On Thursday we got up at 4am and drove into town to stay for the weekend with the grands. Tim and Kristy were traveling to Orlando for Tim's meetings and Kristy's chance for a bit of relaxation by the pool.
I have been teaching several of the grands to do stained glass and told the youngest that when they are nine years old, that they could start too. Sarah and Lydia have been wanting their chance to try their hand at making stained glass and had patterns chosen and cut out. By the time the weekend drew to a close, we had completed four more windows and Keliah had started a fifth. It was fun to see all of the activity and to learn the whole process and find out the parts that each liked or disliked. We also managed to do school and piano practise.
Since we were working, we also had to play some too. HW2 took several trips to the store with various grands and one day some had lunch out at HyVee and so the rest of us had to do it a bit later too. HW2 cooked chicken fried steak for one night. Another, was a pizza and movie night and one night we went out to eat at a Japanese restaurant where they cooked the food right in front of us all. In addition, we played cards and generally had a good time although cleaning closets was not viewed favorably.
Since we might not get to do this again for awhile, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with the grands and if we spoiled them a bit, that is the duty dand pleasure of grandparents.
After Church and Sunday School their parents arrived back from their trip and we all sat down to a Sunday dinner together. Then, we packed up the car and drove back to our motor home. it was a good weekend.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sarah's Poem
I Meant to Do My Work Today
(A Poem Which Sarah Likes)
I meant to do my work today
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree
And a butterfly flitted across
And all the leaves were calling me
And the wind went sighing over the land
Tossing the grasses to and fro
And a rainbow held out its shining hand
So what could I do but laugh and go.
Richard Le Gallienne
So good, I had to share it with you all!!!!!!!
(A Poem Which Sarah Likes)
I meant to do my work today
But a brown bird sang in the apple tree
And a butterfly flitted across
And all the leaves were calling me
And the wind went sighing over the land
Tossing the grasses to and fro
And a rainbow held out its shining hand
So what could I do but laugh and go.
Richard Le Gallienne
So good, I had to share it with you all!!!!!!!
Up at 4:00 and on the road by 4:30
The radio alarm went off at 4:00 this morning so that we could get going to go stay with our grands in Omaha for a few days while their folks travel to Florida, where Tim has a conference, and Kristy gets to relax. As we drove onto the freeway, HW2 and I had a conversation about me weaving the car on the freeway.
In this scenario, I said to the officer as he pulled me over, "But I had only had a small drink or two." "What was it?" he asked. "Coffee!" I stated. "I am only 100 and can't see or hear, but I can still drive." "Wasn't your wife scared?" he asked. "No, she has been dead for the past five years!" "How did you get her into the car?" he asked. "Well, she is a bit stiff, but I managed." "What is that smell?" he asked. "It is my wife! I put her in the shower, standing up against the wall ,and hosed her off, but there never seems to be enough soap, Windex, automatic shower cleaner, or Scrubbing Bubbles, when you need them. I do like her though and plan to keep her, as long as she keeps quiet. She is a great listener and doesn't eat much. She is a trophy wife for sure. Normally I stand her up in the living room in front of the fireplace." "Well," he said, "Drive on, but keep your drinking down and keep both hands on the steering wheel and off your wife." "OK! Thanks for the tips!"
In this scenario, I said to the officer as he pulled me over, "But I had only had a small drink or two." "What was it?" he asked. "Coffee!" I stated. "I am only 100 and can't see or hear, but I can still drive." "Wasn't your wife scared?" he asked. "No, she has been dead for the past five years!" "How did you get her into the car?" he asked. "Well, she is a bit stiff, but I managed." "What is that smell?" he asked. "It is my wife! I put her in the shower, standing up against the wall ,and hosed her off, but there never seems to be enough soap, Windex, automatic shower cleaner, or Scrubbing Bubbles, when you need them. I do like her though and plan to keep her, as long as she keeps quiet. She is a great listener and doesn't eat much. She is a trophy wife for sure. Normally I stand her up in the living room in front of the fireplace." "Well," he said, "Drive on, but keep your drinking down and keep both hands on the steering wheel and off your wife." "OK! Thanks for the tips!"
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Shopping and Bargains
I do not really like to shop or even be along where other shoppers are. HW2, however, loves to shop, but she really only buys something if it is on sale, and she is especially happy, if in addition to being a bargain, she can apply a treasured coupon. I got talked into buying a sport's coat even though I had a perfectly good one that was 10-20 years old, wool, and probably not good for warm climates. However, it fit, and not everything fits these days. When I was in the working world, I had to wear a jacket and tie every day and vowed that when retired, that would end. Pretty much I have ditched the jacket and tie for the past 12 years of retirement. I did agree to be buried in a suit, but I expect to be cremated, and why waste a perfectly good suit and burn it up. So I expect to be cremated in the style in which I came into this world, with nothing on my back. But, I digress.
Soon we go on a three week trip to Greece and Turkey, which should be great fun. In the literature provided by the touring company, it is implied that some of the evenings might be dressy, hence the need, according to HW2, for me to get a sport's jacket. We strolled into Penney's men's department and found a jacket on sale. The man waiting on us said, "Penneys is always having a sale!" Then HW2 did a wonderful thing. She surrendered a coupon that she had been hoarding and let me use it toward my purchase. Imagine, an additional 15% off. I do plan to wear the jacket, WHEN NECESSARY. May it be only once or twice. If you are in need of a coupon, check with HW2 and she will help you.
Now I expect to go shopping again, maybe in 2010 for???????
Soon we go on a three week trip to Greece and Turkey, which should be great fun. In the literature provided by the touring company, it is implied that some of the evenings might be dressy, hence the need, according to HW2, for me to get a sport's jacket. We strolled into Penney's men's department and found a jacket on sale. The man waiting on us said, "Penneys is always having a sale!" Then HW2 did a wonderful thing. She surrendered a coupon that she had been hoarding and let me use it toward my purchase. Imagine, an additional 15% off. I do plan to wear the jacket, WHEN NECESSARY. May it be only once or twice. If you are in need of a coupon, check with HW2 and she will help you.
Now I expect to go shopping again, maybe in 2010 for???????
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Duffy, MacGregor and the Campbells Return Home
This spring break vacation was the best ever for the Campbells, and as they left their motel for home, they talked about all the fun times they had in San Antonio and, of course, meeting the President and his wife. After much discussion, the consensus was that having Duffy and MacGregor along, made this trip, the best one ever. In two days, although it seemed like in no time at all, they were home, unloaded the car, and let the dogs run about in the back yard, free from the confines of the van. It had been great to take the trip and great to be home.
THE END
THE END
John Adams, Second President
Last evening HW2 and I completed the John Adams HBO documentary of seven parts. I had read David McCullough's book some time back and at that time had to reassess my opinion of the difficult Mr. Adams. The book alone affected me enough to include John in my list of the ten best Presidents, which I wrote about some time back.
We looked forward to viewing this series, and the very first one was a spell binder. The people who acted in and those that produced this series brought the 90 years of Mr. Adams to life in a way that books seldom can do. We felt as if we were there in that time period. Abigail is, of course, magnificent, and what a wonderful partner she was to John. She managed to be his best and most trusted counselor throughout his life, whether they were together or apart and had to maintain their relationship by a flow of letters. These letters have survived and are a resource for much of the background and, of course, for much of the dialogue.
Tom Hanks is to be commended for producing the series and for his work to bring this history to life. The acting was so superb that we felt that it was Washington, Jefferson, or the Adams speaking to us. The final years of Jefferson's and Adams's letter exchanges were delightful as these lifelong friends, and sometimes political enemies, shared their thoughts and experiences. The finale of both passing on July 4th of the fiftieth birthday of the founding of our republic would be unbelievable if written by an author but absolutely spectacular in reality. John, who passed shortly after Thomas, uttered his last words, "Mr. Jefferson is the last one living," meaning of not only the two of them, but also of the founding fathers. And typically for Mr. Adams, he was wrong. These two men were characterized as the north and south poles of the revolution and in the development of this country. Our strength as a nation comes from this dialogue and with the resultant reality, a compromise, in the best sense of the word. Would that such a dialogue be continuing to this day and times.
If you missed this series or have not read the book, I urge you to do so. Your life will be enriched in ways you can not imagine.
We looked forward to viewing this series, and the very first one was a spell binder. The people who acted in and those that produced this series brought the 90 years of Mr. Adams to life in a way that books seldom can do. We felt as if we were there in that time period. Abigail is, of course, magnificent, and what a wonderful partner she was to John. She managed to be his best and most trusted counselor throughout his life, whether they were together or apart and had to maintain their relationship by a flow of letters. These letters have survived and are a resource for much of the background and, of course, for much of the dialogue.
