(re-run) Long ago, when I had three school-aged children off at their respective schools, I sat at my desk writing during the quiet of the day, when I heard the Dachshund barking. He was somewhere in our spacious half-acre back yard. I ignored it at first, but when the barking didn’t subside, I decided I’d… Continue reading Wiener Dog Versus Rat
Category: dogs
Daisy’s New Perch
(re-run) My suburban house is cozy but dumb. The small bedrooms are on the front of the house, with the family room tucked behind the garage. There are no good windows for Daisy to see out of, no couch to jump upon to watch the street. Until the day I cleaned my office. I ended… Continue reading Daisy’s New Perch
The Dog Who Thought He Was a Squirrel
When my middle kid went to college, I kept his Dachshund named Wiener. I asked him if he’d miss his dog at UCLA, and he said, “They have squirrels there, Mom.” As it turned out, Wiener thought he was a squirrel. Maybe not so much in the big marriage house, but when he got to… Continue reading The Dog Who Thought He Was a Squirrel
Mama Bird Rules the Roost
(re-run) A mama bird built a nest over my front porch three plus weeks ago. I was away, and when I came back, I startled her. I am now using my side gate to come and go. It’s not easy doing it this way for a couple of reasons. I have to weave my way… Continue reading Mama Bird Rules the Roost
Pandemic Friday
(re-run) My friends are going out. They are eating at restaurants with no masks on, and they are sitting shoulder to shoulder at the table – not all from one household! I am chicken to do that. I watch too much news and read too many newspapers. Yes, everything we do in life is a… Continue reading Pandemic Friday
Worst Dog Sitting Ever
(re=run) When I was a newlywed, living in San Diego, my next door neighbor, Doreen, befriended me. She noticed I was home alone a lot, since my teaching job ended at 3:00, and my new husband didn’t come home from work until 7:00 or so. Doreen invited me over for food and chit chat. Once,… Continue reading Worst Dog Sitting Ever
Weed Whacker Workout
(re-run) I’ve never owned or used a Weed Whacker. I’m an Iowa girl who pulls weeds by hand so they don’t come back. But this year is the exception. With record rainfall, the weeds are on steroids this spring. See photo. I ordered an electric weed whacker from my local hardware store since I didn’t… Continue reading Weed Whacker Workout
Neighborhood Watch and Biting Dogs
(re-run) Nine years ago, burglaries were happening all over my neighborhood. The burglars’ M.O. was to ring the doorbell, wait, then kick in the front door, find the jewelry, cash and drugs and get out in two minutes. They’d use a pillowcase from the master bedroom, where the jewelry was most likely to be. It… Continue reading Neighborhood Watch and Biting Dogs
Be Careful What You Wish For
(re-run) I’ve lived in my little house for seven years and four months. The neighborhood is about 48 years old, and the trees that are here are huge. My pie-shaped lot is wide and shallow in the back. Las Trampas Ridge is due west, beyond the freeway, but I could not see it because of… Continue reading Be Careful What You Wish For
Good Morning Stranger
As I was walking my 55-pound dog yesterday, I noticed an older woman with a cane waiting to cross the street to my side. A construction truck slowed down and waved her across, but she shook her head no. She knows she is old and slow. The truck passed, and I reduced my speed so… Continue reading Good Morning Stranger
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 