The Never-ending Song

I believe I had mentioned  seeing a wee Praying mantis on my porch earlier.  They do grow so rapidly!  Or at least I think what I am seeing now is the same one I rescued not that long ago, guiding him (or her) off the cement platform into the garden. A week ago, Edgar was staring intently at something in the grass.  At first I did not see what he was finding so fascinating, as the grass was in need of mowing and the well camoflaged  creature was himself so green.  There he was, "my" Praying mantis, now a "teen-ager", standing tall among the blades of grass with his hands folded in prayer before him. Edgar edged forward, sniffing at the small insect, ever so gently.  This boistrous, pouncing dog of mine!  As he eased forward, nose working, he barely touched the miniature triangular head.  SWISH -one tiny hand swept forward, slapping Edgar right on the end of his nose.  Edgar jumped back, startled.  His curiosity was not dissuaded tho...

  Tossed my trash bag into the dumpster yesterday and a string of brown wasps came  roaring up and out. Fortunately my scooter backed up fast and I got away from there with only one sting--on my left hand which I had put up in front of my face.    I took Benedryl right away.  Washed the area and checked for a stinger. None there.  Put on Benedryl spray which did nothing.  Swelled, throbbed--nasty!  Then I recalled someone saying to put honey on a sting.  Honey is something I always have.  So I put a glob right on the sting area and covered it loosely with a gauze bandage.  Within minutes the pain subsided and the swelling began to go down. This morning it is only slightly puffy and red.  No stiffness and does not hurt. Moral of the story---keep a jar of honey on hand.

I am realizing just how much I missed during those "dog-less" months when I did not sit on my porch.  Every day when sitting out there with Edgar I see something new and wonderful.   I do wish I could learn how to take pictures with my phone camera and send them to my computer so I could download them to the blog.  I take lots of pictures and know how to text them to someone's phone, but being so technically challenged, I simply have not figured out what I need to do in order to post photos. I will try  reading the instructions once again to see if I can make heads or tails of them. Anyway, ---a few days ago I saw the tiniest Praying Mantis yet.  It was so wee I thought it was a smidgeon of the newly mowed grass which had blown up onto the cement platform.  Even Edgar did not see it, and he misses nothing!  Then the little arms came up into praying hands and the tiny triangular head turned towards me and I recognized the bright green for what he w...

  Last night my daughter came for supper.  We could not find any fireworks nearby listed anywhere.  So she went to a friend's house for about an hour.  It was dark when she returned here to my apartment.   While she was gone, two members of the community stopped by saying they had heard there would be a fireworks display at the D-Day Memorial.  We can see the D-Day grounds from our hillside, though trees on the road below us have grown tall and do block the lower displays.  By the time Terry returned, it was very dark and people were moving outside, some with chairs, towards the areas with less buildings, street lights and trees.  Terry wanted me to go out with her.  I was hesitant as I was not certain about leaving Edgar alone. Ginger, the feral community cat, was feeling very lonely.  She was clinging to my door, not only allowing Terry to pet her, but begging to have her neck scratched.  So there was that concern also--bring...

  From Jon's blog I have learned that pictures of the gardens and flowers here in the East have brought enjoyment to those of you who have so sadly lost yours.  My daughter works very diligently on her on her flowers beds.  She carries buckets of water on a daily basis, and puts out deer repellent frequently.  Lots of trimming and weeding.  She has been aiming for an "English country cottage garden"  look.  She was so pleased yesterday when a neighbor complimented her flowers and said just that--"I have been to England and this looks so much like the English country cottage gardens." So I am posting a picture of her front steps and a single flower.  Hopefully for your enjoyment.

