As we welcome a New Year

The week between Christmas and New Year's Day has always been one of my favorite weeks of the year.  It is full of tradition and it has always meant time spent with special people.  It has always filled my heart with joy.  Starting many years ago, when Nicol was young, it was a time when no one had school and that we could take time off from work to be together.  And that made it special.

For several years we would travel into the UP and stay at a small motel just outside of Rapid River.  We had a small room with two beds and a kitchenette.  It was the perfect little place to stay.  This was in my pre-dog days, so back then, we'd crate up the cat and head off to the great winter wonderland.  Once we were settled in, we would head to the small grocery store in Rapid River to stock up on food for our stay.  I so loved these times.  We'd watch football bowl games, we'd play games, and we'd just enjoy being together.  I loved sitting in the room and watching the snowfall...and I'd dream of the day that I could retire and move North and spend all of my Winters watching the snowfall in that beautiful place.  

At some point, we stopped making those trips North because of other commitments, but I never forgot how much I loved making them.  So I was extremely happy a few years ago to reinstate my trips North, although with a new destination-Copper Harbor- and new plans for adventures with the dogs.  So for the last three years, we've loaded ourselves up in the car and headed North.  And I have loved those trips so much.  We have spent time exploring alone and with friends; I have met new people and experienced things I could never have imagined.  I have enjoyed the peace and serenity of that beautiful place.  And I once again got to sit in my cozy room and watch the snowfall.

I was really looking forward to our trip North again this year, however, it was not to be.  With all that has been happening, I had to forgo my trip and just stay home this week.  I was disappointed, upset, angry that I wasn't going to be able to make the trip.  I am sad not to get to see my friends and not to spend time on the shore and in the woods.  On top of the disappointment I've been feeling, I've been a bit under the weather as well.  So this week was a bit of a bust for me with lots of negative feelings.  Thankfully today I started to feel a bit better and I pushed away the negativity.  

This year has been a great year.  I've had some amazing moments and some really tough ones.  I've spent the entire year fighting Imke's ear infection and I lost my grandma, but we also reached our goal of traveling to all 48 of the Capitol Buildings in the Continental US and I've seen some amazing sights.  I have been reminded how lucky I am to have such an amazing daughter and just how many amazing people are in my life.  

Tonight, as I sat down to relax for the evening, Imke snuggled up right next to me and Maddie at me feet, I began to reflect on how lucky I am.  I used to think that the changing of the year was such a big deal, but I don't believe that any more.  Any day is a great day to do amazing things with your life, to make a difference, to make a change, to embrace the moments, to learn and to love, and to live!  I realized that it doesn't matter where you go or where you are...all that matters is who is on that journey of life with you.   I am blessed and fortunate.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

When I was a kid, on Christmas Eve we would drive into town, pick up a pizza at Packy's, and drive around looking at the Christmas light displays.  We'd then come home and mom and dad would pull out the Christmas albums and we'd listen to Gene Autry, the Chipmunks, Frank and Bing, and the Ray Conniff singers.  The tree was lit and you could feel the excitement from the anticipation of what was to come.  That is one of my favorite Christmas memories.

Last night, with nothing else to do and nowhere to go, I decided to load the girls into the Jeep, grab a $5 small pizza special at Hungry Howie's and a QD fountain Mt. Dew, and head out for a drive around town to see what we could find.  With the Christmas music playing on the radio and the girls happily waiting for our next adventure, we were off!  Things started a little slow, but then we hit the jackpot.  Christmas lights galore.  Beautiful displays of thousands of sparkling lights in reds and greens, blues and clear, even multi-colored.  Manger scenes and snowmen and blow-up displays of Eeyore pulling Winnie the Pooh and Tigger and in a sleigh.  Giant Santas and reindeer, Nutcrackers and Candy canes, giant trees and tiny bushes, homes large and small, all decorated for the Holidays. 

There isn't anything I love more about the Holiday season than the beautiful, sparkling lights.  We spent a couple of hours out, driving through neighborhoods, looking at the lights,   And then the perfect ending as we headed toward home, Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" on the radio.

It took longer this year for the Christmas season to really start feeling like the Christmas season.  But over the last week, it really has started to feel like Christmas for me.  Finishing my shopping and gift wrapping, sending out my Christmas cards and shipping off baking to friends near and far, and having time to relax at home with the girls and the tree glowing in the background.  I've got everything done-all of the groceries are purchased for the Christmas Eve festivities with Nicol, all of the presents are wrapped, the stockings are stuffed.  All that remains is the final prep for tomorrow. 

All week I've been finishing things a little at a time so that when I got home at 4pm on Friday, I would have no errands to run, no to-do list to complete, no rushing around, no need to leave home.  For today, it's just me and the girls together enjoying a peaceful, relaxing day at home.  I have looked forward to this day all week long.  I will be doing a little cleaning and starting to do some prep work for Christmas Eve, but there is no rush and no pressure.  I just get to spend some time doing the things I love for those I love most.  And tomorrow I get to see my kid-my two-legged girl.  Spending time with all of my girls...that's what Christmas looks like to me. 

