A Prayer for Dogs

Dear God,  Please let dog heaven be a place where pure puppy spirit fills old dogs with glee and energy and strength for old bones and muscles to run and leap, and blaze trails through forests and up streams, **** **** and dance once again.  Please, God, let dog heaven be a place where old dogs can dance. Please let…

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Apples of My Eye

Fall has arrived here in southern New England right on time and in glorious fashion, and this year without hurricanes or blizzards!  The trees have not changed yet but the crispy air, honking geese and brilliant blue sky are sure signs we will soon see the autumn foliage.     Although the leaves are still green my hydrangea bushes are changing…

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The Way Life Should Be

Most states have a slogan, or two. Several have been very successful and indeed took on lives of their own, such as Virginia is for Lovers or I Love NY, but one of my favorites is this one: “Maine.  The way life should be.” Ahhhh.  Yes.  I can feel the tension in my shoulders easing  and my breath exhaling  even as I…

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Miss Nellie Goes to Maine

It’s officially summer for another entire month, and that’s not something we take lightly here in New England.  We know that after the glorious autumn days leave, the brilliant, sparkling snows of winter will descend once again.   So, while I am in the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer mode,  Nellie has agreed to guest host my blog! Woof,…

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Pretty In Pink

Towering over my small table on the back deck is a glorious tree. For a few weeks each spring it bursts into blossom,  and sunlight streaming through the petals  casts a pink glow on everything around. From our two rear bedroom windows on the second floor  we see this every morning. Sitting underneath the spreading boughs  I can drift away…

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Love and Other Bugs

Everything was in place for a pretty meal — the kind where you have your best friends over for a few laughs, chit chat, and a low calorie salad followed by chocolate dessert.   My table was set with new plates, my best silver, and red glasses for sparkling water or a little bubbly.  My ruby red antique bowls were ready…

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Chili? Yes, Fireside!

Last night brought just enough snow and ice for the steep area of our backyard to become a perfect sledding hill. (just practicing with the new lens Santa left for me and I had to show off this shot 🙂 …)   Without all the trees that were lost to the recent hurricanes and blizzards the sledding is easier–no steering…

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A Picnic and a Giveaway

We know autumn is here when we make our annual trip to the northernmost reaches of New Hampshire, where the state bumps into Canada in an area whose national identity was still in dispute well into the 1800s. click here to read about The Republic of Indian Stream Here, the majestic Connecticut River starts as a spring on the Canadian…

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Shabby, Not Chic

A few weeks ago, when my sister wasn’t looking, I liberated these metal garden chairs from my parents’ basement.  I remember playing in my grandparents’ yard while my father and grandfather sat in them, under the trees at the end of the grass.   There were other dogs then ~~ three huge German Shepherds ~~ Mitzi, Bruno and Seta.  My…

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Three Cheers

Three cheers for the red, white and blue, for picnic baskets  and Mary too! I was preparing the deck for upcoming celebrations with the help of my furry personal assistant, when the doorbell rang. I knew something special was coming because I had recently heard from Mary that I was the winner of her fabulous “Home Is Where the Boat…

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