Glory Byrne 1996 - 2011

December 23, 2011 Glory went to be with Bob in heaven.

We were dogless when Glory came to live with us fourteen and a half years ago.

DH Bob overhead a young man in Paw Paw say he had a six month old lab mix puppy that was tearing things up in his apartment and he had to "get rid of her". She ended up in the cab of Bob's truck.

Upon arrival, Glory jumped out of the truck, ran around the perimeter of our five acres, checked out the pond, checked out the creek and was from that day on a very happy, well-behaved dog who never tore anything up. She was too busy running, swimming, catching frogs, and guarding her new home from rodents, rabbits, deer, and other wildlife.

She was a wonderful, intelligent, faithful dog. She will always be remembered with love.

Merry Christmas to All

Santa and Grandaughter Sydney, 6 years old, 2011.

Chat Back for December 10

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Judy S. asked . . .

I made your orange spiced nuts the other day, and they were yummy. Have you tried them with cereal for breakfast?

I've made them several times in a double batch to take to various get-togethers. They weren't a big hit so both times I had plenty left over to munch on at home and I totally enjoyed doing that at all times of the day and night, although I never ate them at the same time as my cereal. Sounds like a great combination.

---

Mrs. Susan Wike wrote . . .

Try Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. It makes you feel like a real French baker--and there's bread dough ready in the fridge for a loaf whenever you want one.

Haven't tried this yet, but it's on my list of things to try someday. I gain a pound every time I think about it.

---

Susanne asked . . .

How are the bathroom reno's coming along?

The important, urgent things are under control. No more leaking into the basement, no more dry rot in the floor.

The past two months I've been doing physical therapy and it's been painful, so I haven't been painting and I keep telling myself there is no hurry. I half believe that.

It will get done. If I'm not able to manage it by spring, I will hire it done.

---

Lola wrote . . .

If the hard drive is making noises, it's a signal that the drive will fail soon, at any time. Make backups of essential files NOW and start looking for a new laptop sooner rather than later. Hard drives do have a shelf life, and it soulds like your laptop is pretty old.

Don't worry. I know all that.

I am backed up. I do intend to buy a new laptop soon. If the laptop dies before I'm ready, I'll cope with it. I have Bob's desktop as a backup CPU, although it's probably easier to set up a new laptop than to change his settings to mine.

---

NMJewel asked . . .

One of these days, you'll surprise us all with... socks! Eh?

Blame the physical therapy. I haven't figured out yet how to knit without getting into a posture I'm not supposed to get into, and most of the time my shoulders and neck hurt too much to enjoy knitting anyway.

This will not go on forever. I am getting better. So yes, one of these days I will surprise you.

---

Judy wrote . . .

In the midst of all the sorrow I pray you will also experience peace.

Thank you Judy. I do have peace.

Last week’s Griefshare lesson was about how we can’t know God’s ways, we can only know that He is good and He loves us. I worked though most of that before Bob died, so I have it all fresh in mind to keep me going.

The key to understanding God is knowing that we can’t.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
Neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are my ways higher than your ways
And my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

(Isaiah 49:8-9)

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Kathy B. asked . . .

I am so sorry to hear Glory is nearing her end. Will an image of her running to your husband help??????

I think that's exactly what she wants to do. She's still waiting for him to come back, and soon she's going off to find him.

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Janna wrote . . .

And I agree with Donna -- check out Louise Penny's books. Try to start with the first one (Still Life) and work your way through.

This is an excellent mystery series that you really do want/need to read in order.

I just finished the second book and it would have been a challenge to follow if I hadn't read the first.

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Sherilan asked . . .

Have you read the Sheriff Gastner mysteries by Steven Havill? I came late to the series, the first is "Heartshot" and there is a new one out in December, I think.

This is on my list to read. Because I'm a non-resident, I can only order three library books at a time.

Thanks for the recommend.

---

Marcia asked . . .

I'm wondering who the author is of your copy of the Taste of Home's Cooking for 1 or 2. I looked on Amazon and there is one published in 2003, Heidi Reuter Lloyd and one published in 2006 and written by Mark Hagen. I'm at the point where I think I could use such a book.

Mine is Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two from 2003 edited by Heidi Lloyd. I bought it second hand from Amazon. Not sure if it's still in print. Maybe directly from Taste of Home?

Simple Woman's Daybook for December 6

FOR TODAY December 6, 2011...

Outside my window...
We still haven't had any snow.