Saying goodbye

We buried my Grandma today.   There comes a time in most of our lives when all of us will experience this kind of loss.  Today was mine.  She wasn't the first grandma I lost...that happened almost 14 years ago when I lost my Grandma Adelberg.  And before that I had the loss of three Great Grandmothers all who were alive in my life time-Grandma Hayt, Grandma Nixon, and Great Grandma Struck.  I remember them all and feel very lucky to have known them all.  But today, well, today was hardest because I had her longest...and she was the last.

Leo and Eladine Struck

It is hard to explain what grandmothers mean in our lives, but it is a special relationship, different than all others.  Maybe it's because they had been mothers first and I'm sure there is something very special about experiencing your own child bringing another life into the world.  Maybe that explains why grandmas seem to love us best; despite our many flaws and all of our wrong-doings, grandmas are there loving us no matter what.  Maybe it's because they have the benefit of time and experience and wisdom.  Maybe some day, when I am a grandmother myself, I will understand what it is that makes that relationship so extra special.  Maybe there is no real reason.

During her time here with us, my grandma gave us so many gifts.  I wish I had realized at a younger age what a treasure my time with her was. She shared stories of her childhood and family.  She shared her love of baking and hands-down she made the best molasses cookies ever made.  She shared fun and laughter and a sassy attitude.  She was quite a character.  She loved us all...and most importantly, we loved her.  It was so evident today as we gathered as a family to say goodbye to her. Through our silliness and laughter and tears, her legacy will live on.  She will live on in each and everyone one of us every day.

Leo and Eladine Struck
March 29, 1947

So after 47 years of life, a life which began with 3 sets of Great grandparents, 1 set of Grandparents, and 1 widowed Grandma, I now have one Grandparent remaining...my Grandpa Struck.  That seems unreal...unfathomable.  To see him sitting there today at the funeral without Grandma by his side was so sad.  Through 70 years of marriage, 5 Children, 9 Grandchildren, and 17 Great Grandchildren - she has been there by his side, but now she is gone.  She lived 89 years.  She suffered no prolonged illness.  She just slipped away while at home.  My grandma had a good life and I am so glad to have had her as part of mine for so long.  I was pretty lucky.  

The first paragraph

Since we returned from vacation three weeks ago, life has been consumed by car repairs and vet visits, a new foster dog, family and work commitments.  In general life has gotten in the way of doing all of the things I love to do.  But tonight, I decided it was time to sit down and write.  I've had some musings over the last week that I thought I would share.  But as I headed back to sit in bed and do a little writing, I was sidetracked with a new train of thought and a new plan for the evening.

Nelson

Earlier this week I received my copy of Postcards from Forrest in the mail.  Forrest was a German Shorthaired Pointer with Degenerative Myelopathy which caused him to lose the usage of his hind legs.  His family was not ready to give up on him though and purchased wheels to help Forrest get around.  I followed Forrest's story and that of his loving family-John and Teri- who volunteer for Shorthair rescue in California.  Forrest ultimately lost his battle and left this world for a better place.  And after he died, his parent wrote a book about his life as a way to give back.  I was excited to get my copy and start reading it.  Well, that little book inspired me to sit down and begin to work on a book of my own.

So tonight, I pulled out my tiny little hard drive full of all of the pictures from my adventures with Imke over the years, with a plan to start writing.  And I did.  I started writing and got a whole paragraph written and then I got distracted.  I figured I may find additional inspiration from the pictures, so I began to peruse.  And once I started looking through the pictures, all of our amazing memories of our times spent together came flooding back.  And I gave up on continuing to write for the night and decided instead to enjoy the journey down memory lane.

Imke, North Carolina State Capitol, Raleigh

As you well know, most of my journeys don't contain memories of just Imke.  They contain many memories of my time with both Imke and Maddie.  But Maddie has never been very good at patiently sitting still while I take a picture.  Especially in the beginning!  So I have many pictures with Imke alone in front of a building while Maddie is behind the scenes trying to pull me the other way.

On this gray, cloudy, rainy day when we were driving through North Carolina, we had an especially memorable day.  It was the first time that Maddie stepped on a completely full 32 ounce Styrofoam cup of Mt. Dew...because she was so excited to be in the car and saw a squirrel...causing the side of the cup to crack and sending the top flying off.  Sticky, wet Mt. Dew went splashing across my car, filling the cup holders and covering both me and both of the front seats of the car.  As you can imagine, it was a real mess.  To make things even better, I only had two little napkins in the glove box and nothing else to help clean up the mess.  It was one of those challenging days with Maddie in the car that made me pause and wonder why I had decided to bring her along.  And then, after a few stops and a few adventures along the way, this happened.  She really knows how to melt my heart!

