My First Wordless Wednesday...

The Game of Fate

I believe in wishing on a falling star, heaven, dreams, and karma. What some call coincidence, destiny and kismet I really believe is fate when lives "accidentally" collide and change forever. I think this is what has happened to me so many times in my life. Over the last several months I've been trying to move in the direction of not being involved in the Golden Retriever Rescue. I've spent 10 years volunteering with them, and 4 of those years were as its president. But my life is changing, the rescue is changing, and I really feel that it's time for me to make my exit. Its truly been a life changing experience for us. I tell everyone that "rescue has broken my heart and touched my soul." Of course we will always support the effort of rescue. I would never turn my back on a dog (or any other animal) that needed help or needed someone.

Having said that, it of course goes without saying that I feel a responsibility to find homes for our two foster boys, Maguire, and Hamlet. Some of you may recall Hamlet's story. Pictured in this paragraph, he is about 12-13 years old, and was left behind in the garage of a home that had been foreclosed on. Left without food or water he was very ill and unable to stand when I first saw him. I was asked if I could "just" pick him up and take him to a vets office where he could receive overnight care. This is where fate unexpectedly showed up. I just "happened" to be going over to where Hamlet was and where he needed to be taken was on my way home...Even my adamancy or determination to not take another foster dog could trump the card that fate had dealt. I was instantly smitten with Hamlet, and it didn't take long to decide that he had a place as a permanent member of our household.

Which brings me to Maguire...For some reason, he has been a bit more complicated. I've appreciated everyone's vote and support for him to remain with us. I've been under pressure lately with the rescue to find a home for him. They have helped in this effort by highlighting him on the website and featured him in the latest issue of the newsletter. Then you'll remember that couple in DC that applied to adopt from the rescue with Maguire specifically in mind. Well, their home-visit was completed this week and they have changed their mind about him because of his age--Fate quietly dealt me another card...Today I had Maguire at the vet for his yearly exam and he didn't want to leave my side to be taken for blood-work. When the vet-tech returned, Maguire couldn't get back to me fast enough. I don't really know "Tracy" that well but she joked that he was really attached to me, and asked if I was going to keep him--Was Fate, the dealer, asking me if I needed yet another card?

After the vet visit, Maguire and I drove to Wendy's and shared a cheeseburger and fries (I didn't share the Diet Coke!) and as I looked into Maguire's sweet-brown eyes, I told him what you and he have probably known all along, and that's that he would be staying with us. Fate has dealt me enough cards! I know that there are some that say I am "not playing with a full deck" and while I don't know if this is true or not, what I do know without a doubt, is that I am holding a full-house!

My Neck of the Woods

Today, I just thought I'd take you on a small tour of my neck of the woods--A couple of the pictures were taken in the fall, but most were taken today. Everything is not that pretty right now, but it'll give you an idea...

Lovettsville is not a big town...It's about 2 hours from Washington DC and almost an hour from Dulles Airport--I've no idea how many miles that is. In Northern Virginia everyone measures the distance to everything by how long it takes to get there in traffic. I don't know why, we just do. We're also very close to the Maryland border--This is the Potomac River this morning.
Lovettsville does have a few shops, a few places to eat, but no grocery store, which is what it really needs! The busiest place seems to be the 7-11 (below). A new post office is being built right in back of it. The current one is not open that often, so I wonder if the "new digs" will encourage the current postal workers to want to work more?

New homes are also being built. They seem a bit close together. I wonder why people would move all the way to Lovettsville and then live so close to their neighbors? That was why we moved here--To get away from all the people...Okay, and to have more room for the dogs.


We live just out of town on Mountain Road.

Mountain Road does have an old stone Methodist church that was built in the late 1800's. They always have the most interesting "thoughts" on their sign....One in the fall said "Fall Leaves, but Jesus Never Will." The one they have now (below) is a bit more direct.

Our road is home to several farms. We have cows that graze across the road from us and the peacocks and guineas sometimes wander into our yard.

This is our part of Mountain Road--You can barely see our driveway entrance on the left by the phone pole.

Below is the front and back of our house. We have two large fenced areas for the dogs, but we still take them for walks every day. We have a small two story barn too. I don't go in there much because it's the home to a couple of mice. I wanted them evicted and even bought the needed "items" to get rid of them, but Carl (husband) insisted that they be able to remain. We all know that they either invite their friends or make new ones, so when that happens, I will be able to gloat and say "I told you so."

Below is the view today from our front porch. We have a very laid back life that has given us the space we needed and the privacy I was craving. I love living in the country away from the rush of traffic and crowds of people. We feel very fortunate to live where we do...Life is good...Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunday-Snowman-Snippet

Okay, I just had to share this...For the last 20 years or so I've been collecting snowmen--I love everything snowman, snow-woman, snow-boy, girl, etc...Last year I started buying "Williraye" figurines. I LOVED the snowmen and started buying and bidding on them on eBay.

Around Christmas there was one in particular that caught my eye. I bid on it, and didn't win. I had a little bit of a chuckle a couple of weeks ago when I was unpacking some snowmen and saw that I'd forgotten that I had that exact figurine that I'd lost out on. Today I was putting away the very last of the Christmas decorations (I know, I'm a bit behind) and I pulled out a box, opened it, and guess what? Yes, it held that exact same figurine...I've absolutely no idea when I bought it since I don't even remember getting the first one! At least my taste is consistent!! But maybe this also explains why we have so many of the "same" dog; I just keep forgetting that I already have one--or two or three or...