  So sorry--no photo today.  My aide said she did not know how to send the photo to my e/m so I could use it.   My daughter does know how.  She will be here tomorrow and we will try to get Edgar to pose to show off his coat, and especially that gorgeous tail, to advantage. Edgar has been wearing the shock collar less.  We have had a couple of heavy rain and thunderstorm days when Ginger has not shown up. I have no idea where she disappears to, but this often happens.  So Edgar has been going out free of the collar. I have never used it in the house.  The other evening Susie jumped off the bed where both she and Edgar know she is "off limits".  She came tiptoeing out from the bedroom to the living room where Edgar was lying on his pillow beside my computer desk.  Edgar spotted her, got up, and herded Susie into the bedroom closet.  He did not growl or bark.  He did not charge as is his custom.  He walked slowly.   Susi...

It was hot and muggy out on the porch as we awaited the arrival of Nomi, the new person in Edgar's life.  She arrived right at the time she had said she would.  Edgar greeted her with waving tail and his silly Corgi bounce.  We came inside to the welcome A/C.  Nomi looked at my bathroom to see where she would be working with Edgar.  Not much room in there and since this is a handicap apartment, no bath tub.  Just a large shower stall with a bench.  I had laid out Edgar's four big bath towels and his medicated shampoo.  Nomi spent some time getting acquainted with my boy before going back into the bathroom.  Edgar peeked in to see what she was  up to, then followed her in.  Nomi quickly shut the door.  I stayed out in the kitchen. Having spent many years doing dog grooming myself, I anticipated she would rather have the dog's owner out of sight, and yes--she does find things work better that way. So I sat doing a crossword puzzl...

After my experience with attempting to get one stubborn and very strong Chorgi in the bath tub, I realized that this was something I was not going to be able to do.  His nails; however, have grown increasingly long and beginning to curl.  I just could not reach his paws from the wheelchair.  My friend, Valerie, came and we coerced Edgar onto the couch.  While she petted him, I prepared to attack those nails.  They are black, so cannot see the quick.  I realized that his quicks may have grown out past normal since his nails had not been cared for long before he came to live with me. Holding his left front paw gently-no objection from him-I placed the nail clipper over the thick, heavy nail , about 1/2 inch up to where the nail had begun to curve.  It took both my hands gripping the handles of the clipper to cut through the nail.   Edgar yelped.  The chunk of nail went flying.  Valerie exclaimed, "Oh no-he's bleeding".  I rather expec...

Edgar is one tough doggie.  The shock collar has not achieved the result I was so hoping for.  He has had three good jolts from it when after Ginger.  Now, while he does not jump at her when he sees her lying on the walk, he does whine and wag his tail and the moment Ginger gets up and starts to walk away, he lunges and barks.  I have the charge set at 90 (out of a possible 100).  He yelps and all four feet come off the ground all while looking right at the cat.  He has no idea the collar is responsible as he has learned to "stand" on signal command while I put it on before we go outside.  He puts his head right into it, standing quietly until the leash is attached to his harness and I give him the two pats on his butt that means it is okay to move.  What am I doing wrong? I have not even tried using it when Pat comes by with her two little dogs.  Nor have I had it on in the house to deter Edgar from chasing Susie.  Susie has chosen her ...

Today is Father's Day.  My father has long since passed on.  One of the last Father's Days when he was alive I made him a cheese souffle.  I was pretty good at making them back then, but it was still quite a bit of work and some fingers crossed.  I had big brown eggs from my own hens and selected the very best cheddar cheese cut from a huge wheel at the local creamery.  This time it came out of the oven puffed and golden, filling the kitchen with the fragrance of very good cheddar. When I set it before him on the dining room table he was pleased.  He cut a large piece and placing it on his plate, he asked for the ketchup!   YUP - he covered my gorgeous delicate creation with ketchup.  I told him I would never make him another--and I never did. It is strange not having parents any more.  How many times I think "I have to remember to ask Dad about that".  Dad and I did not always agree on things.  We argued quite a bit when I was a te...