I am thinking...
About the pronouns I use. I say things like, "We have five acres", and once "we" is out of my mouth I realize that it's not "we" anymore. But I haven't yet got to the point where it feels normal to say, "I have five acres."

I guess if I include the dogs, plural still works and "we" do have five acres.

I am thankful for...
These last days with Glory, my 15 year old dog who is terminally ill with kidney failure. Her appetite is very poor and she's getting too thin, but she is still enjoying her walks, especially when we go out without the little dogs.

She can't be bothered to even sniff dog food anymore. This morning she had a scrambled egg and a peanut butter cookie. This evening she had some chicken but she wouldn't eat her Zinger. Not a good sign.

From the kitchen...
Butterscotch Bread Pudding from Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two. It was good.



I am wearing...
Navy sweatpants, a plain pink sweatshirt, and handknit socks.

I am going...
To get up in a few minutes and do my ball exercises.



I am reading...
Just finished the second Louise Penny book, A Fatal Grace. Excellent. Thank you so much to Janna and Donna who suggested the series. I like them so much I'm giving the entire seven books to my mother for Christmas.

I am hoping...
To emerge from this winter as a better, stronger person.

I am hearing...
Since it's a week into December and we haven't had any snow yet, the rumor is that January and February are going to have record snowfalls.

In Michigan we like to scare ourselves with severe weather predictions.

Around the house...
There's not much going on.

One of my favorite things...
Sunny waiting for me to sit down with my laptop so she can settle in and take a nap.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Physical Therapy Wednesday and Friday. Not planning much else in case I get as sore as I usually get after my PT.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
The only down side to no snow is the lack of pretty winter pictures.




These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

Simple Woman's Daybook for November 22

FOR TODAY November 22, 2011 ...

Outside my window...
It's a cold, rainy day.



I am thinking...
This blog post needs some color, so I borrowed a picture from August.



I am thankful for...
Many things. Even on bad days I never have trouble thinking of things to be thankful for.

Today I'm especially thankful that Glory is having some good days and is dragging me out for walks in this miserable wet weather.



From the kitchen...
I made a big batch of macaroni and cheese for Glory and she's been enjoying it with a raspberry Zinger for dessert. She eats small amounts multiple times a day.

Today I bought her a pizza, which she's also been enjoying. It's hard not to give her more than a little at a time when she's so ready to eat, but I know more is not better if she barfs it. Whatever happens now, she's had a few good days and enjoyed some good food so that will be a pleasant memory. Bets are she has no intention of ever eating dog food again.

I am wearing...
Jeans, an unadorned aqua sweatshirt, and handknit socks.

I am creating...
Still working on Dave's very long socks.

I am going...
To figure out if it is possible to knit more without undoing the good the physical therapy is doing for my back, neck, and shoulders.

I am reading...
Justice by Karen Robards. Three and a half stars out of five on Amazon. That's about what it deserves. It's not awful, but I'm finding it slow moving. Maybe that's because I thought it was a mystery and it's only half a mystery. The rest of the time I'm reading the inner thoughts of the heroine as she contemplates the body of her former boyfriend who is assigned to protect her. Why does this take pages and pages?

Still Life, the first Louise Penny book, is on its way to the Oshtemo branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library for me to pick up. I hope to have it before the week is over.

I am hoping...
That the eaves troughs get cleaned out before the first real snowstorm. I know the man who is planning to do it is very busy trying to get his own house ready for winter.

I am hearing...
The heating system pipes clicking as the hot water flows through.

Around the house...
It's very quiet.

One of my favorite things...
White chocolate.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Against my better judgement, I'm going to the grocery store tomorrow, the day before Thanksgiving, to pick up a few things I need for cooking for Glory. I'll probably be the only person there wanting to buy raspberry Zingers for Thanksgiving. Also plan to stop at the library.

Mom and I are going out for Thanksgiving dinner. It won't be the same as home cooked, but it will be something different and I need that. Friday is physical therapy. I'm not shopping on Black Friday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
November pictures are pretty boring when there's no snow. I like snowless, boring November pictures.



These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

Simple Woman's Daybook for November 15

FOR TODAY November 15, 2011...
(Actually written and posted on Wednesday the 16th)

Outside my window...
A foggy morning.



I am thinking...
That I need to start watching my diet again as I've put on about five pounds eating comfort food and Klondike Bars. Not what one wants to be thinking the week before Thanksgiving.



I am thankful for...
Dr. Baker, Glory's vet since she was a puppy fifteen years ago. Glory's kidneys are failing and he spent a lot of time with me this evening explaining what is likely to happen next and how I can tell when it's time to bring her in for her final visit. We're down to the last weeks of her life now.

