Tag: Zush

Mourning or Missing

Mom and Zosia

Today is the 10th anniversary of my Mom’s passing.

I miss her; truly I do. As my Mom had dementia, the last five years of her life were my mourning period. My brother and I took turns every other night taking care of her, and I don’t think there wasn’t a night that I was there that I didn’t cry. Mom was herself for one week after she suffered a subdural hematoma, but then dementia took her away. She could communicate in Polish on occasion, but talking was minimal. The birthday before she passed away, I was up with Mom overnight. Her birthday was four days before mine. On my birthday, I got up quietly to get dressed for work, and as I turned away from the closet, she looked over to me and said,” Good morning.” It was the sweetest birthday gift she ever gave me.

People commented to me about not crying at her funeral. I said it was a celebration of her life-her entire life pre-dementia. We were genuinely glad she was done with her struggle. Physically she hung in there for five long years. It was time for her body to go catch up with her mind in a better place.

Life has gone on and I miss Mom. There are many times I can feel her wagging her finger at me and telling me “I told you.” She never got a chance to see me retired. She never got to come here and see where we live now. She knew my Zushie girl but didn’t get to know my Kasia that well.

Kasia

At this ten year mark, I’m missing Mom. I don’t think that’ll ever change. I am grateful for the life she led. I just hope I can catch up with her eventually.

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“My Guys”

My Dad in World War II

Twenty two years ago, my Dad passed away.

It’s funny, because I was realizing the amount of years and stopped to remember…Dad’s passing brought me Jim.

Jim and his Mom

I had moved back home to help take care of Dad when he was in end stage liver failure. It was during this time I first started talking to Jim…who knew?🤔

Here we are, just about 18 years ago, all cleaned up with Our Zushie 💜🐕

This is why it has been my experience that, indeed, things happen for a reason. I will love my Dad forever, and miss him every day. He brought me that final gift, though- the gift of my Jim. How fortunate have I been to have two marvelous men in my life.

Long Ago…

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…in a galaxy 94 miles away from where I am now, Jim and I said our vows 17 years ago on the 31st of August.

We have gone through ups, downs and bumps, but we are still here. Perhaps the fact that we were late bloomers at 42 and 48, and maybe we assumed that maturity would see us through, but what ever it was, my vote being love, we are still standing at the seventeen year mark. I have often said that it has gotten to the point where I can’t remember life without Jim and Zush, and later Zush and Kasia joining us. I think it’s a good thing.

So happy anniversary to the former bagel baker. I love you and am looking forward to the golden years that we might actually participate in down the road.

Training with Kas…continued

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Kasia and I were at the bay this morning, since we both enjoyed the break in the weather that started with yesterday’s rain.

You can see the marked difference in the sky from yesterday. The blue over the bay was back and a great breeze was riding side-car. We walked for a nice clip along the bay and then made our way back home.

The flip side of this is it is still vacation time for a lot of folks, and I guess the amount of umbrellas will increase as we get closer to the weekend. It’s ok, though. Kasia and I are used to it and will adapt when we see a lot of folks. Hopefully we will keep getting out early enough to enjoy some solitude on our mother/daughter/ trainer walks. I know she enjoys them. As for me, the exercise is good, but more importantly, I savor every second I have with my girl. I know her sister, Zush, would want me to.

My Alyx

My niece, Alexandra, was born when I was twenty. I remember being excited because I already had a nephew- now I had a niece. I had two other nephews, Matt and Greg, and I always loved them all, but the only girl was special…as she got older she loved her brother and adored her cousins.

It’s twenty one years today that you left me and finally were able to rest. Babci and Dziadziu are up there with you now, and you also have my Zusher. I know God took the best to keep you company. Rest well, Alexandra. Cioci will always love and miss you.

Remembering the Day before

One of my favorite documentaries I found on YouTube was entitled 9/10, the day before. An anchorman from Chanel eleven in NewYork, was reviewing the news stories of 9/10, and in review, how insignificant it all seems,in light of the next day’s events.

Well, today is my day before. Fifteen years ago I was getting ready to marry Jim the next morning. What happened the night before, I can remember being with Ryan, my ” beck and call boy”and my maid of honor Denise. I do remember that last ” single girl’s kiss” from Jim.

So here I am, just about 16 years later, and it is funny. You do remember some of the things from before, but it’s like there was no life before him.

It goes without saying Zush is dearly missed and thought of every day. She has a spot in my heart forever.

I married a loving son and brother, a gentle soul, the best pup daddy on earth and my best friend and lover. He is my sit-down and stand-up comedian, and the breath to my life.

So, albeit a day or few hours early, Happy Anniversary to my Jim. I love you more than all the grains of sand in Higbee and the Panama Canal basin.

Dad

I can’t believe it’s been twenty years.

Twenty years ago, it started as an ordinary day. Yes, my Dad was on the cusp of entering hospice, but it was not meant to be. I called home mid-morning to check on how things were going, as I normally did.

