July 2018 – Birds, Blooms and all things Beautiful

This has been the rainiest start to a summer I can recall in recent memory. With one stormy weekend after another, we had not so much as stuck a toe in the sand until the last weekend in June. So, it was with great anticipation that I packed all of our beach gear and food to finally meet up with one of our favorite families for a beach bonfire….yeah!!

We never go to the beach early, I’m not a fan of sunscreen and arriving after the crowds leave is even better. We got there around 4 pm, perfect timing…now to find our friends in the sea of people still remaining.

Her text tells me she is all the way at the end. Unfortunately, for my cooler-toting son and husband, it turned out to be at the very opposite end of where we were…so, after walking and stopping to catch our breath numerous times in what must have been a two-mile hike through the sand, we were more than happy, to say the least, when we finally made our rendezvous.

Ahh, to at last kick back in our chairs, ocean water lapping at our feet, as we basked in the sights and sounds of the great Atlantic. It was delightful…until….

When lightening strikes anywhere near the beach, sticking around is not an option, not if you value your life that is. A few carelessly stayed in the waves, but we high-tailed it out of there, opting to not risk even carrying our metal chairs. We decided to wait it out a while in our vehicles, eating a few snacks to curb our hunger and hoping the storm would pass so we could continue on with our plans. At least, that’s what a few of us were hoping, another few wanted to pack it in, call it a night, and head for the nearest restaurant. It remained to be seen who would get their wish.

After about 30 minutes and many consumed snacks later, my friend ventured toward the beach, looked back with a big smile on her face, and pointed to the sky…

Yes, sometimes things are definitely worth waiting through, because you just never know what beauty awaits on the other side of a storm.

Until next time,

∼ Jen

∗ Special thanks to my son for sharing his pictures and video.

I have long been convinced that of all the animals God created, dogs were especially created to be invaluable friends for mankind…I call them “hairy angels.”

Our sweet Princess was indeed an angel. In fact, our vet remarked that usually dogs named “Princess, Angel, Precious, Sweetie….” were anything but, and that our Princess was a nice exception to that rule!

Indeed, she was! I have owned and loved many dogs over my lifetime, but never have I owned or met a dog with a sweeter disposition than our dear Princess.

Screen Shot 2017-06-16 at 8.46.17 AM — Captain of our oldest son’s kayak

When we first got Princess, I told myself I would somehow not get attached to her. She would be the kids’ dog and I would take care of her and love on her, but remain unattached to avoid future heartache…yeah, right.

For thirteen plus years she was our sweet little companion, and up until the last 7 years of her life she shared us with our two other dogs, and, unfortunately, she was at the bottom of the “pecking order.”

After our oldest dog, Noah, and then her father, Smokey, died, she was our sole dog and the recipient of all of our human love, which she gladly returned a thousand times over.

Screen Shot 2017-05-29 at 8.25.44 PM

As for me, not getting attached just didn’t happen.

We had to say goodby to our sweet girl, my empty-nest dog, in April, much earlier that I had hoped, and I still miss her more than I can say. I wrote about Princess’ back-story in a previous post, but if any pet deserved a special goodbye post, it is her.

Two days before she went on, we had our first and only kayak ride together. She normally rode with one of the boys on their paddle board, but this day it was just she and I, and she left me with sweet memories of a morning together on the creek, searching out an eagle’s nest.

cooling off after one of our summer-time walks

And so, this dog that I somehow would remain “unattached” to has left me with many precious memories, and a longing for many more morning walks together with my sweet little buddy.

Thank you, Sweet Princess…you wiggled into our hearts and left your mark on us that will never be erased. We miss you, the creek will never be the same without you, and we will always love you and remember you with smiles…

♥ Jen

“When the Man waked up he said, ‘What is Wild Dog doing here?’ And the Woman said, ‘His name is not Wild Dog any more, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.’”
—Rudyard Kipling (author, The Jungle Book)

Month: July 2018

Waiting out the Storm

A Tribute to our Sweet Princess

I have long been convinced that of all the animals God created, dogs were especially created to be invaluable friends for mankind…I call them “hairy angels.”

Someone sent me the following video…and though many will find it unbelievable, it brought me a lot of joy and comfort… 🙂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbjYQ_uors8