Tom Hanks is to be commended for producing the series and for his work to bring this history to life. The acting was so superb that we felt that it was Washington, Jefferson, or the Adams speaking to us. The final years of Jefferson's and Adams's letter exchanges were delightful as these lifelong friends, and sometimes political enemies, shared their thoughts and experiences. The finale of both passing on July 4th of the fiftieth birthday of the founding of our republic would be unbelievable if written by an author but absolutely spectacular in reality. John, who passed shortly after Thomas, uttered his last words, "Mr. Jefferson is the last one living," meaning of not only the two of them, but also of the founding fathers. And typically for Mr. Adams, he was wrong. These two men were characterized as the north and south poles of the revolution and in the development of this country. Our strength as a nation comes from this dialogue and with the resultant reality, a compromise, in the best sense of the word. Would that such a dialogue be continuing to this day and times.
If you missed this series or have not read the book, I urge you to do so. Your life will be enriched in ways you can not imagine.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Duffy and MacGregor visit the Alamo
The next morning after breakfast at the motel, the Campbells walked to the Alamo, which was nearby. They explored the grounds and buildings and read all of the signs, and suddenly Duffy raced to a low wall and jumped up and started barking. It was as if he were the last defender of the Alamo. How the other visitors enjoyed his antics! Finally tiring of this game, Duffy jumped back down, and the family left the grounds.
About two blocks from the Alamo is the famous River Walk. The family decided to take a boat ride, and MacGregor loved it and stood up in the front with his paws on the boat rail, looking like he was the figurine prow of an old sailing ship. They were going slowly, but it still was enough to ruffle his ears and move his hair out of his eyes. Duffy just sat still for once and waited for MacGregor to sit back down. When the boat trip was over, both dogs jumped off the boat and went with the family to find lunch at one of the many restaurants along the river. The family had Mexican Tacos, and the dogs were given a bowl of fresh water and doggy treats. No scraps from this table.
Finally, the family walked to a nearby park where the dogs could play and run for an hour. The visit to Texas had been a success with many unexpected developments with the dogs along. This was the best family spring break trip they had ever had!
About two blocks from the Alamo is the famous River Walk. The family decided to take a boat ride, and MacGregor loved it and stood up in the front with his paws on the boat rail, looking like he was the figurine prow of an old sailing ship. They were going slowly, but it still was enough to ruffle his ears and move his hair out of his eyes. Duffy just sat still for once and waited for MacGregor to sit back down. When the boat trip was over, both dogs jumped off the boat and went with the family to find lunch at one of the many restaurants along the river. The family had Mexican Tacos, and the dogs were given a bowl of fresh water and doggy treats. No scraps from this table.
Finally, the family walked to a nearby park where the dogs could play and run for an hour. The visit to Texas had been a success with many unexpected developments with the dogs along. This was the best family spring break trip they had ever had!
Duffy Rides the Ferris Wheel
The next morning the Campbell family left Waco still talking about meeting the President, the First Lady and their Scotties. They arrived in San Antonio and decided to go to Six Flags Over Texas for the afternoon and evening. Duffy and MacGregor were allowed into the park as long as they were kept on their leashes. All the kids wanted to ride the roller coaster, which at one point had everyone upside down as it went through a loop-de-loop. Neither Charlie or Judy wanted to ride on tha,t so they kept the dogs and watched their kids enjoy the ride with much screaming from the girls.
The girls wanted to ride on the Ferris Wheel next. So they all went over to that ride and after the girls were strapped in, Duffy got away from Scott and jumped in with them. MacGregor just barked. The man running the ride thought it was cute to have Duffy on the ride, and so off they went. Duffy loved it and wanted to ride again and again. Finally, the ride ended, and the girls and Duffy got off. MacGregor was very glad to see Duffy back on firm ground.
The Campbells stayed into the evening to watch the fireworks at the amusement part. They all sat on the grass to watch, and the dogs sat side by side to watch as well. At first they did not know what to make of all of the lights and noise, but then they settled down and enjoyed the fireworks as much as the rest of the family. A tired Campbell family drove back to the motel for the night.
The girls wanted to ride on the Ferris Wheel next. So they all went over to that ride and after the girls were strapped in, Duffy got away from Scott and jumped in with them. MacGregor just barked. The man running the ride thought it was cute to have Duffy on the ride, and so off they went. Duffy loved it and wanted to ride again and again. Finally, the ride ended, and the girls and Duffy got off. MacGregor was very glad to see Duffy back on firm ground.
The Campbells stayed into the evening to watch the fireworks at the amusement part. They all sat on the grass to watch, and the dogs sat side by side to watch as well. At first they did not know what to make of all of the lights and noise, but then they settled down and enjoyed the fireworks as much as the rest of the family. A tired Campbell family drove back to the motel for the night.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Taking a Spring Break Trip with the Dogs
Duffy and MacGregor had been so well-behaved after the girls had taught them tricks that Charlie and Judy decided that they could go with them on their annual spring break trip. The boys were home from college, Scott could get off from work, and the girls had their vacation time, as well. They all finally decided that the best place to visit this year would be San Antonio.
San Antonio has the Alamo, River Walk, Six Flags Over Texas, and Sea World among other tourist delights. So they packed their van and headed to the South. The first afternoon they arrived in Waco, Texas, and found a motel. Then, since they had time, they decided to visit the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Since this ranch is the Bush's home you can't really visit it, but you can get close. The folks in Crawford are very protective of the President's family and respect their privacy. The family drove nearby the ranch and deciding that the dogs needed a break, stopped to accommodate them.
Duffy, who had been so good lately, ran away. He ran right on to the ranch followed quickly by Secret Service agents. The Campbells were appalled. The agents would not let them on the ranch to help, so they could only wait and worry. What was Duffy doing? MacGregor was very worried and whined and barked, but he would not follow. He was so much better behaved than Duffy!
Soon a pickup truck appeared with President Bush himself driving. Duffy sat beside him on the front seat next to his dogs, Mrs. Beasley and Barney. The President pulled up to the van and asked if the Campbells were missing a family member. They were so sorry to have put the President out by having to catch their dog! When he saw MacGregor sitting there, he asked them if they had time, would they like to visit the ranch, as he was sure that his wife Laura would love to meet them and give the dogs some treats. Charlie said that they could not impose on his valuable time, but he insisted. The Secret Service men checked them all very carefully and decided they were no threat, and then they could follow the pickup back to the ranch house.
Mrs. Bush came out of the house, greeted the family, and fussed over Duffy and MacGregor, finally giving both of them doggy treats. The Campbells thanked their hosts and headed back to Crawford, wondering whether anyone would believe this visit had happened. Living with Duffy could be quite exciting!
San Antonio has the Alamo, River Walk, Six Flags Over Texas, and Sea World among other tourist delights. So they packed their van and headed to the South. The first afternoon they arrived in Waco, Texas, and found a motel. Then, since they had time, they decided to visit the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Since this ranch is the Bush's home you can't really visit it, but you can get close. The folks in Crawford are very protective of the President's family and respect their privacy. The family drove nearby the ranch and deciding that the dogs needed a break, stopped to accommodate them.
Duffy, who had been so good lately, ran away. He ran right on to the ranch followed quickly by Secret Service agents. The Campbells were appalled. The agents would not let them on the ranch to help, so they could only wait and worry. What was Duffy doing? MacGregor was very worried and whined and barked, but he would not follow. He was so much better behaved than Duffy!
Soon a pickup truck appeared with President Bush himself driving. Duffy sat beside him on the front seat next to his dogs, Mrs. Beasley and Barney. The President pulled up to the van and asked if the Campbells were missing a family member. They were so sorry to have put the President out by having to catch their dog! When he saw MacGregor sitting there, he asked them if they had time, would they like to visit the ranch, as he was sure that his wife Laura would love to meet them and give the dogs some treats. Charlie said that they could not impose on his valuable time, but he insisted. The Secret Service men checked them all very carefully and decided they were no threat, and then they could follow the pickup back to the ranch house.
Mrs. Bush came out of the house, greeted the family, and fussed over Duffy and MacGregor, finally giving both of them doggy treats. The Campbells thanked their hosts and headed back to Crawford, wondering whether anyone would believe this visit had happened. Living with Duffy could be quite exciting!
Ted Turner's Grill and Alexandra (Alex)
Yesterday we were doing some final shopping for our trip, as well as our morning exercise of walking a mall, when we decided to have a late lunch. We stopped at Ted Turner's Grill which is located north of Dodge at about 132nd Street. You can see the restaurant from Dodge, and although it is a bit of a trick to get there, we persisted. We had tried one of his restaurants in Atlanta and liked the Bison Burger there.
Alex was our server and provided us with excellent service, suggesting the squash casserole as an alternative to French fries. So with a crisp side salad and Bison Burgers with differing additions, we very much enjoyed our meal. Later the manager came by to see if we enjoyed the meal, and then we visited with Alex as she cleaned the table and prepared our bill.
Alex works every night at a Japanese restaurant and during the day at Ted's Grill. In her spare time she takes nursing classes by computer and has two years to go to get her degree. Her folks either could not or would not pay any of her college expenses, and she does not want to have a huge debt after completing college so this is her solution. We, of course, encouraged her to keep on and not to give up her goal of achieving a college degree. What a lovely and hard-working young lady with her head well-connected. If only other people would be so hard working and have a great goal, maybe they would not be looking for a handout from either the government or parents. Go Alex! In addition, this is an excellent place to eat a meal, low in fat, and with great service.
