Merry's Thoughts, the God, the Bad Dreams and Wishes

December 2, 2012

Hello!  It has been so long since I have posted a thing in this blog.  I haven't been able to get into it, first of all. Second of all, my life went through many changes and some hard times this last year and a half.  Some of them I am still  recovering from.  But today, I'd like to start anew.  If I don't like the way this shows up, I will just plain start a new blog, even if I have to pay someone to design it and help me with it. I loved blogging, I find it therapeutic and I want to start doing it again.Even if no one else reads it.  I think Blogs are mainly written for the author anyway. I hope that all is well with all of you. God Bless you and hopefully I will be back and writing again soon! 

Love you all,
Merry

NONOFFICIAL THERAPY DOG

Just Sharing

Dogs, in my experience have an inherent sixth sense into human emotions, far more so than people.

A prime case is Sir Winston. As many of you know, who arereading these words, Sir Winston came into my life as a rescue. The Lhaso-Apso/angel mix was dangerously close to death when I adopted him. His undernourished, frail body covered in overgrown matted fur epitomized the term pitiful. Yet, in those deep set brown eyes, that unblinkingly stared at me, I saw a glimmer of hope. He has never proven me wrong yet. Within weeks he transformed into a healthy, loving and treasured companion' and his weight doubled. That was two and a half years ago.

Over the past year, my life has suffered many set backs. I amin a middle of a highly emotionally charged divorced, lost my home, and I almost lost my father to a staph infection that went rampant. My father's infection ended up bursting both ear drums and took root in his ears, nose and throat. That pushed my 82 year old father to the brink and he spent three weeks in an intensive care unit. This was followedby several traumatic weeks in a nursing hospital and then ultimately home.

I took it upon myself to move in with him and be his caregiver. We both appreciated he would get better attention, and be more comfortable, both emotionally and physically, in his own environment.

Naturally, my two dogs Chester and Sir Winston were also relocated. It was a test of wits for all of us for those first few days. Anyone who has experienced a similar situation can attest that it taxes the bounds of sanity on a daily basis. However one common thread seemed to hold us all together -- Sir Winston. Oh, trust me, my beloved Chester also paid his part' but Winston seemed more in tune to the seriousness of my dad's condition. It was ten days into his recovery when it happened. My fatherfell while attempting to use his walker in the middle of the night. All, he wanted to do was go to the bathroom. He is fiercely independent, and naturally having to rely on someone else for even the basics is damaging to his pride. My father fell and fractured his hip. Due to his other health concerns it was several days beforethe doctors dared to risk surgery. And even then I was warned of the risks involved. He suffers C.O.P.D. and is on blood thinner due to heart arrhythmia.

The surgery was successful and he was swiftly moved into a rehab center.

It was on the second day there that I noticed a contented Pug on the lap of a smiling patient as she was being pushed about the facility.

The next day I decided to take Sir Winston. The fuss began as soon as we entered the facility. Or letme rephrase that. The attention and fuss began to be centered onWinston. It seems everyone he encountered was left with a smile on their face. Be it administrators, nurses, physical therapists, and, most significantly, the patients. Naturally, I allowed Winston to return the love he was receiving. It took me twenty-five minutes to make it in to see my father. My father, not one to normally show emotion, grinned from ear to ear like a proud grand parent with a new born baby on show. On today's visit, after taking another twenty plus minutes to get to my father, he was in the physical therapy room. Once again, Winston became the center of attention as he went from one patient to the next. He took it all in stride -- in fact I swear my little dog was grinning himself. It seems as if I have an unofficial therapy dog on my hands.

Technically, I don't think he is supposed to be there. But when the staff sees the joy he brings to everyone they obviously approve. Winston made several new friends today -- all of whom are looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow' and the next day. I suspect my visits to the rehab center are going to get longer and longer. I, for one, am happy to do it, and I know for a fact that SirWinston is as well.

