Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Baby and the Bone

Dear Diary,

The kid aka Short Stuff doesn't say much.  She's fast though.  I have to be on my guard at all times when she's around.


She has this fascination with my ears... probably cause she doesn't have any of her own.



Mom's trying to teach her to be n-i-c-e to big dog.  Mom slides her little hand over my back and says n-i-c-e.  But the minute Mom's back is turned, those little hands dart quickly for the ears and anyone who knows this dog understands that the ears are off limits.  Period.    



I try to keep my distance.  But there are some things that interest me.  Like new toys.  Dirty diapers.  Cereal.  Finger foods.



Mom tries to keep both of us in line...



Short Stuff's trying to teach me how to stand on my back legs. I humor her, and say 'oh yea, that's really cool' when I actually think it's stupid.  She goes nowhere on her back paws legs.  Everyone knows you need all fours to get to where you want to go.



She's not too smart.


"hey big dog, you're ear's inside out. let me fix that for you."

I try to teach her a thing or two.  But she's not an easy learner.  



If I told her once, I've told her a thousand times.  No playing with my slobbery, green bone kid.  Mom will have a fit.



I guess she's tempted though, when I bring it to her and drop it down in front of her.



The nag Mom yells at me.  GRACIE! DON'T GIVE THE BABY DIRTY TOYS!


She must mean dirty cookies too.


Because when I tried to pawn off an old buried cookie...


I got to hear her famous speech:



"Gracie, what is your problem!?"  



Hey, the kid was hungry.  

And I'm all about making friends with this
 future Nilla Wafer carrier/sharer.  Gracie.

"stay away from the ears kid.  ya hear?"

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Gary's Garden

Gary is excited! 

His garden is flourishing and he has 
harvested his first 3 green beans!


We've had zucchini bread, fried zucchini, steamed zucchini, zucchini casserole, grilled zucchini, and today....


 Zucchini brownies!

  Vegetables have never tasted so good!!


The garden was planted at the beginning of summer, Gary's project with his estranged daughter who was back in his life at that time.  Watching the garden grow would be symbolic of their relationship...   


It was to be a time of healing...  


Working on their garden together...  

Working on their relationship together....


But life is funny.   

Some things are just not meant to be.  

And we have to let go...


And then there is peace, healing, and growth.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What do you Think?


When we lived in WV Gracie used to watch out the window for Gary to come home...  or to spy on her 'boyfriend' Poncho  beyond the dirt road above our house.  
(sorry Samson... it was before she knew of you...  
they are so through!)
I grabbed my camera one day and snapped a picture.  It has always been a favorite of mine, and that's why I've chosen it for my book cover.  



What do you think?

Gracie's Diary is shared at the end of each chapter of the book...  I hope she doesn't mind.