Maddie knows how to make herself comfy

Day two of this trip was another crazy day of the pacing, whining, and ever anxious Maddie.  But  we had plans to get out into the woods for a hike.  We hiked the Andrew Jackson State Park and saw several other sites on our way to our next Capitol stop.  After a day of traveling and sight-seeing, we finally made it to the Capitol Building in Charleston, SC. As is normal for Maddie, she was a ball of energy when we got out of the car and made our way toward the Capitol grounds.  She knows all too well that college campuses and Capitol grounds mean squirrels, and she generally cannot control her excitement.  Despite the pouring rain and the fact that I was exhausted after a long day of travel, Maddie was ready to see the world.  So off we went with me being dragged along behind as she gleefully weaved back and forth, barking into the wind to announce her presence to the world.  

S Carolina State Capitol Building, Charleston

What I discovered is that South Carolina has one of the most beautiful State Capitol Buildings and grounds that I have seen.  It was beautiful.  It is also a very historic area and I always enjoy the story that each city has to tell.  Especially if it has American Revolution or Civil War ties.  

So for the next 45 minutes we walked around this beautiful grounds in the rain, enjoying our little history lesson and the beauty around us. After a good walk, it was time to make an effort at getting a picture of the girls together at this Capitol Building.  So as the rain began to fall even harder, I crossed my fingers and hoped that by some miracle, maybe Maddie would stand long enough to be in the picture with Imke.  And that is when I captured these.

This may be my favorite of all of the pictures I've taken with Maddie in front a Capitol Building.  Maddie standing so nicely, looking off into the distance and Imke in her typical profile pose...such pretty girls.  Who would ever think that Maddie was ever crazy after seeing these!?!?  

This trip we missed out on seeing Fort Sumter due to the heavy rains which caused flooding in the downtown Charleston streets, but that's okay.  We still made the most of our trip and we have some really great memories together.  Things that were a challenge at the time now make me think back and laugh and appreciate all of the crazy, goofy, silliness these two have added to my life over the years.

Now I can't wait to continue to look through these old pictures and reflect on more of our times together as I begin to concentrate more on writing this book.  I have to decide which direction I want to take it...funny, educational, maybe a combination.  Geared toward kids or toward adults, or maybe I could do both.  I know it will be a long process and we still have some travels ahead of us before we can complete it.  I think the next two years are going to be just as much of an adventure writing as the last several have been as we traveled.  But I can at least say I've started... 11/11/2017.

Hopefully you'll stick with us as I share more bits and pieces from our journeys together.

We did it!!!

It happened today. We accomplished something that few others can say that they've done. But we did it.  Today we visited Richmond Virginia and the State Capitol Building there, and with this visit, Imke and I have now visited all 48 State Capitol Buildings in the Continental U.S.

I can honestly say that just 7 years ago, if you had told me that I would accomplish this feat, I never would have believed you.  Even when it was suggested that I should consider writing a book to share our journeys way back then, I never really thought we would ever make it to 48 States.  I figured we'd make an effort to travel to as many as possible, but no way would we travel the entire Continental U.S.  As we added a few States with each vacation and we began to make progress toward the goal; it became more and more real. The thought of putting together a book about Imke and her friends who have traveled around this country with her was the driving force that kept me going.  Well, that and the joy of a good road trip!  And today, we finally realized that goal.  Just little 'ol me and my trusty travel pal, Imke

We made it!

This is a journey that started with Jake and Imke, one picture, and one friend's suggestion.  It wasn't a great picture.  As a matter of fact, Imke didn't even look at the camera.  And those were her younger days when I didn't dare let her off leash in a place like this.  Too many people and squirrels to distract her from listening.  So there she is with leash dangling and looking backwards.   But this was the first and it includes Jake, so it's special.

Imke and Jake-Kentucky State Capitol, Frankfort KY

And today, we ended that journey with Maddie by our side.  Maddie, who has has been along for 45 of our Capitol visits and has become quite the good little State traveler in her own regard.  After years of traveling and lots of practice, I can finally trust both Maddie and Imke to stand somewhat patiently and leash-less while I take their picture.  But as you can tell from this picture, some things never change...and Imke can still be easily distracted. 

Imke and Maddie-Virginia State Capitol, Richmond VA

But she can also still be a very good and patient subject.   Of course she is sitting in her typical pose.  And once she's in this pose and knows that I want her to stay, she'll sit there for a long time while I move around trying photos at different angles and waiting for people to move out of our picture.  She's such a good girl!

Capitol #48 Richmond VA

As we stood there in front of this building, I wanted to jump up and down with excitement, but instead I just gave the girls a big hug...and then I realized I should capture a group photo to remember this moment.  Just at the right moment a group tour came along and so I told them about our accomplishment and asked if one of them would take a picture.  It was raining, I was wearing a cheap poncho I bought (because somehow I forgot to bring my jacket along on this trip), Maddie wouldn't look at the camera, and the top of the building got cut off, but here we are.  Our moment captured for eternity.  I think it's perfect!

Virginia State Capitol Building, Richmond VA October 12 2017

I couldn't be prouder of these girls and our shared success.  I have so many great memories of all of our travels and have enjoyed so many of our stops.  Someday I'll share more of those memories.  For now I will just say-It has been a great journey.  Thanks for the suggestion Janie!

