Reflections on the 13th Wedding anniversary.

(I have several posts I have composed on files in MS Word, but I am going to do something I rarely do, and post something directly from my personal journal)

Thirteen years ago today, as the sun was setting somewhere behind the cloud cover of Hurricane Fran, my wife and I shared our wedding vows under a tent during an incredible downpour.
We are going to be heading out to dinner later this afternoon, but a few minutes ago I put her hammock out in the yard so she could use it to read in later this evening.
I hung it, and then I lay down in it.

My eyes wandered into the nearby treeline hovering above, where I noticed a squirrel busily building a nest. I watched it traverse back and forth with small branches, and my patience was rewarded when I saw the other half of a happy couple scampering from along the railroad track and join in the building.

We have not had too many squirrels in the last year. All I have seen of them is their rotting carcasses after the reigning head of the local arboreal food chain, the Red Tail Hawk Family, has made them a dinner entree. That's how it goes in nature, somebody always ends up as someone else's dinner. The Hawk family regularly left whatever remained after dinner on the ground behind our deck. I kept it cleaned up because I did not want our dogs snacking on it.

Anyway, I wonder about these two squirrels, building their new home in such a perilous place.
Who knows when Mr. Hawk is going to come back and reclaim his old territory? They are building their home in the next tree over and under from the old Hawk nest.

I wonder who their realtor was?

And are they newlyweds? Are they as oblivious to the challenges they will face in nature as much as my wife and I were thirteen years ago on our wedding day?
We thought we were as ready as we could be, but life still threw us a few curve balls.

We have made it this far, because we faced our challenges together. Watching those squirrels build their home, and exerting so much effort, made me smile. I am not a big fan of squirrels, but I am a big fan of effort. I hope they make it.

Three Pigs in a Blanket? No, Three Dogs on a bed

Wow, what a beautiful Monday evening. Around seven o'clock I spent about twenty minutes sitting out on my front porch watching the dogs amuse themselves chasing birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and anything else that dared trespass into our yard. Now they are tired, and I am sitting at the kitchen table writing on my laptop. That is where I took this picture.

I am outlining the story of my childhood buddy, Rags the dog, and trying to figure out where to start the story. The day we brought Rags home, or the day we left his predecessor, a dog named Blackie, at the Vet, because someone had fed Blackie ground meet with glass and he died in surgery.

People are cruel to one another, but not dogs. they establish their territories, and then they abide by them.

Dogs have the right idea. Let's all just get along.

Sorry, I have been preoccupied

Sorry about the lack of new posts to my two dozen loyal readers, but I have been busy.

First I attended my H.S. 30 year reunion last weekend. I had to drive a round trip of over 1000 miles to see some old friends, but it was interesting.

Second I am working on a second book, while editing the first.

Throw in that I am still working full time Monday thru Friday, and you get my drift.

Election season is coming, but I hope to have my novel ready and all edits finished by October first. I love writing about politics, and the Pennsylvania state budget fiasco is a big honking target, but I just don't have as much time to opinionate as I would like.

Eventually I will get back to blogging regularly, but right now I am having too much fun elsewhere. Sorry!

Saturday, in the park, I think it was the not the 4th of July

Saturday started out like it was not going to go so well. Mrs C and I headed to lunch at the Texas Roadhouse. We were in the mood for steak. We were seated. And for 15 minutes, while people were seated and served all around us, we were ignored.

So we left.

We went elsewhere for lunch.

That happens sometimes. We went to a local family owned Italian place, and had a great meal. Sometimes things work out for the best.

Last night we went to the baseball game at Coca-Cola park. Home team won, and Mrs C's favorite player, the one she claims has a cute tooshie (DH Mike Cervenak) , hit a home run. That was enough fireworks for us, we left as the game ended, and the rain started. good Timing!

Now what has been on my mind? see the next post Monday. I have put together a musical movie quiz in honor of the king of the Brat pack movies, John Hughes. He died last week, and I have compiled lyrics from the great soundtracks from his many movies.

As I was going through them I was amazed at how much great eighties music there was in his films. So check it out Monday night. I want to make sure they are all correct.

Tell me why i don't Like Mondays, I want to Shoot the Whole Day Down!

I

Hate

Mondays.

Is there any other day of the week that we all want to avoid any more than Monday?

I think it would really help the economy if we went to a three day work week. Everybody should get a four day weekend! Can you imagine if you could pick your days off like that?

I would immediately choose a Tuesday through Thursday work week, with Friday through Monday off!

I am even willing to compromise, How about this?

What if Ages 16 to 35 have to work 5 days a week, 35 to 49 four days a week, and 50 + only three?

I am a frickin genius! I should be in government!