Day 5 - Photo Challenge - CLOSEUP

Ollie Close Up!!

My Border Collie Freddie's

Funny polka dot legs



Day 4 Photo Challenge - "LOVE"

LOVE this guy

LOVE found on a dog hike

LOVE found all over

LOVE that Freddie always wants more day!

 

Day 3 - Photo Challenge

On a beautiful drive to Maryland

CORN!

Beautiful breathtaking cornfields



The Life of Riley

So after Dad passed we gave Mom a pup -

a little abused breeder 7 year old, 7 pound yorkie
named Filoe, now named Riley,
 from a busted puppy mill in -

 get this - "Collins", Missouri. 

Nothing can replace a shared life of 60 years

but this little pup filled the void of "something to care about" in her daily life. 

It was a match made in heaven. 

 Mom now walks him 3 times a day. 

She has made a whole new circle of "dog" friends.

Riley travels everywhere with her -
whether allowable or not -

in the grocery store,

 in her purse while at church

and at every family gathering. 

As she said, "I didn't rescue him, he rescued me".

But ironically on her last visit to my home,

 she was surprised to see no framed photo of my new dog brother. 

"No pictures of him???"

Are you kidding????

He has become my favorite "subject"

A 7 pound gift of Joy!

A BASKET OF RILEY!

Loved at Last!!!



Oliver Wendell Collins turns 14!

HaPpY bIrThDaY oLiVeR!!!!!

Love this little guy so much it hurts! 

Wish he'd outlive me. 

(Is that too much to ask???)

 

 

Beloved

It is hard to believe half a year has gone by since we said goodbye to Dad.  In some ways, it seems so long ago since we heard his husky quiet laugh or enjoyed his warm, easy, interested company, with even the sound of his voice, becoming a distant memory.  But in other ways it seems like just yesterday that a constant in our lives, the glue of the family, the leader of the band, was abruptly and quickly, yet elegantly and with great grace, taken from us forever.  

We all joined to say a final goodbye - with our last Father's Day with Dad - at his sacred ground - Peace Valley Park in Bucks County, Pa.

                                    





The raw sting of his loss, with time, has since been replaced by a quiet ache and a forever daily reminder of the man.  The event was as Mom said, just what Dad would have enjoyed - A pleasant Family Picnic. 

Young and old gathered -
Varied Pups wandered -
Way too much food was offered -
The weather - a pleasant balmy breezy Sunday afternoon.
The mood - respectful of event - but not morose and maudlin.

When bikers and walkers had passed - we gathered quietly to scatter some ashes by the waters edge.
A poem sent from Cathy was read by my sister Connie -

                And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so?

                                I did.

                And what did you want?

                               To call myself beloved,
                               To feel myself  beloved on the earth

                                                      - Raymond Carver

Our glasses were raised for a toast to a great man and a loving, kind father...

Beloved You Were Dad! 

We Love You

And for just one more time -

Happy Father's Day!   

Lately I've been thinking...

Lately I've been thinking...

that maybe I need more broadminded, intelligent, humble people in my life to share all that I believe is rich - hikes in the woods, classical music concerts, travel, politics, books - rich stuff, not the small stuff.



Maybe it's time I shed my fear of "going for it".  Maybe I should give it a go at being/doing what my heart desires - photography.  Maybe I should follow what my father always said, "You know I've always thought you should be a photographer".

Maybe I can never have the character and goodness and intelligence of my father, but maybe his passing will make me try a little harder, in the hopes of maybe someday, coming close.

Maybe when the raw pain of losing the man I loved most in the world has dulled, I will rally to celebrate his memory by enriching and actualizing and celebrating the very best of what I can be.

And maybe that is the biggest tribute I can pay my father.



And in the end, that will be the greatest gift he gave me.

Dad, I will miss and honor and love you til the day I die

.