I was told Dad was having a bad morning, so I left.

Dad left us two o’clock that afternoon.

I couldn’t believe the kindness of my co-workers. Some even came and called at the house to pay their respects.

Twenty years.

You have Mom and now my Zush up there with you. Make sure you give Zush love from her Momma, ok?

I miss you terribly Daddy, but will love you forever.

Another Saturday

Kasia accompanied us yesterday to see Jim’s Mom at the rehab center. She was really a good girl. Our Zush used to go to the nursing home with us to see our friend Stan. This was the first time Kasia went.

Sometimes she needed a little space, with all the excitement. Under the chair next to my Mother-in-law seemed to fill the spot. Jim took Kasia out a few times and she posed for pictures for Daddy.

Mom was pleased to see all of us, but especially Kasia. She brought her brand of pup sunshine to everyone.

Going Through the Motions

Summer is taking its’ toll.

Our tomatoes were happy until the rains hit. I have gone swimming once so far. The highlight has been my Gerber daisies hanging in there, thanks to advice and some fertilizer.

I’m thankful I have my good friends to check in with and occasionally hang with. Kasia and I keep walking, making up for lost mileage in the boot. I have to admit that this summer has me worn out. Sure, there’s air conditioning but I can’t wait for a good night’s sleep with air conditioning off and windows open.

This is the second summer Kasia has been without her sister.

Sometimes I think, in her own way, she misses Zush as much as I do.We would all have ice in our water when we needed to cool off, and I miss putting towels down to make sure they were not too sloppy. It is true: you always miss what’s gone.

Long Day’s Journey

We are resting tonight in anticipation of seeing Jim’s Mom tomorrow.

Today’s photo is one of Jim’s Mom with Jim and Kasia. We askedMom for permission to name Kasia.

Jim’s Mom is of Polish decent. Her name, translated from English, would be Kasia..We didn’t want her offended, and she was so taken by Kasia, that she readily agreed and was pleased. Our favorite girl in heaven, Zosia, translated into English, is Sophie. Mom had a sister, Sophie, and Zush always made her smile.

So tomorrow we will go and see her, and hope for the best. We look forward to when we can bring Kasia to see her again.

Pain plus 363

I know that although my heart is heavy, I love both my girls, and always will.

They ALWAYS hung together, except at the vet- not Kasia’s favorite spot. This is one of my favorite pictures I took out back with them. My Zush was always willing to humor me for a picture; Kas, not so much.

This was the best pseudo-selfie of Kasia and me. This shot I took when I first was attempting selfies.

This is one of my favorite Zush shots: I took it in my back yard. We were coming back from a good walk.

And baby Zush, 6 months old, on the day we became her pack.💜🐕😘

Both gals hanging out at our neighbor’s yard, working on treats.

So there you are. My heartache tempered by some memories close to my heart.

Keep it Coming…

It would appear that they are looking for yet another Nor’easter coming my way.

If memory serves you correctly, yes you did see the above picture in a prior post, dealing with the current Nor’easter.We aren’t proud, either: we’d take snow.

I think it was last winter when my Zush was still with us that was when we had some snow. It’s a case of anything to keep the off-season, the off season.***chuckling***

Hope springs eternal!

A Damn Good Day

Today I was with third graders.

They each were grouped into four, and worked on reports about breeds of dogs.

I walked through the class, monitoring their work, and naturally, I stopped and talked to the four boys working on Golden Retrievers. As I talked with them, the lead teacher said they should take advantage of my ” expertise “.

It was a pleasure to talk of both Zush and Kasia. I showed the boys pictures of them both, and it brought a smile to my heart. The boys were genuinely interested and laughed at some of their stories. It gave me the opportunity to think if Zush as still being with me. I wished I had Kasia with me to sit by my side.

What a blessed day!

February

It’s going to be a rough St. Valentine’s Day around here, since one of my Valentines’ is going to be celebrating in heaven this year. Kasia, I admit, will soak up all the ❤️ love- no doubt about it. Sometimes, though, I feel she misses Zush as much as I do.

Since Zush passed, I just have no heart for holidays. I usually did. Please don’t get me wrong: Kasia gets love every day. Holidays, though, well,it seems to be just another day. My heart just aches as I write this and think about it.

Thank God February is a short month.

It’s time….

Windows have kindergarten Eagle artwork hanging on them. I have the green lights around Zush’s picture on.

We have our meal and snacks lined up, and we are happily watching the show at home.

I have my hand ready to go over my eyes just in case and am hoping I won’t have to use them. I have my green pants on, green tee shirt and green hoodie on.

I am drink lime seltzer, green naturally, from a can in my Eagles can cozy.

Seventy minutes left!

Let’s go birds!

Full Moon

Tonight, there’s a full moon in the night sky: I took a picture while waiting for Kasia to come in from the yard.

