Happy Birthday Lu

Yep, she's a Valentine baby. My sweetheart. No, I'm not going to tell you how old she is but I will say that we had to have her carbon dated to be sure. Heh heh. Just kidding honey. Please put down the rolling pin.

I'm taking her out shooting (she's beginning to express an interest in the AR and even perhaps some 3 Gun. Yay!!), Skype with the grandkids and then dinner. It's going to be a good day.

So Happy Birthday to the love of my life and the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me. All the best things in my life flowed from the day The Good Lord brought you and me together and I am eternally grateful.

I love you.

Six

Angus Update - Friends Are Such A Treasure

A week and a half into surgery and Angus is doing well, very well. So well that our biggest problem is keeping him on a short leash. As far as he's concerned everything is fine and it's all systems go. That's not the case of course so there's been a lot of "Easy" "Would you slow down please" "No, you cannot go running around the yard" and so on. We're getting a lot of 'poor little puppy' looks trying to trigger guilt mode but so far we've held firm.

Lu has a new nickname for Angus. When he walks he's started using the casted leg and it makes a tapping sound so she's taken to calling him Peg Leg Pete. Angus hasn't yet expressed an opinion on the new moniker though he looks unimpressed.

We have an appointment with the doctor on Tuesday for stitch removal and re bandaging. I'll update with pictures. For anyone who's ever had a cast you know that itching and chapping is a real issue. I've been treating his skin around the cast with Bag Balm. It's an old farmer remedy I picked up from my grandparents (and was reminded of by my mother when I had the same issues a few years ago).

I think the main  ingredient is Lanolin but whatever's in it works like stink. It's thick, sticky and doesn't smell half bad though you do have to wash your hands more than once to keep it off your food. But hey, sacrifices have to be made. Angus likes it so much he just lays down and rolls over when he sees me bring out that wonderful green can. JOY!

Speaking of wonderful. For walkies tonight we went up to the mailbox (It's only about 100 feet from the house) and was surprised to find a package for Master Angus. Inside we found treats from our friend Alemaster with a note for a certain black dog.

Look at that happy face. You can actually see his Tail Of Expressing Ecstasy in motion.

If it's not obvious, Angus totally approves.

If you look at that picture very closely you can see just a hint of red at his nose. That's Angus' tongue. He started air licking as soon as he got near them.

Of course he had to sample the contents.

"Let go of the treat and no one gets hurt." It was accompanied by a sigh of content and a little dance of joy.

Angus says "Thank you very much Uncle Alemaster!" Lu and I do as well my friend. Angus promises to follow the instructions to the letter (and make sure I do as well!).

Friends truly are a treasure and a blessing.


Six, Lu and Angus (aka Peg Leg Pete)

Where Do You Find Joy?

As we walked Angus around the neighborhood last night I was struck by one Christmas display in particular. It had the word JOY surrounded by bright colored lights. It's not an unusual word and is one found in many displays at this time of year. But it really hit me at that moment.

Joy.

We choose our state of mind. Whether that be of the positive or negative variety it is ultimately up to each of us to decide how we're going to face the world. With pessimism, fear and anger or optimism, courage and a smile on our lips.

Joy.

Such a small word and simple idea. To live facing each new day with hope and determination or surrender to despair and decline. There are forces at work in this country and the world today that want us in discord and disarray. Who hate Joy and Love and Happiness and Light with every fiber of their beings. Who are working hard to stamp out those things and have us living empty, joyless lives, devoid of faith and honor and devotion.

Joy.

I say yes to Joy. I say yes to Compassion and Fidelity and Passion. I will find my Joy in the love of family and friends. In my Faith in God. In my Wife. My Daughter. My Grandchildren. In Sarge and MIL who are the best family and neighbors anyone could have. In a black dog who always has a wagging tail and who greets me each day with a Joy in his heart I can only aspire to.

Joy.

I am free to choose how I will live my life. How I will treat those I love. How I will view each day and the challenges that come with just being alive. Yes, I will decide. Joy or Despair. Happy or Sad. Love or Hate. Life or Death.

Joy.

Such a small word but one with so much meaning and potential. The ramifications of choice fraught with both frightful peril and wonderful opportunities. 

I know my choice. I choose to Love and Live. I choose to embrace the unknown with an open heart and a ready mind. I choose family and friends. I choose Faith with all that entails. I choose to accept the depredations that life throws at me with all the humor I possess and gratitude for the opportunity to test and show my mettle.

I choose Joy. What will you choose?

Six