She's home!!!

We give dogs time we can spare,

space we can spare

and love we can spare. And in return,

dogs give us their all.

It's the best deal man

ever made.

M. Acklam

Bentley is home! I am so thankful and I believe that she is too.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, she was safe the entire time she was gone. A man in my neighborhool found her in his yard and took her to a local vet. He then posted signs up and down a main street regarding a dog that has been found....... So nice of him and the vet that kept her until I came for her.

During this process, I have heard "She is just a dog...." - I know that and I would have been a person saying that in the past, but she is more than a dog to me. She is my loyal companion, she makes me laugh, she is there when I cry and I feel her love for me. Dogs are amazing and wonderful.

In the search for Bentley I had to go to the pound. Oh, my.......so sad to see so many beautful, sweet dogs there. Don't get a dog if you aren't going to care for it. They feel pain, loneliness, etc....I hated seeing them in cages. Open your hearts to a pet....go to the pound and get a dog. They will love you for your kindness and your life will never be the same.

What a journey in 24 hours. I appreciate all the concern from my family and help from my sister. I am thankful to all who prayed and especially to the friend who cared enough to pray with me at 5 in the morning.

I am blessed.

AKM

Incredible Journey???

I hope NOT.

I came home tonight to no dog in the backyard. A moment I will not soon forget. I searched for her for hours....mascara down my face....my pride out the window - with the panic a mom would have for her two legged child if he or she was missing, but my four legged girl is still MIA.

MIA without a collar (Found that in the backyard in two pieces) and in the cold. I hope and pray that she comes home. My fear is that someone has her and with no identification, it would be near impossible to get her back.

I am going to trust that she is having a great time and will be home soon. The door is open, the light is on. The prayers are going out......

Cut that Incredible Journey short and get your tail home!

Going to be tough not waking up to her in the morning.

AKM

Fragile yet Fearless...

I wanted to pay tribute to a special friend of mine, Violet Mitchell, who sadly passed away this month.

Violet was a lady in every sense of the word. She was lovely with eyes that twinkled like stars - eyes that took you in and loved the sight of you. She always had a smile on her face. She was so soft and always smelt so good. She seemed fragile....like she would break if you hugged her too tight. (Believe me, you would have wanted to squeeze her tight.)

Always quick to say, "Thank you, hon" if you did anything for her. When you told Violet something, such as: "We have new fish in the aquarium", her face would light up and her response would always be, "You don't mean it." Loved that!

Looks were decieving when it came to Violet. She appeared fragile, frail - and in many respects she was, but she could hold her own. She had spunk and a fight that amazed and impressed me.

About a year ago, a local animal park owner brought a variety of animals for the residents to see. Snakes, turtles, spiders, an alligator, etc. Most of the residents tried the "look but don't touch" method. Not Miss Violet....she held every animal and loved every minute of it. A smile from ear to ear. Eyes so bright from pure joy of the moment. She held that alligator and let the handler wrap that python around her neck - trust me, she was the only one "in line". Violet had moxy!

I will miss Violet. I always looked forward to seeing her, hugging her, telling her "I love you" and watching the affect that had on her. Getting that smile and being loved by those eyes. I wish I had known Violet while she was in her prime. I have no doubt she was an amazing everything....wife, mother, grandmother. She is the type of woman you want to snap green beans with on the back porch.

I loved her.....I love her. She will never be forgotten by me. Her picture is on my kitchen counter reminding me why I do what I do every day.

Violet often said, "I wish the Lord would just go ahead and take me on home." Well, you might have waited longer than you wanted, but you're home now Violet.

How about we meet at that Pearly Gate when it's my time to come home? Then I know I will be able to squeeze you tight!

Until then, lady.

AKM

Stick a fork in me!

I'm done...........fried, to be exact.

I've been told that I am just a little "pasty white". I prefer adjectives like, "Peaches and cream complexion" or something a bit more flattering. Nevertheless, I decided that perhaps I needed to do something about my lack of tan.

Soooo, I thought why not utilize the tanning bed at my gym? Brilliance! What I failed to do was find out the particulars about tanning.

Being the staunch woman that I am.....I went to the gym to "Git 'er done" and that is just what I did.

Stripped down - walked into the booth and pushed start. 10 minutes later, I thought "Well, that wasn't so bad." 4-5 hours later, I thought "I don't think that worked...I don't look a bit different." The next morning....."Owwwwwwwww" I thought "I just might need professional HELP!" OR.....a gun.

There might be a reason why the sun doesn't shine on all parts. I'm thinking 10 minutes was a bad idea. I'm thinking that maybe stripping down was not smart as well.

I'm thinking that I'm an idiot.

Tan, but still an idiot.

Will update you on the tanning process.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

AKM

I'm just mad about the Maysles!

In the words of my mom, "What's a Maysles?"

Well, mom....that would be David and Albert Maysles....the documentary film makers of Grey Gardens and The Beales of Grey Gardens - part of the Criterion Collection. If you haven't seen these documentaries, you must....this week. Tonight works for me - I'll bring the popcorn.

The stars of both documentaries are Edith and "Little Edie" Bouvier Beale and they are stars. I find them to be delightful, free spirits. I love their artistic, uninhibited ways. I wish I had been their neighbor....I wish I had been their friend.

Some may think they are completely crazy....I did at first. The more I watched, the more I admired them. Both, "Staunch Women". Both, beautiful.

Things I love about these documentaries:

• The "revolutionary costume" of the day and the frequent costume changes
• Edith taking pics of the Maysles
• The singing.....oh, the singing. (Tea for two and you for me.........)
• The dancing
• The search for the "Libra man"
• References to "The Marble Faun"
• The "Staunch Woman" moment
• Their outlook on the world

Here is some information to entice you (as if I haven't already done that):

Grey Gardens is the name of a neglected, sprawling estate gone to seed. The crumbling mansion was home to Edith Bouvier Beale, often referred to as "Big Edie," and her daughter, "Little Edie." The East Hampton, Long Island, home became the center of quite a scandal when it was revealed in 1973 that the reclusive aunt and cousin to Jackie O. were living in a state of poverty and filth. That's the background to this 1976 film portrait by cinéma vérité pioneers Albert and David Maysles, but it's only incidental to the fascinating story they discover inside the estate walls.

The two Edies have lived in almost complete seclusion since the mid-1950s, ever since Big Edie's husband abandoned her and Little Edie (then a young socialite on the verge of a dancing career, or so she claims) was called home to care for her depressed mother. Twenty years later they continue to live in their memories while camped out in a single bedroom of the 28-room mansion overrun with cats (who use the floor as their litter box). Rehashing mistakes and missed chances with an accusing banter that becomes more stinging and angry as the documentary progresses, they exist in a sad codependency brings new meaning to the term dysfunctional. Disturbing and discomforting, it comes off like a freak show at times, but for all their arguments and recriminations, the Maysles reveal two women abandoned by their families who are left to cling to each other, for better or worse. --Sean Axmaker

Can't say I completely agree with Sean.....I believe both Edith and Edie had a deep, loyal, abiding love for each other.

Watch the Documentaries........tell me what you think.

Well, I'm off.......to look for that "Libra Man"

AKM