Credit for this goes to-- P.S. Gifford

Hope you all enjoyed this one.
Love,
Merry

Best Husband Award & Davenport Trip

YI, YI, YI!
Tonight we decided to have McDonalds. (I always get the new Mac Wrap, it is small but enough for me with a lite yogurt or jello). Dave went and got it. I hate onions, but this is SO FEW, and w/out onions, it's dry....usually I can't tolerate onions, but these I can)....Dave gets no onions). Well, he got them for me. I was furious, beyond what I should be (Mad as hell, threw a hissy fit) (& went to McDonald's to get my own regular Mac snack!) Dave's car was in the drive (I forgot about that, mine was in the garage, and I had to back down the drive. As usual I make sure I clear the snow blower on the right side of the garage. BUT, because I was mad, I go ZOOMING out of the drive and ?????????????? You got it......I scraped Dave's car with my left front mirror. ALL THE WAY down the side of his car. Just because I was mad he didn't get my Mac right. Holy smokes. I told him immediately when I got back because 1. I can't not tell him stuff like "Dave what happened to your car???????????"==Fake it.) And, #2 I was guilty! Really he couldn't have been harder on me than I was being on myself.

Well, this has a happy ending. I stated to try to get it off, but Dave got some polish or scratch stuff he had in the garage and proceeded to get it ALL OFF! Hallelujah! Praise God! But I learned a valuable lesson, don't take your anger out by going fast, (look what happened.)

Hot temper tantrums don't solve anything, and I hope you don't have to wait until you are 60 to find this out (or learn it the hard way). We have a fairly high deductible on the cars, and on our fixed income, It would have been very difficult for us to come up with the deductible cash to fix it!!

He spent 5 days in Davenport, IA trip seeing my friends, as we weren't able to get ahold of his brother! It's pricey to motel it for that many nights, and eat out, etc. But he knew I needed to see my friends. (It had been 10 yr since I had been in Davenport, (*Dave had been periodically on for business and so he's seen some friends and family then.) Bless his (Dave's) heart. We lived there for the first 19-20 yr. of our married life, and Tim grew up there. The trip was good for us, especially me, we went by every place we'd ever lived and saw a few of my dear friends--Besides we went to our "surrogate niece's" wedding (One of my lifelong best friend's daughters, a friend I worked with for years and am very close to got married.) That wedding definitely was priceless, and worth the world to both of us, to see beautiful Christina's big day! (For me to see my friend Tory, who, like her daughter, is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside, and for me to spend time with my one my oldest Best Friend (over 45 yr.), Lynn.

Then, a BIG added BONUS: We also were able to stop and see Tim, Patti and our grandkids on our way home! Joe has the neatest toothiest smile and is now a toddler not a baby (16 mo. old) he still has a halo in tact! Jack is becoming so grown up (He's so funny, and smart, and I enjoyed watching some episodes of "Curious George" with Jack in the bedroom. He explained the stories to me. He's so enthusiastic talking a mile a minute....and then boom, all of a sudden, he is sound asleep. I just laid there looking at him. Thinking of how blessed we are to have him. And the years turned back, Jack reminded me of a little boy who once was small, named Tim who used to wear a baseball hat whether awake or asleep, too! Oh, the Grandchildren are darling, and precious and growing up so fast! We got to see their new dash hound puppy, Betty. She's super cute! With a great personality! Tim and Patti were great hosts & Besides cooking a great supper, Patti gave me a beautiful silk scarf she got for me when she was in India for work a few months ago. They always make us feel so welcome!

About my mishap: I know I probably wouldn't be that nice. His car may be just an Impala, but it's loaded and a beauty AND MORE importantly- The first car he ever paid off!

So! Now, don't you think I am lucky? Remind me of this IF I complain about him. :)

Had to brag, but in reality, I am honestly just very thankful. that Dave is like he is (a nice guy) & to God because this wasn''t worse than it was! I was lucky this time. It's never dull living with me. If you actually read all of this, thanks, you must indeed really be a good friend to me as I try to be to you!