My girl has come a long way . Don’t get me wrong: she still barks, but as she gets accustomed to folks in the neighborhood, she sits so politely. She actually takes a dog biscuit from the hand of Beth, our postal person. With Zush, that was no problem. I never thought I would see Kasia sociable.

Miracles do happen.

Memories

OCTOBER’S PARTY by George Cooper

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came –
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.”

The above verse of this poem was drummed into my head in third grade, or maybe fourth, by my teacher, and, for some reason, it has always stayed in my head.


There are many changes that occur in this time of year. Zush is no longer with me, my friend Kathy’s Mom has passed away, school has started up again and it’s the last semester for my nephew Gregory. Kasia is now almost 9 years old.

My father would always tell me how much he hated autumn. I always thought this was strange coming from a man whose birthday was smack dab in the middle of October. As 58 comes heading my way, I get it, Dad.There are no guarantees that the same trees will have leaves next year, or the same people will still be in our lives.It was Dad’s own bittersweet way of letting me know that nothing is forever, and the concept of death made him rather mellow. I am sure he is happy now with my Mom in heaven.

In the meanwhile, Kasia and I will help Jim rake our leaves down here.

Coming a Quarter Cycle


It was a hard day today.

The fifth will  be three months that my Zusher left me. Today  at our Church , they blessed the animals in honor of St.Francis of Assisi. It was the first time Zush wouldn’t be there, and I couldn’t have that. I brought her ashes with me and the priest was quite sympathetic.


In my mind, and  in my heart, my Zusher had her final blessing. Kasia, along with around thirty Other got their annual blessing.


We decided to make it a family day and keep on by going for a walk down by the lighthouse. It was nice with minimal tourists and tons of Monarch butterflies.


It was a good way to start a new month. We ALL were together.

A Cluttered Desk , A Cluttered Mind

For those of you who read my posts and have worked with me, you could attest to the amount of things that were on my desk. Things were necessary for work, but of course I had my plants, a seven inch cut out of Queen Elizabeth II, a coffee maker , pictures of my Zush and Kasia hung up on file cabinet amidst office memos and so on..

Fast forward two and one-half years into semi-retirement. My desk is an empty sewing cabinet. My MacBook Pro holds a place of honor, as does a Penn State Christmas ball from one of my besties,Kathy. Then, after Zush left me, it became a partial shrine to her.Her paw print I made last year, the paw print the pet crematory gave me when she passed away, in addition to a ton of her pictures.

Being not truly retired, but occasionally working, there are papers and mail that come in and usually sit atop my desk until I get to the point where I just can’t take it anymore. I’ll be curious to see how long this will hold out.

Working through the Pain

I had physical therapy this morning and, as usual I came home beat!

Rather than resting when I got home, I took Kasia for a walk down to the bay. Maybe it’s the current state of distress in Florida that drew me down, but whatever it was, off we went.


It was a very pretty day. I was pleasantly surprised by the cool air. As Kasia was on limited walks when she sprained her back paw, I decided it was time to stretch out legs. It was of no surprise that it was a long walk for us both. It is funny, because with Zush, walking was always at the drop of a hat. I guess Kasia has become too comfortable in the house, and we both need to get and keep moving. The pictures in this post are a few of the sights we passed today. Have a good weekend and send prayers and good thoughts to those in harm’s way due to Mother Nature this weekend.

Bittersweet- The Next Part….

It was a little hard, and the color came out a little faded, but above is my favorite of our wedding portraits, for obvious reasons. It was taken 15 years ago tomorrow, the 31st of August.

What I would give to have those 15 years back.

We have had our ups and our downs ,good days and bad days, and our heartache. Somehow, Jim and I are still here, getting up every day, putting one foot in front of the other. Anyone who has been in a long term relationship knows of which I speak.

In the quiet moments though, we miss our Zosia. How aching is it to look at this picture and know she’s gone. She was the best therapist we both had; listening and loving unconditionally. Yes,  I know: she’ll always “be” with us, but it’s just not the same.


Well, our Kasia is still with us. Unlike Zusher, she listens and barks, er, talks back. We go forward tomorrow hand in hand, and with four paws next to us.

They Know I’m Down Here….

The Philadelphia Phillies are playing tonight. I haven’t been their big fan for a while. Now, with the arrival of Rhys Hoskins on the team, well, I am sitting here watching the game .


It’s a little bittersweet for me. I had noticed that it is “Bark in the Park.” A lot of minor league teams would have fundraisers for  Pup Agencies like SPCA or Delaware Valley Golden  Retriever Rescue. When I was in the city, I always wanted to take Zush. Now that I am almost 100 miles away, the Phillies finally had one. 

Maybe next year, Kasia!

Company

Jim’s Mom is coming to spend some time with us.


My Mother-in-law is 98 years old and we really don’t get to see enough of her, because we are out of the city. She loves Kasia, especially since we asked her blessing to name her that. Her name is Catherine, which in Polish translates to Kasia. She was flattered that we’d have our pretty girl sharing her name, although she goes by the English version, Catherine. The two of them had gotten closer, and I know she enjoys seeing her.


