Lola's Anniversary, National Beagle Day, and Earth Day

All good holidays to celebrate. 

Ten years ago we picked up Lola from DAWS. It's hard to believe it's been that long. She was a good girl, and I'm happy we got to live with her, take care of her, and love her.

How appropriate was it to adopt a beagle on National Beagle Day? I doubt we knew that at the time. It was just just serendipity or synchronicity or something. 

As for Earth Day, I'm discouraged; surprised Trump didn't issue an executive order banning it. There has been so much damage to environmental initiatives and programs. It makes me sad. We have really fucked up.

Mother's Day Musings

I may not be a mother of humans, but I'm a dog mom. I'll take that as a reason to celebrate. 

Today I celebrated by not cooking. Generally, I enjoy cooking, especially compared to other household chores like laundry or cleaning. But, again generally, you have to cook everyday, and it gets time consuming. Especially because I chop veggies and lettuce most days. The planning also gets to me. Sometimes I wake up and my first thought is "What are we going to have for dinner?" Ugh.

It's been a beautiful weekend--the first without rain in awhile. Jace and I are taking longer walks. Today we walked an hour and a quarter, going to Oyster Shell Park. I went there often with Lola, because for many years, she was afraid to walk in the neighborhood. But Jace enjoys our neighborhood walks. 

After coffee and a protein drink, I went to the gym for about 40 minutes. It was the first time this year, I went four times in a week. On the way home, I picked up bagels I had previously gotten smoked salmon and cream cheese. Later we got take out sushi for dinner. 

Couldn't watch the Mets because the game was on Roku. It always annoys me when games appear on some unusual channel or service. We already have SNY for the Mets games. At least the Mets won. It's been a great season so far.

Thinking of Lola

 

Today is Lola's designated birthday. I wanted to take a moment to honor her. I feel guilty because I didn't even think of her on April 22, which is the anniversary of her coming to live with us. I was focused on Delaware real estate, I guess. 

We will always love Lola.

Cinco de Mayo, Lola, Rabbits, and Traffic

Today is Cinco de Mayo, but it feels more like Cinco de Marzo. It's cold with a high of 52 degrees, overcast or rainy. I had to break out my gloves again. We'll celebrate Cinco de Mayo indoors. I made sure to use our Cinco de Mayo beagle towel today. 

May 5 is also Lola's designated birthday. We selected it because it was Spike's half-way day (explanation here.) We've had a lot of Lola's days recently. We still miss her. 

On Thursday, Jace and I saw our first rabbit of the season on our morning walk. Yesterday, we saw our second. This rabbit didn't react to Jace, just sat there. I urged it run away and it did. Eventually. 

There was a horrible three-vehicle fiery accident on Thursday that took out all the lanes of I-95; all vehicles had to leave the highway and most ended up on Route 1. That was also the day I finally returned to the gym on Route 1. Needless to say, the traffic was horrendous. Luckily, the highway has been reopened. Unfortunately, the fire seriously damaged the Fairfield Avenue Bridge, and it was demolished over the weekend. It will take about a year to rebuild, so we'll continue to have traffic issues. Walking with Jace on Saturday, I was surprised at how much traffic I saw on side, side roads. It shouldn't be as bad as it was on Saturday, but we'll have to deal with detours and additional traffic for awhile. 

Lola's Anniversary and National Beagle Day

Eight years ago today, Lola came to live with us--a better anniversary than the last one I mentioned. We had six years of love with her. 

Today is also Earth Day and National Beagle Day. So, Lola (and Jace and Spike) we salute you. 

Remembering Lola

Two years ago today, we said goodbye to Lola. We miss her. 

It breaks my heart to think about her life before she joined Jeff and me at around age 5. She had clearly been abused but knew only love with us. Okay, full disclosure: I once smacked her with a manilla file folder. She had been peacefully sleeping while I wrapped Christmas presents. Suddenly she got up and started chewing my wrapping paper. Chewing miscellaneous things was her biggest fault. 

Here are some photos of our sweet girl. 

We love you, Lola.

Tuesday's Topics

I am happy that July is over. To me, July represents everything that went wrong this summer. I'm ready for the rest of the summer, starting today. 

We've had three nice days in a row--weather wise. I have more energy; I'm in a better mood. I've enjoyed my walks with Jace. Today we visited Tilley Pond Park in Darien. Jeff, Lola, and I had been there a few times. It was a first for Jace. We walked around twice, and Jace got to experience some new scents.

I've been journaling a bit lately. Trying to work myself out of this prolonged writer's block. I'll have to show up here too. I was just thinking I need a spark. How do I get a spark? I imagine myself using the flint and steel method driving myself to tears in a futile attempt to write something. Sigh. 

The Mets season is basically over. Of, there are still have two full months of games to play, but we're seeing a trading deadline selloff that no one would have predicted at the beginning of the season. Another sigh. I've watched my share of bad Mets seasons. Will I continue to watch this one? Probably. 

