Well GOSH… again
I apologize to the kind folks who check my weblog for updates and have found none, for three weeks… again. I’ve just been busy and then too tired in the evenings to “report”. As well, it has been too hectic to take pictures of my valued pet customers, and I’m sorry about that. The real work of feeding, walking, cleaning up after, grooming and customized loving has to happen before I can consider grabbing the camera for the photo shoots; you can understand how that doesn’t always get done.
Today is not quite as fiendishly busy. I have two labradors (the bedbug and bomb sniffing dogs! I’m serious) and two basset hounds to bath and brush out. Taffy is here just for the day while her owners visit nearby Jasper, Alberta:
I plan to go to lunch with my friend Rhonda, who has taken care of our place on the rare occasions that Gary and I go away together.
I haven’t blogged since we had a wee vacation to the Shuswap/Okanagan region of B.C., to see our friend’s play in Enderby, Heebie Jeebies. That was the weekend of August the 4th to 7th (a Canadian civic holiday), and we not only saw the fabulous play in Enderby, but a production at the Caravan Farm Theatre in Armstrong as well. During the days on this trip with our good friend Mary, we also visited the Gray Monk Winery, the The Village Cheese Co., fruit stands and wonderful cottage-style shops in the country selling such things as garlic and pottery, baking and preserves. We ate at a well-known Fish & Chip diner and other meals at other funky, friendly restaurants. It was a treat from start to finish; we had left our home and businesses in Rhonda’s capable hands and she did a perfect job.
Yesterday I had a visit from a delightful 8 year old girl who wanted to help me with my work. We had a really good time. She and I bathed my elderly, retired stud dog, Buddy, so that he would feel and look better. As well, we walked the basset hounds and Sadie (a border collie who I’ve provided a home for “for now” or for always), threw the ball for Lady, and petted and talked to the others. We let Yuki the big white cat out of his kennel to scamper about the house, washed some green beans and chatted the whole time. It was a good visit and R. was lots of help to me. When her mom came back we had tea.
This past weekend, we took part in the Robson Valley Music Festival. I’ve written about the family who hosts this in past blog entries. They had an amazing line-up of talent, great food booths too, and the venue for this event is getting more and more sophisticated each year. The weather didn’t cooperate completely, but it could have been worse. Gary and I went on Friday and Saturday nights, and all afternoon Sunday. We got our money’s worth out of a weekend pass, but even ONE of those visits would have been worth the price.
While at the Festival, I spoke to someone who I’d avoided contact with for almost 10 years. Our friendship and intimate relationship ended with a huge and unhappy event at that time. He is a vendor and participant at this annual Festival, and I had spent too much energy making sure that I didn’t have to have a conversation (or even eye contact) with him. This weekend, I sucked up my courage and visited his “booth”; at first my “old friend” didn’t recognize me, and then, when he did, offered a big hug, which I accepted. Although of course I didn’t feel the same bond and chemistry that I did so long ago, I also realized that I had let go of hurt and resentment, and THAT was truly liberating. Now, I wish that person well, and can go on with my life, even lighter.
One of the few photos I’ve taken this month is of the dainty miniature dachshund “Pickles”. Here she is keeping Gary’s chair warm:
I need to get on with my day. I’ve picked some terribly big (mature) green beans which I will make into what I’ll call “Ceasar Beans” for my darling daughters to add to drinks as “swizzle” sticks (instead of celery or pickled asparagus spears). That’s just one of the tasks on my list today, in addition to dog grooming and care.
I’ve missed you and will try to do better at blogging. ~ Ann
