Not All People Are Bad

Dear Diary,


  When I came to live with Mom and Dad I thought there were no two meaner people in this world.  Mom gave me baths, cleaned my ears, and scolded me for peeing on the floor.  Dad made me sleep alone in the kitchen with just an alarm clock and a Minnie Mouse blanket.
  

Oh... those were the days.  
We've come a long way, we have.  

Now Mom delegates my baths to a stranger groomer sometimes and doesn't clean my ears near as often as she used to because she forgets as long as I don't scratch. 

 I'm not a baby anymore, so I don't pee on the floor.  She does, however, scold me for leaving toys and bones lay around.  She says it's dangerous for her and Dad in their old age. I guess I can get that.

Dad gave up on the 'Gracie's bed' thing.  Now it's more like, "Gracie, is it okay if I sleep in the bed with you?" and "Could I have just a little more room, Gracie?" 

These humans that I once thought about running away from have come around... now I can't imagine my life without them.  

Mom says there's a dog named Ducky that has his mouth duct taped shut and he's running scared somewhere near where we live.  


Now, when I really stop to think about it...  I guess I'm treated pretty good most of the time.  Mom's held my snout closed on a few occasions because she's got a mean streak annoyed by my mouthing off to other dogs.  But never has she even come close to doing anything as awful as duct taping my mouth shut.  

Today I'm sad for Ducky and I hope he realizes that the people out there looking for him are there to help and not hurt.  I wish I could talk to him.  I'd tell him that not all people are bad. Gracie.

UpDate on Abused, Duct taped Dog

I'm sorry - No good news to report.  The dog is still running wild and the duct tape is still over his mouth.  There were reports that it was over his nose as well, but some say it's just his mouth.  Some of the reports say that the tape has loosened a bit and that he is able to bark a little.  The humane society has set safe 'traps' with food, hoping to lure him in and save him.  The problem is, many people are leaving food and water out for him and he is opting for that instead of  what is in the trap.  I'm not sure if he can eat or drink anything, but I'm sure he's probably trying.  There have been people who are coming very close, within feet... but he is afraid and runs away.  There is someone hoping to adopt him if and when he is recovered... so please, pray and send good thoughts to the rescue of this poor pup.  My heart is breaking for him/her... 

If you want to follow the search more closely, here is the facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/#!/QueenCityAnimalRescue

Horrible Person

We have an alert in our area to be on the lookout for a dog, running free, with duct tape over his nose and mouth.  So far, he's not been rescued but there have been a lot of people looking.

What kind of horrible person would do such a thing?  This makes me so sad.

The Book of Life

Have you ever seen 'Heaven's Gates, Hell's Flames' or 'The Book of Life'?  Last night we went to a local church to see  The Book of Life.   

I took a picture of the stage before the performance, but I didn't want to be disrespectful during the program.

What the play is about.  There are scenes played out where typical everyday people are faced with a decision to accept or deny God.  When their life ends, it's too late and they stand before the angel waiting for their names to be found in the Book of Life.  The Devil along with his demons are waiting in the background to whisk away all unbelievers... sometimes separating them from their family and loved ones.  The enactment is heart-wrenching and eye-opening.  The alter call is usually large, as it was last night.  

'Satan' is horrible looking with black squiggly lines drawn over his face.  He and his demons scour the audience taunting them and reminding them to turn away from God and all that is good, if they want to spend eternity in Hell with them.  

The Book of Life runs every day this week.  Many young people will come.  Many hearts will be changed.  

Proverbs 9:10  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Good News and Bad News

Dear Diary,

I have good news, bad news, good news... 

 then more bad news.  

The good news: Mom didn't have work today so I didn't have to watch the house.

The bad news:  She cleaned my ears.

Good news #2:  She gave me two choices.  A walk around the neighborhood or playing at the tennis courts.  I chose the latter.  I had a great time and got to meet a dog that looked a lot like my new friend Tessy!