She hasn’t been here since Zush left us: the two of them used to be good buddies. T’ll be interesting to see her reaction to us being without our Zush girl.

Jim leaves Friday morning to pick up his Mom. We are hoping she enjoys her stay with us.

Singing in the Rain

If you read my post yesterday, you saw my question if anybody knew any  rain dances to get some rain going down here to get the heat down. We had a good thundershower this morning about 2 a.m. and I know the time because Kasia was up pacing the floor.


Here is a picture of the little girl in action, pacing as I write this. Zush used to handle the rain and thunderstorms well. Kasia, from day one, abhorred fireworks and storms. We would know if one of the two were coming three hours prior, as that’s when she’d start pacing. I don’t drug or thundershirt her: I merely give her love and attention and she’s good.


We were out this afternoon and coming home, you could see the clouds forming across the bay. According to my phone, the barometric pressure was going down, so between that and my weather predicting sinuses, I knew the rain was coming.

So thanks, especially to my buddy Peggy, for all the rain dance help. You rock!☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️

Long Time No Hear


Facebook does crazy things.

Everyone who reads the blog post or sees the post knows my Zusher is gone. A good deal of my posts deal with Zush, Kasia or both of my girls. 

You know how you “friend” people on Facebook. You know how some people can read your Facebook page. You really don’t account for everyone who accesses your page. As a blogger, I appreciate the folks who read the blog.

I got a sympathy card for Zosia’s passing today. I was out front getting the mail and I looked at the return address. One of my neighbors here used to live there, but I really know no one in that town. Here, it turns out it was a relative who I haven’t seen since 1967.

She probably read it on Facebook. Go figure.

Summer Heat

It’s pretty bad when Kasia and I get up to walk at 7am and the humidity here is already 90%.

Blech.

I guess we have officially hit the summer doldrums.

It’s really been hard with Zush gone from us and Kasia and I left to fend for ourselves.To add insult to injury, Kasia is still recuperating from her bad sprain on her rear paw. Potty walks only until the end of August is really getting her crazy.We haven’t even really been to the bay in 4 weeks.

I just will have to keep up content and hope the first cold snap comes really soon!

Three Weeks and Counting….


This photo is about five years old. My girls, together, in the back of the old house down here at Undisclosed Location.

Oh to have that time back. It’s three weeks today that my Zosia left me for heaven, and the pain is just like it was this afternoon. I really miss my girl, and I find it hard not to refer to Kasia without slipping into ” my girls.” Jim’s niece sent us a second sympathy card and a willow statue of an angel holding a puppy. Just when you think waterworks are temporarily dried up, well, no such luck.


Meanwhile, I give Kasia tons of love, especially getting her through her sprained back paw. She misses her sister, and just came over to me to see what I was typing… lol. She has really become adhered to me, although if we are out and she smells, senses or hears Jim, well, Jim is her boyfriend.

We are getting along, somewhat sadly, like a car with three wheels. That is why we are walking now, so the three of us can get used to a 3 family member dynamic.

We’ll keep you posted.

Two Weeks and Counting 

It’s two weeks today my Zosia left us. 

My heart is still heavy, but I am touched by folks who, one way or another, were touched by Zush. Calls, emails and cards keep coming in.

Kasia and I are like two souls on a stormy sea. We try to comfort each other, but we know we are missing her sister.


I took this picture of me and my shadow while we walked down to the bay this morning.


The two of us are closer than we ever were, and the one-on-one time is quite pleasant. I notice she is staying a little closer to me, which is a result of Zusher being gone. 

I guess there is a reason behind everything.

Channeling Zush

When it’s 91 degrees and feels like 99 degrees, it was time to try to cool off.

Kasia got a bath outside. I really, really was not looking forward to it. 

I remember at our home in Philly, I had to get Jim to help me. Not fun.


You’ll notice that Kasia is not really a big sun fan. For me , sun is one thing , but heat sucks. I explained what I was going to do, and then I almost fainted.

Kasia SAT down. Just like Zush used to do. I cast my eyes up to heaven and thanked Zush for her help with her sister.


Here’s a shot of a towel-dried Kasia, trying to put the whole thing behind her.

…until next time.

Just Another Monday, Minus One

… except my Zush has left the building a week ago. 💔💔💔💔

Life goes on, and unfortunately so does the late spring heat.


The heat just seems to linger like a really low cloud over the bay. There was no way to enjoy it except for being in a car with air conditioning. The breeze, although the weather channel claimed it was a seven mile an hour wind… well, perhaps they should say it’s over the ocean, not bay.


Kasia and I sneak out early for our walk. When we go out in the afternoon, we walk a little faster than we used to.  The problem is in this heat, we come crawling back. Fortunately,  we had the air-conditioning on, so we are getting a little better.

Life goes on….. 