Alex was our server and provided us with excellent service, suggesting the squash casserole as an alternative to French fries. So with a crisp side salad and Bison Burgers with differing additions, we very much enjoyed our meal. Later the manager came by to see if we enjoyed the meal, and then we visited with Alex as she cleaned the table and prepared our bill.
Alex works every night at a Japanese restaurant and during the day at Ted's Grill. In her spare time she takes nursing classes by computer and has two years to go to get her degree. Her folks either could not or would not pay any of her college expenses, and she does not want to have a huge debt after completing college so this is her solution. We, of course, encouraged her to keep on and not to give up her goal of achieving a college degree. What a lovely and hard-working young lady with her head well-connected. If only other people would be so hard working and have a great goal, maybe they would not be looking for a handout from either the government or parents. Go Alex! In addition, this is an excellent place to eat a meal, low in fat, and with great service.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
More Digger Reactions
Seeing my Digger hat, a man said, "Were you in the Navy?" The guy next to him said, "Do you do NASCAR racing?" I then found out that there is a camera located in the tarmac, and it can pop up and give you a shot as the racers moved over the camera and around the track during a race. On the TV a gopher pops up on the screen identified with the camera, and this gopher has a name, DIGGER.
Well I was very pleased that these men had noticed my hat with Digger embroidered in gold on it, and I had to explain why it got that way. This has been mentioned in a previous blog. My brother-in-law started calling me Digger after he learned that I had buried a feral cat shot by Arthur up in the San Juan Islands. He wanted to know where I had buried the cat, and I replied, "Up where the cattails are, of course!" This has turned out to be my favorite nickname and favorite hat to wear. Smart answers get you great nick names, sometimes.
I think the Navy comment came about because of the gold embroidery, so I merely commented that I had not served in the Navy, but my son-in-lawhad, as if that had anything to do with it.
Best of all we had met these people in a bar called, It Must Be Five O'clock Somewhere. One of Arthur's daily and favorite expressions is, "Is it five o'clock yet?" My answer was, "It must be five o'clock somewhere." Well, with that background in mind, you can see why we had to stop into this bar for a brewsky. Have a great day.
Well I was very pleased that these men had noticed my hat with Digger embroidered in gold on it, and I had to explain why it got that way. This has been mentioned in a previous blog. My brother-in-law started calling me Digger after he learned that I had buried a feral cat shot by Arthur up in the San Juan Islands. He wanted to know where I had buried the cat, and I replied, "Up where the cattails are, of course!" This has turned out to be my favorite nickname and favorite hat to wear. Smart answers get you great nick names, sometimes.
I think the Navy comment came about because of the gold embroidery, so I merely commented that I had not served in the Navy, but my son-in-lawhad, as if that had anything to do with it.
Best of all we had met these people in a bar called, It Must Be Five O'clock Somewhere. One of Arthur's daily and favorite expressions is, "Is it five o'clock yet?" My answer was, "It must be five o'clock somewhere." Well, with that background in mind, you can see why we had to stop into this bar for a brewsky. Have a great day.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Is it Windsday or Wednesday?
Around here it is Windsday for sure. Yesterday we were buffeted by gusts of wind of 40 to 50 mph. This went on all day and all night and still continues a bit this morning. We drove into town for our daily walk in the mall and noticed the high winds and lack of large trucks on the freeway. On the return home we were overwhelmed with the flying dirt kicked up by the wind and in several areas could hardly see the buildings. It was especially bad where the dirt had been worked in construction areas or where spring time planting was taking place.
I could really appreciate how the dust storms of the thirties might have been in the west and mid west. I could also see how sudden sand storms such as seen in Arizona or California can cause huge multi car pile ups with much death and destruction. You really can't see to drive in such conditions. Hopefully the winds will die down today and we can get back to regular spring weather in the heartland.
I could really appreciate how the dust storms of the thirties might have been in the west and mid west. I could also see how sudden sand storms such as seen in Arizona or California can cause huge multi car pile ups with much death and destruction. You really can't see to drive in such conditions. Hopefully the winds will die down today and we can get back to regular spring weather in the heartland.
On the Road Again and Unusual Expressions
About ten days ago we drove to Ann Arbor to help Kim and her family while her husband was in Germany for a week. When he returned, we drove back to Omaha. We noticed while traveling, a restaurant called Bob's Your Uncle and talked about such an unusual name. HW2 Googled the name or expression and found that it was a commonly used expression in England and Commonwealth countries. A typical explanation or usage of the expression was when someone was asked to explain how to do something, would demonstrate it, and at the end say, "and Bob's your Uncle." There were other explanations given that were quite interesting and can be found in worldwidewords.org. You might like to try this resource or put it in your references for future needs. It was delightful! I like expressions and the meaning of words and enjoy learning their root sources.
You might have an expression you have enjoyed, and please pass it on in a comment to this entry so that I can look it up. Your participation is always appreciated.
You might have an expression you have enjoyed, and please pass it on in a comment to this entry so that I can look it up. Your participation is always appreciated.
Keilah's dog biscuits do the trick
Kim and Kris decided that maybe if Duffy had more attention, then he might not be so apt to run away. One afternoon when Keilah was over, the three girls got out the home-made dog biscuits and decided to train Duffy and MacGregor to do tricks. The dogs had already learned sit and stay at an earlier session. The girls were determined to teach the dogs to roll over, beg, and bark. MacGregor quickly learned to beg and bark but could not get the roll over thing going. Duffy got the three new tricks right away.
The girls took the two dogs out to the back yard and opened the gate and leaving the gate open, told the dogs to stay, and then walked around the house out of sight of the dogs. Two then three minutes went by. and no dog appeared. The girls went back to find both of the dogs sitting where they had left them. Maybe the tricks will work, they said. They closed the gate and gave both of the dogs big doggy treats for their good behavior.
The girls took the two dogs out to the back yard and opened the gate and leaving the gate open, told the dogs to stay, and then walked around the house out of sight of the dogs. Two then three minutes went by. and no dog appeared. The girls went back to find both of the dogs sitting where they had left them. Maybe the tricks will work, they said. They closed the gate and gave both of the dogs big doggy treats for their good behavior.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Duffy Runs Away
One weekday afternoon the gas meter man came to read the meter so that the monthly gas bill could be computed and a bill sent to the house. Without meaning to, he left the back gate unlatched. Duffy noticed this immediately! Duffy jumped on the gate several times until it finally opened, and he was free. He barked at MacGregor to come along, but MacGregor just sat down and whined. He did not want to go outside the back yard with Duffy.
Duffy lost no time in running off, and when MacGregor could no longer see Duffy, he hurried into the house through the doggy door and barked and barked at Judy until he got her attention. She said, "What is the matter MacGregor?" MacGregor kept barking, trying to get Judy to go to the back yard. Finally she decided to follow him and discovered the open gate. Duffy was long gone.
None of the Campbell girls were home since they had soccer practice, so Judy hurried to see if any of the neighborhood kids were about when she spotted James and some of his brothers. She checked with his mom, and then James, Tyler and Andy began to help Judy find naughty Duffy. MacGregor stayed home sitting down in the back yard and watching all the activity.
The searchers split up and went in different directions. James took off toward the neighborhood park and playground. Tyler walked up toward the next house. Andy headed toward the woods, and Judy got out the car and began to slowly drove around. All either whistled or kept calling "Duffy, Duffy," but no dog appeared anywher.
Down near the park a woman came out of her house and hollered to James to stop for a minute. She wanted to know what was the color of his missing dog, and James told her, "White." "I think I have your dog," she said. "I was cooking in my kitchen when a small white dog came right into my kitchen through our doggy door. I was very surprised!" Duffy had come to play with her Golden Retriever, have a drink of water and maybe some doggy treats. She also told James that she worked for the Humane Society, and that he needed to keep his dog tied up or fenced in, and James explained about the open gate. "How nice of you to help find him!" she said as James carried Duffy back toward the Campbell home.
James returned with Duffy just as the other searchers arrived and told his story. They could not believe that Duffy just went right in someone's doggy door like it was his own. Duffy had been naughty to run away, and his punishment awaited. He was put into his crate and had to stay there till supper time. MacGregor was so happy to see Duffy that he sat right down next to the crate for the rest of the afternoon. They looked like the bookends once again.
Duffy lost no time in running off, and when MacGregor could no longer see Duffy, he hurried into the house through the doggy door and barked and barked at Judy until he got her attention. She said, "What is the matter MacGregor?" MacGregor kept barking, trying to get Judy to go to the back yard. Finally she decided to follow him and discovered the open gate. Duffy was long gone.
None of the Campbell girls were home since they had soccer practice, so Judy hurried to see if any of the neighborhood kids were about when she spotted James and some of his brothers. She checked with his mom, and then James, Tyler and Andy began to help Judy find naughty Duffy. MacGregor stayed home sitting down in the back yard and watching all the activity.
