a puppy named Po

The other morning, after I dropped my daughter off at school, I saw a little dog with a pushed in nose out on the sidewalk. As he had tags, and there was no person

in sight, I figured he had no business being out on his own. So I pulled over and spoke to him about it. At first, he just yelled at me, like it was my fault for interrupting his adventure, but eventually he came to see my point and let me take a look at his tags. The voice mail box for the phone number I called was full and so I took him to what I thought was his home. Turns out it was across the street from his home but these neighbors told me that he's out all the time and he's going to get run over. So I take Po - that's his name - down to the police department. They recognize him as a repeat offender and advise me to take him up to a bed and breakfast for puppies that holds onto them until their owners collect them. So I did. Oh Po!
I told them to call me if he didn't get collected. And I haven't heard from them.
Next puppy story: this morning I am getting out of the car at my place and there's tagless puppy scampering along the sidewalk outside my door! I said "Hey! Who're you?" He came on over. As it was raining, I scooped him up, resolving to keep him warm and dry until we figured out who he belonged to. Then some gardeners came along and said that he was a neighbor's dog who they'd accidently let out of the yard. By that time I'd put the puppy inside my home, to the delight of my 2 year old. "Puppy!" he shrieked happily. At that point my husband stepped in. "Give them back the puppy." he said. "They need to put him back." I sighed and said "OK."

My husband then asked me if I wanted another dog. I denied it. Intellectually I don't want another dog. But if someone were to, say, toss a puppy my way...
well...
I'd have to catch it. Wouldn't I?

Twas the night before Easter

Twas the night before Easter when all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,not even a mouse.
The locks were all locked on our doors for the night, in hopes that the perps would remain out of sight.
With me in my T shirt and Pa in his cap, we'd just settled down for our chips and dip snack.
Then out our front door there arose such a clatter, we sprang from our couch to see what was the matter.
When what to our wondering eyes should appear, but seven police officers in full riot gear!
"Put down the sword!" They commanded respect. Then they brandished their guns, for added effect.
Our neighbor's response was lost in the clatter, of our shutting door as we jumped back from matter.
Our curiosity quickened, we rushed to the kitchen,
peered out the window to catch the infraction.

Our once laid back neighbor insistant, unyeilding, refused to put down the sword he was wielding.
We knew in a moment, he was in it quite deep. As rubber bullets flew, he fell to the street.
Then soft the police to the crumpled man drew. Cuffed him, rebuffed him, told him what to do.
"To the squad car." they said as he moaned for relief. They brooked no dissent and pulled him to his feet.
But I heard them call out ere they withdrew from sight:

"Happy Easter to All, y'all have a better night!"

anniversary

Yesterday marked one year without my dear friend Margie. I must admit that I resent the fact that she had other close friends, though they came in handy when we gathered together in the afternoon. If she had not been so important to so many, well, it would have been just me... sitting there at her kitchen table, chuckling to myself over unshared anecdotes.

question

This afternoon at lunch, my four year old posed this question: "Mommy. What does hope have to do with edemame beans?"
I answered as honestly as I could: "I don't know honey."

Yes!!!!

I can share pictures again!!! Woooooo Hooooo!!!!!!

and happiness landed on my nose

I have been working so hard to make things work. I figure if I'm diligent enough, then happiness will be mine. For the last couple of days, I have been feeling like I just wanted to go home. And when I refer to home, I am referring to the apartment I shared with my cocker spaniel in LA before I met my husband. At that time in my life, I could go home and be off duty. If I didn't answer the phone or the door, nobody could ask anything of me. Now, home is my workspace and my job is 24/7. I must confess, last night as my husband and I were watching TV after the kids were in bed, I felt the urge to wrap up our date and go home. Long date. Ten years. Time to call it a night and go home to feed Bean and take her out. Then watch TV... by myself. Check my fridge for my foods. Have a bath in my clean bathtub. Get into my bed. Go to sleep until I wake up on my own. Call up my friends and meet up for brunch.

I did end up getting a good night's sleep. Then today the snow began to fall. Our house was warm and cozy. The children played with crayons and puzzles and my husband was up in his office working. Then I realized that one of my dreams when I lived alone in the land of unrelenting sun and concrete had come true. And this evening my husband ventured out into the snow to bring us back sushi for dinner. Which is another dream come to fruition.

This is our universe, can you comprehend it VIDEO