Memorial Day Chat

Absolutely. This is a good holiday.

I'm up way too early since I went to bed at 2. I'm sore today too! I cleaned the garage yesterday, move a pile of dirt to various flower beds, trimmed trees, and did some weeding. Plus walked the dogs in an abandoned golf course. And had to give them all baths when we got done since they found a swamp to lay in on the golf course and stunk to high heaven.

My niece turns 14 today. I asked my brother if this was driving training age and he about had a stroke that i even brought it up lol. My Sil took it in stride. I don't think my brother is ready for his girls to grow up. Anyway, we are going to bbq then go Mtn biking. Should be fun. I will probably take neiko so he can run the trails with us. I think my niece loves having her bday on memorial day because we always do her favorite things which involve camping or kayaking or biking etc. Lucky girl

 Definitely a great holiday - as long as we all remember what it is for!

Julie my birthday is the 30th and that used to be Memorial Day - no matter where it fell in the week. Having the day off from school and a family BBQ after watching or walking in the parade was a great birthday!! I was sad when they changed it to the Monday :)

Another pretty day here - supposed to be nice all week

Took B for a walk...........very interested in what the surgeon is going to say tomorrow. I have some concerns but I know it is likely just too soon. It was easier with the TPLO to SEE the amount of work that was done. I keep wanting this to be healed.

B was out scouring the yard for interesting scents when his little friend (about 5lbs) was walking in the cul de sac. She hates all other dogs but loves B, I was watching as they did the stare down and then she came running up to play with him. He was sooooooo happy Quite the pair really. He did zoomies after she left (despite my trying to tell him to slow down)

I'll be out all day which I prefer not to be. I want to map out a little stop along the way home tomorrow. There are a few lakes and rivers not too far off the track so I'd love to do something a bit nice instead of just driving 8.5-9 hours.

Jackie I read about the drownings and that nearly 10 inches of rain fell on Saturday - unreal!!

Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, all being recharged by continuous rain storms right through Friday. May have to plant rice in the garden. But the grass is growing really well. The green is nice. Even a lot of the farm fields are greening up. The world looks alive again.

I am trying to get grass restarted in Pipers favorite spot. I really should let her out the back door. I have started grass her multiple times, always with no success. Now, I have grass plantlets going. Just about fast enough to keep the bunny fed.

I posted this last year, but it still moves me, so I'll post it again:

http://www.startribune.com/local/127347018.html

This was taken about 200 yards from where my parents are resting.

I love that picture!!! I really do appreciate the meaning of this holiday.

I made DH's birthday carrot cake and used that new Cool Whip frosting (cream cheese). I may never use anything else - it is yummy!!!

DH went for a bike ride, so I took Shane for a nice walk. On the way back, I heard a pattering sound in the field next to us and wondered what it was. It wasn't too much longer before I realized it had started to rain and that was the sound I was hearing - duh!! Shane doesn't care about getting wet, especially if he's intently sniffing a bush.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day and I hope your vet visit goes well Karen.

 I have a dilemma now. This morning I took Luke a spot on an open team for a flyball tournament in MA in July. I had no intentions of going back to our team due to *** and drama. Someone from the team, who I actually like, contacted me today. They want me to come back to practice, and to bring Luke to a tournament the week after in July. One of the arrangements being made should be good for Luke (his team will use the box he likes). Most of the people on his team will be people I like. The other issue is that I work on weekends. I can take off one weekend, but two in a row would be an issue unless someone can cover at least some of my hours. I could probably make up some of my hours during the week while kids are on break, but not all of them. My friend is coming with me to the one in MA, but she may not go both weekends, so she could maybe do the hours the next weekend, or at least some.

The other issue being that if you run in certain divisions, you can't run in that division on another team for 87 days. Luke just ran on a regular team and is currently subject to the 87 days. I don't have much intention to stay with the team, and his 87 days is up 2 days before the tournament. They of course would want to put in a regular team, which would re-subject him to the 87 day wait. 

I never mentioned to anyone on the team that I wasn't going to the tournament, but I haven't shown up to any of the 3 practices since the last tournament Luke was in. One was on Mother's Day, and another was yesterday, so I could very well have had holidays as an excuse. The other I was actually sick and coughing up crap. Not that I couldn't have gone yesterday, I just had no intention of going back, and decided to take Luke lure coursing instead. Who came up with the rumor that I wasn't coming back, I don't know, but now I'm back to being conflicted about whether or not I should do it, and I was already totally certain about it. They want Luke to come in July because without him, the whole team can't go. I don't know though why they can't use a different dog.