  Edgar is a different dog in many ways than when he arrived here three months ago.  People walking by often comment on how much better he looks, hair growing back (we did not know he had a white chest!) over much of his body.  However, I believe the main difference is his expression and stance.  His eyes are bright.  He stands proudly, gorgeous tail waving at those who pass by.  He is happy, no longer the sad sack, lost dog of his first photo.  He is learning how to play with me and by himself.  Last evening he discovered the joy of disemboweling a stuffed toy.  He carefully removed the stitching at one end and began pulling out the fluff, flinging it about.  I watched to be sure he was not swallowing any.  Nope-he just had a ball grabbing out mouthfuls and tossing the stuff over his shoulder. All the vestiges of his stroke have disappeared.  He hops and jumps around outside, making the tags on his harness jingle. He also now ...

I had been hoping one shock with the collar would solve the cat problem for Edgar.  Finally, with the help (on the phone) of my son, Sean, I got the collar figured out.  One evening, knowing Ginger would be outside awaiting her supper, I collared Edgar and as we exited the doorway, he spotted the cat.  He charged, I gave the No yank on the leash and immediately zapped.  Edgar yelped and all four feet came off the ground.  I felt like crying, how could I be so cruel to the dog I love, but just gave him a treat when he came back to me.  "Well now that is over", I foolishly thought.  For when he recovered, he went right back after the cat.  Repeat zap.  Two neighbors watching from their porch looked as if they were about to call the ASPCA.  Ginger wisely took off for the woods.   Next day when we went out  Ginger was on the next porch.  Edgar spotted her, whined and groaned, but did not bark or go after her.  He really w...

  Edgar did not forget where he buried his bone.  Every time we went out, before he trotted to the sign post, his watering station, he checked the spot in the flower bed where his bone was buried.  Sometimes he gave a quick pat with a paw tamping down any loose soil.  Once satisfied that all was well with his treasure, he went about his other business, sniffing the grass where Pat's dog had squatted, scanning the area for an orange cat, studying the movements of the gal across the street as she watered her plants.  Some times she brings her cat out with her on a leash, as required by Joseph's Dream management, and that could be exciting. Today the grounds keepers came.  First they trimmed the trees of lower limbs.  Isn't this the wrong time of year to do that?  I noticed sap running from some of the wounds.  Anyway, Edgar watched from the window, offered a couple of woofs to let me know he was on the job, and returned to his nap.  We don...

  Edgar does not look much like a wolf.  Those short legs would not be much help in the life of a wilderness wolf.  He is rather a wimp when it comes to climbing up the very short easy ramp to the couch or having his ears cleaned.  He recognizes the bottle of ear flush.  When he spots it in my hand he makes tracks for any hiding place (in rather short supply in this wee apartment) and ends up behind the sofa or in the shower stall.   Let him pick up the scent of a pussycat and his eyes become slanted and glow with evil intent.  Edgar's inner wolf begins to surface. Now and then I give him a bone.  Usually it is a Pork Chomps variety.  I do not give him rawhide or bones of any kind from my meals.  Last night I gave him a 6 inch rolled pork chomp bone.  He tossed it around, licked it some, and then grasping his blanket in his teeth, he tugged his blanket over the bone to hide it.  Often he does this to invite me to his game ...

  We welcomed the arrival of June with another lovely day.  70's, a light breeze, warm sun and a few puffy white clouds to make the sky interesting. The heavy rain shower the other night laid my fuschia bell forest low and turned many of the blossoms brown.  I hated to pull them up as so many are still open, deep pink and pretty.  Still I had to admit that the picture was not really attractive any more.  Of course they are illegal here at Joseph's Dream anyway as they are WAY over the 10 inch limit and form an entire bank of flowers rather than the individual plants surrounded by black ugly mulch.  So as Edgar sat sniffing the breeze for cat scent, I began to pull up the stalks with the most brown and withered blooms. Suddenly both Edgar and I were surrounded by a mass of small, very indignant bees.  They did not sting us-just flew around us buzzing angrily. I had not noted any bees on the flowers other than one or two fat black and yellow Bumble bees....

