T is for TEGAN...nope, just TEASING!

I think that's enough of Tegan for a while, don't you?  Let's take another train of thought and go with spring tulips, trees, trains, tractors, tall ships, etc.  I've gone through my photos and have selected a few to make up a terrifically attractive (I hope you agree) slideshow for this week.  The music is from "Beauty and the Beast." Make sure you watch to the end to see my little "Beauty" toasting you with tea.

Let's talk it up for ABC Wednesday, our tireless creator, Mrs. Nesbitt, and our topnotch administrator Roger. Also, great thanks to the tremendous team of helpers who trot over to your posts for a taste of your weekly tidings.  Have a terrific week, everyone!

S is for SIT and STAY

 

Well, actually, S is for lots of words as you'll see in the slideshow! The first thing we had to teach Tegan was SIT and the next was STAY. She is pretty good at those things, but now we have to teach her to heel and come on command.  In the meantime, we enjoy watching her snoop around for stinky smells at the park, trying to stretch out on the chair where she used to be able to share it with a toy or two and now slides off when she falls asleep, snoozing while lying flat on her back, running after her when she swipes our shoes (we now make sure the shoes are in the closet), scratching, enjoying sunbeams either inside or out, chasing and chewing on sticks (the bigger the better), learning how to swim (it actually came quite naturally to her), chuckling when she snores, slobbering on and sleeping with Daddy's socks, and so much more.   
 
She has been a real joy to us in the almost 4 months we've had her, but we realize that she has been getting away with a few things that we must switch up.  The most important is making her walk properly on the leash.  Because she needs a lot of exercise, we've been taking her to the park or another area where she's allowed to run freely.  Now she needs lessons to not pull me when she's on the leash (because of my back).  So, we'll be seeing to that little problem to find a solution soon!

Sincere thanks to the sensational Mrs. Nesbitt, the creator of ABC Wednesday and to the saintly Roger, our administrator.  Thanks also to the sassy staff of assistants who visit all the posts each week.

Q is for QUIET

The following is from a post from Round 9:

When I was in Grade 7, my Mom attended the annual Parent/Teacher Conferences because my report card had indicated that I was "reticent" in class. I had never heard that word before and was, therefore, terrified that I was in some sort of trouble. I later learned it meant "quiet," but my mother could not believe the teacher had written the comment for the correct student. However, it appears I was indeed "reticent" in class - quite the opposite of what I was like at home. We all had a good laugh and I never again worried about what the teachers wrote on my report cards.

I am naturally a very optimistic person, full of good humour, and with an internal strength when confronted with life's indomitable difficulties. However, there have been times (as my regular readers are aware) when life has knocked me down flat on my face. It has been during those times when I have needed the quiet moments to build up the strength to go forward. 

Now this:

My dear Lorne and I have been dealt another blow - the doctors have found 2 spots on his liver and he needs 3 months of pre-op chemotherapy to be followed by surgery in August.  Some of my regular readers will recall that when he had chemo in 2010 for colon cancer, it almost destroyed our relationship.  However, we worked hard and are now happy and content together.  We have talked it out and know what to expect this time - both physically and emotionally - so are prepared for what is to come in the next several months.   He has already had his first treatment and is not feeling well - at all.  But the doctors have assured us that they need him to be as strong and healthy as possible for the surgery that will follow so the treatment shouldn't be as hard on him as the last time.  Plus it's half the time, too.

So whenever I have a quiet moment, I send up prayers for him. And I ask that you might also do the same, even though you only know of him through me (and I'm only a "virtual" friend at that).  I do know one thing - he has lots to live for and hopefully, that will pull him through.  We just filled in a questionnaire for the hospital and one thing that was asked was "What do you enjoy doing to take your mind off your worries and stress?"  He answered: photography, working on his car, and taking the dog for walks.  He also enjoys gardening, but apparently that might be too physically difficult for him because of the PIC line in his arm.  So he's feeling a bit down about that.  But today he took the dog for a swim!  Well, Lorne didn't swim, but the dog did, and he really enjoyed watching her go for the sticks he threw with his good arm.

Anyway, he's having a quiet time of his own right now while the dog has her nap.  I will leave you with some photos of him enjoying his time with Tegan. She's his "brown-eyed girl" you know! 

I'm sending quite enthusiastic thanks to our quaint Mrs. Nesbitt, creator of ABC Wednesday, to our quirky Roger, our current administrator, and to all the team who quietly help out behind the scenes.