routines...

Do you have certain routines in the morning?

When I'm not working, I have a few habits

Are these considered ritual?

Perhaps anything which is practiced on a regular basis would be.

I mean, my world doesn't fall apart if I can't or don't do them.

I guess that would be more of an O.C disorder....

but...

I must admit, I have a small list of simple comforts that bring me a little bit of joy each day.

The last few months since our cat Rueben has been ill, he's taken to curling up with us in bed.

For him, this is a bit unusual since he's not a real cuddly kind of cat.

More of a rebel rouser.

Anyway, after Tom goes to work at about 5:30 a.m, Rueben is usually found tucked into the space on the comforter, between my head and bent knees, in the space beside my belly,

Then it's Griffins turn to be 'invited' up.

The reason he waits till Tom has gone is that, well, he's just too big to fit up there when the two of us are in bed. (although he does try once in a while!)

We (cat, dog and myself) snooze there for another hour and a half or so.

Get up, let the chickens and goats out.

Then it's time for Griffins morning walk.

I must admit, there are days when this is not what I want to do, but once up and out...things are grand.

Summer mornings are always easier than wet January ones.

When we get home, it's feeding time for the animals. 

THEN I sit down for my mug...

I bought this monster mug in Dublin and sometimes it's full of my brewed coffee, other times it's a big cup of tea.

Twinnings makes a good batch.

Turn on the CBC radio show.

And finally before I set out to do other daily stuff, I sit down and catch up with all of you and your worlds.

It's my downtime before life takes over and the yang presides over the yin.

I believe these little habits are somewhat healthy for our souls.

It makes me feel balanced in a way.

Of course animals are a real gauge on routine and if things are out by half an hour or so 

they start to wonder "what's up?"

Today is Sunday and that's a day when I try not to make big plans.

It's a goof around kind of day. 

Catch up on a few chores, take the nieces and nephews for a walk, go visiting, that sort of thing.

...maybe have an adventure or two to tell the world!

Song for Friday...one for Julianna

This is my niece Julianna.

This weekend is her birthday and I'm dedicating this Pogues song to her.

The reason?

Every time I play this she goes BANANA'S!!

She absolutely loves this song.

When it comes on the player in the van, she yells...

"TURN IT UP AUNTIE KERRY!"

Kind of a strange song to send out to a little girl, but ,what can I say?

It makes her kick up her heels and laugh out loud.

Isn't that what birthdays are for?

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!

Have a fantastic weekend all!

The conversation...

( lines, graciously borrowed from "The Wind and the Willows")

As Mole gazed, something bright and small seemed to twinkle down in the heart of the hole,

vanished, then twinkled once more like a tiny star.

But it could hardly be a star in such an unlikely situation; and it was too glittering and small for a glow-worm.

Then as he looked, it winked at him, and so declared itself to be an eye;

and a small face began gradually to grow up around it, like a frame round a picture.

A brown little face, with whiskers.

 A grave round face, with the same twinkle in its eye that had first attracted his notice.

Small neat ears and thick silky hair.

It was the Water Rat!

Then the two animals stood and regarded each other cautiously.

"Hullo, Mole!" said the Water Rat.

"Hullo, Rat!" said the Mole.

....."I beg your pardon," said the Mole, pulling himself together with an effort.

"You must think me very rude; but all this is so new to me. 

So-this-is-a-River!"

"The River," corrected the Rat.

"And you really live by the river? What a jolly life!"

....."What lies over there?" asked the Mole, waving a paw towards a background of woodland that darkly framed the water-meadows on one side of the river.

"That? O, that's just the Wild Wood," said the Rat shortly.

"We don't go there very much, we river-bankers."

"And beyond the Wild Wood again?" Mole asked; 

"Where it's all blue and dim, and one sees what may be hills or perhaps they mayn't, and something like the smoke of towns, or is it only cloud drift?"

 "Beyond the Wild Wood come the Wide World," said the Rat.

"And that's something that doesn't matter, either to you or me.

I've never been there, and I'm never going, nor you either, if you've got any sense at all.

Don't ever refer to it again, please."

What I'm up to....

Coming soon to an etsy shop near you....

Crocodile implants.

Song for Friday...LOVLIES!

The other night we watched this movie...

...the subtitle is ...

"it's not what you know, it's what you believe"

So true.

A gorgeously filmed movie.

A movie which keeps you guessing.

Brilliant acting.

The soundtrack included the voice of Lisa Hannigan.

Another Angel voice.

Have a truly magical weekend and .................

BELIEVE!

Rain....

On wet days like this, I love to create...I have been playing with all of the fun editing toys on Picasa.

Or I will spend hours in the studio, needle felting, looking out at the weather.

Right now I am in the midst of crocodile dentistry...more on that later.

But I also get bundled up and take Griffin for a couple of walks.

I once heard an Irish saying that goes like this...

"there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes."

Having a dog keeps you in touch with the elements.

Gets you up and out of your hibernation.

Allows you to meditate on the world beyond the glass.

Some people loath the rain.

Maybe it's in my blood, growing up on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Maybe it goes back as far as my ancestors on the West Coast of Ireland.

Whatever it is, although it does get tiring after days on end,

there's something good about rain.

Allowing me to be quiet within.

Picking up strands of projects, set aside on a clear and warm day.

Time for catching up on letters which need writing (yes I still write the odd snail mail).

Deciding on which pot of delicious soup to try from a number of recipes...

And reminding myself that spring, officially, is exactly 8 weeks away!

All you need is love.

Imagine a dog who has never seen the out of doors...

A dog who has spent her life in a 2 X 4 crate to be bred...

A dog who wasn't even given a name.

Abused on many different levels.

Then you can imagine this girl...

She now has a name.

Emma.

Just over 4 years old.

My daughter and her boyfriend have taken to fostering her after she spent 4 years as a puppy mill.

Emma is part of a group of Jack Russell's in Ontario who are rescued, fostered and then adopted into homes.

She's still quite timid, but with time and patience Emma will one day have a normal life.

The Jack Russell Terrier Rescue Ontario group takes on dogs who have been ...

abandoned (quite literally thrown out into the street),

mistreated and abused.

Sometimes they are relinquished by their owners because of unforeseen tragedies and illness.

Jack Russell's are prime targets of the underworld of puppy mills.

They became quite popular through the media and were a 'trendy' dog to own.

Many people didn't realize what they were taking on and after getting to know the breed, had to give them up.

A lot of people don't realize the energy and intelligence of these dogs.

They do poorly in shelters because they need stimulation and exercise.

Many shelters are underfunded and cannot give these dogs what they need. 

Therefore, a high number of JRs end up going stir crazy,
develop behavioral problems and/or end up being euthanized.

By the JRTO organization, finding foster homes, they learn to be in the real world and socialize better.

Then, their chances of being adopted into a 'forever' home, are much greater.

Aja and Paul are working with Emma to ensure she receives the life she deserves.

I have known a few JRs and know that they are full of love for those willing and ready to receive it...

So, if you know of someone who is considering owning this breed, tell them to research and...

DO THEIR HOMEWORK!!

Also suggest to them to look into fostering or adopting a rescue JR.

For more info and education have a look here...

http://www.russellrescue.org/index.htm

In the meantime...Emma is doing well and winning over the hearts of those around her.

Her 2 other sisters have since been rescued from 4 years, breeding,  in 2 X 4 crates as well.

Modelling the new sweater.

Getting comfy on the couch.