Last Saturday I cleaned out the garage and found letters I’d sent my mom from China. I also found three “stories” I’d written back then, one about traveling to Hainan Island, one the script that went with the (long? tedious? boring?) slide show we gave friends and family, and one a proposal for an article. I told my editor to throw out the manuscript I’d sent her. Then I read everything I’d written so long ago and edited my manuscript. I was surprised to find I’d remembered things well. What was more surprising was that the stories I was telling back then are the same ones I’ve written this year. Somehow that made me very happy.
And, I made a book trailer last weekend.
It’s finished again and just at the moment when I saw the end in sight, yesterday, I saw a dog posted by the local dog shelter. I went to see him and he seems perfect for my “family.” He’s a mini-Aussie who looks very much like my dog, Mindy (RIP). He was “advertised” as a Bernese/heeler mix, so I was expecting a MUCH larger dog and was delighted when I saw him. I’ve loved this breed for years. I’ve had two regular sized Aussies and an Aussie mix and they’re great — smart, alert, cooperative, adaptable. I think he’ll figure out his place in the family quickly. Dusty’s a lot more stable with the meds he’s on, too.
I’ve been worried about what Bear would do when Dusty joins Lily and the others in the Enchanted Forest. Bear’s never been an only dog. When I saw the dog’s photo on Facebook I thought, “There’s Bear’s friend.”
The shelter has to keep him for five business days, but I’m going to foster him in the meantime. The shelter is packed to overflowing and most of the dogs there are large, the majority pits, which I love, but this little guy isn’t the dog to stay in a place like that long without losing heart. If his owners do step up, that will be fine, too, but it seems they might not. He was found several days ago by a woman in Del Norte who took him in as long as she could and posted daily that she’d found him.
Anyway, I’m going to go get him in a little while. 🙂
Otherwise, I finally planted all the veggies that had become house plants. It’s been a cold spring, though every chilly day was one more won from summer. I know, I’m a weirdo.
I’m not hopeful that the garden will be great this year, but the iris and lilac have been spectacular.
That’s pretty much the view from Heaven. I’ve been reading posts from time to time, but not consistently. I’m sorry. The China book has been very compelling and I’ve loved working on it. Now I have some short stories in mind that I might write here since it has worked so well in the past.
Congratulations to the Rag Tag Daily Prompt on surviving for a year and growing. I remember well how it started and wondering if it would survive more than two weeks, but it did. Take that, WordPress. We didn’t need your stinking’ prompts after all!
I love the book trailer.
Aside: America stands no chance in a trade war with China.
Thank you! The trade war is stupid, cruel to Americans and manipulative — it will fail.
You’re welcome.
Isolationism never works well.
Isolationism is illogical.
💛
Such excitement, Martha. I love your book trailer, and I’ll be looking forward to finding out how the new dog works out!
Thank you! I’ll let everyone know about the dog — I hope I get to keep him and that Dusty and Bear love him. ❤
That dog will not mind winter.
No, he’ll love it! (too)
I look forward to hearing about Dusty and Bear’s new friend!
So far so good. He’s played with Bear, done his business where he’s supposed to and submitted to Dusty. Fingers crossed.
Excellent!
Fingers crossed!
First of all glad to see you in RDP again and what lovely good news. A wonderful dog and I am sure he will be a great companion to the pack.
I have a photo I want to take for Tabby but I keep forgetting. Bear dug a hole and put her cardboard box in it. So far the new dog is fitting in well. I just hope his owner never shows up and we get to keep him. He played with Bear for a long time until they were both worn out. ❤
What a beautiful canine addition to your family, Martha! He looks absolutely gorgeous. And I enjoyed your book trailer too. It all seems to be coming together nicely. Well done. 🙂
Thank you! I hope the dog continues as he has begun. 🙂
Lucky dog! Good to hear from you again xx
❤
😊
Martha–good news abounds and I am so happy! The new pup is adorable. Fingers crossed the owner (giver-upper?) never shows.
Definitely crossed fingers and that Dusty remains chill with the little guy. ❤
I love the trailer, Martha. And the dog. And the vegetables.
My heart is really full tonight. The dog is working hard to fit in. Bear’s jealous but not hostile at all. Teddy (like Teddy Bear) likes Dusty and I feel good about the China book. I might cry. ❤
❤ ❤ ❤ I love the name Teddy. It really suits him.
What a beautiful photo both of the lake and the pup. Congratulations on the newest member to your family! :):)
I’m so glad to have found you are posting again — somehow I didn’t get this post, or any others since, until I found you on Twitter! Teddy is beautiful, and you have added him to your family at the right time.
Yep. It seems like the Great Power Over Dogs I Adopt arranged it. Teddy is perfect. The energy in our house has changed, it’s calmer. Bear and Teddy are both calm, sweet dogs who love each other. I miss Dusty, though. ❤
I’m sorry about Dusty — but it sounds like you have a perfect household/family now! Calm must feel good — do you walk them together? I hope Bear continues to protect you.
She will. It’s her nature. She’s sleeping on my foot right now. Bear’s been a great mom to Teddy, too. I miss my big boy, but time will soothe that. 14 years and going from one life to another to another etc. — that’s immense. I was with the Evil X when I adopted Dusty. Threw out the Evil X three years later and Dusty was still there. The whole stock market debacle and almost losing my house, Dusty was there. My neighbors getting a horse (Brownie, whom I loved) Dusty was there AND was that horse’ best friend. They were together all day every day. My brother dying, Dusty was there. Hiking in the California mountains, with Dusty. He was the last bridge to that world. Retiring and moving out here, Dusty was there. Such a complicated neurotic dog and such a dedicated friend. We humans think we share our experiences with human friends and family, and we do, but we (or I, anyway) have shared so much with dogs I could not have shared with people.
What a great friend Dusty was for you! You will miss him — but it sounds as if you have two more who will soothe that hurt and be equally good friends, both for you and for each other.
Yep. That is absolutely true. ❤ ❤