**As a side note, both of the girls have been to all 48 States of the Continental US and ,very briefly, through Washington DC.  Maddie just wasn't on one of our Capitol tours so she's missing Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  But I bet we'll get her to those on some future travels because you know we aren't going to stop moving!

Welcome to Pennsylvania! That will be $7 please.

I am a big fan of road trips.  Not much makes me happier than getting the dogs in the car and heading out on the open road.  So I was very excited to head out on our vacation yesterday.  After 5 and 1/2 hours of driving, we reached Pennsylvania, the state that thinks it's so awesome, they charge you $7 to enter.

As a mid-westerner, I'm not really used to paying tolls, especially as a Michigander. Other than the tolls we pay when traveling around Chicago and, of course, the the small price we pay to cross the Mackinac Bridge, we don't expect to pay to drive on our expressways.  Imagine my shock when I realized that after driving a bit farther, I entered the Pennsylvania Turnpike and additional tolls.  An additional $18.25 in tolls before reaching my destination for the night, to be exact.  By the time I reached my final destination, I had paid a total of $38.75 in tolls-more than I had paid in gas money to drive from Lansing to Chambersburg.  To add to this insult, the gas prices in Pennsylvania were 50 cents more per gallon than they had been in Ohio. 

So my Michigan friends, next time you are driving down our bumpy, pot-hole filled roads, be thankful!  I know I will be. 

September 28

On this day 5 years ago, I woke up knowing that your battle was over.  We spent the morning snuggling, and we spent the rest of the early afternoon on a blanket out in the sun like we had so many other times.  And then the time came and we gathered together everyone who loved you and I carried you to the car and you took one final car ride.  You were a front seat dog, sitting on your girls lap surrounded by love. We reached the vet's office and laid you in the sun...all of us around you.  I kissed that nose one last time, told you I loved you one last time, and held your paw as you took your final breath.  It was a peaceful experience, full of love and sadness.  But you were free of your pain, and after all that you had done for me, I was glad that I could be there with you until the very end.  

The pain has lessened over the years, but I still think of you often and you are always in my heart.  On this day, I still shed a few tears, but those tears remind me what a gift your life was.  My beautiful boy. 

Message body

Keeping the memory alive

As the seedum in my front yard begin to bloom and the bees return to feast upon them, as the leaves on the locust tree turn yellow and fall to the ground, and as the summer days grow shorter and the nights grow longer and cooler, I can't help but reflect on the past.  This final Sunday of the Summer season always makes me a bit melancholy because I know that with the beginning of Fall just a few short days away the time is growing near when I must put away the shorts and sandals and t-shirts and that those happy warm days I spend basking in the summer sun are almost behind us once more. But more than anything this time of year makes me think about the past...about loved ones lost and struggles that at one point in time seemed so hard to imagine living through,but now leave me with bittersweet memories.

Jake enjoying a treat

At this point in time five years ago, I was watching someone I loved slowly slip away from me and I was fighting as hard as I could to keep him here.  It was the first time in my life that I remember feeling completely helpless.  And five years ago this weekend, Jake gave me one last great weekend before the painful realization just a few days later that he was preparing to leave us forever.  So this weekend really gives me a whole bag of mixed emotions.

Playing in the hose

The emotions were triggered early this morning as I walked into the yard to see the bees swarming the seedum plants and  then triggered a second time as I poured my bowl of frosted mini wheat for breakfast.  For 9 years, as fall approached, I watched my great bee hunter stand for hours as those blooms brought in swarms of bees to stalk and hunt.  He got so much joy standing over those plants and watching those bees.  And in the end, feeble and frail, he was not deterred from his bee hunting.   It was as if nature was giving him one last great hunt before he left.

As he grew more and more sick and his desire to eat waned, there were always two things he would eat without hesitation....cheese and frosted mini wheats.  So it became our routine in those last weeks to sit together while I ate breakfast and I would happily share my breakfast with him.  I was happy to have him eat anything and enjoyed the extra time with my special boy.

All of my babies at the beach one last time

And although I don't like to dwell on the past, I do believe it is important to reflect and remember from time to time to keep alive in our hearts those who have gone before us.  So today I will remember Jake and the 9 great years he gave us by getting out and enjoying the last of these days of Summer.  For Autumn and Winter will come...for all of us.

Perspective

It happened last weekend as we spent the long Labor Day holiday weekend in the UP:  another lesson in perspective.  It always seems to happen when I travel there.  The lessons come from so many places.  Not only is it Mother Nature and all of her natural beauty that is my teacher, it is also the people.  Maybe it's the people more than the place that have helped to remind me of the lessons I have already learned...to remind me that there is a truth deep inside of me and that I just need to open my heart (and mind) and listen.  This trip especially, it was definitely a connection not only to the places, but to the people that make the places even more special.  And as an added bonus, I was given an additional gift in perspective from a complete stranger and an outsider...a visitor to this beautiful place that I have grown to love more and more and that has taught me so very much.