The searchers split up and went in different directions. James took off toward the neighborhood park and playground. Tyler walked up toward the next house. Andy headed toward the woods, and Judy got out the car and began to slowly drove around. All either whistled or kept calling "Duffy, Duffy," but no dog appeared anywher.
Down near the park a woman came out of her house and hollered to James to stop for a minute. She wanted to know what was the color of his missing dog, and James told her, "White." "I think I have your dog," she said. "I was cooking in my kitchen when a small white dog came right into my kitchen through our doggy door. I was very surprised!" Duffy had come to play with her Golden Retriever, have a drink of water and maybe some doggy treats. She also told James that she worked for the Humane Society, and that he needed to keep his dog tied up or fenced in, and James explained about the open gate. "How nice of you to help find him!" she said as James carried Duffy back toward the Campbell home.
James returned with Duffy just as the other searchers arrived and told his story. They could not believe that Duffy just went right in someone's doggy door like it was his own. Duffy had been naughty to run away, and his punishment awaited. He was put into his crate and had to stay there till supper time. MacGregor was so happy to see Duffy that he sat right down next to the crate for the rest of the afternoon. They looked like the bookends once again.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Collector's Frenzy
Judy was checking through the paper and saw an advertisement for an antique show at the local convention center starting on Friday evening. She asked Charlie, Kim, and Kris if they all wanted to go to the antique show and was pleased when evryone wanted to go. The girls wondered if they could take the Scotties if they were on their leashes and carefully controlled. Charlie thought he had seen dogs at the show in the past, so why not try it and ask the promoters if it was possible to bring the dogs, too.
When Friday finally arrived, they all piled into the car and took the two excited dogs down town to the convention center. The girls put the pups on their leashes while Charlie went to ask the promoters if it would be possible to bring the Scotties to the antique show and was pleased when he learned that as long as they were on their leashes, it was acceptable. All six of the Campbells started to slowly stroll through the antique show and enjoyed all the comments that the Scotties caused. One dealer suggested that they go over one row and check into the booth of the dealer next to the wall. When they did this, they discovered to their delight that this dealer collected and sold Scotty memorabilia. They were in trouble. Ever since Charlie had bought a Scotch bottle which had black and white Scotties as the advertisement, Charlie and Judy had wondered if there were other similar items. This booth was full of Black and White Scotch memorabilia and many Scotty collectibles. Duffy and MacGregor sat side by side as the family looked at all of the items, quite pleased with all of the attention they were receiving from the other antique shoppers.
Their favorite was a papier mache piece that showed a black and a white Scotties sitting side by side, just like Duffy and MacGregor were doing. They decided they had to get that one and some Scotty bookends. The delight of the evening was finding small boxes of Scotty magnets, black and white, of course, like the ones Charlie and Judy used to play with when they were kids. Finally, after looking all through the antique show, the Campbells returned with home with two well-behaved dogs and their Scotty memorabilia. What had they started? Were they beginning a collection of Scotty collectibles?
When Friday finally arrived, they all piled into the car and took the two excited dogs down town to the convention center. The girls put the pups on their leashes while Charlie went to ask the promoters if it would be possible to bring the Scotties to the antique show and was pleased when he learned that as long as they were on their leashes, it was acceptable. All six of the Campbells started to slowly stroll through the antique show and enjoyed all the comments that the Scotties caused. One dealer suggested that they go over one row and check into the booth of the dealer next to the wall. When they did this, they discovered to their delight that this dealer collected and sold Scotty memorabilia. They were in trouble. Ever since Charlie had bought a Scotch bottle which had black and white Scotties as the advertisement, Charlie and Judy had wondered if there were other similar items. This booth was full of Black and White Scotch memorabilia and many Scotty collectibles. Duffy and MacGregor sat side by side as the family looked at all of the items, quite pleased with all of the attention they were receiving from the other antique shoppers.
Their favorite was a papier mache piece that showed a black and a white Scotties sitting side by side, just like Duffy and MacGregor were doing. They decided they had to get that one and some Scotty bookends. The delight of the evening was finding small boxes of Scotty magnets, black and white, of course, like the ones Charlie and Judy used to play with when they were kids. Finally, after looking all through the antique show, the Campbells returned with home with two well-behaved dogs and their Scotty memorabilia. What had they started? Were they beginning a collection of Scotty collectibles?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Charlie Gets His Scotch!
One weekend Charlie was watching the dogs as they sat by his feet. As usual, they were sitting side by side, like bookends. This reminded Charlie of something, and he called to Judy. "I have an errand to run. Do you want to go with me to the store?" They piled into the car and took both dogs, since they loved to ride along too.
In town, Charlie turned into a liquor store and left the dogs in the car while he and Judy went inside. Charlie asked the man at the counter if he had any Black and White Scotch. The man replied that he just gotten a few bottles in, although it was not a fast-selling item. Charlie purchased one bottle, and Judy wanted to know why he decided to buy that variety of scotch. Charlie said to Judy, "Look at the label." "Oh! I see!" said Judy. The label had black and white Scotties sitting side by side, just like bookends.
In town, Charlie turned into a liquor store and left the dogs in the car while he and Judy went inside. Charlie asked the man at the counter if he had any Black and White Scotch. The man replied that he just gotten a few bottles in, although it was not a fast-selling item. Charlie purchased one bottle, and Judy wanted to know why he decided to buy that variety of scotch. Charlie said to Judy, "Look at the label." "Oh! I see!" said Judy. The label had black and white Scotties sitting side by side, just like bookends.
Duffy and MacGregor Meet the Neighborhood Critters
The next afternoon, Kim and Kris got out the leashes for the dogs. Duffy got so excited that he could not stop jumping. MacGregor decided to just bark. Finally, the dogs stopped running about enough for the leashes to be clicked onto their collars, and the foursome headed out the side yard. This time MacGregor was looking forward to his walk, and even he tugged on his leash to go for the walk.
As they walked down the country road, they came to a small flock of turkeys strolling through the hedge. The funny one to look at was the one-legged turkey who hopped along with the others. The dogs didn't want to chase the turkeys but surely were interested. The girls couldn't wait to get home to tell their folks that the one-legged turkey had survived another year. He seemed to be a fixture in the neighborhood. Then they saw a rabbit bolt from his hiding place, and Duffy strained and barked to chase, but Kim kept him held tightly so that he wouldn't run off after the rabbit. MacGregor just sat down and waited for all the excitement to wane. Finally, on their way home, they saw two squirrels, and Kim said, "Watch this," and unhooked Duffy, who was off in a flash of white. He quickly treed the squirrels and then tried to climb the trees barking all the time. Kim came up to him and hooked his leash back on. MacGregor just sat and looked. The four soon returned home from their exciting walk and the pups, when released, immediately went for water in their bowls and stretched out on the grass side by side. It had been a fun walk in the neighborhood.
As they walked down the country road, they came to a small flock of turkeys strolling through the hedge. The funny one to look at was the one-legged turkey who hopped along with the others. The dogs didn't want to chase the turkeys but surely were interested. The girls couldn't wait to get home to tell their folks that the one-legged turkey had survived another year. He seemed to be a fixture in the neighborhood. Then they saw a rabbit bolt from his hiding place, and Duffy strained and barked to chase, but Kim kept him held tightly so that he wouldn't run off after the rabbit. MacGregor just sat down and waited for all the excitement to wane. Finally, on their way home, they saw two squirrels, and Kim said, "Watch this," and unhooked Duffy, who was off in a flash of white. He quickly treed the squirrels and then tried to climb the trees barking all the time. Kim came up to him and hooked his leash back on. MacGregor just sat and looked. The four soon returned home from their exciting walk and the pups, when released, immediately went for water in their bowls and stretched out on the grass side by side. It had been a fun walk in the neighborhood.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Dogs Go for A Walk
Kim and Kris thought that if they took the dogs for regular walks, that maybe Duffy would not try to dig his way out under the chain link fence. They got out two leashes and hooked up Duffy and MacGregor, who were excited to go somewhere. As soon as they got out the backyard fence, something strange happened. Duffy was ready to go and pulled hard on his leash to get Kim to go too, but MacGregor was an altogether different story. He was scared and did not want to leave the safety of his back yard. He planted his feet and would not move. Kris tried to drag him a bit and see if he would get the idea, but he quickly sat down in the flower bed and refused to move. He could see Duffy and Kim ready to go on a walk but would not budge.
The girls finally decided not to try to leave the grounds and just waited and finally MacGregor decided it would be all right to catch up with Duffy, but he was still afraid, and his body would not stop shaking. After a short time the girls took the dogs back to the fenced in back yard and unhooked the dogs from their leashes. Both of the dogs then ran madly around and around until they tired and flopped down in the grass. The girls were determined to try to take the dogs out for walks and decided they would try again tomorrow.