Doug, thanks for posting that picture again.  It's very evocative and beautiful. 

Jen, just reading about your dilemma feels confusing --- I can't imagine trying to weigh all the details and decide what to do if I were in your shoes.  A lot to consider.  The bottom line is to try to do what is ultimately is in Luke's (and your) best interests.  I hope you feel good about whatever you decide!

That's a cool photo, Doug.  I remember seeing it before -- it must've been when you posted it last year.

Growing up, Memorial Day for me always had a strong element of it's true meaning because my hometown had a parade, and we marched in it many times (as Girl Scouts, in school bands or sporting teams, etc.).  There were many veterans in our community and a few local families had lost sons/fathers in Vietnam.  The parade ended in the cemetary that was in the center of town (typical New England village) and there was always a nice ceremony with recogition of veterans lost and those still living in town.  It was always a big deal for all of us.

As usual, it's a rainy holiday here.  Only the most committed people bother planning anything like BBQs or picnics -- it's best to wait until July 4th here for those gatherings.  It was raining sideways earlier, but my friend and I got in a walk between downpours.  She and her boyfriend are coming over tonight for pulled pork.  DH got up at 3AM to put it on the Big Green Egg (smoker), so the whole neighborhood gets to smell it cooking all day!

DH & I went mtn biking yesterday for the first time this season. Wowie, does that use different muscles than running… muscles that I have obviously been neglecting for quite some time. lol. I'm not too sore today, surprisingly, besides my shoulder muscles. Rupert got a good workout and was lagging a bit by the end, too. We saw a sandhill crane on the way, that was cool.

The girls are at gramma's for a while today. DH & his buddies are practicing here so I'm rocking out to my own personal live music concert.

I took advantage of the kidless time and made some pasta salad and oatmeal cookies. I should probably clean the bathrooms or something… nah, I'll zone out on the computer for a while. 

tacran

Jen, just reading about your dilemma feels confusing --- I can't imagine trying to weigh all the details and decide what to do if I were in your shoes.  A lot to consider.  The bottom line is to try to do what is ultimately is in Luke's (and your) best interests.  I hope you feel good about whatever you decide!

 

Really, I think I should just say no, and stick with my original plan for the time being. My plan was just to run with open teams for a while, and try to get in with some teams I would actually consider joining. Of course though, the person who contacted me is one of the few who would get me on the phone and make me think about it. 

Tracy, your Memorial Day childhood memories sound amazing and so meaningful. 

Cathy, those Cool Whip frosting commercials are funny and I've wanted to make a cake just so I could try one.  I better not. lol

It was nice this morning with clouds and a breeze.  Once the sun came ou,t the breeze died and it was warm and muggy.  The dogs got to run and play earlier and we walked and walked along the river.  We had lunch at a bar and grill called Good Time Charlie's.  The burgers were outstanding.

Jan I'm jealous of your private live band! Good for you guys going Mtn biking too. We went today but it wasn't much of a work out which was kind of a bummer. I was hoping to burn of some calories since I was lazy all last week. But my sister went with us and to my surprise this was her first time ever on actual Mtn bike trails. She mostly rides rail to trail routes which are wide paved and flat. Boy was she ever shocked at how hard Mtn biking was lol. I was laughing the entire time, cheering her on and giving her encouragement when it seemed like she needed it. She had several moments of "I don't think I can go anymore' and" I think my legs are going to give out'. At one point we lost the rest of the group (I stayed back with her) and when we came to a fork in the trail I just picked a direction not being familiar with the trail. Turns out I added an extra mile to our ride. I told my brother not to tell my sister or she would have a melt down, she was so tired and desperate to be done lol. Neiko encouraged her though as he kept running back to check on her whenever I got out ahead Needless to say it was a very slow ride with lots of stops. She's a smoker so she was sucking air the entire time. I hope this finally convinces her to stop smoking! Anyway it was fun and entertaining to listen to her scream and yell when we hit a big ugly downhill or she would hit an unexpected hazard in the trail. I giggled a lot.

Then it rained. Booo. Where is summer? And where are all the hummingbirds?

The trail we went on was one of the most challenging/technical in our area. Lots of elevation change, tons of rocks and roots. There was a WORS race going on at the trail we originally wanted to go to.

We had a hard frost the other night and I was so worried about the hummingbirds. One was at the feeder at dusk and I was cheering him on, "Drink up little guy, you've got a long night ahead of you!" Luckily they were back the next day. I've got two feeders - one on the side of the house over the deck, and on on the front, outside my office window. It doesn't really stop them from constantly fighting over them, though.