Sometimes life gets in the way of living.  Sometimes work and responsibility get in the way of dreams and passions.  This seems to have happened to me this year.   With all that has been going on here at home, I have sacrificed the frequency of my visits to Copper Harbor and all of the other places I love in the UP.  While I am still happy and I am enjoying life, I am not living to my full potential and I am not (to quote my awesome friend Bryce) 100% Trisha.    100% Trisha can only fully exist in the place where her heart and soul truly belong.  And while I may not notice it as much when I am here in Lansing, it is so clear when I finally get back to the Keweenaw.

I arrived on a rainy Saturday afternoon.  But even in the rain, I am happy to be there.  The original plan for Saturday was to attend the Great Sand Bay neighborhood pasty party, hosted by Marty and Koni, Bryce's neighbors, who have made me feel welcome at this Labor Day tradition of theirs for the last three years.  Like any good Yooper and Keweenawian, they symbolize all that is good about the people of this area-kind, friendly, help-out-your neighbor kind of people.  But

Mother Nature had different plans for us and, due to weather, the party was delayed by 24 hours.

This gave me the great opportunity to reconnect with some of the people who have become important in helping guide me along my path to enlightenment.   First there is Bryce.  Bryce is a guide and mentor in so many ways in my life.  No trip to the Keweenaw seems complete without a visit to Bryce and his trusty Zi.  But this year, I had gone an entire 7 months without seeing them.  They are my favorite Yoopers and the proof that if I work hard and sacrifice, I can get what I want out of life. Bryce has taught me many things that cannot be learned in books...things that require you to really stop and let go of everything you thought you knew.  He has taught me that it's okay to let go of societal convention and it's okay to just be yourself.  And that if you do those things, you can get everything you want out of life and can know true happiness.  He has also given me lessons in the importance of not dwelling in the past...and not worrying about the things you can't control.  The best lesson I've learned from him, however, is to pause, look up, take a deep breath, and just live right there in that moment.  To appreciate every moment because that is all we have...we just have right now-that's probably the best lesson I've learned from him.  Ask Bryce what time it is and he'll tell you "it's right now."

So the plan for the rainy afternoon was to meet up with Bryce and then drive out to Central Mine to see two other amazing Yoopers, Scott and Tom.  Scott and Tom are two of my amazing dog-loving, Keweenaw loving, photography loving friends who also made sacrifices and took a leap of faith and moved North to the Keweenaw.  Although I frequently run into Tom on my travels because he works right in Copper Harbor, Scott is a bit more elusive.  But this time, I knew exactly where to find him and I wasn't going to miss out on a chance to say hello.

On this particular day, Scott and Tom were at Central Mine for a special Keweenaw County Historical Society event and were being featured in one of the homes with all of their amazing photographs for sale.  The passion they have for this area they call home can be seen in their amazing pictures.   Scott also has a way with words and his love of the Keweenaw comes through in the things he writes as well, but it is when you speak with him that you can really feel the love he has for the area.  

Bryce and I arrived at Central Mine and spent some time talking with both of the guys, but it was in my conversation with Scott that I was truly moved.  As he spoke about the history of the house in which we were standing and the surrounding area, and especially as he talked about the people that had lived there, he just came alive.  I could feel the passion and love that he feels for this place.  It is in his heart, it is in his soul, it lives in every fiber of his being.  And that is an amazing lesson too. When you really, truly love something...someplace, others can feel the love and joy that place brings you.  Scott travels over 100 miles round trip each day to go to work so that he can live there in Copper Harbor.  To love a place that much, to make yourself and your happiness a priority, to inspire others to take that leap... That is truly inspiring to me.  And every time he shares his love of that place through his pictures and words, I feel like he's speaking directly to me...to remind me to live my truth, to live my passion, to live...and sometimes he actually is. (Thanks Scott-I am listening!)

Tom - what can  I say about him.  He lives an amazing adventure of a life and I would be lying if I didn't say that I am a little jealous of him.  He is lucky enough not only to live in Copper Harbor, but to work there too...and not in the tourist industry.  I know that he knows just how lucky he is too...as he sits at his desk with Lake Superior just outside the window and his two trusty companions, Daisy and Dozer, by his side.  Tom can spend his lunches searching for agates on the beaches of Lake Superior or somehow is lucky enough to take day trips to old abandoned lighthouses or a million other amazing places...and through the pictures he shares, I am given yet another perspective on what life can be when you follow your dreams.  I run into Tom all of the time when I'm on my travels in Copper Harbor and I always love my conversations with him.  He may live there, but he definitely doesn't take it for granted.  I can tell every time that I talk to him how much he loves his life in the Harbor and how much he appreciates all of the beauty that surrounds him.

