Onward to June!

As I mentioned in my last post, Todd's family reunion ended much too soon.  Getting there late didn't help. But the Mom of "Todd's cousin, Daisy" had asked me if I'd like to stay her and her two (college aged) kids in a nearly 100 year old farmhouse they'd rented for the weekend.

~Todd hoping this isn't where he's sleeping!~

Of course I agreed, and enjoyed getting to know them a bit better.

~Early morning at the farm-house~ 

Back at home, we have welcomed a new foster kitty from the SPCA, named Charlie.  He was only supposed to be with us for a week. But he didn't like the family he was matched with, so that one week has now turned into two. He's afraid of the dogs, and so we're working on slow introductions to them.

This weekend marks the official start of summer, even though the weather has been cool and more spring like with rain and clouds every day.  I'm grateful that the hectic month of May is behind us. I'm also grateful that the circle of family has become a little wider at our house, and we've gotten to meet Molly and Charlie too.

~New Arrival in June, Molly~

Onward we go into June!

~Max!~

Settling Dust and a Rocky Creek Reunion

There has been dust blowing through my blog lately and I keep saying I'll get back to blogging when things settle down and the dust settles.  Then I saw this quote that reads in part,

"...you keep waiting for the dust to settle and then you realize this is it; the dust is your life going on..." 

I realized, that's what happening.  Life is going on as we settle into a new routine with Youngest Brother living with us. The dust will never settle the same again. But it has been a good change, and none of us have any regrets about those changes.  I know this is how it's meant to be and should be.

So thank you so much for sticking around even when I’ve been the worst blogger and not putting much attention into blogging.  It remains one of my goals and a priority to keep this blog going.  So for those of you that have stuck around when I’ve been the worst blogger, thank you! You are seriously the most loyal followers!  Your taking a moment to stop by,  leaving your thoughts and your friendship really mean so much to me!

So onto some news....  Last weekend, I packed up Todd and went to the Rocky Creek Scottie Reunion.

~A Scottie Angel on my shoulder for the drive~

This was our 3rd year that we've gone.

~A view of Rocky Creek Farm, Todd's birthplace~

It's great fun and always a chance to see friends, make new ones.    

~Todd, left, sharing a drink with family~

Rocky Creek Scotties has gone to Australia, and this year, two new family members from Australia came. One is the owner of Todd's nephew, and he has hopes of breeding Scotties in his corner of the world. And of course we always enjoy seeing Todd's Rocky Creek Mom, Lynn, pictured below.

All too soon, it was over and it was time to go.  Todd was really worn out afterwards, and ready for a nap.  

~Yes, that's a bow-tie on Todd~

Me, I wished I could have stayed longer.

But there is always next year.

~A barn at Rocky Creek~

While the Sun Shines

It has been a mostly wet and rainy weekend.

However, we have needed the rain and got quite a bit during the week that was pretty intense at times. Our weather men who keep up with these kinds of things had been saying we needed it because there was a deficit.

I'm not sure how much we've gotten.  But it was enough to get some great muddy paw-prints.

And to get the grass to grow

and the prettier of the weeds too.

Today the sun came out for just a little while, so we took advantage of being outside.  

~Jake~

Until the chilly wind and the dark clouds rolled back in.  Again.

It was nice while it lasted.

~Molly!~

Two Arrivals Settle In

I've been mentioning that we are in the midst of changes at our house, and the last of our changes (for now at least) arrived this past Sunday.

~On our road one day~

It all began last week when I was more than a little surprised by a visit from my oldest brother that lives nearly 900 miles (about 1450 kilometers) from me.  I had no idea that he was coming until he was nearly here. Oldest Brother is great fun, and he spent a couple of days with us, and then we were off on a road-trip to Kentucky.

Our trip to Kentucky was to help our youngest brother pack up all of his things to move here to Virginia.  Youngest Brother had been living alone (with Tubby the cat) in a small apartment since the passing of another brother and the sale of our parents home two years ago. With no one to rely on if needed in Kentucky, and with encouragement from myself, Oldest Brother, and Retired Brother, (who also lives here in Virginia), he decided to listen to his siblings, take a chance and come here.

~Packing up for the next chapter~ 

We have more than enough room, and with his new job not that far from us, he'll live with us for now.  Even though Youngest Brother is almost 15 years younger than me, we have always been close,  He and Carl get along really well too, which is why he's spent many vacations, etc., with us over the years.  My brothers and I, and of course Youngest Brother all agree that for him, living near family has more benefits than living alone more than 500 miles away.

~A stop on our way back to Virginia~

On the flip-side, there's our new arrival, Molly.  She's getting along very well with her new pack-mates, and is settling into her new routine.  I've taken to calling her "Molly Mouse" because of her smaller size, and because she's so quiet. I often find myself looking for her.  Outside, there are tail wags and she happily follows me around the yard. Her shyness is still evident, especially around Youngest Brother and Carl.  I have to wonder what her relationship has been with men that has made her hesitant and reluctant to be around them. Whatever has happened to make her feel that way, I'm hopeful we can figure it all out as we get to know this sweet little girl.

Molly Arrives at Golden Pines

I am just getting back from being out of town for a few days.  I'll tell you about it in my next post. Today I'd like to mark a new arrival and introduce you to Molly.

At 12 years old, she was turned over to the rescue along with another Golden named Kacee, who is 5 years old.  Both girls were given up because their owner no longer had the time for them because of additional work hours, and they wanted what was best for them both.  If possible, rescues will keep dogs that are bonded to one another, together.  However, Molly and Kacee were not and Kacee has gone to another foster home.

Because I was out of town, Molly had to spend a couple of days in boarding where unfortunately she developed stress colitis.  When I picked her up yesterday afternoon, she went right past me and to the door, letting us all know she was ready to leave!

When I got home with Molly, it was easy to see that she was nervous and unsure about what was happening to her.  I wanted to give her the chance to relax and so I let the other dogs look at her from the other side of the fence.

Molly's previous owners said that she is a bit shy by nature.  This meant that she wasn't very interested in the other dogs. But they are of course, very interested in her.

Of course Todd doesn't care or know anything about shyness, he really wanted to get to know the new girl.

Below is his reaction when she didn't notice him....

But Todd is right,  

We are all looking forward to getting to know Molly ...

and being part of her story. Welcome to Golden Pines, Molly!