Monty Is With Friends at The Bridge

He was with us from the age of 6 months as we adopted him from a Humane Society and passed away this morning after turning 20 years old just last month. He was my ‘head’ kitty…so called because he so often sat upon my head when I was sitting on the couch. He kept my arms warm as I typed on my laptop and many times couldn’t help chasing my fingers as they moved about the keyboard. He was the ‘playful’ one and teased the Greyhounds to no end. He was the kitty to move the water bowl across the room just to see the water splash over onto the floor, he would empty large bowls of water that way. Lively until the end, just last week he was still up to a lot of his old tricks and antics…chasing stuffed mice behind the couch….playing with toys and laying on me as often as he could catch me in a position that made it possible.

I will be lost without him, what is worse I know that Vinni will be lost without him. Vinni is 20 years old as well and they have been together every since Vinni walked through our door at the age of 3 as a stray. Vinni is laying beside me now, hasn’t eaten for the last couple of days, I feel due to Monty becoming so ill, so quickly.

My only hope is that Vinni will rebound and stay with us awhile longer, though I know he will be lonely. We will do what we can to comfort each other, I only hope it will be enough for Vinni to stay even though he has lost his best friend and mate.

Play well at Rainbow Bridge, Monty you have so many loved ones there already to greet you. I love you old man….now you have a chance to be young again. Until we meet again some day, please remember me as I will remember and love you.

True Colors Thursday – Cobalt Blue (Bright Blue)

This True Colors Thursday is all about Cobalt Blue. Without further adieu I will deliver!

A Cobalt Blue Graduate!

Baby in Cobalt Blue Bunting.

Mr DarthVader Potato Head has a Cobalt Blue tie.

OOBA Hibiscus With Lime – Gluten Free and Refreshing.

Here is the blurb: OOBA is a 100% All Natural, Refreshingly Clean, Sparkling Beverage that infuses the Pure Extracts of the Incredible Hibiscus Flower into every bottle.

OOBA is a Great Tasting, Healthy Beverage that is Rich in Antioxidants. Each bottle contains 100% of the Daily Recommended Value of Vitamin C.

http://www.oobabeverage.com/

I indeed found this beverage a light refreshing drink. Got a note from the founder of the product saying all OOBA products were gluten free. Not too sweet, not too tart, but a little of both. No artificial sweeteners. The bottle contains 16 ounces which is considered two servings – 90 calories per serving. I actually found it better over ice, and even better with a shot of rum. Kind of a light summer cocktail. Very much worth a try.

ABC Wednesday ‘S’

Today the letter for ABC Wednesday is ‘S’.

Sand…purple Sand.

I got this purple Sand for my grandson to play in on days he Stays with me. It is supposed to be ‘dustless’ and I thought it was pretty cool until we actually ‘played’ with it. Sticks to everything, doesn’t come off easily and has me wishing now that I’d just gotten the plain old fashioned Sand for him. I fully intend to try mixing it first and if that doesn’t work – out it goes and back to Mother Nature’s intended.

Sitting on top of the bucket of Sand is Sidewalk Chalk. Also another fun outside toy. As you can see in the background we even have a little rake you can fill with different colors and walk around making fun designs with.

Sitting….. look at the way my little 2 year old Grandson Sits. Long ago are the days I could Sit like that at all, and he does it effortlessly and for long periods of time (well long in toddler terms).

Our Sweet Shasta. Racing name: Mr. Shasta. Status: retired.

Memorial Day - Remember

Monday, May 25, 2009 is Memorial Day originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

Memorial Day

- C W Johnson

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men and women lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.

Thank you to all who have sacrificed so I could live as I do. I will never forget you.

True Colors Thursday – Grey/Gray

This True Colors Thursday we are on the color Gray. You say Grey….I say Gray…. ;)

Whatever the case, this is Monty my Gray tabby dilute kitty who is over 20 years old, and still liking the ‘sleeping on my head’ business.

Then I have a Greyhound that is Gray….which is actually called blue colored… who is named Blew….ummmm, I think he still qualifies. Here is Blew with Ruby cooling off a little in the lake.

Went to an air show this last Sunday and saw a fascinating Gray plane.

This is a photo of the back of a Gray semi…and if you look carefully you will see the reflection of our Allegro RV as we waiting in traffic behind it.

There was a very Gray sky when we were coming back from White Water State Park. Terrible storms were in the area that chased us away from our camping spot earlier than we had planned.

And a very Gray snowy day, all too common in Minnesota. This is a photo of my back yard during a spring snow storm. Nope the photo is not in black and white…it is just THAT Gray outside.

Last, but certainly not the least…

Grandson in Gray playing on my light Gray tile floor.

Ex-Pens Used for Portable Camping Fence.

A little hard to see, but the 3 ex-pens with stakes are in place. When we are not hiking with our Greyhounds and they are not inside the RV, that are contained within a fairly good sized area by our ‘portable’ fencing.

ABC Wednesday ‘R’

This ABC Wednesday’s letter is ‘R’!

This is Roni, our White and Brindle Retired Racing Greyhound girl. She loves everyone and is so happy she even smiles in her sleep. Her nickname is Roni-Roo.

And Grandgreyhound Ruby! She is a Red and white Retired Racing Greyhound.

Also Renner who is our white and brindle Retired Racing Greyguy.

