Together in Life and Death

Rosie and Koko were born about nine months apart and died five months apart. We imagine them together again.

What's Different

I can leave a tissue on the coffee table and not worry that a dog will eat it.

I can get ice from the refrigerator without a furry friend coming over to ask for a piece.

Eddie keeps setting off the house alarm because I don't turn it off when I let the dog out. Because there is no dog to let out.

I don't have to put a dog out when I leave the house.

I don't get to let a dog in when I come home.

I don't have to worry about stepping on a dog when I get up to go to the bathroom in the night.

Crumbs are accumulating under my kitchen table because no dog eats them up.

My grass isn't getting the extra drink of dog water leftovers.

I don't have to pick up dog poop in the yard. And Daniel won't get to earn extra money for that chore.

No one sits near me in the kitchen when I cook dinner (hoping for crumbs to drop to the floor.) It's a little lonely.

No one barks at us when we have a family wrestle.

I don't have to worry that a kid left the dishwasher door down and the dog will lick the distusting stuff stuck to the door and plates and silverware.

No one sits out on the porch with me to look at the beautiful morning.

I can go to the bathroom in peace, without a dog barking at me to play.

There are no tufts of fur to vacuum up.

There is no one to keep me company when Eddie is out of town and the kids have gone to bed.

There is no one to warn me when someone comes down our driveway.

There is nothing to keep the wild animals at bay! Who knows what critters will move in closer.

I don't to move clean clothes out of the laundry room before letting in a wet dog -- who will shake drops of water on them.

When the wind starts to blow, I don't have to wonder if I need to let the dog in. When it thunders I don't have anyone come to sit right by me.

There is no one to run with me on our trails when the weather is cool enough to do that again.

We'll have more turkey leftovers at Thanksgiving because there won't be dogs to feed some to as a special treat.

No one will wag a tail to greet me when I get home.

Farewell to Rosie

Rosie, our beloved 13-year-old golden retriever, our first child, died yesterday from the brain tumor she was diagnosed with in late June. She was a darling pup and youngster. The last photo below was taken about 30 minutes before she died.

Art Smock

Emily ended up with permanent paint on a few outfits last year from our co-op art class, so I decided to make one with more coverage. We bought a too-big pink and white boys shirt at the consignment sale and decorated it with the beaded trim of Emily's choice. Here is the result:

West Texas Swimmin'

Q: How does a homeschooler change a light bulb?

A: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they’ll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light.
– Author Unknown
(from www.knowledgehouse.info/hshumor.html)

Beating the Heat!