We spent the next couple of days visiting the places and people who have made Copper Harbor so special to us and even found some new places to adventure.  On our final day in the Keweenaw, we headed up to Brockway Mountain.  At one end of the mountain is a beautiful view of  Lake Superior and the hills, valleys, and lakes that make up this beautiful area.  On the other end is the view overlooking the town itself.  Somehow, on this Labor Day, I ended up at this look-out all alone.  As I surveyed the area, I realized that I was looking out at Copper Harbor in a whole new way.  In the past, I saw a beautiful landscape with a tiny town sitting in the center of it all.  Over time, I began to see the individual buildings and landmarks...I knew the place names and some of the significant landmarks and began to try to better understand the layout of this land.  But this time, as I turned to walk away...I realized that I was now seeing Copper Harbor not as a tourist destination, not as a beautiful landscape, not as my vacation spot. No, this time, I was seeing the people of Copper Harbor. Jill at Jamsen's, Karen's Brockway Inn, Amanda and Aaron's house...It was a whole new perspective for me.  And it felt significant.  This isn't just a place that I visit...this is a place that I know and love, it is a place where I am welcomed like a local, where the people know my name...or at least that I'm the GSP lady.  It is becoming more and more a part of me and I am beginning to claim my place there as well.  As I walked away with this new perspective, I just smiled because I guess my mind is finally figuring out what my heart has known all along.  And I felt an extra sense of appreciation for all of the lessons taught and inspiration offered from so many of the residents of this tiny little town.

Good bye, August

As Imke made her way outside for her last set of rounds for the night, I decided to follow her and enjoy a little time on the patio.  I love the scents, sounds, and sights of summer nights and we have far too few of those left this year.  I love to go out and sit in my yard and look up at the night sky; the moon, the stars, and the darkness give me a great sense of peace.  Add to it the sounds of the tree frogs, katydids, and crickets and it's like a night at the symphony.  I just love it.

But as I sat out there tonight, I noticed that there were things missing...the warmth of a summer evening and the flickering of the lightning bugs are gone. I know there may still be a few warm evenings, but we are entering the portion of Summer that makes me sad.  The flowers begin to fade and the trees begin to turn to shades of orange, red, and yellow.   My world of green will soon leave and bring with it cold nights and sweatshirt.  Fall is definitely in the air.

I can't believe it's the final night of August.  With September comes the end of Summer...the end of shorts and t-shirts and flip flops, the end of swimming and of driving around with the windows down and the top off of the Jeep.  I'm really not a fan of Septemeber, never have been.  I always just wish we could have a few more weeks of August.

But thankfully we have one more weekend...the unofficial end of Summer to look forward to-a few more days to soak in the sun and stick our toes in the sand and maybe even take a dip in Superior.  I will get a few more nights of gazing up at the stars and listening to the nighttime symphony that surrounds us.  Although I'll always want more because, for me, Summer is never long enough.   

  

Imke

About 5 years ago, I sat down to start a blog about my dogs.  I thought I'd introduce everyone to the pups in my life and then share stories of our lives together.  I started with Jake because he was my oldest at 14(nearly 15) and he was pretty sick at the time.  I knew he wouldn't be around much longer and I didn't want to forget anything about him.  I thought that writing it all down would guarantee that I wouldn't forget him.  It was silly to think that I'd forget him or take our time together for granted, but I was going to assure that I wouldn't forget his quirks and the awesome things I loved about him.  I know that when I wrote that post all of those years ago, I didn't remember to include everything about him.  I wrote it through tears.  He was lying next to me, thin and frail, loyal as always. I knew he was sick, but he'd had a good week and had given me a least a little hope that things were going to turn around and he'd stick around awhile longer.  Less than two weeks after completing that post, we had to let my little old man go.  It's been a long time since I wrote that.  I didn't share it with anyone, it just sat here published, but unread by anyone but me.  Finally all of these years later, I opened up the link to this blog and decided it was time to write again.  I read what I wrote about Jake and it made me smile.  I've posted several blogs since then, however,  I've decided that it's time to share a little about the girls in my life.

Imke came into my life when she was just a 7 week old puppy.  We were purchasing our first house and I wanted nothing more than to get a puppy.  We got her the day before we moved into the house, a tiny adorable little puppy with big paws and floppy ears, my first German Shorthaired Pointer.  For her first two days with us, she was an only dog.  She was with us when we got the keys to the house-I remember pulling up to the house with Nicol and Imke in the car to get the keys so we could start moving.   She was just this sweet, timid girl who I am sure was just trying to figure out what was happening.  She was tiny and helpless and afraid to walk up or down stairs so Nicol carried her everywhere.  I loved her from the minute I saw her.  Little did I know how much more I would grow to love her all of these years later.

Two days after bringing her home, we rescued a gorgeous 6 year old male, our Jake.  They became fast friends.  He helped her gain confidence and she followed him everywhere.  I'm sure he was annoyed by her at times, but he was always patient and he was a great teacher.  She learned a lot about being a good dog from Jake.  I like to say that he did the hard work of helping us raise a puppy. With the help of her new friend, it didn't take long until that shy and quiet puppy turned into the wild and crazy, wacky girl I have grown to love.

I am extremely fortunate to have one of the most sensitive dogs ever (I believe that it is an important trait of their breed, but this dog is more sensitive than I have ever seen a dog be).  She understands how I am feeling, she knows when I need her, and she knows when I am okay.  She senses when I need protection and when I just need someone to cuddle with to make me feel safe.  And although she loves walks and rides in the car, she seems to understand that there are times when I have to make myself the priority and she is patient and expects nothing from me.  I really believe if she could, she would do more to take care of me.

