Sunny, new jobs and New Years?

Some of you will remember the adventure Sunny and I had two years ago on New Years day. I had just accepted a job at Glen Lake and had that hound dog, Lucas, for less than 2 weeks and Sunny comes up with some infection that has her not eating or drinking for 2 days, and eventually vomiting at the foot of my bed at 2am on New Years day. I fret til about 8:00 am and call emergency care where a wonderful vet, Dr. Peck (who kept calling Sunny "your friend") ultimately made her all better (of course, the final charge for all that was about $1200!)

Well, here it is two years later. I am about to start ANOTHER new job with the Traverse Bay Area ISD, it is almost New Years and I am out in the backyard shoveling snow with Lucas and Sunny playing happily. As I finish up, I see fresh blood in the snow! Yikes. I check the indestructible Lucas (cuz he can get beat up or torn up and never a peep!). Nope. He seems fit as a fiddle! Sunny, too, doesn't seem in pain or unhappy. But as I follow the trail, it is Sunny and her back paw is a-bleeding.

I get her in the house, on the floor, but she has got so much hair! I try to stop the bleeding, but it just keeps flowing. Shoot! Call emergency - no Dr. Peck - but a great office staff who say "bring her on in". They did have to sedate her, and keep her overnight (poor Lucas, he was a quite lost with no 'mama Sunny' to beat on!), but thankfully, no surgery.

She is home, resting but very perky. She has lost a nail - they are not sure it will 'grow' back. They told me this happens frequently with Golden Retrievers. Thankfully, we are only a few hundred dollars poorer for the adventure and, this time, New Years day is still ahead of us! I am amused with the timing - how many more years can I expect all this excitement and flurry of activity from Sunny Day, I wonder?

Trish, my trusty photographer, is gone for the weekend, so no photos of Sunny Day and her paw (covered with a zip lock bag!).

Maggie

Empire Heritage Days

How delightful that I get to live in place where I have such great memories from my summers here!

Empire Heritage Days always reminds me of my days as a young adult. The folks at the Empire Museum do a bang up job!




I always see the parents and relatives of my 'summer friends' at these events.
"Aunt Betty" (who was Mimi Brunet's Aunt, not mine!) and her second husband, Jack Bolton, Mimi's dad, Hank, and even the guy who repairs my snow blower and his wife were just a sampling of folks I had the chance to chat with. Then, in the old school house in the picture of my great uncle, John, who was once the Superintendent for the Empire School.





Even better, was running into Cliff Davis (father of 'summer friend', Debbie Davis). He gave my sister and I a tour of the graduating classes - so many of the names and faces were familiar.

Memories of my parents going to Friday night golf parties - at the beach or at 'THE club' flooded back. I suspect they were just about my age (now) when those gatherings took place.

But, even more interesting was the area in the museum where homage is being paid to the Dune Rides - before the Nat'l Park closed down the Dune Rides. I remember standing in line waiting with baited breath on who would be driving (oh, did I mention we had crushes on all the drivers?!). And there was the first time, I realized how scared I was of being too close to the edge when we stopped in a certain place on the Dunes. It certainly seemed like a lot of money to me at the time!





The cider was good, the company was good, but we didn't get any ice cream.





As always, Trish took great pics. By the way, that is NOT my laundry on the line!

Too Few...

Too few days with this kind of sun and warmth are left. Thanks to Trish, Lucas and Sunny have a record of what good dogs they have been while all the power and Internet outages have taken place. Someone once told me all they care about is their next meal - I don't believe that!



And, Geez, Lucas would chase that ball all day, if someone would just throw it for him - ALL day long.



And my sweet, sweet Sunny Day - I think Lucas has added a few more gray hairs to Sunny's mask, but she can (and does) give him a run for his money when she cares to correct him.



It is a day like this that reminds me I am living in a beautiful part of Michigan that would be hard to leave.

Power, Garage Doors and the Internet!

We had wind storm on Thursday night that left us without power for most of Friday. I had to laugh at the way my Dad responds to such things now. His first concern was all about how to get into his car and drive. I tried, to no avail, to get him to wait til the electricity came back on. Nope. He wanted coffee and a hot meal - and for the first ever in my life I learned he really didn't like the Friendly Tavern! Really??? As I think about this now, I think he was just didn't like feeling trapped - even if it was Empire! So, I trudged out to the garage, released the door and (thank god!) was able to lift that door (it a single, two car garage door!).

Bless his heart he wanted to eat at Monies in Honor - but I had to tell him it closed last year. So, he decided to try the Hungry Tummy in Beulah. No flies on him! Notice he never asked me to come along.....

So, he gets home and then I have to close the door. Wow! I did it. 6:05 pm the lights come back on and now I, somehow, need to get that darn door back on line - cuz Dad is planning on going to the Library Saturday morning. So, out I trudge. About 10 minutes later after looking at the opener from every different direction - I figure out how to get the chain to catch. Whew, I need nap.


