Alarm Clock

I don't think I've ever met a dog owner who didn't think that their dog was the cutest or the smartest. That being said, Dixie is, of course, the cutest and the smartest dog ever!

Early this morning, and I mean dark kind of early, she went to Tony's side of the bed and made her "harump" noise, indicating that she was finished sleeping on the floor and wanted to come up and sleep on the bed.  As always, Tony picked her up and she immediately found a comfortable spot and went to sleep.  

At around 7:00 a.m., Dixie decided that she had slept enough and was ready to challenge the day, so she walked up to Tony and put her face in his back and started to scratch at the covers. Her message was clear....it was time to rock and roll, get her "day" treat, have breakfast,  bark at things and get a belly rub.   Tony, being the excellent dog owner that he is, got up and got things ready for her. 

In no time at all, she had her treat and her breakfast, barked at people walking on her sidewalk and got her belly rub.  After that, she ran up to the top of Tony's chair, curled herself around his head, took over his pillow and promptly fell asleep.  

Dixie's real name is Dixie Arian Sing Sierra.  I think we should have named her Alarm Clock (Pain In The Ass was already taken!)

Sleeping on Daddy's Chair....at least she isn't barking!

The Writing Class, Dixie and The Keeper

The online writing class I "attended" was yesterday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  I learned so much!  It was well worth the money and even though I wanted to attend in person (in Charlotte) the online video sessions worked well.  The moderator kept things moving and there were 6 or more literary agents giving us some really important information.  Not "fru-fru" stuff, but facts and figures, writing lessons, critiques and the ability to speak with them on a one-on-one basis.  

One of the best sessions was an agent explaining the verbiage in a reject letter.  They said that so often, an editor will use phrases like, "the voice in your piece isn't strong enough."  Or, "your point of view doesn't come through."  It sounds like both statements are saying the same thing, but they aren't.  They are specific to two different areas of writing.  So, we got information pertinent to writing, revising and getting a sense for the things that editors are seeking in a manuscript.  

Another positive is that the entire seminar was videotaped and will be mailed to those of us who attended so we can go over it on our own time and focus on the sessions that best address our individual weaknesses. 

The seminar woke up the soul in the writer that I am, or will become,  and that's an exciting feeling. 

It was also good to be focused on something other than the virus, social distancing or eating (I swear I'm eating every six minutes!)  

So now my mind is racing on how I can put the information I have into place--that is so important to me. 

Dixie is my other news.  Both Dixie and I have missed our spa appointments and look like shaggy dogs.  Well, Tony trimmed my hair two weeks ago and did a pretty good job.   I gave him a trim--it was OK, but one side burn was shorter than the other and one came to a point while the other one was squared off.  It's a good look for him though!

Tony tackled Dixie's grooming today.  Not only did she get a haircut, but a bath too.  She behaved very well and I think it's because she is used to the noise of the trimmers.  But, we had some rain and thunderstorms and that set her off.  She was shaking and hiding, but she was trimmed and clean.  

This is Dixie after a Spa Day

Here's Dixie hiding under the spa table; she knows something is up

This is Dixie and her stylist

And so,  our lives go on in this odd mess that we are in.  Somethings are close to normal and others are not.  Tony bought me a lovely gift this morning.  He's given me diamonds, pearls, Vera Wang bracelets and lots of beautiful things.  But this was from the heart...or maybe a little lower!

Yes, he gifted me with toilet paper--12 rolls.  Ultra strong, no less.  As my sister, Fritz, said, "now there's a keeper!"  

An Odd Easter

When Jenna was small, Easter was one of my favorite holidays.  I would buy her a pretty dress and hat and off we would go to church and then dinner at my parents.  One year, a teenager belonging to one of the church pious told me that dressing Jenna up was not what Easter was all about and that at his house, they didn't get new clothes or Easter baskets.  I remember thinking that I didn't realize that Easter was a day for teenagers to be disrespectful and mouthy either, but that's the way he was raised and looking at his parents, I felt sorry for him more than anything else.    I was annoyed and angry, but sorry for him nonetheless.

But this Easter is an odd Easter.  Churches are empty and we are worshiping on-line or in our cars.  Grandparents are sending Easter messages to their grandchildren via Facebook and we hope to portal with the Charlotte and Lakeland Swegle's later today.  This is a social media Easter.  

Our development had another golf cart parade yesterday and many people decorated their carts with Easter bunnies and baskets.  It was another fun day--six feet away from people. 

I am excited for this week to come.  I will be attending a writing seminar, again, on-line, and I have been contacting various colleges regarding on-line writing classes.  On Monday, I have a call with Florida State University and hope to speak to Ohio University, Tony Jr.'s school,  about their program.  I'm not looking to get a degree, just attend writing classes if the price is right. 

Who knows when the world will be back to "normal," but I hope it is soon.  Until then, I, too, will rely heavily on social media to stay connected.

Here are some highlights from the parade:

A beautiful day, Dixie and I wait for the carts!

Tony and his new goatee!

And, here they come...

Dixie had fun; people were waving at her and children 

were calling her a cute little puppy!

Here's that crazy golf cart again!!

Dixie is shaggy...can't wait for the groomers to re-open...for both of us!

Doesn't this just scream, "Born in the USA?!!"

No, this isn't a small Easter bunny...it's Charlie, Dixie's friend

Here's the "real" Easter Bunny!!

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL, STAY SAFE!

Facebook

I have only recently set up a page on Facebook.   I never thought I would put anything on Facebook.  I have this blog and people that I want to know about us, know about the blog.  When I worked at the hospital, people would ask if I was on Facebook and would give me strange looks when I said, no, I wasn't.   It was like I was saying I wasn't an American, or I only spoke Klingon.  

When we got Lynn a Grandpad for Christmas, my sister, Fritz and I  had to set up a Facebook page, so I did.  

I find it no less than amazing who I have connected and reconnect with on Facebook.  I am talking to a person I went to elementary school with (and right up through high school), my cousins in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee, people I knew at my church, Denison UCC, before I got married to Bill in 1973, people I worked with years ago and neighbors, just across the street in Compass Pointe.   

I have been entertained, amused, moved, annoyed and upset by things I have seen posted on Facebook (usually about t-Rump.)  But, in these times, I am seeing more random acts of kindness than I have in the past in any arena and I am so glad.  My cousin in Tennessee couldn't get his lawn mower started, so his neighbor came over and cut the front and back grass while my cousin did the "weed eating" for both yards.   I saw a father and daughter singing a beautiful duet because she couldn't go to choir practice, so he put their performance on Facebook for others to enjoy.  His daughter said that singing with him was a memory she will cherish forever.   I have seen people paying for food for other people, sports giants and big companies donating their resources and a quiet  "kindness" revolution spreading across the world.   

When we get through this, and we will, I hope that church leaders recall these acts of kindness from the pulpit and encourage them to go on. 

Maybe kindness is a medicine that will get us through this more than testing and treatment.  Maybe not, but what if?