From the kitchen...
There will be pizza, macaroni and cheese, chicken, and other good stuff to tempt Glory's appetite as she finishes up her time on earth. This is the vet's suggestion and it sounds yummy to me.

I am wearing...
Jeans, a gray fleece top with a partial zipper, and handknit socks.

I am creating...
A new life for myself. It's barely started to form and I have no idea where it's going. Immediate plans are to hunker down for winter, exercise and get stronger, work on getting things sorted out around the house, and hope that what the future holds is more obvious by spring.

I am going...
To miss Glory.

I am reading...
Just finished Tess Gerritsen's The Silent Girl.

Almost didn't check this book out of the library as she hasn't been one of my favorite authors in the past, but I was pleasantly surprised. Her usual excess of romantic angst was missing, replaced by an interesting mystery with characters I enjoyed meeting.

I am hoping...
To find some more good reading at the library tomorrow.

I am hearing...
Gunfire around here in the mornings and evenings. It's deer season in Michigan. I don't go outside without my bright orange hat on, and at dawn and dusk I sing while we're on our dogwalk.

Around the house...
A cord of oak and cherry firewood was delivered today. I think we're ready for winter now, but there's no hurry.



A few plans for the rest of the week:
Physical therapy on Thursday and Friday. Pennfield High School Follies this weekend starring Granddaughter Kimmy. Saturday the neighbor is coming to clean out the eaves. Sunday church in the morning and a special GriefShare seminar in the afternoon on getting through the holidays.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Mom, I hope you're not planning to come back to bed. I really appreciate the warm spot you left.



These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

Simple Woman's Daybook for November 8

FOR TODAY November 8...

Outside my window...
It's a sleepy, rainy day.




I am thinking...
About last night's GriefShare meeting. We learned something we already knew but needed to hear put bluntly – our marriage vows were “til death do us part”, and we are single people now. As the Lord heals us, we need to learn to live for Him and ourselves.

Three months into widowhood after 36 years of marriage, this is not intuitive.

I am thankful for...
The estrogen that is keeping Glory from leaking urine when she sleeps and the daily half Baytril that keeps her chronic bladder infection in check. This is truly medical magic.

From the kitchen...
My favorite herbal tea. So many of them smell better than they taste, but this one tastes better than it smells. At least to me.



I am wearing...
Navy sweatshirt and sweatpants. Even less classy than my usual jeans.

I am creating...
A stronger body with the exercises I've learned in physical therapy. I'm hoping someday they don't make me hurt so much.

I am going...
To have to think about Thanksgiving soon. And then Christmas.

I can pretend they're not going to be difficult, but I know they are.

I am reading...
13 Steps Down by Ruth Rendell.

I am hoping...
My laptop holds out a few more months because I don't feel up to updating or replacing it right now. The display screen has some gray spots along the edge, the hard drive is making noise, and Google is not happy that I'm running a five year old version of Internet Explorer. I have no reason to want to upgrade except that Google doesn't like it and I need my Google aps, especially Blogger and Reader.



I am hearing...
As usual on a Tuesday when I do this, Sunny is softly snoring on my left and Pappy is softly sleeping on my right. Glory is under the kitchen table not making any noise. Occasionally I hear a car go by, otherwise it's very peaceful.

Around the house...
There is much that needs to be done.

One of my favorite things...
My friends and family members who understand and support me during this transition by the little things they do.

I've come to appreciate how little things mean a lot. I don't want any big things right now.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Physical therapy on Wednesday and Friday. Grocery shopping, library, and exercising five times a day.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
November can be beautiful in its own bleak way.




These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

Simple Woman's Daybook for November 1

FOR TODAY November 1, 2011...

Outside my window...
The mornings are frosty now.



I am thinking...
An October snow storm with the leaves still on the trees resulting in multi-day power outages could easily have happened here.

I have to find someone to deliver firewood for my wood burner. It can't wait any longer.

I am thankful for...
A beautiful autumn season with no snow yet. That's all frost in the picture. We're on borrowed time now.



From the kitchen...
White Bean Turkey Chili once again from Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two.

Instead of a half pound of turkey tenderloin which needed to be cooked, cooled, and cut into pieces, I used a half pack of ground turkey and fried it up with the onions, garlic, and butter before adding the rest of the ingredients in the same pan. I like my chili with ground meat and it made the preparation much easier.