Safety First, Be careful, cuz cars are expensive & lethal weapens.
Merry

A Good Life: Adding the Final Touches

A Good Life: Adding The Finishing Touches

by Lynne Wisman
Sunday June 24, 2010--SOURCE:The Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA)

To my dearly beloved children:
In your eyes and heart I am a very special person because I am your Mother. I'm grateful for that! I feel the same about you. You are special and I have invested much in you, including all of my love. It was a wonderful journey composed of good and bad calls and lack of sleep. It was worth everything we put into it.

Now it's a different journey. This journey is for your father and me. We've spent a lifetime taking care of other people. The rest of our lives will be labeled, "Ours."

Let me explain why I'm telling you this:
We want you to understand why we sometimes say no.

No, we don't want to do that this weekend. No, we're not coming over. No, we're not going to "Grab a plane." No we're not going to take care of the grandchildren. No, we're not going to babysit your dogs. No, we don't want to go on a cruise. No, no, no."

Don't mistake the word "no" for "They don't love me." We do love you. You truly will never know how much. But here's the thing: You are too young to recognize the sound of a ticking clock. We recognized it long ago.

An alarm goes off one morning and it's a wake up call. The message is straightforward: Time is evaporating faster than an out-of-control train, and it's taking us with it.

Parents sacrifice everything to raise their children. You know that, for you have children of your own.

We not only raised you but some of your friends as well. We took care of pets, helped our parents, did volunteer work when it was necessary and a thousand other things required to keep a family well-balanced.

It was the most worthwhile job we've ever had in spite of living in a human zoo. We loved it even when the power bill was out of sight because curling irons were on 24/7, and when we lost our hearing because your digitals were torqued to the max.

We loved it through trikes and bikes, boyfriends, girlfriends, proms, thousands of sporting events in the rain, and a complete depletion of financial resources.

They were such good years and today we have beautiful young adults that we are proud to present to the world. Society wants and needs young adults that will make a difference. Society not only got what was needed, we gave it to them in spades.

That was then: It was yesterday, last week, last decade, last time. It was our final contribution.

Today society can stuff it. And you, my darling children will eventually understand the evolution of attitude in relation to time: What is left is for us. We earned it, it's ours, and we're going to take it.

Life is short and there are no guarantees. With evaporation of time comes a do-it-now urgency.

This doesn't mean we are trading you for something else. What we are doing is taking time for all of the things we never had time for until now. Your father and I are putting the finishing touches on a good life.

I know it's surprising, but we've finally grown backbones and learned how to say, "No."

We don't want to hurt your feelings, but for us it's very much about the value of the days that are left.

We know that you love us enough that you will forgive us when you find we are set in our ways and stubborn beyond belief. It comes with the growth of backbones.

One day you will look upon this time and realize ours was a surgical division from past responsibilities, not a psychological division from you.

Loving you is the greatest of joys.

Looking forward to the rest of our lives with a freedom we've never experienced is a gift we owe to ourselves!

One day, you too will receive this gift. Use it as we intend to use ours, to celebrate the past and to step into the future.

We will always love you. You are the greatest gift of all!
*****************************************************************************************************************************************

A Christmas Shelter Dog's Poem

’Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,every shelter is full—we are lost, but not found.

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,we hope every minute that someone will care.
They’ll come to adopt us and give us the call,“Come here, Max and Sparkie — come fetch your new ball!”

But now we sit here and think of the dayswe were treated so fondly — we had cute, baby ways.
Once we were little, then we grew and we grew.Now we’re no longer young and we’re no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash.They reacted so quickly — why were they so rash?

We “jump on the children,” “don’t come when they call,”we “bark when they leave us,” “climb over the wall.”

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.

If only they’d trained us, if only we knew,we’d have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse, let to roam.Now we’re tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us goodbye…“Maybe someone else will give you a try.”