Kasia and Momma

Kasia and I are getting our act together, as a duo after our trio for 8 years with Zush.


One thing that I can’t turn Kasia into is the photogenic dog Zush was. Zush would always stop and let me take her picture- no questions asked.  Kasia is a different person.


Kasia will stop but she will never quite pose for me.

Ok.

Maybe hell will freeze over.

They’re Back

This morning, while it was still early, I got the girls out for their walk.

Oh my!

What a change from yesterday.

I picked a random plate, but….

Not only Pennsylvania, but other plates not normally here from New Jersey, Virginia, New York, Delaware, even South Carolina and Florida…the tourists are back. Walking the girls, the tourists with “their” dogs are making their rounds and it’s pretty sad when you have to remind them of the leash law and picking up after your pup, as Kasia is barking to beat the band and ready to chew up their dog off leash. It’s ok, tourist, I have another shoulder to replace the one my dog is aggravating because you can’t follow the law.

I do not miss packing up for a few days down here, only to have to pack up a traveling road show again in a few days. I can only shake my head when thinking back on those days, our lack of sleep from getting up early to get us back into the city, and am thankful they are firmly behind us.

On the flip side, we, including Zush, were all younger, and things were a little easier, but hey, at least we are all together and taking it all in stride.

Confessions of a 6th Grade Sub

Students go the bathroom a lot in the morning. Sure, I am the last person to argue, since I live in the bathroom a lot at times.This class, though, might as well have a revolving door with students going out in seemingly 3 minute intervals. We are talking 30 kIds in a class.

There are a few Asperberger students and a few ADHD students, and we give them more attention to answer their questions.

Back to the minutiae, the pencil sharpener gets a line at it. I think between the sharpener and bathroom are time killers for those who couldn’t give a hoot for the subject matter.

Although I am working this job for the convenience of Zush coverage, 6th graders make me miss my kindergarteners.

Working our way through M

The pheromones the vet wanted to try for Zush’s canine dementia weren’t working.

It has not been fun.

They called us to give us another option for her: three mg.of Melatonin. Yes, Melatonin. Sure it allegedly helps humans sleep, but it has to build up in the system. Another hoot is the vet said to give it to her thirty minutes before bedtime. I seriously wonder about this vet who I like. I really wonder if he knew anyone , canine or human, who ever had dementia. I kind of want to go up to him and remind him that this is my second time at the dementia rodeo, with the score human, one, and canine, one. I know book learning is one thing, but hands on, including everyone’s lack of sleep, is different.

Please?


If you have any experience with melatonin with pups, please let me know, ok? I need all the help I can get. Keep holding good thoughts for us.

Alexander Hamilton

Of late, I have been going to bed late due to Zush and her canine dementia and Jim working until 11.

I have caught a lot of CBS late night, and my favorite has been James Corden and the Late, Late Show. He has a popular segment that is called Carpool Karaoke and it made me aware of the Broadway musical, Alexander Hamilton. Yes, I know, to those of you shaking your heads and considering yourselves in the know, I must have been under a rock.

The segment of Carpool Karaoke had to do with this years’ Tony Awards, which Corden was hosting. He had Lin-Manuel Miranda in the car with him and the two of them together woke up my love for broadway tunes. I know my nephew, Gregory, is always texting about rap battle wars, but for those of you who don’t know, the entire play is done in rap, hip-hop and song. When I first heard about this combination, I said, “Huh?”

Little did I know.

I know have the soundtrack on my phone and laptop and the songs are stuck in my head. When I was a kid, the musical “1776” came up and I loved it. I saw the play in Philadelphia and New York and also saw the movie a ton.

Now, retired that I am, I don’t know about my chance of seeing the play, but for now, the soundtrack has me hooked.

Old American Studies majors don’t die…they just find new life on Broadway!

They call the wind, uh….windy……

…although if you listen to the weather channel, they would talk about the knot speed of wind, and when they do that , I always talk back to them and just say W-I-N-D-Y….Being out of the city, home of row houses and tall office buildings, when you are down here at the bay, the wind finds anyway it can to come and get you.

The girls and I are on abbreviated walks because the wind is just so biting.I am sure we’ll make up for it when the weather gets nicer.In the mean time, the three of us spend some time in the yard.

It’s incredible when you are out in the cold, because the sun lures you into thinking that it’s warm out, but it’s not. It’s ok, although. We are glad that everyone isn’t down yet. It’s still our little corner of the world, and Zush still enjoys getting out, Kasia still wants to explore everything, and life is good.

Good Days

There doesn’t seem to be that many of them.

Today was an exemption. My buddies Kathy and Tim, Zosia’s foster parents came down to see us. They also brought Henry and Champ, their two dogs.Below is Champ.


Here is Henry.


Kathy and I go all the way back to grade school together. We lived in the same neighborhood. It is always good to reconnect with a buddy who shares history with you.