The girls finally decided not to try to leave the grounds and just waited and finally MacGregor decided it would be all right to catch up with Duffy, but he was still afraid, and his body would not stop shaking. After a short time the girls took the dogs back to the fenced in back yard and unhooked the dogs from their leashes. Both of the dogs then ran madly around and around until they tired and flopped down in the grass. The girls were determined to try to take the dogs out for walks and decided they would try again tomorrow.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Duffy gets in trouble
Duffy soon got tired of playing with MacGregor in the back yard. He wanted to chase squirrels and would bark and bark at them when he saw them climbing nearby trees. Sometimes they came quite near to Duffy and tease him until he almost went crazy. Duffy wanted to get those squirrels. One day he noticed that he could get his nose under the chain link fence, and he could see a squirrel not more than ten feet away outside the fence just sitting there and daring Duffy to come get him. Duffy decided to dig in the soft grass and dirt, and the more he dug the more he enjoyed the idea of getting out of the back yard.
Soon he wiggled under the fence, and MacGregor, who was watching the whole digging process, began to bark, as he did not want to burrow under the fence and was worried about what Duffy would get up to next. Duffy immediately chased the squirrel up a nearby tree and barked and barked and tried to climb the tree, too. MacGregor just barked and barked, hoping someone would hear him and rescue Duffy before he got in more trouble.
Five boys lived next door on this side. The oldest was James and then Tyler, Andy, Jon, and Christian in that order of age. James heard all the barking, and he realized that Duffy had gotten out. He yelled to his brothers to spread out and to try to catch Duffy. Duffy was a fast runner and decided this was a great game, and he dashed this way and that, eluding all of the boys. Finally he tired of the game and was caught by Jon. Duffy was a sad looking sight and not very white with all his digging in the dirt. The five boys brought Duffy to our front door and rang the door bell. Judy was very surprised to see all the boys until she saw dirty Duffy. She put Duffy on the back porch, locked the doggy door, and offered the boys sodas for all their good hard work in catching Duffy.
MacGregor was still barking until let in the porch door, where he could see that Duffy was all right. Kris was home and offered to give Duffy a much-needed bath. Judy went outside to see where Duffy gotten out and put a large brick in the hole that he dug. ''Wait till Charlie gets home," she scolded Duffy. A clean Duffy was put into his crate to await his punishment.
When Charlie got home, he took Duffy out to the hole he had dug and lightly paddled his bottom and rubbed his nose in the dirt. He kept saying, "Bad Duffy, bad Duffy! We don't want you to get out and get onto the street and maybe get run over. You must stay in the back yard." Duffy hung his head and when put down, he immediately went into his crate. MacGregor went in also to comfort Duffy.
Soon he wiggled under the fence, and MacGregor, who was watching the whole digging process, began to bark, as he did not want to burrow under the fence and was worried about what Duffy would get up to next. Duffy immediately chased the squirrel up a nearby tree and barked and barked and tried to climb the tree, too. MacGregor just barked and barked, hoping someone would hear him and rescue Duffy before he got in more trouble.
Five boys lived next door on this side. The oldest was James and then Tyler, Andy, Jon, and Christian in that order of age. James heard all the barking, and he realized that Duffy had gotten out. He yelled to his brothers to spread out and to try to catch Duffy. Duffy was a fast runner and decided this was a great game, and he dashed this way and that, eluding all of the boys. Finally he tired of the game and was caught by Jon. Duffy was a sad looking sight and not very white with all his digging in the dirt. The five boys brought Duffy to our front door and rang the door bell. Judy was very surprised to see all the boys until she saw dirty Duffy. She put Duffy on the back porch, locked the doggy door, and offered the boys sodas for all their good hard work in catching Duffy.
MacGregor was still barking until let in the porch door, where he could see that Duffy was all right. Kris was home and offered to give Duffy a much-needed bath. Judy went outside to see where Duffy gotten out and put a large brick in the hole that he dug. ''Wait till Charlie gets home," she scolded Duffy. A clean Duffy was put into his crate to await his punishment.
When Charlie got home, he took Duffy out to the hole he had dug and lightly paddled his bottom and rubbed his nose in the dirt. He kept saying, "Bad Duffy, bad Duffy! We don't want you to get out and get onto the street and maybe get run over. You must stay in the back yard." Duffy hung his head and when put down, he immediately went into his crate. MacGregor went in also to comfort Duffy.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
MacGregor Learns to Climb
In the back yard there was a nice swing and a wonderful waterfall which had several step leading up to it. MacGregor was afraid of the steps, and once he got caught up at the top step and was especially afraid to try to come down. The bottom of the steps looked so far to him, and he sat there and quivered and whined until someone came for him and carried him back into the house. Next door to the Campbells lived the four Cole sisters. Kate was the oldest and not around much since she was busy babysitting for families in the neighborhood. She was hoping to make enough money to buy her first car and wanted it to be a yellow Volkswagon. The next oldest sister was Susannah, and she loved puppies but her folks would not allow the girls to have one. They thought that puppies were too messy. The youngest two girls were twins Sarah and Lydia, and they always wanted to babysit the neighbors dogs since they could not have one of their own.
Susannah was looking over the fence and saw what happened to MacGregor and how afraid he was of steps. So one day after school she sat down with him and one paw at a time helped him climb up one step. Then she turned him around and gently helped him to climb back down. Before the afternoon was over, MacGregor could not only climb up and back down but was racing Duffy to the top and back down. Susannah had a way with animals and was so sweet to teach MacGregor not to be afraid of steps either going up or down.
Susannah was looking over the fence and saw what happened to MacGregor and how afraid he was of steps. So one day after school she sat down with him and one paw at a time helped him climb up one step. Then she turned him around and gently helped him to climb back down. Before the afternoon was over, MacGregor could not only climb up and back down but was racing Duffy to the top and back down. Susannah had a way with animals and was so sweet to teach MacGregor not to be afraid of steps either going up or down.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Dress Up Day
On Saturday Kim and Kris invited four of their school friends over for a tea party. Michelle, Noel, Becca, and Keilah soon came over, and when they saw the puppies, they wanted to play with them, too. Kim remembered that they had a dress-up box up in the attic and brought it down, and the six girls decided to dress up MacGregor and MacDuff. Duffy loved all the attention and just enjoyed displaying all his jewelery, red scarf, and wool pull-over hat. Once he was dressed he paraded all over the porch much to the amusement of the girls. Now MacGregor did not like to have clothes on his body, and whenever the girls would put something on him like a scarf, he would roll over and over until he shook it off. They tried jewelery and got the same reaction until it was also thrown off. Finally, they decided that MacGregor just did not enjoy dressing up and left him alone, but Duffy continued to play their fun game.
Finally it was tea time for the girls, and they had real lemon tea with milk and sugar and Girl Scout cookies on a big plate. Duffy wanted to sneak one of the cookies, but the girls thought that the doggy bones were the best treat and gave both dogs two bones each. As usual Duffy gobbled up his treats, and MacGregor slowly savored his. The puppies got lots of attention that day.
Then the girls decided to use part of the doggy treats to teach the puppies some tricks. Before they left, both of the puppies had learned to sit and roll over. Quite an accomplishment in one day!
Finally it was tea time for the girls, and they had real lemon tea with milk and sugar and Girl Scout cookies on a big plate. Duffy wanted to sneak one of the cookies, but the girls thought that the doggy bones were the best treat and gave both dogs two bones each. As usual Duffy gobbled up his treats, and MacGregor slowly savored his. The puppies got lots of attention that day.
Then the girls decided to use part of the doggy treats to teach the puppies some tricks. Before they left, both of the puppies had learned to sit and roll over. Quite an accomplishment in one day!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Getting Adjusted
The next morning Kristy immediately fed and watered the puppies, and Kim cleaned up the paper mess. One of the puppies had chewed up all the papers, and there were paper scraps everywhere on the porch. The girls had agreed to take care of these jobs as part of the agreement when we decided to add dogs to our family and to alternate weeks. Kim wondered if the puppies had a doggy door so that they could go outside maybe they would not make such a mess in the future.
I said that I would drop by the pet store on the way home and try to get it installed on the weekend. Once the doggy door was in, Kim got on the outside and Kris on the inside to teach the pups how to go in and out the door. Kim actually stuck her head in the door so that the dogs would get the idea. By Saturday night they were going in and out as they wished.
We had a garden in the back yard that backed up to the fence, and the dogs enjoyed barking at all the visiting rabbits, and that is why the Scotty got to be called MacGregor, since he seemed to be taking care of the garden like Mr. MacGregor in Peter Rabbit. We have a great pal who runs a bed and breakfast in Friday Harbor, Washington, out in the Puget Sound ,and he has called his B and B "Duffy House," and we liked the sound of Duffy, and so the Westie became MacDuff, usually shortened to Duffy.
Quickly we began to appreciate their personalities. MacGregor was a lover, and he always wanted to follow or sit next to MacDuff. Duffy was more naughty and kept getting into mischief. They both were loveable most of the time and thoroughly spoiled by Kim and Kris.
