Happiness is a Way of Travel and Not a Destination

Don't you love meeting new people? Today Elkie & I went to Costco, she needed dog food. I bought it! She did really well, and she has been meeting real live people lately. Getting practice. I, too, have made a couple of new friends. Surprisingly, during the election stint. One a nurse who works in rehap hospitals who is probably in early 50s. She and her hubby are doing a home remodel, and managing it themselves. Trish is interested in joining my Wine Guild, so I had the membership chair send her info. Think I will invite her to attend the next get together in October, then she could really 'get a taste' of the club. BYW - she is an old school Republican who believes in science and that poor people are not our enemy. She has had Covid - 19 twice.  The other lady is a retired 69 year old high school teacher. She worked at the Preuss School on the UCSD campus, minority students who show initiative to go on to college. She is tiny maybe 5 foot, with some health issues who

I d idn't even realize it was Labor Day weekend until a friend mentioned it Saturday night. A lot changes when one retires, and that's a good thing. Here is Elkie on 'strike'... Today I had planned to give blood at a mobile drive in my local shopping center. Iron rich blood, but my twice a year prolia injection for osteoporous is on the prohibitive list. One must wait 6 months, which for all practical purposes I can no longer give blood. Huge disappointment, so if my bone density test doesn't show improvement I will forgo future medications, stick to calcium and exercise. I am thinking that it is working though...my big fall was a real life test which I passed with only cuts and scrapes and bruises. Nothing broke.  I completed by poll worker training and report for set up the polls duty on Friday. Meanwhile, Elkie & go to the CCI Regional office for a training class tomorrow. Later I go in for an on-site interview at the San Diego Humane Society (2 hours) to fam

  A long time no posts, and no good excuse. I have lost all control of any schedule. Just meeting my appointments and volunteer commitments, as well as tending to raising CCI Puppy Elkie (who celebrates 1 year next week on the 9th) is absorbing ALL my time. OK - feeble attempt to make an excuse. Excited that I finally bought a new mattress. My old one is 25 years+. Total came to $2,098 but when it comes they will set up (haul up the stairs the box it comes it), put on the bed frame, put on the cover to protect the warranty, haul away the old one as well as any packing materials. I don't have an install date yet, maybe next week. My friend Ann recommended Casper and when she was here we went to the Casper store to try it out! I ended up with going to Macys just as she had done for the white glove service.  This is my friend Ann, we had such a good time when she was here....                                                                                                              

Flew up last Sunday the 25th to Portland. Met up with Judy and my nephew Jeff picked us up for the drive to Forest Grove where her sis Jill & BIL Barry live in this charming small town. Wishing I had more time, but Elkie is in heat and I am having to adjust our schedules accordingly. Elkie's 11 month today birthday...here is her birthday toy. This is a video but I forgot to save it as such.... Here are Judy & I in front of there house as we leave to return home on the 31st. More shots from Oregon and the Ruestle Winery where we stayed for 3 nights in their carriage house. 

Elkie turned 10 months on Thursday. She is my walking buddy and returns tonight for the next week. Pretty warm in San Diego right now, so I will need to walk early in the AM (not my usual thing) and after dark (which I have been doing already).  Her sister in Ohio, Evey just came into heat...oh boy. That can really but a cramp in the walking & socializing routine. Evey is not a 'happy camper'. So will Elkie soon follow? I hope not, but when it happens, it happens. Our little girl is growing up...here she is today at church with Vickie, her other Mom. Remembering when.... Me, in 10 months...how much have I changed? Easily 10 pounds heavier.   

 Hurrah, my Elkie is bathed and soft and smelling undog-like. She is hanging by me post-dinner as I write this. We went to Petco, as I can no longer handle the upstairs bath routine. This is better, plus they do the nails & ears. Another puppy expense. And we are set here until Wednesday instead of swapping today. Pissed me off, but I am not upset with Elkie. She's a love. And I am excited that my Wine Guild club is meeting in person again July 21st. Schug Winery is featured, I know nothing about them. Tastings have been virtual since last surge (November).    So nice to see people enjoying wine . A lovely spot in the Sonoma area. I love vineyards, having grown up on a farm with a vineyard of wine grapes that we sold to the local winery - Franzia. I used to 'ride' the tractor up the hill and down as a child. Later my Dad pulled out the vines, leveled and sold the sand and planted with more almonds. Bought a couple of whites last night at Von's Market. Decided I woul