As you can see, I used the optional sour cream and shredded cheese on top which made the recipe exceptional. The recipe made two generous meals and I'll be making it again for sure.

I am wearing...
An orange turtleneck, navy sweatpants, and orange hand knit socks. It's been a lazy morning. I need to shower and change into something fresher and less Halloweeny now that Halloween is over.

I am creating...
Slowly making progress on Dave's humongous socks. About half way down the foot headed for the toe on each sock.

I am going...
To get up and do some of my physical therapy exercises. I have five different types of exercise that I'm supposed to do by themselves, so seems like it's always time to do a set.

I am reading...
Grasshopper by Barbara Vine. Just started it but have read enough of her (actually Ruth Rendell) books to know it's going to be interesting and good.

I am hoping...
That the estrogen Glory just started taking will stop her urine from leaking when she sleeps. So far it's looking good and she is acting perkier as well.

I am hearing...
The dogs just had their favorite treat, Happy Hips, and are settled in for a nap. Sunny is snoring on my left, Pappy is working on getting comfortable on my right, and Glory is under the kitchen table all stretched out and hopefully not leaking.

Around the house...
There are many sticks and leaves that need to be picked up in the yard.

One of my favorite things...
Sunday Pappy and I went to the doggy school Halloween party to see some old friends and meet some new friends.

Olivia, an old friend, won first place in the costume contest with an ensemble crocheted by her mom, Marcia.




A few plans for the rest of the week:
I'm sore and achy from the physical therapy, so haven't planned anything for this week except to do my exercises, get through two more sessions on Wednesday and Friday, and hopefully feel better on the other side of it.

Grocery store and library have to happen one day. There are other chores that should but probably aren't going to happen.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
At the doggy school party Jack wheeled himself around with his service dog Reebok to say hello and tell me, "I'm here as Jack-O-Lantern."



These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

Simple Woman's Daybook for October 25

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY October 25, 2011...

Outside my window...
There are still a lot of leaves left on the trees and we haven't had a hard frost yet.



I am thinking...
I need to get this post done soon because the forecast is for thunderstorms.

I am thankful for...
GriefShare where I'm learning that getting through grief is messy and can take longer than one might think. At twelve weeks, I'm the newest widow/widower there. Several members are over a year and still going through the process and that is perfectly normal.

I'd like to take care of grief like a regular problem - make a list of things that need to be done to get on with life and check them off one by one until the grief is gone. It doesn't work that way. I can't even predict my state of mind from one minute to the next. The fact that I'm not knitting or feeding the birds is probably a good indication of how messed up I am right now.

From the kitchen...
Blond Brownie Nut Squares from Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two.

They're even better than they look and would be better yet topped with some ice cream.



I am wearing...
A gray sweatshirt and navy sweatpants that are at least two sizes too big - until I finish eating those Blondie Nut Squares.

I am creating...
A notebook for the recipes I've tried and want to fix again.

Some are new to me, some are old. The recipes in my old notebook that Bob liked more than I did will be quietly retired.



I am going...
To have to take my car in to have rodent stuff removed from the heat ducts again. This time it was chipmunks. I am not amused and neither is my budget.

I am reading...
Serve Yourself, a cookbook from the library.

This is for a serious chef type person who wouldn't dream of opening a can of chicken broth.

In the first chapter there are instructions for making the "basics". For example chicken broth is best when made by boiling corn shucks from the Farmer's Market. Grocery store corn shucks are not fresh enough.

According to this author you should always have some Herbed Lemon Confit handy to use for dishes like Potato and Fennel Pizza, Roast Chicken Leg with Gremolata and Sunchokes, or Tuna, Chickpea, and Arugala Sandwiches.

The recipes in this book are the cooks equivalent to a sock knitter's Cookie A. socks - you have to love doing it or there's no reason to spend the time. Because they're going to take a lot of time.

As for me, I'm glad I didn't buy this book or put it on my wishlist. I won't be keeping any of the recipes in my new notebook. There are an infinate number of yummy things that can be prepared with much less work.



I am hoping...
To have more energy soon.

I am hearing...
Sunny is snoring and Pappy is scratching himself getting ready to whine to go out.

Around the house...
It is very quiet with all the windows shut.

One of my favorite things...
Granddaughter Kimmy who turned sixteen last Sunday.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Wednesday Pappy goes to the vet to have his anal glands checked with grocery shopping and library in the afternoon. Friday is physical therapy.