Finally, I sit down to write and my wireless is blinking - and not a good blinking. After two days without home internet, I went to City Mac and they told me what to do to get it working again. Love my Mac and love City Mac in TC!

Fall ....ing into a routine

The summer offered a wonderful respite to the hustle and bustle of our little rural school district. First time in my adult life, I was able to spend the summer in Empire - sort of like I used to as child. I also didn't do any of the things on my list. While my sister-in-law's garden plot in the back of the house gave us a lovely bounty, I never got to the potato planting and my patio tomato plant never really got off the ground. Ah, well. Next year, I think. I need more of a plan - and a more focused work schedule that I need to learn to stick to.

So, school has started and I have a lot I could say about the State of Michigan and 'reporting' requirements. But, I would rather share great stories about our students. We have some seniors who are dually enrolled and I miss them! As expected, I am starting to learn more about those 'new' juniors and enjoying them as they test the waters of moving from whatever that 'thing' is that happens in 9th and 10th grade to actually having discussions with people like me! They are starting to see a life outside of themselves. Not all the time, mind you. But enough to make it all worth it.

The agenda for this year is big: website redesign and more focused library instruction for Elementary students and increasing educational technology in the classrooms.

I must admit I miss our student web team from last year and am still looking for help this year.

Lucas and Sunny are loving the cooler nights. And, so far, they have stayed porcupine free!

Onward! No pics this time.

Sunny and a Porcupine!

Into each doggie life a little "quill" must come. Sunny and Lucas had quite an adventure during their romp up in the orchard, yesterday. Well, Lucas came away just fine and dandy, but Sunny seems to have encountered the remnants of a porcupine. I say, remnants because she was NOT covered in quills.

As we made our way back to the car, Sunny the normally very compliant and well behaved dog was MIA. Lucas was panting to get in the car and I really had to "CALL OUT" to get Sunny's attention. She was pretty far off and came running, but stopped half way to chew on her foot. I was concerned, but she finally made to the car. At that point, I figured she had stepped in something and was licking it off.

When we got home, I grabbed a wash cloth and was preparing to clean her up. That was when I found 4 quills on her body. I was able to pull them out without much difficulty - she wasn't happy with me, by any means, but they were out. That was when I got to wondering about her paws. As I begin examining (with ever vigilant "Aunt Trish" nearby), each paw, I was relived, until..... yep, two quills stuck pretty deep between her little pads. Yikes!!

So, we all know I love Sunny, but I was NOT going to take her to Emergency unless she demonstrated some significant discomfort (Been there and I was not looking forward to spending another $1200 on Emergency care). Ok, let's be honest, IF she had been that uncomfortable - I would have said it was only money!

Luckily, she wasn't crying, whining or exhibiting any signs of discomfort, so I waited til today and got her into the lovely people at Oakwood Vet Hospital. By 2:30, Dr. Drew had removed two "quills stuck deeply between her pads" on her back left foot. They gave her drugs and she has pretty groggy tonight. She had a heck of a time getting into my CRV - needed my help.

What was really interesting was Lucas.... "where's 'mama sunny'?", 'where's the lady that feeds me?' 'where is everyone?''oh my, oh my'! I am not sure he has ever been left without me or Sunny since he came to live here. He was happy to see Sunny; Sunny less than thrilled to see Lucas.

Tonight, Sunny sleeps and Lucas is still waiting for someone to play with him!

Some Laphams visit

Just as Trish and I were headed to the lake (one with lots of whitecaps - more on that later!) on Sunday, Cousin Mary stopped in to say a few of Uncle Byron's children were coming over (from Houghton Lake) for a short visit. Trish and I have great memories of 'the twins' (Linda and Brenda). Like Cousin Mary, Linda and Brenda were very cool "older" teens when I was young (maybe about 6 or 7?). They were always so nice to us - at least to our face!



Even better, John Francis (the youngest of Bryon's children) was also coming. I was old enough to be John's babysitter (at least once or twice!). I was sorry that John's wife, Beth, was not part of the party. (I still remember her as great fun at the "Lapham" girls wedding shower for her - which was probably eons ago!). Their time here was too short and I hope now that Linda and her husband are living in Houghton Lake, we may have a chance to see them all more often!

As I was eating dinner tonight, I realized, my Grandma Lapham had 3 grandsons with the first name "John" (John Patrick [Uncle Harry and Aunt Margaret], John Francis [Uncle Bryon and Aunt Rose] and John [whoops don't know John's middle name from Uncle Johnny's family]). In addition, there were two Mike's and two Joe's. What is amazing is there weren't more Mary's in such a Catholic family!

So the Bacon side is not left out, Dad said, there were two children named George Samuel (a Bacon and a Schultz)! And they weren't even Catholic!


