My Penpal, Pepper: Catching Up

  Hallo, Mom!

I am sorry it has been so long since I last wrote. Blame Lynn and Craig. They keep me to a rigorous schedule of naps, walks, meals, and play time. I finally had to put my paw down and insist that I get a chance to write to you.

Did you have a nice holiday season? We sure did, but boy was it crowded around here - seventeen people for an extended stay! (They all quarantined for two weeks and had negative COVID tests before coming.) And some of that company brought their dogs. Lynn and Craig actually invited the dogs to join us!

Photo of seven year old Julie sitting between Millie and Molly on the floor.

Now, I am used to Millie and Molly, but Blue and Rhett were new to me. And you KNOW how those dogs from Colorado are - kind of free spirited, if you catch my drift.

But they had their uses, too. They really liked helping with clean up - plates, floors, and kids who didn't want to use their napkins. They excelled at the latter. Photo of six year old Ian lying on the ground and laughing as Rhett and Blue clean his face.

After Christmas, Millie became very ill. She was diagnosed with diabetes and spent time in the hospital. Lisa, Lynn, and Craig took really good care of her, but at last she became so ill that she was euthanized. We were all completely devastated. I didn't think anyone would ever smile again. 

Photo of Millie lying on the carpet at our home.

We all miss Millie so much. And Molly especially does. I think I've told you this, but Molly was a puppy mill breeder and she has terrible fears from her time there. Millie always helped her feel comfortable when things got scary for her. I tried my best to help her, but I live in my house and she lives in hers.

So, Nash came to live with Lisa and Molly. Photo of Lynn and me on the couch with Nash sitting on the floor in front of us.

He's a 75 pound two year old German Shepherd/Labrador cross that is a rescue from Kokomo.

Oh, how he loves to play! We play together a lot and Lynn says her house is "suffering" because of it. I'm not sure what she means because playing is fun and who doesn't like that? (I suspect Lynn is exaggerating again.) Photo of Nash and Pepper with a rope tug between them, each pulling backwards.

Best of all, Molly took to Nash right away. Lynn thought he might be too lively for her, but she was snuggling with him before the end of their second day together. Photo of Nash and Molly lying side by side, sides touching, and asleep.

Nash doesn't play with her - he seems to sense that she is easily overwhelmed. He did get her to do zoomies around the back yard once, though. That surprised all the humans and made them laugh. Photo of Nash and Molly lying together, Nash's muzzle on her back.

I did have to reassure my sweet Nacho that he had nothing to worry about in the romance department when it came to Nash. Nacho will always be my one true love. Just thinking of him makes me want to swoon!

And guess what? Kathy has asked Lynn to help her by walking Nacho every day and I get to come along! Every afternoon Craig, Lynn, Nacho, and I take a jaunt around our neighborhood. Nacho and I sneak some kisses in when the humans aren't looking - they have no idea of the romance unfolding right in front of them!

So, that's an update from me and you are now all caught up. It has been busy, and a little sad when we lost Millie, but we are all doing well and I am very, very happy. (I'd be even happier if Lynn would share the popcorn she is munching while I dictate this letter to you, but she says I don't need it. Hmph!)

Love to you and Dad, Ursula, and the kitties!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Pepper

Lisa's Birthday

I keep meaning to write this post and it's two months since Lisa celebrated her birthday! Here are some photos from it. That will have to suffice until I get the time to write more.

Mila had made her a mermaid.

Meet Nash!

Lisa has a new family member. He's big, he's handsome, he's friendly, and there is still a lot of puppy in him.

Meet Nash! He's a two year old German Shepherd/Labrador Retriever rescue that Lisa got so that Molly would have a companion. Since Millie's death, Molly's been lonely and needs the reassurance another dog can give her.

Millie and Molly snuggled up together a year ago.

We were surprised at how quickly and well Molly took to Nash but she was snuggling next to him the day after he arrived.

Nash is very playful,

rather nosy (the bathroom door is closed for a reason, Nash!),

and likes to know where we are at all times. (He's been upstairs to check on Craig; now he's peeking between the rails to check on me.)

Currently Lisa brings her dogs over every day when she goes to school - she wants to be sure that Molly and Nash are okay together before she leaves them alone at home.

He was very well behaved and I was starting to relax and even let him come see me in my office. And then I heard that sound that all collectors dread.

The sound of plastic horses scooting on wood and bumping into each other.

No damage, just the hat from an Old Timer knocked off as Nash brushed past the shelf.

This sweet girl is glad to have some company and is relaxed, happy, and sleeping well again.

And while we will always miss our Millie terribly, 

Nash is a welcome addition to our family.

 

Horses in Isenbarger Town

  We have had a LOT of snow and ice over the past three weeks.

Ice hanging off the roof of my garage. (I think of the mom saying in A Christmas Story, "Those icicles have been known to kill people!" every time I look at those.)

The Great Blue Heron statue in my stepping stone garden looks like it wishes it had flown south.

And my horsey garden stakes are mostly covered up, too.

Poor Pepper was struggling to plow through the deep snow to do her business, so Craig shoveled a pathway for her to the middle of the front yard to help her out.

Our barbecue grill looks like the matterhorn Jack Skellington climbs in A Nightmare Before Christmas. 

Knowing how much my kids love that movie, I took a photo of the grill and sent it to our family chat. 

And wouldn't you know, Cole had an excellent rejoinder. (He's right, too!)

Stitching Up Valentine's Day

 I am in the middle of making bookmarks for my grandchildren for Valentine's Day. (I am trying to stay away from candy!)

Melissa gets her February pillowcase. 

From left: Trinity's (JC is getting a gift card), Titan, Cambria, Braden, Addie, Corinne, and Whitney.

Again, from left: Ian, Mila, Lukie, Julie, Kate, and Susie.

I also made myself a Valentine table runner. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

Golden Memories

 Going through my parents' things has made me cry more than once. Some are sad tears as I sit there and grieve my folks, others are happy because the memory brought to mind is so precious.

This series of photos brought those happy tears. We were living in Illinois at the time and had come back to Indiana to visit. I had taken Sarah out to see Amy and Cee.

Sarah was two at the time and I think this is the first time she ever had met a horse. We started outside the pasture by giving Cee and Amy treats.

Look at the joy on her face as she reaches out to pet Cee! He was such a wonderful horse - how I miss him.

Sarah wasn't sure she liked having his nose against her leg

but he was so gentle that she relaxed and soon was petting him again.

My parents, especially my mother, saved everything and at times I have groaned as I have sorted out tubs and wished that they hadn't.

Then there are times when you find something like this, and the memories are so precious, so golden, it makes all that sorting worthwhile.