The only bad thing is when you separate, you wish you still lived closer! Kathy got to see in person how Zush was. We walked all the pups around the neighborhood.

A good day indeed!

Sing along with Zush 

Here’s tonight’s photo of my Zosia. She is “singing to me”, and good mom that I am, I taped it. As with my mother, I know one day I’d wish I still could hear it.


Kasia has been pretty good: I hate to say it, because it’s like looking for trouble. She seems to be getting what’s happening to Zush, and ,dare I say, bows a little to her big sister.


We walked a little bit this afternoon: I usually let Zush lead the way. I look at it as her bucket list. Some days, we don’t go far. Other times, Zush wants the bay.

Nothing like being a spoiling Mom.

Craig and His List

It’s about five years since I met Craig’s list. Sure, I always heard about it, but never used it until then. We had an old oak dining room set to sell, and within three weeks, we had a buyer.

The living room set we bought initially for our new house was ready to move on. Jim had his eye on a new set. I went and posted it on Craig’s list, and within three weeks, it was sold.


I took the girls out when furniture was leaving, so Zush, of all people, led us straight to the bay. I guess they figured the cold air would help my bronchitis.

February Malaise

With occasional barks from Kasia in the bedroom, it’s kind of quiet here.

I have television on, but my mind is with Zush. We both are kind of beat.

It is a gloomy day here. It’s the kind of day that history usually leads us to believe is better spent in bed. As Zush is still quiet and resting, I figure I’ll hold off on our walk till the area of 4pm. We did almost a mile this morning, so we won’t be quite as intense on this one. Still, it is pleasant to go out in the winter solitude, with hardly any cars around to choke us with exhaust as we walk. By the time we get back, it’ll be dinner and we’ll get ready for the night.

Kasia has been extremely good: I can’t help but wonder if she picks up on what’s going on. I do believe animals sense things. We’ll appreciate the coziness of this weather and the evening. After all, isn’t that what girls do?

Respect for Elders

It’s been a rainy, gloomy day here, and I think the only one without any aches is Kasia. You see this picture of Zush I just posted. She’s laying on rugs by the windows. In the meantime, I am sitting in a chair with a heating pad on my lower back.

And Princess Kasia, you ask?


Here she is on her sister’s bed. Zush and I just kind of looked at her and sighed.

Damn kids today…lol

That Kind of Day

The expression on Zush’s face says it all.

It’s been that kind of day. I managed to get the girls out before leaving for the doctor this morning. I got through the appointment and also got a pneumonia shot, to boot.Now, I have to work on the tendonopothy in my foot, because the pain in the foot today was pretty damn bad.

So, as of 8pm, Kasia is asleep in our bedroom, Zush and I are vegging out in the living room, waiting for a decent hour to go to sleep.Hopefully, things will start picking up for us.

Pup Update

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good mojo that you have passed onto me from yesterday’s blog. The photo you see above is Zush taken this afternoon.Yesterday’s trauma has passed somewhat, and although I am the police mom, the girls are once more existing together.


Kasia has been outdoors in the yard for more time in the past day since she came to live with us almost seven years ago. Tone of voice still has a little edge in it, because we want her to get that what she did was wrong. The two girls are hanging out together within a few inches of each other.We are just going to take it one day at a time.

Jeez…

Take 5 days of antibiotics, they said.

It should be cleared up, they said.

Well, it has,… kind of.

Week number two of cellulitis and there’s on a half inch of red on each side of my knee incision.The antibiotics are done. I am still not right. Yeah, I know, if you know me you might say I’ve never been right.

There’s never been three more miserable folks; me, Zush and Kasia. Walking is highly underrated:sickness, well…let’s just say I can’t wait to get well.

New Toys

I have mentioned in a prior post that I have a new IPhone.The commercial where people try to get really great pictures on their phone, only to have the “Error- you are out of space and can’t take this picture” message spoke volumes to me. My new phone has more space, but I also bought a flash drive to save the phone pictures and back them up to my laptop
So in honor of no photos on the phone, here’s tonight’s Zusher shot.Keep a good thought for her tomorrow….we thank you!

Lazy Day

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The girls and I just weren’t feeling it today.Yes, we did go swimming yesterday but it they went again today, Id have to give two baths and that just wasn’t happening.

We walked some and tried to catch up with Kale, Zush’s boyfriend.Unfortunately he wasn’t around, so we just walked around taking in the fresh air and sunshine. I think I need to have a really GOOD night’s sleep,and maybe my energy level will jump up. This “tired” nonsense is a little too much.

We’ll lay low tonight,and hopefully,tomorrow will be a livelier day.

Beach Baby

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My morning was dedicated to getting the girls, in particular my Zush, to the bay to swim.

For those of you who joined us late in my posts, Zush loves to swim, and is pretty much the reason why we moved here, in addition to the bay.

Kasia was with us, but chasing seagulls is her pastime. God forbid she gets a paw wet. We walked along the beach after we’re done,and then when we got back home, Zush got a nice warm bath from me.