Bad news #2:  I had to get my butt fur cut again cause of a certain mess that was left after I did potty.  I also had a good butt scrubbing.  Ick.

MORE BAD NEWS:  There's talk of a bath soon.  

 I'm going to take Sharon's advice and make myself small.  Very small.  Gracie.

That's Just Wrong

On Monday our Franchisee owner came to spend some time in the office.  He's a high pressure sales person who swears he's not.  His ways go against everything I believe in.  I had to bite my lip and listen to all of his demands.  

He made one lady cry by pressuring her into getting a hearing aid when she wasn't ready, then he wasn't even honest about what she could wear - trying to sell her a high end product.  That's just wrong. She canceled her order today.  

This guy boasts of his Christianity often and that troubles me.   I don't mean to judge him, nor am I in the position to do so.  But there is something unsettling about watching the way some professed 'Christians' treats others.  

 Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

A Bigger Bed

Dear Diary,

Okay.  So this is the thing.  In order for me to get comfy at night, I sometimes have to stretch out.  Way out.

If Mom and Dad have issue with that, then they need to get a bigger bed.  

Simple as that.  Gracie.  

Positive People

I work in a hearing aid office.  

Several months ago it was with a sad heart, (and after my hubby told me that he died), that I scribbled deceased on Dale Wilkinson's file and tucked that file away neatly in the closet with the other deceased files. 

You can imagine my surprise when the phone rang last week and Dale's voice was on the other end requesting an appointment.  Yes, you guessed it.  Dale was back from the dead.  

Note to self:  Always investigate thoroughly when a patient's name is found in the obituaries.  

Though Dale hadn't died, he had come close.  The past year wasn't a good one for him and he was in the hospital with no hope of recovery.  Against all odds, Dale pulled through and his positive attitude never left him.  Next stop - Nursing home.  "I'm staying 17 days!" Dale told them there... even though they were calculating his $$, his home value, savings etc.

  Seventeen days later, he was home.

Dale lives alone and manages just fine, even though he is in the final stages of kidney failure, needs his mobile chair often, and can't live without his oxygen.  He is in his early 90's.  Since he refuses dialysis, it's important for him to be careful about what he eats and especially his salt intake.  Once a month (with his doctor's approval) he throws caution to the wind and takes his neighbor out for Chinese food.  He already has some of his garden ready for the year, and told me about everything he will be planting.  If you were to meet Dale, there is no way you would not smile.  Why?  Because that's a requirement in order to be involved in conversation with him.  You have to smile.  He says so. 

Positive people.  They make a difference. 

If you're reading this, don't forget to smile.  Otherwise, Dale would not give me permission to post this picture of him.

Bloody Battles and LuRay Pastels

My Day in Gettysburg.  Pt. 2

About yesterdays post>  Don't get me wrong> I had a good time in spite of the not-so-hot hotel. I've been in worse. 

  In town... 

 It seems one of the big draws is bullet holes in houses.  

We toured the Schriver House and learned a lot about one family's life during the civil war.

A lot of action took place here.

Below is where the garden was.  George Washington Schriver had a saloon in his basement, and a ten pin bowling alley in the back.  He was considered one of the more wealthy in the area.

When the house was restored, many artifacts were found, including this old shoe (below).  It was considered good luck to hide a shoe in the wall of a newly built house back in the 1800's.

 After hearing the outcome of this family, I would say that there was not much truth to that legend.

All of these things were found inside the house during restoration.

We weren't allowed to take pictures during the tour. But we were allowed to take pictures of the showcased items.  


 Going back in time and being in the same attic where the soldiers hid out and fought through holes that they made in the side of the house was quite intriguing.  

It must have been a horrific time for the people.  

They were a young couple, a new family so full of life, and so ready to start their own business... a saloon and a ten pin bowling alley.