I sit here tonight with my sweet old girl, her beautiful face gray with age, listening to her snore softly. As I look down at that face, I reflect on all of our years together.  We've had nearly 14 years together so far and they've been pretty good.  Mostly when I look at her, I see love...I see someone I love dearly and I see someone who I truly believe loves me more than anything and loves me more than anyone else ever could.  We have a special connection this girl and I .  She would go anywhere and do anything for me.  She is the definition of loyal-faithful, true and devoted to me always.  She loves unconditionally...despite all of my imperfections.

Imke has been with me through some really bad times and some really great ones.  I have suffered losses and gained insight.  I have gotten lost in life and I have found myself again along the way. And the whole time, she stood by my side.  Together we experienced the losses of our dear Spunky and our beloved Jake.  She watched with me as Nicol grew up, graduated from high school, went off to college, graduated from college, and moved away from home for the final time as she went off into the world as an adult.  The losses I felt, I did not feel alone.  She was there, sharing in them too. They were her losses as much as they were mine.

We have traveled from coast to coast, East to West and North to South and have even ventured into a foreign country together.  She has been there conquering fears and seeing all of the amazing wonders this country has to offer.  She has been with me as I rediscovered my love of the Upper Peninsula...which somehow I lost through some of the crazier years.  She is always up for an adventure no matter where it takes us and she has always been an amazing co-pilot.

She has been even more amazing in her support of my rescue work.  Sometimes she misses out on time with mom because I am off helping to save the world, but she doesn't hold that against me.  And she greets each new foster dog that I bring into our home with a wagging tail and a joy that is unmatched. She is welcoming to them all and willingly shares her toys, her bed, her treats, and her mom.  She is an expert at teaching them all of the lessons that she learned from Jake on how to be a good dog and how to enjoy life.

I am truly thankful for every day that we've had together.  I am thankful for all of the adventures and all of the quiet moments we have shared.  I am very thankful for all of the life lessons she has taught me through all these years. I had no idea all of those years ago when we decided to bring a puppy home just how much of an impact she would have on my life.  I feel so much love for her and get so much love from her in return.  I know there are people in this world who would think I am crazy to say all of these things about a dog.  But she is not just a dog...she is my four-legged, furry child and my very best friend.  I am blessed to have her in my life... I owe her everything  

I'd rather be Up North

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Michigan.  This great State has so much to offer and we have decided that this summer we are really going to take full advantage of living here.  So like any good Michigander should do in the Summer, the last two Saturdays we have headed "up North."

Usually up North for me means the Upper Peninsula, but we are really lucky here in Michigan to have so much more "North" to explore.  From my experience, once you are North of Clare, the Northern experience really begins.  And the bonus is that I can be there in less than two hours. With fewer people, more wildlife, and a pine forests lining the expressway, heading to the Northern Lower Peninsula offers a quick day trip or weekend get-away for me when I need to get into the woods for some peaceful reflection and don't have the time to get to the U.P.

Claire, Eddie and Shauna with Maddie, Imke, Wynona, Annie, Jesse, Dylan and Joey

Last weekend, we had a special visitor, my Aussie friend Claire came to town. So it was decided that we would head North to visit our friends Shauna and Eddie and their pack.  We met up with them at Hartwick Pines for a great hike with the dogs.  It was a really nice afternoon for a hike in the woods-not too hot, not too cold, and almost no bugs.   And I was even more excited to get out for a hike since, after suffering with knee issues for the last several months, I was finally feeling no knee pain and I was really going to be able to enjoy the hike.

We hiked the Ausable River Trail which has a good mixture of Red Pine and Cedar and crosses the path of the river.  It is amazingly beautiful and there isn't much that I love more than a river running through the woods.  Maddie was excited to see the water and jumped right in.  She was joined by Imke, Jesse and Joey.  I think Jesse would have stayed in there swimming all day, but we had more hiking to do.  

Claire and Wynona were having a great time enjoying the North woods!  Wynona is Shauna and Eddie's foster dog and she was an excellent hiker!  

Claire and Wynona enjoying the hike.

Annie was loving our hike too!  Annie is living with Degenerative Myelopathy which has caused her to lose usage of her hind legs, but she doesn't let that stop her from living life!  Annie has her own set of  wheels-it's a cart that works to allow her the freedom to roam around on her own and explore the world, but because this hike was so long, she got to ride in style like a princess instead.

Annie!

I think that Annie's smile really sums up  how we all felt after our day on the trail.  It's pretty amazing what a good day out on the trail with good friends can do for you!

After a great time in the woods last weekend, we were ready for some more time in the woods this weekend.  When my original plans for this weekend fell through, it gave us the opportunity to get out and explore a new area of Northern Michigan.  And I jumped at the opportunity.

After a quick look at the map and a short "planning" session, we jumped in the Jeep and we were off! This weekend, I was determined to get out on the North Country Trail and make some progress toward my 100 mile challenge.  I'd been wanting to explore the Jordan River Valley portion of the trail which is just South of Petoskey.  So we were off to explore.