I hope to get them in a few more times before school starts.

Lucky Seven


Oh, what a life!

My little buddy, Kasia, is the big 7 today. As human parents say,”Where has the time gone.”

Kasia,Zosia and I went down to our neighbors in this heat, so the birthday girl could have her celebratory bone.


Let me tell you she wasn’t giving it up! Poor Zush was trolling around but Kasia had her mind set on one thing- her bone!

I want to thank both of my fellow dog moms, ironically both named Kathy/Kathi for taking my hand through the phone eight years ago and assuring me Zush would be ok, and a new baby sister would keep her young. That has all been true, and Kasia and Zush appear to love each other, albeit most of the time.The  rest of time, they have Mom as peacemaker.


I am truly blessed with my fur girls-as all dog mom’s say about theirs…

“THEY’RE THE BEST!”

Happy birthday my Kasia- Mom loves you!

Walking with Mom

Today, in this heat, I was shocked to see Zush ready to go out for a walk.

She went out, took care of business, turned and looked at me as to say ,”OK mom I’ve done my job let me go back in the house.”

I let her go back into the house .I unleashed her and she went back into the air conditioning .I kept Kasia on a leash and decided the two of us would go for a morning walk .It wasn’t really all that bad yet heat wise and we did almost a mile.

So I guess this is strengthening my bond with Kasia. It’s just my heart hurts not bringing my BFF Zush.


Kasia happily sits for Mom-a new adventure.

Take That, Fit Bit!

When I awoke this morning, I got a treat.

A front moved through, and there was a breeze.

Well,as of 4:08PM, I have 13,800 steps.Despite the loss of the 5,000 steps yesterday,I managed to make it past 10,000.That was a little bit of a struggle, but I did it.

It came as a great surprise when I met up with a neighbor this morning after Mass, and we took Kasia with us for a three mile walk.We really breezed through it, even though I had guilt that I left Zush at home: I didn’t feel right leaving her back but I want her to be ok, so we are taking basic walks so she can take care of business.I am selfish and I want her around for as long as possible. Windows were open, fans were on, and I left her a treat, so she was good.

Now all I have to do is go shopping for new fit bit batteries to keep in the refrigerator….

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Yawn

I went to bed last night around 9:30pm.

I am up since 2 am.

What the hell?

Those little thoughts that won’t let you sleep. Trying to put something on to make you fall asleep. I didn’t want to take anything to make me drowsy. I figure by the time I went to back to sleep, it would be time for me to get up and make today a really long day.

I don’t know if it is the possible cold front coming through, or the alleged rain and snow mix that is forecasted for Friday.Sometimes they say all your scars in your body act up and make you” feel” the weather. I know, there are a million old wives tales.

It’s frustrating when the husband is sleeping, Zush is sleeping, I come in here to type the blog and put the television on and Kasia is sleeping.

Doesn’t Mom get a break? Just wondering.

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Making up for lost time

My girls know Mom is working.


Zush, who is ALWAYS by my side, has been giving me the”…and you’re not going anywhere, right, mom?” look and sticking to me even more than Velcro ever could.

It is weird that once again, I have to reschedule my week. At least with this job I manage to get weekends off,for what that’s worth.After all, laundry and vacumning have got to get sone sometime. But somethings are always the same. I savor the time with my fur girls!  Kasia misses me a little, but as usual, she always waits for Jim to come home.Oh well, one out of two isn’t bad,

Gotcha Day

  
It was fourteen years ago that Zush came into out lives.

I didn’t get to spend the day with the girl as I would have liked to.Granted, the day started with a good walk for the three of us.Unfortunately, Jim and I had to go to Philadelphia for a funeral, but no worries. My friend and “sister” Georgine stopped in a few times to keep the gals company.

  
  
Here she is with Zush. I am so lucky that she loves them and they her.

We got home around 4:30,and in Zush’s honor, we walked to the beach and back.We were blessed with each other’s company,and as we walked along the beach, we were blessed with this.

   
 
A pretty good ending to Zush’s gotcha day!

And They Call It Puppy Love….

  
My Zush has a boyfriend, or at least she thinks she does.She calls out hello in dog-ese every time we walk by!

The young man in question, and to me he looks between 3 and 6 years old. We don’t know his name, but he is a brindle coated pibble mastiff mix. I feel bad, as the owners have the collar on him where he gets zapped if he goes out of the yard. Today, as Zush walked away, I saw the poor baby jump a little and whimper for trying to sniff where Zush was. It is so sweet, as they both greet each other when they see each other. Kasia tried to get in on the action, but this guy is the apple of Zush’s eye.

  
  
Nice to have her happy!

Leaf me alone

  
I really loved this shot.As I was climbing up with the girls I found the leaf like this. Pretty awesome!

Today is Halloween  

 
Zush is in her traditional jesters collar, and to put devil ears on Kasia was wrong in so many ways, although she is a devil most of the time in public.