I'm hoping we can get away for our anniversary this year. I need to talk to Jeff and make some plans. I'd like to go away for two weeks, but we'll have to see. I need to figure this out soon. 

Cinco de Mayo and Lola's Birthday

It's been a week of medical appointments. This is more Jeff's story than mine, and I'm not comfortable writing more about it. To add to the fun, we were both possibly exposed to Covid last Saturday. We haven't had any fever and tested negative twice. Our doctor recommended we wear masks for a few more days. I would hate to be the cause of some kind of breakout.

I'm not worried about getting sick as much as I'm annoyed by inconvenience. There are several things that I would like to do this weekend, and the weather will be beautiful. But I want to be cautious. There's an outdoor dog-friendly event for the new part of the NRVT, two arts shows/sales, a dog event, the Westport Library book sale.

I made margaritas tonight in honor of Cinco de Mayo and Lola's designated birthday. 

Remembering Lola

Today is the one year anniversary of the day we lost Lola. It seems so long ago. 

We adopted Lola from DAWS (Danbury Animal Welfare Society) in 2016. She was timid and fearful, hiding under our table. Lola grew more confident and outgoing, but she never fully lost her fear and anxiety. 

We don't know much about Lola's early life in Kentucky, but she had clearly been abused. For the six years she lived with us, Lola knew love, care, and fun.

We love you and miss you. Thank you Lola for spending six years with us. 

Happy Independence Day!

 

Here is patriot Lola at the grave of  Revolutionary War Captain Henry Chichester in Historic Pine Island Cemetery. I took this photo in 2016 when Lola had been with us for about 10 weeks. 

We still miss her, but right now I'm glad I don't have to comfort a dog upset about fireworks. 

Mid-Year Check In

I figured it would be a good time to take a look at my goals for 2022. I was disappointed in the minimal goals I had set. 

Stop drinking for six weeks: done.

Go to the gym 150 times (roughly three times a week): 63 visits through June 30.  That number would be 75 if I were on track. Despite that, I'm happy with my status. There were a few weeks earlier in the year when my neck and back were too sore for me to go to the gym. One week I was sick. Another week I was too upset about Lola to bother to go. I've been good about doing some exercise at home on days I don't make it to the gym. I've also taken several walks. 

Read 35 books: I've read 18 books through the end of June, so I'm good here.

Write 200 blog posts: I published 98 posts through June. So I'm in pretty good shape here. 

Now onto lack of goals. I mentioned The New York Times' Eat Well Challenge. I didn't really get into it and never made any specific goals. That never works.

Even worse, I never made any writing goals, and I'm struggling. I've barely written. I wrote 12 blog posts but does that even count?

I need to find some answers.

Friday Miscellanea

I've been thinking a lot about time, focus, and priorities lately.

I looked at a time tracking sheet from earlier this year to see how much time I allocated to Lola. It came out to 1.5 hour/day (10.5/week.) Of course, a good chunk of this time was walking. I am trying to walk at least 20 minutes a day to get out in the sun. Without Lola, I don't have the daily incentive. Sometimes I forget to walk; other times it's too hot, humid, wet, dry, or whatever. 

I guess I should track my time again to see what I've been doing with those 10.5 hours. I suspect some hours are allocated to the gym. I've been going four times a week for the last few weeks and feel great. 

For me the most important thing is that I've done more research on Sylvanus Merwin. Mostly, I'm organizing what I've read, adding to my bibliography, working on a timetable. I have lots of bits and pieces that I need to weave or string into something. 

I need to start drafting something--an intro or background information about trains. Or I can revise the piece I wrote for class about finding the hotel. 

Just start. 

Another Photo Post

I have several photographs on my phone that I haven't shared yet. 

Here we go.

Lola is on one of her last outings to Taylor Farm.

Lola and I saw this deer on our last visit to NRVT. 

Lilies of the Valley down the street from us.

This dog caught my eye at the Westport Fine Arts Festival. I heard a couple call him Maximus. I asked if he was the same Maximus from the Stamford Loft Artists group who ran for President? Yes, it was him. I think I have a post that mentioned him. Hope to edit that later. 

Yesterday I said hello to two neighborhood friends I haven't seen in a while. 

I love Dylan.

Here is Dylan with his younger brother Jack.

Jack howls

A Walk at Calf Pasture Beach

I've rarely walked at Calf Pasture Beach when I had a dog (Spike or Lola.) I only remember going once to meet my friend Melissa. Jeff and I have visited a few times in the last few weeks. Sometimes we have a drink or snack at Ripka's Cafe. 

Today I went on a solo walk. It was nice to walk outside--after barely leaving the building yesterday. The air smelled fresh.  

I'll always miss the waves of the New Jersey shore, but I never lived as close to the water before. I also miss the white sands of New Jersey. It's taken me years to get used to trees along the beach. 

