for the Seder.
It was a lovely evening.

Here's our closing prayer.

May the memories of this night inspire us to cast off our own shackles of intolerance, greed, and hatred. May we here resolve to break the chains that fetter our minds and blind us to the glory, beauty, and goodness which life offers in such abundance. Help us to realize that we cannot have freedom for ourselves unless we are willing to give it to others.  Through our daily deeds and devotion, may each of us in our own way, help to liberate all who live in fear, poverty, and oppression. May the light of freedom penetrate into all corners of the world, and lift the darkness of tyranny, until tyranny is no more, so that all people may be free.    Amen

So here's the short of it, 
Fun with Liga tonight.

And here's the long.

Liga came by this evening and we got some of tomorrow's cooking out of the way. We decided because of everyone's work schedule to have our Seder tomorrow (second night) instead of tonight.

Best picture I could find online

For the first time ever we are trying Poppy's recipe for creamed herring as our appetizer.  It was really fun to try it for the first time with Liga.  It's not done yet.  It turns out that you add the onion and apple and toasted almonds just at the last - but everything is ready to go for tomorrow afternoon.

Then we made our favorite Passover treat - homemade Eagle Brand Coconut Cookies.  Simplest recipe ever!  And we love, love, love them. We made a batch with and a batch without nuts.  I think they'd be good with chocolate drizzled on top of them, but I've never done that before.

Tomorrow she's coming over early to help get it all put together.  I'll enjoy having a partner in the kitchen.  I'll have to say,  I'm one lucky Mom.

So here's the short of it, 
Today I got a mid morning massage!

And here's the long.

It's quite luxurious to be able to go get a massage on a week day in the middle of the morning!

There was news just recently about a study that compared massage to pain medicines for lower back pain. You can find an article about it here.  It seems that research found that those who received massage were better able to work and be active for up to a year than those getting Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or even physical therapy!

But insurance still hasn't come around to pay for massage therapy. I think it's made such a difference in my ability to function at a level that allows me to work, and enjoy some quality of life.  Maybe in the near future that will be a change.

So, in the meantime, I have to figure out a way to keep making it happen.

So here's the short of it,
Today was a great Mother-Daughter day.

And here's the long.

Mom and I spent the day getting a few things done.

Our first stop was at Lowes  for replacement bulbs for Mom's round florescent fixtures and garden seeds. Then to Home Depot - I was looking for a shelf - I bought something they had to cut and got it home to discover that it didn't work!!

Then we headed to Red Lobster for lunch - it's one of Mom's favorites and she doesn't get there very often unless we go.  Our next stop was to see Mommy Anne at Elmcroft - but she was on an outing so we missed her!

From there we headed to Publix - neither of us ever goes that far out of the way to grocery shop, but since we were going to be halfway there, we decided to go for it.  I saw people at the grocery store that I never see - and got a few things that I don't ever see at Bi-Lo or WalMart!

We ran by the house to put away cold things and then headed to the Barn Nursery.  We both got plants. I got herbs as well as flowers for the hanging baskets in the back and the vases on the front porch.  Mom got several things as well.

Finally, on the way home, we made a stop at the Cemetery.  Mom had some beautiful Easter Lilies for Dad's gravesite.  They were really beautiful.

Our final stop was WalMart to take a look at chairs for her gazebo.  She found a small table, but nothing else.

It was lovely to get to spend so much time with Mom! Another great reason to love Spring Break.

So here's the short of it, 
Sophie is just right for this time in my life.

And here's the long.

 Alan and I have had 3 dogs together, and they've all had very distinct and great personalities. And it seems like each has been just right for the time of our lives.

Sophie keeps me company every day.  Almost every evening we take a walk around the circle.  Sometimes we go around 2 times - sometimes more.  Most of the time she's not on a leash.  She walks at her pace and I walk at mine.  Sometimes I go faster, sometimes she is the one going faster.  She stops to sniff at all sorts of interesting smells, chases squirrels, and plays with any of the circle dogs that happen to be out at the same time. She's learning to sit when I give her that command even if she's several feet away from me.  I do that so that if a strange dog or a person who seems fearful of her comes into the circle.  She sits for me and I can get her on leash in just a flash.  We're making progress on that!  When I'm ready to come in, I just have to say "Sophie, Home", and she heads home from wherever she is on the circle (I'm exaggerating a bit - this happens only about 3/4 of the time now-but she's making great progress.

While she's home during the day and not busy with some other self assigned task, such as patrolling the fence or barking at whatever she thinks might need barking at, she often hangs out in the front room fireplace.  It's a non-working fireplace, and it's always been a favorite spot for our dogs, and she really does enjoy it.

When I come home in the evening or from being out on a shopping trip, Sophie will meet me at the back gate.  If I have more than one trip to bring things into the house, she'll "help" me by walking with me.  Running away doesn't even occur to her; she's too busy with her job of making sure I make it to the car and then back into the house!

Then there's breakfast.  We eat breakfast together every morning.  Whatever I'm having, I just make her some as well.  She eats oatmeal, eggs, yogurt - whatever - then eats her dog food!  As the weather gets warmer, we'll do this ritual out of the patio!  At supper time, she's not so interested in eating, but she's always in the dining room just keeping us company and waiting to help me in the kitchen.  In the evenings after I'm all done and sit down for a bit of time with the computer, she stretches out and naps nearby - but only after she's had a beef short rib.  I keep them in the freezer and thaw one out every night.  She just loves her meaty bone.

When I finally make it to the bed - as I'm going to do in just a few minutes, she comes right along and spends the night on the floor just in reach.

What a gift!  What a beautiful companion. 

So here's the short of it, 
Hurray for a Spring Break Monday!

And here's the long. 

I slept just a little later than usual (not until noon as I had wished); I got the kitchen cleaned up; and I took one of those long, luxurious, not on a schedule, have all the time you ever wished for showers!

Now it's late, and I'm watching the final NCAA Championship Basketball Game.

Yes, I'm watching the game.  Well, Kentucky is playing - that might be one of the few reasons I can think of that I'd be interested in watching a televised basketball game.

I'm going to hope we win, keep watching til it's over, and say, "Kentucky, you've got a strange hold on me."

So here's the short of it, 
The saga of Plato has a happy ending.

And here's the long.

Plato 

Plato, the kidnapped cat, is home safe this evening - with his second family.  We covered the neighborhood with fliers on Saturday and today someone found him and called.  When Joan got there, he was in the family's driveway and he came running to her.

Mom is so grateful that they spent so much time and energy to get him back.  She's decided that instead of sharing Plato with them, that she should let them be the owners and share him with her from time to time.  She knows how attached they've become to him and they really do spoil him.  He has two beds and his own chair at their office.  They brought him by to visit for a bit tonight and promised that she can have visitation rights - they'll bring him by to see her from time to time.

They are going to keep him inside for a few days.  We all think that's such a great idea.  He must be terribly confused right now after being taken to a strange house full of strange people and strange cats and dogs - then two days and nights lost in the woods!  He needs some stressless time to recover!  In addition there's some concern that the woman who took him might try to come get him again. She seems to be quite an unsavory character with quite a long police record.  It's still pretty hard to imagine that someone would really steal a pet!

Hey Plato - welcome home(s) boy!