Austin's travel tips.

Really run they till they fall over.

I know it's been a long time since I wrote, however, my human has hogged the blog. I decided the best thing I could do for all new travelers like I once was, is to put out a few tips.  My travels this summer made the dog I am today, confident, traveled, and yes loved by so many. 

1) Make sure you have your own bed, I don't see how humans can stand sleeping in someone else's bed.
2) Bring your own toys, just in case you need a little stress relief, you can chew and they don't care.
3) Choose your own suitcase. This way you can get all your treasures together when on the move.
4) Always keep an eye on your humans, if you haven't planted a chip in them, and you loose them, you will probably be very sad.
5) Be on your best behavior, act like you know what your human is saying. This gets them every time.
Last but by no means lacking in importance, play with your humans. One toy should be a ball. Tired is the answer to a great nap, always retrieve the ball till they are ready to quit.

I hope this helps all traveling dogs. Because of these tips, I am now the proud owner of two great humans. And the families we spent time with, think they are great trainers.  If only they knew.

Wag to you all.
Austin

Fall Harvest

Drool all you Northerners.

If you saw my pictures of my sisters tomatoes and mine, you realized how too much heat can ruin a great crop.  Well here's to my Minnesota family.  I just picked these yesterday and still have blossoms on the green beans.  I rule now.  John and I have learned a lot this summer on how heat can hinder growth as well as the short season in Minnesota.  Next year we will blow my sisters tomatoes away. Well easy to say because by next year my treat will be forgotten.

Moral of this story, gloat when you can.
Carol

Banana Surprise

A while back a friend gave me a jar of, get this, Banana Jam.  However this is a little cherry added for color. Being the big jam eater that I am I figured I had tasted it all. To say the least, it only took a minute to open it up and smother a piece of bread with it, but I digress.

I think my love for jam, jelly, or any thing sweet you can spread on bread started growing up where three things were always on the table at every meal.  These three things were bread, butter and jam.  I think it's from my German heritage.  But who really cares, a little sweet at every meal.  I think it made me sweeter. 

Jam is not only my favorite on toast every morning, but throughout the day.  I guess my favorite is bread, butter to seal the bread, jelly, lots of jelly, and a dill pickle thinly sliced the long way.  Be still my heart.  But there are other favorites that will probably chill you to the bone. But because this is my little slice of heaven I will tell list more.

Same two always, bread with butter to seal, and followed by some form of meat, yes I eat meat. Get over it. I love Salami, Balonia, and Braunschweiger. Yiks, I think I could come up with more, but I am watching what I eat.

But back to the Banana Jam. If you get a change and love jam, try it.  It's great.
Moral of this story is, when you think you tasted it all, there is something to look forward to.
Carol

Saying Goodbye

I could see this angel waiting for Charles.

Over the last few weeks, I observed my friend, Helen, and her family saying goodbye to their dad.  I was surprised how his last journey was so much like my mom's.  I saw how the family drew together to make him feel loved and safe, only looking for the better of his remaining days on earth. 

For them the nights and days of vigilance lasted longer than the time with my mom.  But the time is not as important as the love shown through the journey.  I felt as though her journey was connected to my journey, growing in God and love. 

My mom ask my sister-in-law Dar, "what should I say to Jesus when I see him". Dar drew deep in her soul and said "tell him you love him".  How simple this love, yet how hard it is for some to understand.

I write this for two reason, it brought back memories of my mom's last journey and how blessed I was to travel part way with her, and to highlight Helen and her family for making me know that there are other families so loving and compassionate. They are blessed to have each other.

Great peace came to Charles on Friday, he is well and happy, young and again with his wife. Don't you just love a great ending.

Carol

A tomato is not just a tomato.

John immediately noticed the tomato plant on my sisters deck. It was a potted tomato and had hundreds of tomatoes on it.  When ask how she was doing it, my sister said, lots of water. Let me tell you she must have been sweet talking to it. Water alone doesn't do it. 

We were sent home with about 15 tomatoes to eat.  Well let me tell you, after you see the pictures you will see the difference between mine, that were in the ground and hers, in the pot. 

My tomatoes

My sisters tomatoes

Her five foot plant. 

Embarrassing to say the least. I'm not going to talk about it anymore.  Wait till next year.

Love you sis
Carol

My heart is so sad.

My heart seem heavy tonight, tomorrow is 9/11 and I remember that day.  I pray for the families of those lost, those who did no wrong, they went to work. The firefighters, clergy, and police that didn't blink an eye and went in to save. 

Thank God for giving us the memory to never forget, to stand up and thank our military for their strength and service. And to thank God for our America. I will pray like never before. My heart hurts and my tears will fall, but I remain strong.

My thoughts on 9/10

No words, just an ah.

Stepping into the garden brings immediate peace.

This is the view from the back of the house.

Gazing ball only highlights the beauty of the flowers.

Where the heart is.

As we drove into my sisters driveway, I felt at peace with the end of our vacation.  The house was so welcoming, but for the people who lived in this house, they were even more welcoming.  My sister is the yard person.  My brother-in-law is truly a motor head, so each have their hobbies. 
For my sister, each step in the process of making their home beautiful, is thrilling and labor intensive.  But she seems to enjoy it.  We have more in common as we get older. Flowers, and greeting cards are the top two.  But as I said before, age seems less important as we grow older.  We are no longer big sister and baby sister, we are friends. 

We have always been miles apart, but our hearts have stayed close.  More pictures to come. This one picture doesn't show the beauty of her deck and garden.  Vacation soon to end, but for now, I will be with my sister, that little time will be well used. 

God Bless those who travel through my little world.
Carol

Go South Vacationers.

We had to leave the Brainerd Lakes Area and go south.  Six hours of farming land is something the eye never tires of. The small towns that dot the highway, bring you back to another time, maybe a slower time. However, the small towns buzz with activity.

One thing that takes my breath away are the wind power windmills.  They are hug and graceful.  Southern Minnesota has so many of these and every time we travel through there are more.  Cows graze under the calming woosh of the blades going around.  I always make my husband stop so I can take in the grace and soothing sound. 

We are on our way to my sisters, we will be welcome with a hug from her and my brother in law.  We will again eat and laugh.  Oh yes, also drink some too. But for now I want you to enjoy the picture of the windmills.

God Bless you all
Carol

This is for my brother.

Kristi wrote me and ask about the picture of us toasting to the wine maker, my brother Vern.  Well, the truth is that it's a little blurry. Hum, it might be because of the wine I had enjoyed through the night that made my hand shakier or maybe its just me. 

The group decided to toast my brother for the great wine he made and we shared with them.  To you brother. I love you.

Your little sister
Carol