One day Keilah, Kris's best buddy at school, came by for a visit to see the new puppies. She thought that they were way cute and wondered if Kris has ever made doggy bisquits. The girls Googled home-made doggie bisquits on the internet and discovered several recipes that they wanted to try. Judy offered a Scotty cookie cutter from her collection, and the girls set to work. An hour later they had three dozen Scotty-dog bisquits and two adoring begging puppies waiting at the gate to the back porch. Each puppy got to try one, and MacGregor took his time and gently crunched the deliceous treat. Duffy gobbled his in a second and then tried to take MacGregor's away but got warned off with a show of teeth. The girls thought that Keilah should come by every day after school to give the pups a treat and then they could begin their training.
I said that I would drop by the pet store on the way home and try to get it installed on the weekend. Once the doggy door was in, Kim got on the outside and Kris on the inside to teach the pups how to go in and out the door. Kim actually stuck her head in the door so that the dogs would get the idea. By Saturday night they were going in and out as they wished.
We had a garden in the back yard that backed up to the fence, and the dogs enjoyed barking at all the visiting rabbits, and that is why the Scotty got to be called MacGregor, since he seemed to be taking care of the garden like Mr. MacGregor in Peter Rabbit. We have a great pal who runs a bed and breakfast in Friday Harbor, Washington, out in the Puget Sound ,and he has called his B and B "Duffy House," and we liked the sound of Duffy, and so the Westie became MacDuff, usually shortened to Duffy.
Quickly we began to appreciate their personalities. MacGregor was a lover, and he always wanted to follow or sit next to MacDuff. Duffy was more naughty and kept getting into mischief. They both were loveable most of the time and thoroughly spoiled by Kim and Kris.
One day Keilah, Kris's best buddy at school, came by for a visit to see the new puppies. She thought that they were way cute and wondered if Kris has ever made doggy bisquits. The girls Googled home-made doggie bisquits on the internet and discovered several recipes that they wanted to try. Judy offered a Scotty cookie cutter from her collection, and the girls set to work. An hour later they had three dozen Scotty-dog bisquits and two adoring begging puppies waiting at the gate to the back porch. Each puppy got to try one, and MacGregor took his time and gently crunched the deliceous treat. Duffy gobbled his in a second and then tried to take MacGregor's away but got warned off with a show of teeth. The girls thought that Keilah should come by every day after school to give the pups a treat and then they could begin their training.
Home Again
When we got back into town, we quickly stopped at the pet store for needed supplies. We needed crates, pet beds, leashes, and puppy food. Well supplied, we dropped Scott off at his group home, and he promised to come by to help train the puppies.
As soon as we got to our house and drove down the lane, we let the puppies outside so that they could take care of business and then run around a bit. We carefully watched so that they would not run back out onto the road. We decided to block off the back porch as their own area and put down newspapers in case of puppy accidents. We could open the porch door, and the puppies could run around in the enclosed area attached to the back of the house. We were getting ready to go to bed for the night when we looked out on the porch to see the puppies sitting side by side like cute black and white bookends. As we went upstairs, we could hear the puppies crying a bit for attention but quickly settling down to sleep together in one of the crates.
(These are the first two installments in an ongoing work of fiction, hopefully to become in time, a children's book. I welcome suggestions for future stories and will try to incorporate your ideas. Thanks - 1HW)
As soon as we got to our house and drove down the lane, we let the puppies outside so that they could take care of business and then run around a bit. We carefully watched so that they would not run back out onto the road. We decided to block off the back porch as their own area and put down newspapers in case of puppy accidents. We could open the porch door, and the puppies could run around in the enclosed area attached to the back of the house. We were getting ready to go to bed for the night when we looked out on the porch to see the puppies sitting side by side like cute black and white bookends. As we went upstairs, we could hear the puppies crying a bit for attention but quickly settling down to sleep together in one of the crates.
(These are the first two installments in an ongoing work of fiction, hopefully to become in time, a children's book. I welcome suggestions for future stories and will try to incorporate your ideas. Thanks - 1HW)
Friday, April 4, 2008
MacGregor and MacDuff
The Campbell family was having an empty feeling. Their oldest boy was a junior in college and living away from home, and now his younger brother Chris was starting his freshman year there, too. Scott, the middle boy, had been mildly retarded at birth due to oxygen deprivation and had recently moved into a group home where he could work some with supervision and learn life skills, like handling the money he earned with the help of the adult counselors provided 24 hours a day by the home.
The Campbells were left at home with their two youngest daughters Kris and Kim. These girls were a year apart in upper elementary school. It felt like the four of them rattled around in their nearly-empty arts and crafts style bungalow, built in the 1920's just outside of town. Every time we looked into the empty bedrooms of the three older kids, we realized how things were changing. It seemed like tomorrow the girls would be off to college, too, and then what would the house be like, echoing emptily as we walked around. At dinner that night we talked it over with the girls, and they thought it was time to get a puppy.
Not a puppy, we said, because they make messes everywhere, chew everything, and had to be walked at all hours of the day and night. The girls begged and pleaded for a puppy, especially for us not to say no but to think about it.
Several days went by, and one night Charlie sat reading his evening newspaper after dinner and decided to read the classified ads. Imagine his surprise to learn that there was a breeder in northwest Iowa that bred and raised Scotty dogs. That night as Charlie and Judy put the girls to bed, they suggested a field trip to the Iowa farm where Scotties were raised. The girls shrieked for joy and had a hard time getting to sleep as they were going to go see about the Scotty dog on the next day.
On the way out of town the Campbells stopped at Scott's group home, and he wanted to go along on the trip. So the five Campbells set out for northwest Iowa. Quickly crossing the Missouri River, they headed north through the rolling hills and farm country of Iowa. After about two hours they pulled into a farm with a large red barn and white farmhouse. They were greeted by several adult Scotty dogs, and following them was Mrs. MacFarland. Mrs. MacFarland walked with us over toward the red barn and mentioned that they had only one Scotty male pup and one Westy male pup left. She said that when these puppies found homes, that they were going to retire from the puppy breeding business and retire to Texas, as least in the winter months.
When we got into the barn, we quickly were introduced to the two puppies. Scotties and Westies do not look much like each other, and today are considered separate breeds; but genetically they are the same. Westies are called West Highland Scottish Terriers while Scotties are simply Scottish Terriers. Well, the Campbells are thoroughly Scottish, too. Scott quickly sat down on the hay-covered barn floor, and both of the puppies did their best to clean his face. He loved them both right away and did not want to have to choose which puppy would go home with the family. Kim discovered that the Scotty puppy loved her hair and tried to sniff it right off her head. Kris and Scott shared the Westy's affections, and all looked to their parents to see what would happen. Mrs. MacFarland, watching this scene, said that if we would take both of the puppies that she would give us a great discount on their cost. Charlie and Judy looked at each other and knew when they had been outfoxed and agreed. Charlie got out the checkbook and paid Mrs. MacFarland for the puppies, and the seven Campbells headed back toward home. By the time they reached the interstate, the puppies were both asleep, one on each of the girl's laps. We were the now proud owners of not one but two new puppies.
The Campbells were left at home with their two youngest daughters Kris and Kim. These girls were a year apart in upper elementary school. It felt like the four of them rattled around in their nearly-empty arts and crafts style bungalow, built in the 1920's just outside of town. Every time we looked into the empty bedrooms of the three older kids, we realized how things were changing. It seemed like tomorrow the girls would be off to college, too, and then what would the house be like, echoing emptily as we walked around. At dinner that night we talked it over with the girls, and they thought it was time to get a puppy.
Not a puppy, we said, because they make messes everywhere, chew everything, and had to be walked at all hours of the day and night. The girls begged and pleaded for a puppy, especially for us not to say no but to think about it.
Several days went by, and one night Charlie sat reading his evening newspaper after dinner and decided to read the classified ads. Imagine his surprise to learn that there was a breeder in northwest Iowa that bred and raised Scotty dogs. That night as Charlie and Judy put the girls to bed, they suggested a field trip to the Iowa farm where Scotties were raised. The girls shrieked for joy and had a hard time getting to sleep as they were going to go see about the Scotty dog on the next day.
On the way out of town the Campbells stopped at Scott's group home, and he wanted to go along on the trip. So the five Campbells set out for northwest Iowa. Quickly crossing the Missouri River, they headed north through the rolling hills and farm country of Iowa. After about two hours they pulled into a farm with a large red barn and white farmhouse. They were greeted by several adult Scotty dogs, and following them was Mrs. MacFarland. Mrs. MacFarland walked with us over toward the red barn and mentioned that they had only one Scotty male pup and one Westy male pup left. She said that when these puppies found homes, that they were going to retire from the puppy breeding business and retire to Texas, as least in the winter months.