As boring as that sounds, it's really all I want to deal with right now.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Simple Woman's Daybook for October 18

These writing prompts are available from Simple Woman's Daybook where each Tuesday we're invited to join in celebrating the beauty of everyday moments around us.

FOR TODAY October 18, 2011...

Outside my window...
It looks like autumn and it feels like autumn.

I am thinking...
Doing Simple Woman Daybooks has been a good way to keep the blog going during a time when I'm not knitting much and I don't feel like blogging. I know this transition into widowhood will not last forever, but today I'm having a difficult time imagining the end. So I don't. It's too soon.

I am thankful for...
Home-made sourdough bread loaded with dried tart cherries sent overnight FedEx from the baker, brother Dave in Oregon.

Yes, it's very good to eat, but what's best about it is the love and caring it represents. Little gifts of kindness that say "I'm thinking of you" mean so much right now.



From the kitchen...
Quiche. Cut into six pieces, it's six meals for one person and so good that I don't get tired of eating it.

Used this recipe and a frozen pie crust. I like the version with green onions and bacon, and I always add the optional Parmesan. Used pre-cooked bacon and chopped it up with a shears, so prep time was quick and easy.



I am wearing...
A plain pink sweatshirt, jeans, and handknit socks.

I am creating...
Still working on Dave's socks. They're both in the middle of the gusset decreases.

I am going...
To a physical therapist to learn how to exercise with osteoporosis. Yesterday was the initial meeting and evaluation. Tomorrow the real work begins.

I am reading...
61 Hours the fourteenth book in the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child.

I think of the Reacher books as guy books with Reacher as an almost superhero. I'm listening to this one as I knit on Dave's socks, and enjoying it for what it is - not great literature but well-written and entertaining.

When I went to Amazon to get the link for the book, I learned that the book ends with a "to be continued". That's annoying, but I've written down the name of the next book and will be watching for it in the library catalog.

I am hoping...
To find firewood for sale this week and someone to hire to plow and shovel this winter. Haven't started this search yet, but they're the last critical things on the plan for hunkering down for winter and I need to get busy.

I am hearing...
Quiet with the occasional car passing by. All three dogs are sleeping.

Around the house...
The bathroom guys are done for now and it's time for me to paint. Then they'll come back and put up hardware and do a final caulking.

They told me there is no hurry, some people take years. I think I can do better than that.

One of my favorite things...
Actually, two of my favorite things. Homemade baked custard and pretty custard cups with violets.



The custard recipe is super quick and easy. I found it in Taste of Home's Cooking for One or Two, but I already had it from years ago when it originally came out in the Taste of Home Magazine. I've made it many times.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Last night was GriefShare. Physical therapy Wednesday and Friday. A haircut on Thursday. A family sixteenth birthday party for granddaughter Kimmy on the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Do I hear more noisy men coming back here?

Chat Back for October 15

Responding to comments left since the last time I did Chat Back.

Anonymous asked . . .

Hi When do you clean out your bird houses? In the spring, or before frost? I have a little bird, really tiny, but not a hummer, who builds the nest with sticks only. It looks like so much work I hate to take it down. She scolds me when ever I walk by and I enjoy her so much, I want to encourage her to come back.

Sounds like you have a wren. They're little birds, very opinionated, and they fill a nest box with sticks. Assuming you live in a climate that has winter there's no hurry to clean the box out.

During nesting season I usually wait a week after the little ones leave the nest because sometimes they come back to roost in the nestbox at night. But occasionally another bird pair will start building a nest right over the top of the empty one before I get it cleaned out and then I leave it alone. My boxes are often used 2-3 times a season.

Once nesting season is over, I'm lazy about cleaning out the nest boxes, but it's good to clean them out before the nights get chilly because the birds to sometimes take shelter in them at night.

The picture below is a wren nest built on top of a bluebird nest. The wrens were in a hurry and I didn't get a chance to clean the box out before they claimed it.

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Dorothy asked . . .

So do I want to know what you do regarding the potty during the daytime?

The wild paths on the back three acres are very private this time of year. The goldenrod is done blooming, but it's still standing at the level of my head.

I HATE porta pots. This was much cheaper and smelled a whole lot better.

---

Dorothy asked . . .

Did you remember to take "before" pictures?

I did not take before pictures. I don't want to remember.

The company that did the remodel did take before pictures. One of the reasons I went with them is the nasty before pictures they have on their website. Somehow it made my bathroom less embarrassing knowing they had seen worse.

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Marcia asked . . .

Did you make the rug Pappy is resting on?

Nope. It's a cheapy rug from Meijers.