Life in "My" World

What is going on out here in the neighborwoods? That's what I've been asking myself since the start of "spring". It seems like a squirrel population explosion has occurred, the chipmunks act like pets, birds are making friends with the bees, and I'm braking each morning for turkeys, rabbits, deer, birds, and cats. I've been "attacked" by luggage-carrying spiders,garter snakes (mini-pythons if you ask me!), little sneaky, beady-eyed lizards, giant ants, june bugs that arrived in may, and lots of bees. Last night as I was enjoying my line-dried bedsheets, I felt a little unfamiliar tickling on my leg (do not go there!). A flinging of the sheets revealed a spider or some other crumpled up critter had been making itself at home on my side of the bed. Really?? Why is it always the one who hates the critters that gets them all up in her bloomers?? Don't get me started about the ant hill incident of 1982. None of us has time for that. Anyway, I love country living, but I am being invaded for sure. Yesterday I had 3 giant flies in the house, none of which I could swat. I am no Mr. Miyagi with a fly swatter, let me tell you. I hurt my shoulder swinging my swatter in the laundry room. I finally just shut the door and let the fly do the laundry. The other two flies got locked in between the screen and the window and I found them dead this morning. Victory! Now it's on to the chipmunks, who I'm sure are mocking me and poor Angel, who strangles herself trying to get to them before they run away. So much for being human and being bigger than everything. So much for critters "being more afraid of us than we are of them". Hmph! Tell that to the bats, raccoons, and entire family of robins now watching tv in my bed!!

Attack Dog

I have returned! Well, I never left. Anyway, I've been a bit occupied these days, trying to get yard work done (boring), end of the school stuff done (likewise), and trying to dig out my summer clothes (hysterical..it's freezing today). Anyway, lots of boring stuff going on. What is not boring, however, is our sweet, adorable, psycho dog, Angel. I love her dearly, really I do, it's just this issue of her hating strangers that I can't seem to handle. Yesterday my friend Tracy approached my car as I was sitting there with Angel, waiting for Rena. You would have thought I had a band of wild dogs in my car. The poor girl (Tracy) appeared to have had a mild heart attack as she witnessed little fluffykins trying to rip her head off. I was apologetic, of course, and Tracy assured me she understood, but I am wondering if A will ever get over this! When we took Angel on, we knew it would be a challenge. She had not been properly socialized as a puppy, and we believe some man abused her at some point. She's been in 2 shelters and one home with no real stability for any length of time. Well, as bad as I feel for her and as much as I want to help her get over this, she's making me want to drink! Large amounts! It's so stressful! I know it's not about me, but oh, boy. She's still growling at my parents and worst of all, she growls at Steve. No biting, no aggression, just all fear-based reactions. It's sad, really. She's so stinking cute and cuddly and sweet. Really, she is. It's just that no one will probably ever see it but us. We will be going into hiding sometime soon with our wild and crazy people hating dog. Actually, our vet advised us to keep exposing her to people in hopes that she will soon get over it. She may not. Did I need this stress? No. But Angel needed us, and we needed her. What I got was a bodyguard for life, I think! I'm thinking of starting a new blog that showcases my adventures with Angel so that you don't have to put up with too many dog stories here and hopefully I will link up with some dog owners who can help me out. I'll let you know if that happens and you can choose to follow or not. So, I have a crazy dog and a boring life. And you're sitting there reading about it. Hmmmm....Have a good day anyway, my friend!

Splendor in the Grass

Yesterday after school Natalie took Angel for a walk in the woods around our yard. I stepped outside for something and heard Natalie singing. It was a good distance off, so I couldn't quite make out what she was singing. It was a sweet sweet sound, along with the birds and even the buzzing of the bees. I decided to pull up a lawn chair and wait for them to come out of the woods. It was then that I heard her song. I smiled. She came closer, Angel pulling on the leash to make her way over to me, and I was just about to tell her how much I enjoyed her singing when she said, "Mom, did you hear me singing?" Yes, I answered, Our God, by Chris Tomlin is one of my favorites! She replied, "I just felt so good out here! It's so pretty out, the air feels so good, and did you smell that awesome smell out there? What is that? I couldn't find anything that would smell that good. I just felt God's creation out here and I felt like singing." Now that just warms a mom's heart, let me tell you! It's another reminder that no matter what is going on in our lives, we know God exists! We know by His creation that He wants us to feel comforted and mesmerized by the beauty around us. It's poetic and sappy, yes, but it's real! Nat went into the house and grabbed her dad's guitar and quickly ran back out to where I sat in the grass. She began strumming "Our God" and singing a little, and then just started playing little bits of all kinds of songs when she forgot the rest. By then we had decided to tie Angel up next to us, and she snuggled down in the grass as Natalie played. I must say I did a little snuggling myself, as I relished in this time with my daughter in our favorite place---outside. Dinner plans were put on hold. Soon Serena heard the music and made her way outside with Natalie's big music binder. She plopped down in the grass in front of Nat and held the book open for her as Nat made her choices. They decided on "Paradise" by Coldplay, one of my favorites too. They began trying to find their key, and I laughed as they unsuccessfully tried one too high and one too low! I tried to help them out a bit and finally they began the song. Nat decided to make some silly "guitar faces" as she played, and so instead of singing, we were all cracking up! Angel, sweet thing that she is, kept sleeping in the grass beside all this hoopla. Suddenly Nat began to sing a song she sings particularly well, and instead of harmonizing with her, Serena just watched Natalie play and sing, all the while holding the book open for her and turning the pages quietly. I wish I could describe the look on Serena's face, but all I can think of is "admiration". If a look could describe how Serena feels about her sister, that would be it. I know sisters fight and not every day is perfect, but I see a real love and respect between my daughters that makes my heart swell with love for them. They will never be alone in this world as long as they have each other. I took a few pictures of our fun time under the maple tree, but the one that depicted it best was the picture of Angel, sleeping in the grass while we all sat nearby. She was content, pleased, comfortable, safe, and relaxed. Just like me.