Oh, about those whitecaps on the lake... Turns out, on Sunday, the Coast Guard had a busy day in Frankfort. There is a pier and that undertow was pretty strong. I heard, on the news, today, that they had to 'help' several swimmers get their bearings.

Empire seems blessed with just the right kind of 'cove' that provides some protection from the most nasty of the undertow's. Although, my dad did say that when he was young (REALLY EONS ago!), the pilings from the logging days were tall enough to create some undertow issues at the 'first circle' (I guess folks these days call it 'the tear-drop!).

A more quiet weekend

This past week was spent with more time at work and thinking about work than the previous 'summer weeks'. Tried to begin painting Terry's porch - one look at my Facebook page tells you how LOOOOOOONNNNGGG this has taken me! That picture was LAST summer! Paint didn't look right - and now I know why - cuz it was a STAIN, not paint. Live and Learn.

The big summer auction was this weekend. I just love going and watching people and see the frenzy of bidding that can occur! I did come away with a leaded glass lamp for about $2.00. One of the Covairs (a car) went for just under $3,000. Amazing. This is the first time I have stayed that long. Next time, (FALL, I think) I'm going to go the day before to check it all out - I hear that's what the experts do.

Rain so needed and a trip to the vet to boot!

Wow, what a difference a few days can make. We were sadly lacking with water via mother nature but not so any longer. I've been putting off watering the front lawn and now - after a really nice soaking today, I think things will be 'green-ing' up all around. Just in time for a little more heat this weekend.

For my dog loving friends and family, it was wellness check up date for Sunny and Lucas today. I think I have always taken them in separately, so I experienced some 'sticker' shock when the receptionist said "that will be $356.00, please"! Yikes. Good thing I love those puppies!

Sunny, of course, came out of the room happy and bouncy - 'perfect' was the vet's only comment.

Lucas, sweet Lucas.... vet said shots were given, blood work was taken and samples were tested. However, vet suggested Lucas be given a Valium for his next wellness check up?!! My poor vet - and his tech - couldn't get Lucas on the table, couldn't check his ears or his belly - but they could check his paws and his teeth! Go figure. Vet said Lucas seemed more calm with the female technician, but "for his own comfort some type of sedation would be good". Ok, doc. Got the message.

Just look at this boy:



How sweet:

Anchor Day of 2010

As my sister would say, "it really doesn't get any better than this"! Lots of family around again this weekend, but all so worth it. Youngest niece, Mary, was here for her one lone Empire weekend for the summer. So, the whole family was in force, again. Golfing in the morning for (as my mom referred to them) 'the boys'. Dad is no longer playing golf - but loves hearing the stories upon 'the boys' return. Now, its up to Rusty, Mike and Terry with Patrick (my nephew) joining the ranks! They really do have so much fun.

We beached it again, but also had the parade to schedule around. The young boys, Mary and I traversed to the beach to 'stake our claim' around 10:30 am (yes, morning!!!!). Patrick joined us for a while after golf. Sandi rounded us up around 12:30 for the parade at 1:00 -ish. Picture above is my dad waiting for the parade.





We had a record number of "politicos" - but I did not see Verg, Rick or Mike - can't imagine what kept them away?

Then, back to the beach til about 4:00 when we all just (well, the over 50 crowd) collapsed in a heap of yawning. Sandi made Mary's favorite and then those with their eyes still open had S'mores! Below is picture of the great nephews and Mary - no sunset, but their smiles offer up plenty of light!

2010 Summer 1st Major summer visit!

OMG! Catherine (1st born niece) came to visit this past weekend (July 10 - 14). I am attaching pictures that speak far better than me what a wonderful weekend we had. Cathy brought "her man", Brimm with her. Equally delightful was Brimm's son, Solo! Solo and great nephew Jack and Joel were the best of buddies. I must admit I find it hard to swallow how easily replaced I was as weekend playmate - but certainly understandable!

Brimm was the organizer for the Sand Castle City! But you will see he is also a juggler!

Cathy, Brimm, my brother Terry and his wife, Sandi and Brimm went on the Pierce Stocking drive with sister, Trish, the best Sleeping Bear 'cruise director' there is. Trish took the shot of the Grand Rapids Bacons and Texas Walkers!

No worries, though, we also hung out in the backyard playing (Well, the under 40 group played) soccer while the rest of of us watched. Cathy is goalie in one of these shots. Final shots are of Cathy with "Grandpa Bacon" (my dad). So sweet! And, Solo viewing Lake Michigan.

All in all, great weekend - can't wait for niece Mary to come next weekend!

Far to Long

It has been far too long since I posted on this site. Empire STILL calls me in so many ways - the beach, the sun, the backyard, my friend Bill's orchard. I am fortunate to have found my place - but I know I am still seeking balance - work, play, commute time, intellectual stimuli - I still struggle with that.