  The USofA celebrated Memorial Day today.  Reports have it that this weekend  was a break-out after the many months of confinement.  Even with gas prices way up there, many people were said to have taken to the road.  I have not watched the news yet tonight--almost afraid to--hoping that everyone drove carefully and stayed safe. Perfect weather here in Virginia, but no parade or air show.  It was a very quiet day at Joseph's Dream.  Few people even sat outside.  Several apartment dwellers had placed a small flag on a hook in their flower beds.  Several of us older gals sported out red, white and blue blouses. I am certain almost everyone living here is either a  veteran him/herself or had members of their family who were.  Very few of us remember WWII.  My husband was in that war, stationed in England most of the time.  He was one of five boys in his family, every one of which joined up when Uncle Sam called.  ...

I learned two things yesterday.   1. How to cook beef short ribs.  One thing I had never cooked in all my years of cooking for my family.  The gal who helps me out with laundry and cleaning was here and gave me her recipe.  They came out so delicious.  Edgar was fairly quivering with delight when they came out of the oven.   That gave me an idea.  I do not feed Edgar "people" food.  I was in need of a high value treat to attempt teaching Edgar to climb the ramp to the couch.  So I saved a few chuncks of beef for training purposes. 2.  Edgar would never make an agility dog.   Ramp solidly in place against the sofa.  Short (2 foot) lead attached to Edgar's harness.  A few pieces of tender beef  tucked into my apron pocket. I devised a hand signal quite different from anything I currently use--first and second fingers of my right hand "walking" up the ramp.  The two fingers had been liberally basted with beef. ...

Edgar is up again, acting like a pup again, as the old rhyme goes.  What a week this has been, from tearful disbelief to tremulous joy and relief.  Most of you know the story from reading Jon's blog.  He did a wonderful job keeping readers updated and in encouraging so many people from all over the world to write to me with prayers and good wishes on Edgar's behalf.  Totally amazing.  I am so grateful to all.  Those prayers certainly helped.  Poor St. Francis must have been blanketed in requests-all for one little old dog. My Veterinarian, Dr. Joy  Watkins  of Bedford Animal Hospital, deserves an accolade for service above and beyond the call of duty.  She was in surgery when I called with my frightening report of Edgar's strange behavior.  As tired as she must have been, she was here at the door the moment she had finished her surgery at the hospital.  She treated Edgar and told me 24-48 hours would tell the story.  She w...

  Friday three friends ,who used to be at Joseph's Dream and left some time ago, came with take-out lunches to my apartment.  Seating four people at my wee table is pretty much an impossibility.  So two gals sat on my new couch, the third on one side of my table and I sat opposite her in my wheelchair.  That meant two had their meal trays in their laps, very accessible to one red dog, despite his short legs.  That nose, immediately followed by a soft pink tongue, has amazing reach. I was concerned.  Needn't have been.  Edgar was the perfect gentleman.  He greeted the ladies, one by one, as they entered the apartment, checking their shoes to see if they had been anywhere near another dog or one of those enticing pussy cats.  Then without any signal from me, he went to his bed and stayed there while the aroma of fried catfish and french fries assaulted his nostrils.  What a good dog!  He behaved as though he had spent the entire 8 1/2...

The box arrived yesterday.  It contained a "shock" training collar. After talking with my son who adopted a Boxer with some defensive behaviors with other dogs and my daughter whose husband, Jeff, has a Poodle/Terrier mix who killed 2 of her ducks and several of her hens, I have decided that hopefully this is the way to cure Edgar of his reaction to dogs and cats.  Sean's Boxer now actually plays nicely even with small dogs while Jeff's Poodle mix still watches the poultry, but will no longer go after them. I was surprised to find no instructions in the package.  You are directed to go on line and download the 9 page manual.  Apparently this is the way with all things one buys now.  My computer had issues with doing this (or maybe it is me) and I only got the first page.  Had to download a special App in order to even get that one page.  Then my Internet connection went out.   Today I contacted the very excellent Engish speaking tech at Shentel....