When we got into the barn, we quickly were introduced to the two puppies. Scotties and Westies do not look much like each other, and today are considered separate breeds; but genetically they are the same. Westies are called West Highland Scottish Terriers while Scotties are simply Scottish Terriers. Well, the Campbells are thoroughly Scottish, too. Scott quickly sat down on the hay-covered barn floor, and both of the puppies did their best to clean his face. He loved them both right away and did not want to have to choose which puppy would go home with the family. Kim discovered that the Scotty puppy loved her hair and tried to sniff it right off her head. Kris and Scott shared the Westy's affections, and all looked to their parents to see what would happen. Mrs. MacFarland, watching this scene, said that if we would take both of the puppies that she would give us a great discount on their cost. Charlie and Judy looked at each other and knew when they had been outfoxed and agreed. Charlie got out the checkbook and paid Mrs. MacFarland for the puppies, and the seven Campbells headed back toward home. By the time they reached the interstate, the puppies were both asleep, one on each of the girl's laps. We were the now proud owners of not one but two new puppies.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Retire to Something
When we were planning our retirement, I thought it was important to retire TO something rather than FROM something. So we looked into running a bread and breakfast and into setting up an antique business. The antique business proved more interesting to us, and in 1991 we set up our business and started doing antique shows. A friend in the business suggested that we could do better if we opened a booth in an antique mall, and we started out with a space that was 10 x 10. We quickly outgrew this space and kept enlarging our operation until we ultimately had one of the largest booths in the entire mall. This business gave us reason to attend estate sales, visit other malls, and go to every garage sale we could get to on any free weekends. When it came time to retire five years later, we were fully entrenched in the business and constantly looked for ways to extend the business, including doing antique fairs throughout the country. This led us into buying a trailer which could be pulled behind our Suburban, and shortly after that we traded this rig for our first motor home. Now, two motor homes later, we actually live full time in our motor home.
We started out doing antiques and ended up traveling full time. This past year we finally closed the business and sold all of our antique inventory. It was time, as doing shows was getting hard for us, and the bottom seemed to have fallen out of the antique business if you wanted to make a profit. However, the sixteen years that we were in the business were fascinating, and we never tired of buying or selling. We made some wonderful buys over the years and especially enjoyed finding new homes for the fun items we found. Some of the items were indeed one of a kind, and sometimes it was hard to part with when the time came and it was sold. We made our share of mistakes along the way and still own hundreds of commemorative plates that we bought before that market dried up completely. We started many collections, from cranberry glass to clocks, and when finally tired of them began to sell them off. Our nephews used to enjoy counting all the clocks in our house and quit when they discovered sixty or more just in the living room.
The best part of the business was the people we met along the way and the friendships formed. We still love to go to antique shows and see who is still in the business, although we seldom buy much today. So, if we have any advice to a person thinking of retiring, it will always be, "Retire to something rather that from something,"
We started out doing antiques and ended up traveling full time. This past year we finally closed the business and sold all of our antique inventory. It was time, as doing shows was getting hard for us, and the bottom seemed to have fallen out of the antique business if you wanted to make a profit. However, the sixteen years that we were in the business were fascinating, and we never tired of buying or selling. We made some wonderful buys over the years and especially enjoyed finding new homes for the fun items we found. Some of the items were indeed one of a kind, and sometimes it was hard to part with when the time came and it was sold. We made our share of mistakes along the way and still own hundreds of commemorative plates that we bought before that market dried up completely. We started many collections, from cranberry glass to clocks, and when finally tired of them began to sell them off. Our nephews used to enjoy counting all the clocks in our house and quit when they discovered sixty or more just in the living room.
The best part of the business was the people we met along the way and the friendships formed. We still love to go to antique shows and see who is still in the business, although we seldom buy much today. So, if we have any advice to a person thinking of retiring, it will always be, "Retire to something rather that from something,"
Lessons Learned
Now that we have been retired for nearly twelve years, it is enjoyable to look back on our professional and personal lives and reflect on lessons learned.
On the professional level, teaching at any level is exciting, exasperating, fulfilling and a wonderful job. Your students continually surprise you with what gets them interested in the curriculum you present. They learn in unique ways and challenge you to help them meet their needs. You do not succeed with all students and mourn those you lose along the way. You do not always realize the ways that you touch their lives, and I am always surprised to discover something done that made a difference in the life of a student. The best thing you can do is to let one of your teachers know what a significant impact they made in your life. This is the type of reward that keeps teachers in the profession. While you will not get rich from teaching in a monetary way, when you realize the effect you have had on a student, no dollar amount could be put on such delight. Recently a good friend, Terry, commented to me on my type of school administration and how she and Toby utilize these methods in their careers. What a wonderful way to get to the top of cloud nine!
I could have been and considered training to be a physician, and I also considered the ministry. I quickly gave up the latter since I felt this old sinner would be too much for a pulpit, and God would cause the beams in the ceiling to loosen and rain down on my head, effectively ending my career. Being a bit of a coward where beams are concerned, I looked elsewhere for professional inspiration. I almost completed pre-med training, lacking only one course in comparative anatomy, when I realized that I did not want to work with sick people but indeed preferred working with young people in their process of getting an education. I never regretted this decision, but my home town doctor was disappointed, as he had brief hopes of me learning to be a doctor and maybe even replacing him one day. I was sorry to let him down but had to stick with my own desires. Besides, he probably never knew how much I disliked organic chemistry.
Personally, I learned that relationships can survive the loss of love but not the loss of love and trust. Relationships take work and nurturing. I wish I had listened to my heart and not rushed into an early marriage, except that three wonderful boys resulted. I hope that they can forgive our divorce and learn necessary lessons to make their own marriages successful. Hw2 and I are lucky to have found each other's soul mate and know that our relationship can survive until we leave this earth. It took lots of trials and searching, but we have each other and love our 'Brady Bunch family'. Somehow this brings to my mind, "Living well is the best reward."
On the professional level, teaching at any level is exciting, exasperating, fulfilling and a wonderful job. Your students continually surprise you with what gets them interested in the curriculum you present. They learn in unique ways and challenge you to help them meet their needs. You do not succeed with all students and mourn those you lose along the way. You do not always realize the ways that you touch their lives, and I am always surprised to discover something done that made a difference in the life of a student. The best thing you can do is to let one of your teachers know what a significant impact they made in your life. This is the type of reward that keeps teachers in the profession. While you will not get rich from teaching in a monetary way, when you realize the effect you have had on a student, no dollar amount could be put on such delight. Recently a good friend, Terry, commented to me on my type of school administration and how she and Toby utilize these methods in their careers. What a wonderful way to get to the top of cloud nine!
I could have been and considered training to be a physician, and I also considered the ministry. I quickly gave up the latter since I felt this old sinner would be too much for a pulpit, and God would cause the beams in the ceiling to loosen and rain down on my head, effectively ending my career. Being a bit of a coward where beams are concerned, I looked elsewhere for professional inspiration. I almost completed pre-med training, lacking only one course in comparative anatomy, when I realized that I did not want to work with sick people but indeed preferred working with young people in their process of getting an education. I never regretted this decision, but my home town doctor was disappointed, as he had brief hopes of me learning to be a doctor and maybe even replacing him one day. I was sorry to let him down but had to stick with my own desires. Besides, he probably never knew how much I disliked organic chemistry.
Personally, I learned that relationships can survive the loss of love but not the loss of love and trust. Relationships take work and nurturing. I wish I had listened to my heart and not rushed into an early marriage, except that three wonderful boys resulted. I hope that they can forgive our divorce and learn necessary lessons to make their own marriages successful. Hw2 and I are lucky to have found each other's soul mate and know that our relationship can survive until we leave this earth. It took lots of trials and searching, but we have each other and love our 'Brady Bunch family'. Somehow this brings to my mind, "Living well is the best reward."
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Valley High School
I had one evening's notice that I was to be transferred from being principal of the Evening School to Valley. Actually, the two principals involved swapped jobs, and I reported for duty on the first day of staff orientation. The fellow that I relieved, took all the school information with him and left me a bare office. For the next six months reports due to central office either were late or missing entirely since I had no material to work with. I gradually got adjusted and in the swim of things. Best of all ,I got to take my assistant principal, Peggy Piper, from the night school with me. While at the night school we had created an alternative program for ninth graders, and we were able to take that new program with us to Valley, as well with its director/teacher Eartha Lynn. In addition, I had an administrative trainee at an earlier school, and she was now an assistant principal at Valley. Leah Gutierrez was a wonderful assistant, and we worked together for thirteen of the fourteen years that I was employed in the Albuquerque Public Schools.
So, although it was quite a surprise to be at a different school, I quickly realized that there were significant challenges. Eighty percent of the students were members from one minority group or another with our primary group being Hispanic, falling into groups that could trace their ancestry in the area back over 300 years or more, along with recent arrivals from south of the border. Our other largest minority group consisted of native Americans. About 20 percent of the students were Anglo At best, maybe 20% of our graduates attended any college, and we had a terrible dropout rate and a significant gang problem. In spite of all this, the school community was very supportive, and the environment was a delight in which to work. The teachers were dedicated, and many had spent their entire career teaching at this school. My task was how to improve the education at Valley and build on the parts of our school that were working.