 Yet it was all interrupted by one of the most bloody battles of the Civil War.  George went off to war.  Hettie and the children stayed behind, and their new home soon became a hospital for the wounded with amputated arms and legs piled high in corners. What a sad time in history.

If you're interested in knowing more on the story of the Schrivers... 

 look HERE

Okay, enough of Civil War talk. 

 Then we stopped at a great antique market.

 This bowl was free.  Isn't it sweet?

 I love these LuRay pastels.  Color is always a draw for me....

And how about this cute planter?  

 Jewelry galore.

It was fun.  

And what do you think I came home with?

Mini Japanese porcelain doll furniture from the 30's.

When I was a little girl, I remember digging up a tiny porcelain teacup in the dirt.  

I thought I had found the best treasure in the world...  it was so shiny and colorful and pretty.  I've had a fondness for that type of thing ever since. 

And Rissie will enjoy playing with these.  

Gettysburg, Pa and Save The Planet

Early yesterday morning I headed to Gettysburg, Pa. to attend a hearing convention for my job.  My navigator announcer has a beautiful, crisp, clear voice which is unusual in a GPS, (mostly they are very computer-ish sounding). But she's not very bright.  Oh, she found us the quickest route and it looked like we'd be 15 minutes early, just in time for coffee and donuts UNTIL we ran into a detour less than a mile away from our destination and were rerouted around the town...  She freaked.  She kept  repeating 'make a legal u turn now', 'make a legal u turn now,' then she sent us to a couple of dead end roads and a closed bridge after recalculating several times.  We were late.

The bad news: The day was long and I almost fell asleep a few times.

The good news: They served a great lunch and I had a few good laughs with the others from our franchise.

On to the hotel. 

 I carefully chose Comfort Suites after viewing the fabulous feedback from others via trip advisors.    A good hotel means a good nights sleep.  A good nights sleep means the next day will be more enjoyable.  I'd gotten up at 4 AM and hadn't slept well the night before.  I was dead tired.  

  

And speaking of dead.  The first question the desk clerk asked:  "Do you want a room facing the cemetery?"  I'm assuming those are the choice rooms, since Gettysburg is known for it's 'ghost tours' and 'haunted houses'.  

I love Gettysburg....  but not for those reason.  

It's the history and stories that I enjoy.
"No, thanks."

When we got to the room...

*GASP*  

Oh no!  It's one of those hotels that only wash the towels that are found on the floor.  Lucky for me I brought my own towel and wash cloth.  

ESPECIALLY after seeing this dirty towel folded and waiting for us to use.  

I'm sorry.  But this is disgusting. 

 I'm wondering now how many other things they don't bother to replace in attempts to 'save our planet'.

The room didn't look right. It didn't feel homey. It was cold and dreary.  

Oh, great!  

They were using these blasted curly light bulbs that are supposed to use less energy.   

Before leaving the hotel this morning, I tore all the towels and washcloths down and threw them in a heap on the floor.  

At least the next guests will have clean ones.  

Did I mention that the Internet didn't work?  I finally had a call back on that at 10:00 PM when I was in bed for the night.  'Thanks, but no thanks.'

I didn't understand why everyone on Trip Advisor had raved about the free breakfast.  I have never witnessed sausage that had that much grease inside and out.  And the fake eggs tasted bitter.  

The good news:  The coffee and waffles were great!!

We were glad to say goodbye to our room and move on...

Goodbye room.

Uh oh!  The elevator was out of order.

The good news:  There are only 3 floors to the Comfort Suites.

The bad news: We were on the 3rd floor.

"And now off to town for 

some History Lessons and fun!"

... to be continued

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.  The weather has been beautiful and tomorrow is the first day of spring.  I tried reading some of your blogs from my phone last night, but commenting was being very slow so I'm going to try real hard to catch up in the next few days.  I sure did miss you guys.

Dear Diary,

I love this time of year.  I went to the tennis court and I ran and played Chickie Bird and drank water.  My feet hurt now.  Gracie.