When I walked to the end of Shady Beach, I saw Adirondack chairs at the apex of the property on the sound. I felt a pang of envy. Okay, it was more than a pang, but how much is a pang anyway? I imagined myself sitting in one of those chairs with coffee, tea, wine, gin and tonic, whatever. I guess that's not in the cards for me. 

I was also envious when I saw people walking their dogs--the dogs all seemed so happy. Getting another dog will be easier than getting a house on the water, but we're just not ready. I need to enjoy what I have now. 

Cinco de Mayo and Lola's Birthday

Today is Lola's designated birthday. I had wondered if (and hoped) she would make it this far. But it wasn't to be. It was a beautiful day, and we would have loved to spend it with her.

I was cleaning/organizing earlier today and picked up the book Dog Heaven that my friend Darlene gave Jeff and me after Spike died. I cried as I re-read it. It helps to picture Lola and Spike together having fun. We had even asked Lola to say hi to Spike for us. 

Today is also Spike's half-way day. 

What Would Have Been

Today would have been our sixth anniversary with Lola. Unfortunately, her kidneys gave out almost two weeks ago. 

We are still adjusting to a life without Lola. We look for her; we think we hear her; we miss her--especially on a nice sunny day like today.

Here's a photo from six  years ago:

Here are two photos from last Sunday: she was smiling to the end. 

Lola is so special she shares her anniversary with Earth Day and National Beagle Day.

Thoughts for a Thursday

Unhandy

Unfortunately, that describes both Jeff and me. Having a handy partner would sure come in handy. (Sorry.) Yesterday I rehung some pictures in the bath, and cleaned some globes for our hall ceiling light. I had a lot of trouble screwing the globes and bulbs back in. I wish I were taller; I don't like standing on a ladder, even a stepladder.

Getting Back

Jeff and I went to the gym yesterday--the first time for me in 12 days. I don't know how long it's been for Jeff. I had a better workout than I expected. 

Weather wise

After I wrote about how unfair it was that it was so warm after Lola's death, it turned cold. Damn, just as I was ready to go outside and enjoy the nice weather.

Let's Go Mets!

Yesterday they had the best record in baseball. But standings change quickly in the early days of the season. Of course, when you're a Mets fan, you never know. There's a reason a book about the Mets is called, So Many Ways to Lose. 

Thank You Chewy

Jeff had bought cans of Kidney Diet food as well as subcutaneous fluids from Chewy for Lola. We had a lot left over. Not only did Chewy gave Jeff a refund and told him to dispose of the products, but they also sent Jeff flowers. We're donating the Chewy products, along with Lola's bed to DAWS where we got Lola six years ago. 

Friends

Our friend Jen also sent us flowers. She keeps checking in to see if we're doing okay. It's comforting to have her support.

A Week Without Lola

I had thought that handling Lola's death would be a little easier because we've been through it before with Spike. 

I was wrong. 

I feel like I've been sleepwalking through the week, except last Tuesday when I had three appointments. The last was to pick up Lola's cremains. It was a beautiful day and Jeff and I went to Ripka's at Calf Pasture. We had margaritas and watched the water, the sea birds, and kids on the swings and slide. 

Each day I told myself I'd go to the gym the next day, but I wasn't up for it. Instead, I exercised here a few times and took two walks.

I resented the beautiful weather last week. It was unfair that it was so cold on the last two full days of Lola's life. Last Saturday, the sun went in and the winds blew as soon as we arrived at Taylor Farm. On Sunday, we sat outside on a friends' deck. (I didn't want Lola to have any accidents inside their house.) We would have really enjoyed some warm weather. 

We're putting together things to donate to DAWS: food, infusion fluids, and her dog bed (I took it to the laundromat today.)

It will take a while to move on. 

Grieving

The first thing Jeff said to me this morning was, "She's not here." 

"I know," I said. What could I say? The first thing we've done each morning for the past month was to look at Lola's bed, see if she were awake, and see if she looked okay.

Even though she's gone (I actually sang a bit of this song)  I feel her presence everywhere. I moved a few things--her leash and collar, her bowls--out of sight out of mind--at least for the moment. At least, I don't have to see all of her things.  But of course, she is everywhere.

We love you Lola.

We miss you Lola. 

Goodbye Lola

When I wrote about Lola recently, I expected to have a lot more time with her. Instead, we put her to sleep today. Our vet came to our place, which was great because Lola was terrified to go to the vet. The procedure was quick, quiet, and peaceful.

April 22nd would have been our sixth anniversary with Lola. I wish she could have stayed to celebrate with us and also her designated birthday of May 5th. 

It was the right time. Last week our walks got shorter--both in time and distance. Then Lola deteriorated badly from Friday to Saturday. She last ate on Friday except for a small bite of a hot dog yesterday. She would have suffered more each day.

We got together with some dog park friends yesterday to say goodbye. I can't explain how wonderful that was.  

We're in a tough transition to a life without Lola. We miss her.