In 1989 the superintendent informed me of a possible grant program being established by the General Electric Foundation. We had a GE Aircraft Engines plant in Albuquerque, and this large corporation was interested in developing future engineers from minority student populations. We set up an in-house committee and began to flesh out a proposal that we could submit to the GE Foundation in hopes that it would get funded. The Foundation sent us Phyllis McGrath to help us with our proposal development. She was in charge of this grant program and led us through the components we needed to put in the proposal, as well as encouraged us to institute our own unique ideas. We faxed our completed proposal to the Foundation and held our collective breaths.
Some weeks later we received a call from Mrs. McGrath that Valley High School was the first school in the country selected to participate in the program, and we would receive a grant of $750,000 to be spent over the next five years. Our goal was to double the number of our graduates who attended college. How could we meet this goal? It seemed like an impossible task at the beginning. We formed the Valley Academy for students interested in helping us achieve this goal. Many of the ideas we had put forth worked or were modified, although some did not. The foundation through Mrs. McGrath always encouraged us to move forward and to experiment with new ideas. Around the second or third year of the program we met our goal, and by the time I retired, nearly 80% of our graduates were attending college. Many of our graduates took advanced placement courses in our school and arrived in college with their credits. Some of our students began college as sophomores. What exciting changes we observed!
So, although it was quite a surprise to be at a different school, I quickly realized that there were significant challenges. Eighty percent of the students were members from one minority group or another with our primary group being Hispanic, falling into groups that could trace their ancestry in the area back over 300 years or more, along with recent arrivals from south of the border. Our other largest minority group consisted of native Americans. About 20 percent of the students were Anglo At best, maybe 20% of our graduates attended any college, and we had a terrible dropout rate and a significant gang problem. In spite of all this, the school community was very supportive, and the environment was a delight in which to work. The teachers were dedicated, and many had spent their entire career teaching at this school. My task was how to improve the education at Valley and build on the parts of our school that were working.
In 1989 the superintendent informed me of a possible grant program being established by the General Electric Foundation. We had a GE Aircraft Engines plant in Albuquerque, and this large corporation was interested in developing future engineers from minority student populations. We set up an in-house committee and began to flesh out a proposal that we could submit to the GE Foundation in hopes that it would get funded. The Foundation sent us Phyllis McGrath to help us with our proposal development. She was in charge of this grant program and led us through the components we needed to put in the proposal, as well as encouraged us to institute our own unique ideas. We faxed our completed proposal to the Foundation and held our collective breaths.
Some weeks later we received a call from Mrs. McGrath that Valley High School was the first school in the country selected to participate in the program, and we would receive a grant of $750,000 to be spent over the next five years. Our goal was to double the number of our graduates who attended college. How could we meet this goal? It seemed like an impossible task at the beginning. We formed the Valley Academy for students interested in helping us achieve this goal. Many of the ideas we had put forth worked or were modified, although some did not. The foundation through Mrs. McGrath always encouraged us to move forward and to experiment with new ideas. Around the second or third year of the program we met our goal, and by the time I retired, nearly 80% of our graduates were attending college. Many of our graduates took advanced placement courses in our school and arrived in college with their credits. Some of our students began college as sophomores. What exciting changes we observed!
Unsettled years
The next ten or eleven years my life was unsettled. I tried marriage again, but it didn't really work since it was in many ways a repeat of the first one. So for many years, I remained single. I taught at the University of New Mexico for four years, San Diego State for one year and finally decided to return to the field of secondary education which was my love. The publish or perish atmosphere at the university level had little interest or value for me. I even wrote a book that no one ever read. I re-entered school administration on the Navajo Indian reservation as principal for elementary through high school and left there after a year as acting superintendent. I felt strongly that Native Americans should be administrators of their own schools and left that job with Native American administrative replacements.
The Albuquerque Public Schools hired me, and I completed the next fourteen years working in several capacities but always in administration. I helped open a new high school, which was a delightful challenge, and here I met HW2. We became good friends and several years later, married. My final administrative challenge was to be principal of Valley High School, a position I held longer than any other previous principal. This school was a school in crisis with a high dropout rate and a school shunned by neighborhood families. The changes that occurred at this school were to prove to be the high point of my entire career in education and deserve a section in their own right.
The Albuquerque Public Schools hired me, and I completed the next fourteen years working in several capacities but always in administration. I helped open a new high school, which was a delightful challenge, and here I met HW2. We became good friends and several years later, married. My final administrative challenge was to be principal of Valley High School, a position I held longer than any other previous principal. This school was a school in crisis with a high dropout rate and a school shunned by neighborhood families. The changes that occurred at this school were to prove to be the high point of my entire career in education and deserve a section in their own right.
Tucson
In 1967 we moved from Hawaii to Tucson, and I began my doctoral studies in mathematics. I quickly realized that I didn't want to become a research mathematician and especially after being exposed to Housdorf Spaces was absolutely sure, since I never really understood what they were talking about. So, I changed majors to Educational Administration and Curriculum Development and decided I had better quit the role of full time student and get a real job. I became curriculum coordinator and high school principal of The Green Fields School, and we began to extend the school to include a four year high school. I also taught math and physics. In my spare time I continued to take graduate courses summers and evenings at the University of Arizona.
After three years at Green Fields, I returned full time to the University to be a graduate assistant in secondary education and later worked in the office of accreditation. I finally finished my doctorate and stayed working at the university for a total of six years. Finally deciding that it would be hard to get promoted at the university where I had graduated, I looked for another job and was hired to teach at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. So after nine years in Tucson we moved again.
My eighteen year marriage fell apart and my ex -wife returned to Tucson where she continued her graduate studies. This was not a happy time in my life for all of the obvious reasons.
After three years at Green Fields, I returned full time to the University to be a graduate assistant in secondary education and later worked in the office of accreditation. I finally finished my doctorate and stayed working at the university for a total of six years. Finally deciding that it would be hard to get promoted at the university where I had graduated, I looked for another job and was hired to teach at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. So after nine years in Tucson we moved again.
My eighteen year marriage fell apart and my ex -wife returned to Tucson where she continued her graduate studies. This was not a happy time in my life for all of the obvious reasons.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Hawaii, Here We Come!
After a year studying mathematics at Cornell and Albany and finishing both degrees, it seemed like a good time to evaluate where we might like to settle down and teach. After much discussion we decided to apply to teach at a school in Hawaii. The headmaster of the Iolani School interviewed me while I was at Cornell and offered me a position to teach mathematics and physics, and I accepted. We packed up the car and loaded in our son Jerry, age two, and took off on a 2-3 week cross country trip and vacation. We left our car with Cornell friends in San Francisco and then flew to Honolulu to teach in an Episcopalian private boys school, the Iolani School for boys. About a month later our car arrived by boat, and we settled in to live in our school apartment on the school grounds. The parents of these boys paid high tuition to have their sons in a college prep school, and most of the students graduated with college credit from taking advanced placement courses in high school. All the graduates attended college, and the teaching environment was wonderful. I never had one discipline problem in my years there.
It was like teaching in a dream vacation spot. In 1959, Hawaii became the 49th state to join the union, and we moved there five years later. We could go to the beach to watch the sun go down and barbeque something to eat on our small hibachi grill. We could swim at the school pool on weekends or go to the beaches for body surfing. Gradually, in our free time we explored Oahu and other islands as well. During our time there we had many friends and family visit, including my grandmother who flew there for her first time in an airplane. She loved it and had the time of her life.
After two years at Iolani I was accepted to study one summer at the University of Colorado and to participate in an Engineering Concepts Curriculum Project sponsored by the National Science Foundation. I always thought they picked me so that supervisors and developers of the program could visit Hawaii. After that summer I taught this new curriculum to Iolani seniors and graduate students at the University of Hawaii. This whetted my appetite for more graduate studies, and I applied and was accepted by the University of Arizona for doctoral studies in mathematics. So after a three year vacation in paradise and with the addition of two more boys to our growing family, we moved to Tucson, Arizona. The happy wanderer continues!
It was like teaching in a dream vacation spot. In 1959, Hawaii became the 49th state to join the union, and we moved there five years later. We could go to the beach to watch the sun go down and barbeque something to eat on our small hibachi grill. We could swim at the school pool on weekends or go to the beaches for body surfing. Gradually, in our free time we explored Oahu and other islands as well. During our time there we had many friends and family visit, including my grandmother who flew there for her first time in an airplane. She loved it and had the time of her life.
After two years at Iolani I was accepted to study one summer at the University of Colorado and to participate in an Engineering Concepts Curriculum Project sponsored by the National Science Foundation. I always thought they picked me so that supervisors and developers of the program could visit Hawaii. After that summer I taught this new curriculum to Iolani seniors and graduate students at the University of Hawaii. This whetted my appetite for more graduate studies, and I applied and was accepted by the University of Arizona for doctoral studies in mathematics. So after a three year vacation in paradise and with the addition of two more boys to our growing family, we moved to Tucson, Arizona. The happy wanderer continues!
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