Rust: This is an old barrel found in a historical water tower in Charles A. Lindberg State Park, MN

Of course I can’t leave out our RV. Here is a view of it from a trail high upon a hill looking down. The little blue car behind it is an HHR and we tow it along with us everywhere we go.

Here are Retired Racing Greyhounds Scooter, Renner, Ruby and Blew Resting outside our RV.

Old Man Blew

Yesterday I posted a photo of Blew that was an earlier photo and Jay mentioned he did not look ‘over 11’. I guess I didn’t think about that when I put it up, I just liked the photo and used it.

Here is a photo of Blew taken just a week ago…he is getting the typical senior ‘graying of the face’, particularly around the muzzle and eyes. If you look back you can compare, interesting to see how age changes coloration of their faces. In this photo I believe Renner is allowing Blew to use his tail as a chin rest. Considering their bony tails, I’m thinking not all that comfortable. ;)

Also, Monty is doing a little better today I started him on something new so I am hoping it helps him out a little. That was not a up to date photo of Monty either as, sadly, he is getting quite thin.

Two On The Edge :(

Monty – 20 years old.

Blew – 11.5 years of age.

True Colors Thursday – Turquoise

The color for this True Colors Thursday is Turquoise.

Below you can see Scooter’s collar has real Turquoise set into silver mounts.

Here you see Greyhounds Roni and Tyler sleeping on a Turquoise couch in our family room.

A cat with Turquoise eyes

Turquoise paper

A Turquoise toy

The Greyhound laying on a Turquoise rug is Wally.

ABC Wednesday ‘Q’

This ABC Wednesday brings us to the letter ‘Q’. First thing that comes to mind is Quandary for it is not the most commonly used letter of the alphabet. What the heck can I do that starts with ‘Q’?

Quinoa is pronounced Keenwa. This is a Gluten-free product that I didn’t even really know about until I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and had to find new ways to eat whole grains other than wheat, barley, rye and oats. It looked kind of strange, and has a different texture, BUT I was pleasantly surprised once I actually tried it. Now it has become a staple of my household. I just about always have Quinoa around and it can very often be ‘changed out’ with rice.

Looks like this when it is growing.

And like this when I get it at the store. The Quinoa photos are all courtesy of the Quinoa Corporation.

One of my most cherished possessions is my lovely, handmade Greyhound Quilt!

This Quilt was made and given to me by a friend’s mother as a gift while I was running Greyhound Pets Of America – Minnesota. (a retired racing Greyhound rescue/adoption group). I draped it out over my couch for the photo. Toward the top center you can see a greyhound stretching out on a couch and it says ‘Home Stretch’. I drew the picture as a ‘logo’ for the group’s newsletter, which I did each month. We had a contest to ‘name’ the newsletter the second month it came out and one of the group’s volunteers won with the title ‘Home Stretch’. There is actually Quite a bit of me portrayed in this Quilt. (at least I think so) I will always love it and think it is one of the most beautiful gifts ever. :) I will be forever grateful for it.

*As a side note if you click on the link and go to the GPA-MN website you will find a short video on the website that I did titled ‘Camping With Retired Racing Greyhounds’…short and fun was all that was intended….not really an informative clip. And of course a lot of information about Retired Racing Greyhounds.

Yum! Two Thumbs Up

A few days ago I mentioned that Starbucks had introduced a new item that was made especially for those who need to eat Gluten-Free! Yes, that scrumptious looking Valencia Orange Cake is Gluten-free! I finally got to try one after the Race For the Cure on Mother’s Day and well…..

Gone in a flash!

However, I don’t believe I got to eat more than half of it. There was the piece I gave to my OH to taste, the taste I gave to my Daughter and I gave a taste to my two year old Grandson, and another taste to my Grandson who wanted another taste…and a taste, and a taste….then it was all GONE! He was a little disappointed Meemaw had run out of her cake. I should have gotten more than one! None of those people eat Gluten-free but me so that must speak to just how good this cake is. It is kept wrapped up separately away from all of the other scrumptious looking treats. Though my two year old Grandson had his choice of the things other people had (which were not gluten-free) he was all about his Meemaw’s (my) cake. Can’t blame him at all as it was flavorful, not overly sweet, and very very moist…. just melted in your mouth. I’ll be going back to pick up a few more I think. Thank You Starbucks!

We Walk!

Each Mother’s Day, for the last several years, we Race for the Cure at the Mall of America and yesterday was no different. Though it always seems to start out in a bit of a hassle, in the end I think we are pretty pleased and happy with ourselves for doing it. Well at least I am, and I am very thankful that my OH, daughter, son-in-law and grandson join in with me in my support for ‘the cure’. Breast Cancer is an awful disease and has touched just about everyone I know in one way or another.

Part of our ‘team’ getting ready for the walk.

Getting placards in place.

I am all set.

Readyyyy….Set…… Go!

Though the subject is dead serious, people can still have fun! There is a very upbeat atmosphere for the most part.

It is over before you know it and it is photo op time!

Before leaving we always stop by a pond for a few reflective moments which never fails to bring tears to my eyes. It is filled with memories of loved ones lost to this disease.

Though upbeat…..

We do NOT lose sight of why ‘WE WALK’!

Pats on the back to all for a job well done and heading out to meet the rest of the day. We celebrate Mothers on this day….we celebrate life… we celebrate ourselves!

We live, We love, WE WALK!