So now here we are, all confused and alonein a shelter with others who long for a home.
The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,with so many to care for, they can’t stay to chat.

They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer…we know that they wonder how long we’ll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our headsof a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears –our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can’t adopt us and there’s no room at the inn –could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each day of the year –can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat…and help get us something special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,and more of us will, if more people will give.
– Author Unknown

And take a minute or two to share this with friends and family, spread the word, spread the message. Every little bit of help counts! Share the love every day but most especially now! This is from Merry. I received this from one of my graphic groups and I think it's something I need to pass on. It's so true. It's sad, but if we don't want to adopt we can help donate, time, food, money, etc. to our area shelters! Merry


jessisue14@aol.com
merry1621@aol.com,
Merrytagalong@aol.com,

merry1621@gmail.com

"Get your facts right. Then you can distort them as you please."Mark Twain (Valerie)Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but freedom amid the storm. ~Anonymous~

DIDDLY'S CHRISTMAS ANGEL by Mark Cridor

Snider had passed away a few months ago after fifteen years ofgiving and receiving love within this family. Little Jack, the family's fourth grader, was still having troublecoping with the loss of the dog that had been his companion and partnerall of his life. He had never spent a night that he could remember thathe couldn't touch or feel Snider's warmth under the covers every night.This was not going to be a merry Christmas at all and Jack's parentsknew it. Being in the fourth grade was hard but Jack seemed to not hearanything even if the teacher spoke directly to him. She kind of knewwhat Jack was going through so she didn't press him too hard. Like hisparents though, she never believed that the sadness would have so muchcontrol over him for so long. Jack's parents had been to several shelters as well as animalcontrol trying to get him another dog but they did not have the cash topay all the up front costs for all the veterinarian procedures required,especially heart worm costs of three or four hundred dollars. They hada very hard time wondering why people did not give their pets preventivemeds since it was only pocket change every month to do it. It was late and getting dark. The animal control director calledfor Amy to bring the last dog to the back to be put down before theyclosed for the holidays. Amy could hardly breathe thinking about thisyoung dog being killed. She had to do something to buy her more time,but what? Anxiety was overwhelming her. So young, so sweet, such ashort life. Amy had named her Snoop Diddly when she first came in because allshe did was snoop everything and everyone that came in as she rompedaround the greeting area. She had even started to respond to the nameand learned sit, lay down and stay. She was going to pick Diddly up to remove her name collar whenthis big old guy came in. She had seen him before, as he was a regularvisitor to the shelter. Diddly was out the door in a flash as thoughshe knew what was in store for her. Was he her rescue angel? The lights of town were starting to brighten as darkness loweredover the city, as Diddly ran and ran. Christmas was not going to be a fun holiday at Jack's house. Hisparents were in a dither, what with family coming in the morning andall the celebration for the day. As Jack's mom cleared the breakfast table she heard Jack, whowas outside, scream. She and dad rushed to the door just as Jack camethrough holding this young pup. "MOM! DAD! LOOK! She's got a collar on her name must be Diddly.If we can't find her owners can we keep her?" as Diddly licked his faceand hands. "Well of course we can," they said in unison but, we have to tryand find her owners first. Diddly was in the middle of the family all morning but hangingwith Jack mostly. They all were quietly talking how Jack had snappedout of his severe depression so fast since the dog showed up. He evenate a big meal with Diddly in his lap sharing a few bites. Something hehad not done since Snider passed away. An old friend of theirs stopped by. Jack saw him get out of hisbig truck. He came walking up just as the door opened, with Jack andDiddly rushing out to greet him. He was an old fishing buddy of thefamily's and had taken them fishing ever since Jack could remember. "Well, well, well, where did you get this pup?" the friend asked. "She just showed up this morning when I was outside," Jack answered. "She looks just like Diddly who escaped from the animal controlshelter last night when I stopped by there. She ran out the door whenI went in and the worker there seemed so relieved she started crying-- telling me I must have been sent by someone at The Rainbow Bridge,as they were minutes from putting her down. She told me about her.How she had named her and how sweet she was. Guess I was an angel anddidn't even know it. And here she showed up where I know she'll havea loving forever home."

