Hi, I'm Gabe

My name was Cain, but now it's Gabriel

and I think I'm going to live here forever.

I'm six years old and have the same birthday as mom.

August 26 - my new mom, that is.

I used to live with another mom and a little girl with special needs.

I liked her, but they moved and couldn't take me.

I was going to be "euthanized"

That, I think is something bad.

Anyway, Linda, my new mom came, and I rode in the car

to my new house. I wasn't sure what was going on, but she

gave me some really great food, and then went away for

a long time. I wasn't sure what to do

so I took the pillows off the sofa. Then I went to sleep.

She came home the next morning, and gave me a really

great breakfast. I still wasn't sure where I was,

so I was on my best behavior, which is pretty good.

She told me her other dog had gone to Rainbow Bridge,

and she was missing him a lot and I was missing my family,

 so we didn't do much for a couple of weeks,

 only going in and out and sitting on the porch

 and eating some really great food. She changed my name to Gabriel.

Gabriel is ok. She also calls me Good Boy.

One day she brought me some things to play with called "toys."

I've never had any, and they are great. Some have

squeakers inside and some crackle and mom plays

with them with me. I have an alligator and a shark.

And I have a dog with a bottle inside and I can take

out the bottle. Then I have some toys with little compartments.

Mom puts treats and peanut butter inside.

And I have a purple ball.

We went for some walks, but every time I see a kid or

another dog I need to go see them, and mom isn't very

strong, so she got tired of being "hauled around" she says.

Now we go to school once a week. I love school.

I get to listen to a clicking noise and I know then I will

get a treat. It is just the greatest thing, and all I have to do

is the thing that makes the clicker click. Sometimes it's hard.

But the treats are reeeeally good. And I get to play

with the other dogs.

I love to practice the clicker homework. I just sit and stare at mom

until she gets the clicker and the treats.

I can still smell the other dog who lived here and

sometimes I use his leash. But I'm pretty happy here

and I think mom is too.

Love, Gabe Good Boy

Tis a Fearful Thing

'Tis a fearful thing

to love what death can touch.

 A fearful thing

 to love, to hope

to dream, to be

 to be,

and oh, to lose.

 A thing for fools, this

and a holy thing-

a holy thing, to love.

 For your life has lived in me,

 Your laugh once lifted me,

your word was gift to me.

 To remember this brings painful joy.

 'Tis a human thing to love,

a holy thing to love

 what death has touched.

Yehuda HaLevi

Beloved Duke

went to Rainbow Bridge

August 13, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

Summer Garden

I can't help it - more garden photos

Yesterday a hummingbird visited!

Love, Linda

Lilies!

The "pre cooled" lily bulbs I bought at the Phila. Flower Show

are blooming! They are spectacular!

First "the promise" -

I bought a dozen of white Casa Blanca lilies

and a dozen of pink double.

Aren't they just wonderful!!

I couldn't stop looking at them.

They smell wonderful too.

Love, Linda

Dancing by the light of the moon

My wall hanging has finally begun.

After all the sampling I have done, shown previously,

I have started stitching the actual piece!

Here is my template drawn on brown paper:

Below is the first "clump" It will be in the space second from the right

on the bottom row.

It started with some free motion embroidery, adding snippets of lace

and fabrics while stitching, them embellished with

french knots and buttonhole stitch.

Some of the clumps will be padded.

It took an age!

I am planning the second clump.

Below is Dukers sitting like a human.

And feeling very pleased with himself.

Love, Linda

While the cats' away . . .

With Karen gone to Glastonbury, I am catching up on some other sewing

before she gets back and starts cracking the whip.

I finished 3 baby daygowns in pink, white and blue,

all hand embroidered and listed on etsy.

I've also been working on the garden, my astilbes are blooming

and I got rid of the mistake, planted in shade petunias

and planted coleus and white New Guina impatiens.

Have a great week! Love, Linda