We arrived at the parking area for the Pinney Bridge State Campground and we were off up the hill and into the woods.  The sun was shining and it was another beautiful Summer day in Northern Michigan.  My goal was to complete a four mile hike and to reach the 45th parallel.

Imke loves a good run in the woods

But as is the norm with my daily life, the girls reminded me that life isn't about meeting a goal or reaching a destination; it's about living in and enjoying the moment.

Life is about stopping to splash around in the water.  It's about enjoying the company of your best friend.

It's about stopping and standing still...alone in the forest and hearing nothing but the wind rustling through the leaves, the birds chirping in the distance, and your own heartbeat.

And when you do reach your destination or goal, you should take a moment to reflect on your journey and appreciate all that it brought to your life. And spend a little time basking in that moment too.

We should never be too busy to stop and enjoy the moment we are living right now.  Because when you aren't paying attention life is passing you by and you could miss something beautiful along the way.

And there is beauty all around us if we just open up our hearts and minds and take the time to notice.

Imke and Maddie on the NCT

As we returned to the Jeep, the girls were still enjoying every minute of our hike.  Because even though we had been down this path before, there is always something new to be discovered.

Taking a swim

We had a great time together in the woods, but I had promised Maddie a trip to the beach so it was time to head to the Jeep and do some more exploring.

Pinney Bridge

After a slight adjustment to our plans, we found our way to the Lake Michigan shoreline to end our perfect up North Summer day.  Because we all know that no Michigan adventure is complete without a trip to the beach! And it's even better if that beach touches a Great Lake.

Enjoying some time at Lake Michigan

As we prepared to head home, we were all happy for the moments we had spent together.  I'm always thankful for the life lessons these girls teach me every day and for every minute I am blessed to spend with them, no matter where we go!

My girls

My handsome friend, Teddy.

This week was, well, it was tough.  I won't lie.  I've had a couple of bad days and some things happened this week that just can't be changed.  But after some time to reflect on the grand universe in which we live and some time in the woods with my girls and some of my awesome friends, I had time to put things into perspective.  I had time to realize that I need to appreciate all of the things that make each of our lives unique and special.  And no matter how much (or how little) time we have here on Earth, we can have an impact on others and we can make a difference...and sometimes you need to forgive yourself and move on because there are just things that are out of your control.

Teddy

There's no easy way to say it.  No sugar-coating it.  No making it seem better.  It is just the reality.  So I'll just say it,  Teddy died this week.  Teddy was a 3 year old hound that I met volunteering at the shelter and I immediately fell in love with him...like I do most hounds.  Teddy was sweet and lovable and had a big booming voice that he wasn't afraid to use.  He was beautiful and had a beautiful soulful look in his eyes and velvety soft ears.  And I was considering bringing Teddy home as my next foster.  But earlier this week, it was discovered that Teddy had a medical issue that would require him to be quarantined until he got better and right now at the shelter, that is not a good thing to have.

Right now, our shelter is dealing with the investigation of a dog-fighting ring and is currently housing several dogs while the investigation continues.  So our shelter is filled to the brim with dogs.  Our open-admission, county shelter which is required to house dogs through court-cases, required to house strays, required to take in any dog from any situation-healthy, unhealthy, aggressive or not, from an owner who no longer can care for their dog on their own, or from an owner who just wants to throw their dog away like trash.  Our shelter is there to take them in and give them care and shelter and, if possible,  to find them a new, loving family.

And when bad things are happening in the community and the shelter becomes over-crowded, some times tough decisions, heart-breaking decisions, need to be made.  That is the reality of our county shelters in this country.  Animal control comes first...and then as a secondary priority comes finding them new homes.  Thousands of dogs(and cats) die in shelters across this country every day.  And people are either unaware, don't care, or continue to blame the system or even worse, they blame the people working in the shelters.  Yes, the system has it's faults.  But those shelters are run with limited resources and little to no help from their communities.  And those shelter workers, from my experience, are not cold-hearted.  They love animals too and are doing what they can to help in a really tough situation.

I am lucky to volunteer at a shelter that is pretty good compared to other county shelters around the country.  We have a pretty decent volunteer program, we have a foster program, and community outreach programs.  We try to help people who are a little down on their luck keep their beloved pets. We try to find great homes for all of the dogs and cats that come into our care, but sometimes it's still not enough.  What our shelters and homeless pets need is more support from our communities.  We need to step-up and realize there is an issue in this country and we need to work together to make things better.

I've learned through the years that I cannot save them all, but I can save some and I can make life a little better for others while they wait at the shelter for their forever home.  I know that earlier this week,Teddy got a great walk with our volunteers and I gave him extra love and attention.  I know that I did what I could to make his short time here on Earth a little better.  I couldn't save him, but I like to think that his life was a little better because of me.  And I will go forward in my life knowing that I did what I could for him and I will never forget him.  And I'll continue to fight the good fight so maybe in the future, another dog like Teddy won't have to die.  In memory of Teddy, I fight on. His short little life will be remembered.