-- Mark Crider
A 2009 Update to the Story: Having known the family for years and being into rescue here Ijust had to write about what a coincidence it was for that to happen. The real part of the story I couldn't divulge then (just in casesomeone from animal control read it) was Amy was crying so hard about it I couldn't handle it so I just grabbed the dog and put her out the door to let her escape, and took the blame. After all, who is going to confront a tough old grouchy pet lover like me? I went looking for Diddly but it was dark. The next day I ran anad in the paper but had no luck. I was really shocked when I stoppedby and there she was. And she is still there happy and healthy as can be.
_______________________________________________Mark says, "I am a pet lover to the core and find myself embedded in thefight for their well being daily. To me, someone who would mistreata pet is a mentally sick individual. Sharing my food, kindness andresources with pets give me inspiration."

The Best Childhood Ever!

When I was a little kid my Dad built me a swing set. (acrobatic equipment)--but made from plumber pipes, heavy duty stuff. (Stores didn't sell them then), this was like a school ground playground equipment. It had swings, a teeter-totter (sp?), bars to hang on from your knees, and parallel bars in three heights. No one else in out little town had such equipment at home. But Daddy, could see I was good at this, (I did take gymnastics soon as I was old enough to get into it) and he made me this.) It was quality. I took it for granted at the time, but when I remember it now, it really is a wonderful memory to know how loved we were. Every kid should be that lucky, but they aren't. I don't think it was built yet when my sister was my age. Bev was always off somewhere with mostly boys, fighting and paying roughly. I was a "sissy" she said. Also that I didn't have fun, but that's not true. I had everything a girl (or kid) could dream of. But she was a true tomboy, and she wanted to go play with boys, and eat worms on a dare, and forever coming home dirty and with her dresses torn, (girls wore dresses when she was little!) No sissy stuff for her. As for me, I loved my yard, and next to being at the lake cabin, it was my favorite place to be. Every year my friends & I put on a "carnival" (acrobatic) show. We'd charge money, and half that little town came to watch us. The proceeds were for other kids and adults and other kids came to watch us...We had a club, The Helpful Club." We also had games for kids to pay to play and prizes we gave them. (LITTLE THINGS) The money made from our "shows" we'd buy something for someone who didn't have much. For instance, that wasn't good farm country so my farm friends were poor. I remember going and picking out the outfit one year we gave to my lower income friend, Sally! It was a really big deal to me, but I was the one who got the "gift." I had the gift of giving to less fortunates." Some years it would go to an organized charity, too.

Anyway, every one played in my yard, partly because they liked me, but also because of the equipment, I am sure. (I also had a gunny sack swing, do you know what they are like?) And a hammock, and a tire swing! It was magnificent. Almost as many boys played in my yard as girls, even. The fact that my Mom made the best cookies in town for everyone and anyone didn't hurt, either! Mom never minded the noise or hassle of all of us kids playing. Kids were in and out of the house using the rest room, Mom never seemed to care, she said at least she knew we were home and we were playing safely!) My Mom was great with kids. I don't think I ever encouraged my son Tim to have "half the town over, LO." I would have felt responsible and maybe Mom did, but she never acted like it did anything but please her to see me having fun. Every kid should have a childhood like mine. Both of my parents, gave so much of themselves for me. Summers were at the Lake House, and I did know even then how very lucky I was, and although I didn't fully appreciate it, I did know I was fortunate. So, when we went back a few years ago and the playground equipment was gone, it broke my heart. Also, some of the GIANT trees were gone-probably died. Broke my heart. How many children have those kind of wonderful memories?

Feel free to share your childhood memories with me; I'd love to hear about them!

Hugs to all!
Merry