  With Edgar it seems just when I think he is getting it, he has a relapse.  Poor Susie cat, who spends her days hiding in the closet and nights (happily) on the bed with me, began to think just maybe she could make friends with this dog.  So she began sitting on the very edge of the bed in the morning, overlooking Edgar's bed.  I watched as Edgar took notice of Susie and they very gently touched noses.  Edgar did not have his usual "Ahha --a cat" look.  A bit later w hen Edgar was lying quietly beside me as I worked at the computer, Susie slowly ventured out to the living room.  Edgar leaped up growling and barking and went after the cat.  I tried to grab his harness, missed.  Sue flew around the room then dodged back into the bedroom and into the closet.  At one point he actually seemed to have had his mouth on her shoulders.  I thought he would surely break her neck.  He never once looked at me so there was no way I could si...

Jon Katz and his wife, Maria Wulf, began their new radio program today called Katz and Wulf on Animals.  Great beginning, and I bet it will lead to going to a two hour show.  Maria has so many animals to talk about that are not the usual dog and cat tales.  I hope she will tell more about her fascination with snails. Jon introduced the topic that so many of us are concerned with-barking dogs.  He had some new ideas as well as ones we had spoken about in last week's program.  Two ladies called in, one with an update on her two dogs and the second lady telling about a dog she is attempting to rehome.   I called in during the final quarter hour.  Since the subject of barking had been the primary topic, I could not wait to tell about Edgar's most recent interpretation of "bark training".  In case you missed the show, here it is again.  My daughter was visiting Saturday evening.  Edgar saw something outside the window.  It was getti...

Edgar and I have been spending hours just sitting outside my apartment.  Spring weather has graced us here in this part of Virginia.  My early blooming Narcissus, Daffodils, and Crocus have gone to seed.  The rather strong winds that have passed through during the nights have stripped the early flowering trees of their finery.  The ground is a carpet of pink and white petals.  This past week the Evergreens on the hillside have cast their golden pollen to the winds.  My black SUV has a yellowish caste.  The pollen is so thick that it actually rolls in mini waves down the asphalt parking lot when pushed by the  easterly gusts.  It also makes both Edgar and I sneeze!   Edgar's nose is always working, twitching, pointing up into the wind, pressing close to the grass and sidewalk as he reads the news.  The book Jon gave me on deaf dogs speaks of "deafies" other senses becoming  enhanced.  This certainly seems to be the case wit...

Jon Katz's radio show will be on air at WBTNAM.org or 1370 on your radio dial this afternoon at 2:00pm.  Maria, his wife, will be first to call, then I believe a lady will talk about a dog who is in need of a home. I will call in after them to give updates on Edgar's training and to ask Jon's advice  with something new Edgar has come up with. Our lovely weather is disintegrating.  Sunny this morning, fading into clouds now with rain predicted for later.  Well it is April after all!  Every  shower brings a new burst of green on the hillside.  One of my neighbors has Iris which you can almost see growing taller as you watch.  Those Iris are over 10 inches tall--illegal here.  Speaking of "illegal" , we are having an inspection tomorrow.  In some ways this is a good thing for if you have an issue with an appliance performance or a dripping faucet, now is the chance to have it noted.  Of course there is always the picky things you can b...

  Porches used to be a required part of every house, whether you dwelt in the suburbs or far out in the country.  The farm house where I grew up had a huge front porch, so big we had cots out there and loved sleeping on the porch on warm summer nights. The little cottage where I lived in No. Carolina before coming here to Joseph's Dream had a big front porch too.  A swing at each end, several chairs and a full sized picnic table. No screens, just waist high white railing-topped posts.  On one end the porch was secreted in a group of flowering trees.  At the other end, a large Dogwood tree where the Mockingbirds often sat and conversed with each other and even me.  The front of the porch was adorned with Azaleas.  This time of year that old sharecropper's cottage was postcard pretty.  Purple Finches often built their nests just inside on the eave.  Little green lizards were  seen sitting on the railing, and once a bold little chap took ov...

