Happy Birthday Mom!!

What do you get a special person that has everything?

Here she is sitting on a boat reading the history of one of the lighthouses near Baltimore, Maryland. I think she would actually like an old lighthouse - but that isn't too likely to happen! Perhaps she might enjoy a weekend stay at one - preferably one that is not haunted.

So what do you get her? Well, the case of my Mom, you get her a wire reel.

You take it down the shore and put it on the porch. And then, of course, you paint it and forget to take a photo of it!

In any event, my mom was surprised beyond words. She could only stammer, "You! why... why... you!!!! I.. You!!! oh!!!"

I'll get a photo of it painted next time I get down there - I usually don't go down their in the summer - the crowds and I don't get along - so when the fast approaching end of summer arrives, I'll be heading down to enjoy the much more peaceful, hopefully deserted beach and take another photo.

An old photo of the house down the shore showing where her new "porch table" is sitting - by the way, that is a Peugeot station wagon. My mom loved that car!

Heartache - Friends that Hurt (Part 2)

I can not write words that express what a dear friend, one that I have admired and respected since the day I first found her blog. She suffers from pain that cripples her and makes her largely a "shut-in" but you would hardly ever know it - she is cheerful, optimistic, honest, courageous, talented beyond words both with her hands and with story-telling. In short she is just a plain and simple "good" human being that looks and lives outside of herself and sincerely wishes the best for everyone she encounters.

She is very reluctant to ask others for anything - let alone something as simple as a kind thought and a gentle word. I deeply admire her.

I read her recent blog entry with dismay. I am sure it pained her to ask her friends for some kind thoughts and prayer. She valiantly strives to be independent and a burden to no one. And she is so. Despite it all.

I hope the power of prayer - can bring some sunshine into her world.

Heartache - Friends that Hurt (Part 1)

Rest in Peace Kero - I have long adopted other people's pets - a couple of them have become "nearly my own."

Kero was one of them.

I watched him grow up - and read about his "exploits" and experiences. I sorted out his photos for his special human - enjoying each and every pose he had. He had presence - an attitude - and his human loved him beyond all the words she ever wrote about him.

I took pleasure in creating the covers for each and every one of the "Kero" books, even if my talent was meager and crude.

Kero Celebrates Christmas - I wondered how he didn't get lost in the snow with his gleaming white coat. I was always pulling for him to "catch" Santa Paws when he came by to leave him his Christmas presents.

Kero Celebrates Halloween - he was admittedly, perhaps a tad spoiled - he certainly got his share of the treats.

Kero Celebrates His Birthday - I only regret there weren't enough of them.

Kero Goes Walkies - For a little dog - he had a big heart and loved to explore the world outside his door.

Kero Goes To Town - He took some adventurous trips, here and there, and even rode the train!

Kero Gets Sick - Everyday I rooted for him to get well and to stay well. He has gone to the place that well loved doggies go - the Canine Valhalla. His presence in our world, too brief as it was, was a gift to us all.

He will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his grieving special person.

Busy Weekend

Last weekend, despite it being overcast and gloomy - with periods of gentle rain, was a busy one. Friday evening found me in Baltimore, Maryland with my parents enjoying the Inner Harbor sights and sounds. I enjoyed watching the folks take out peddle boats that were made to look like dragons - some were green and some were purple. It was a little odd watching some folks peddle them backwards - the red ship in the background is a lightship. The Power Station, the home of a seafood restaurant, Barnes and Nobles, and the Hard Rock Cafe is behind it.

Early the next morning, we boarded a cruise boat and took an extended tour of the Baltimore Harbor that focused on the various lighthouses and ship channel navigation lights. My favorite (photograph) was the one of the abandoned Fort Carroll light, with a Cormorant on the top, drying his (or her's) wings. The odd sunlight coming through the clouds makes for an interesting effect.

The abandoned fort is well out in the harbor and is covered with birds, Cormorants, Egrets, Herring Gulls and others - I wouldn't want to walk on it since it is covered in white splatter - but I did have a good laugh at this sign at the "Sally Port" entrance. "Private Property! Keep Off! Guard Dog!"

After the cruise, we went to the houseboat, where we rested briefly from the drive (Baltimore is confusing and the traffic over the Kent Narrows bridge is horrible), and the I went with the one-legged lady and her dog, Barley, to the Chestertown Fountain Park to hear Vic Vacuum and the Attachments (no kidding, that's the band's name!) play some rock and roll tunes from the 1950s and 60s. It was quite a sight watching old grey-haired ladies with walkers dancing to the tunes! The weather, while gloomy, was comfortably cool. Barley made some new friends - he seemed to enjoy Mr. Vacuum's music.

Woof!