We hope your Halloween is fun and safe! Please keep candy from the pups,as they don’t know it’s bad for them!

Pumpkin 

We are going to see our friend Max and his Mom Norina tonight.

They were good to us the other night and had us over for homemade minestrone and I felt bad: usually I like to bring something with me, like an appetizer or desert.

They are getting ready to shut down their summer cottage for the year, so I thought of  pumpkin bread! I had a recipe which incorporates mashed ripe banana with it, so that’s what I went with. I figured I would make one for us too, and I incorporated chocolate chips with it. I probably will take a piece to them to see how they’d it.

I give Zush a little canned pumpkin with some protein as a snack and she woofs it down. The only one not embracing pumpkin is Kasia.

Three out of four family members isn’t bad.

  

Waiting

Is there anything worse than waiting?

Oh sure, as an adult you wait patiently because that is how you are brought up to conform to society. As a child, you “can’t wait” for the last day of school, Christmas vacation,summer…you catch my drift?

Zosia had her second blood work done today and the waiting is rough.It brings my mind back to me waiting for various things throughout my life to date.The mind just keeps going, thinking of all possible scenarios and you wonder about the prayers you sent up.

I know no one ever said it would be easy.

Sometimes I wish they would have.

  

The PERFECT Storm

As George Costanza would say,”The sea was angry that day,friends…”

I knew when Zush was sick this morning,and as you see in the picture below,the ferries and weather looked Perfect Storm-ish.

Then, in my new hell room, the computer wouldn’t cooperate.people are snarling…a good day to be anywhere but here. Even the seagulls seem to have gotten a better offer.

If only I was so lucky.**sigh**

 

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Too bad my girl doesn’t qualify for Obama care..lol

All of a sudden Zush was in such apparent pain she kept leaving little yelps of pain out to let us know something wasn’t right. My nephew Gregory was kind enough to get over to the vet yesterday and pick up her Tramadol for her arthritis.That, we thought, would have resolved the issue but it didn’t.

This morning was not a fun scene. Zush obviously in pain yelping, Kasia wondering what’s wrong and me crying because, yes, damn it, they’re my fur kids.Managed to get through the day to 1:30, when I could leave for the girl’s 2:30pm appointment.

She was in such pain Jim had trouble getting her out of the car, but she got down and into the vet we went. Evidently, Zush’s spine was out of whack and now, with a steroid shot, and slow bathroom only walks, we’ll have our Zush up to speed in new time.When you are talking about a fur baby that’s 12 years old, well we had a big sigh of relief for our girl.She is the rock of our lives!

Below is a shot of Jim’s arm as he carries our Zush out of the back of the car.

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Quiet

So the past two weeks have finally come to an end, and mercifully, we all are at Undisclosed .

Shingleman is gently snoring away, and Zush , Kasia and I are enjoying the quiet. I don’t know when the next time we’ll be down, so the energy I’ll try to suck back while we are here is going to have tide me through for a bit. I know,as usual, I’ll savor every second.

Have a good Saturday!

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Laying low

The girls and I are laying low.

It was a long day for me,unraveling lifestyle tweaks with the doctor. A lot of time spent on and waiting for trains. Nothing like being out in the cold to wear you out.

Being out seeing folks going through various stages of illness makes me appreciate the fact that I am not in a hospital and am home watching Grace Kelly while the girls veg out and I am waiting for the dryer to finish.

Life is good.

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So since I’m here…

…as I am at ” the Undisclosed Location”,this is “Lighthouse Challenge” weekend, a yearly event in New Jersey. I haven’t had a chance to participate the past few years due to my old knees. Hell, I was lucky that I was walking, let alone climbing stairs with bad knees.

Guess what? Because I am here this weekend, I went over to the Cape May lighthouse and climbed it with Jim.Don’t ask me how many steps there were-there were many. However, the knees feel ok, and that’s good. I thought since they are almost 6 months old( as of this coming Tuesday),what a better coming out party? Nice to know I lived to tell the tale.The wind was so gusty-the weather channel said we had 25-35 knot winds and the ocean was truly alive. It was an awesome experience.

It was kind of weird today,as we did a lot of different things and as of 9:55pm tonite( now), we are just getting settled in for the night, as it were. It’s kind of odd, as we are a pretty sedate couple. Yet today? We ran around like 30 year olds…lol.

On the way from the lighthouse, we stopped at a NJ Audubon Society trail and ran across an old farm, complete with pumpkins that probably had been forgotten. Long story short-we ended up with 4 small pumpkins to come home with us. The girls had their share of walks so they too are beat. I had managed to score some “real” authentic dog bones from the Amish in Reading terminal, so both of them had been working on it furiously. It was funny, because Kasia never had a real bone before. She kind of laid back until she saw how Zush was handling the bone. It was cute to watch.

Here’s hoping for a good Sunday and a peaceful week for everybody.