Nell and Sherry came back today bringing with them  take-out fried catfish dinners from our favorite Friday lunch spot.  Fisher's Restaurant in Bedford, a small family  owned and run breakfast and lunch spot next to the railroad tracks, makes the best catfish ever.  When my son used to come often (before Covid restrictions), he always had to have breakfast there.  Sean says he has had grits in almost every place in the South   and none come close to the perfection of those at Fisher's.  Nell, Sherry and I made it a habit to go there on Fridays.  Fisher's has survived Covid when so many small restaurants have not, so that says something.  What a treat to sit down at my own table today with two good friends and once again enjoy that special meal. When we three got together it was always tale and laugh time.  Some of the same today.  Not sure how this came up, but I recalled the time I moved from my farm to a small house on a hillside ...

This morning I tried Jon's suggestion of hand feeding Edgar.  He watched me fixing his breakfast of kibble with a bit of canned dog food mixed in.  Then instead of dropping the bowl in front of him, I held it in my lap.  I took a few kibbles in my palm and, fully expecting a growl at the least, I offered it to him.  He very gently lifted the pieces from my hand with his tongue.  We repeated this several times before I placed the bowl down in front of him keeping my hand on the rim as he ate the first few bites.  No growl--! All day he has been such a good dog.  Once he went to the window and barked when a truck went past.  I just ignored him.  He came to me expecting the treat and I did not even look at him. He lay down next to me.  Never barked at a thing outside or from the window all day.  Just now we went out for his last long outing of the day.  That black stray Tom cat was sitting impudently right at the end of my walk....

These have been a few very busy days.  After such a long "dry" spell of isolation, I have had lots of company.  Meg and Lily, my daughter and granddaughter from upstate New York arrived Tuesday.  Such a wonderful visit catching up on their doings.  My granddaughter graduated from Cornell -4.0--and has completed her Masters now.  She had applied for teaching positions and right away two schools wanted her.  So she chose one just before she came to visit us.  She has worked and received many scholarships . A beautiful girl in face and spirit.  She has a friend studying at Liberty University in nearby Lynchburg who came and picked her up.  This left my daughter and I to spend the afternoon together.  She brought photos of her family holidays and the beautiful home she and her husband have built.  Meg does landscaping/gardening for private homes and her own gardens are show pieces.  Terry joined us later in the evening for late sup...

Terry and I each made part of the dinner.  We both said no Easter baskets this year.  At 86, I might be in my 2nd childhood, but at her age (which I will not expose), she is definitely too old.  Knowing how much value Terry places on holidays, I knew she would not stick to our agreement.  So I colored a couple of boiled eggs, got a Dove chocolate rabbit and a tiny stuffed bunny and put them in a fake grass nest in a small basket.  As I expected, she arrived and expressed surprise that there was a basket for her--and as I also anticipated, she had one for me.  Filled with my favorite German chocolates shaped and "dressed" as little chicks.  She made me a lovely Easter card with flowers and the most adorable little yellow chickie.  She is so talented and so very thoughtful. Edgar was very much a part of the day, claiming as he now does, his place in my home and heart.  He showed off his new good manners by going to his pillow and staying there ...

We could not have asked for more perfect weather!  Edgar and I went out early to watch the Easter sunrise.  I remember when I lived in Corinth, NY, going to sunrise service at the tiny town beach on the river.  Afterwards we went to a local church which put on a breakfast. Everyone laughing and such jolly good socializing.  I guess that did not happen this year. But I remembered too, one very special Easter Monday, when my last child was born.  I had guests for Easter dinner, my in-laws , which meant much house cleaning beforehand.  A few hours before dinner my inlaws arrived.  An hour later in drove mybrother-in-law, his wife, and new baby arriving-UNEXPECTEDLY. I had to add some canned sweet potatoes to the casserole of sweets I had prepared.  Good thing I had purchased that really big ham.  It was just a misunderstanding.  My mother-in-law thought when I invited them it meant the whole family.  So she of course passed on the invi...