She Looks Much Too Young To Have Been Married THAT Long!

Kari and her husband Randey just had a wedding anniversary. I am late as usual but I kept the wish toasty warm. Happy Anniversary to you both. May you love for a long, oh so long time to come. If you have yet to meet Kari, do yourself a huge favor and go introduce yourself. She is witty and funny, smart and pretty and a real fire cracker of a lady. Happy Anniversary and happiness always.

Yo Dudes, It's Frozen Custard Time Again...

...and me, Kipper, lives for this stuff Dude. It's like this. I told my Mom. So Dude, you should let me tell this story 'cause I am all about ice cream and Dog Nite and she was all like you think you can and I was like yeah Dude so she said give it a go. This is the old man who took us there and he had the money and the car so I let him come. Hey Dude! There's my man Rebel. Like *haylo* Reb old buddy. Be with ya in a mo. Come ON sheesh. Could you people be any slower!!?? But then hey. Ritter's custard cream is so worth waiting on. You see? It is like this. Ritter's has this frozen custard kinda ice cream and it is so good and the first some day or other of some month or other they have Dog Nite. They give all the dogs free cups of the vanilla custard with dog bones in it and oh dude. It is chillin'. OOhhh...frozen custard headache. What's that Mom? I got some on my chin? Let me take care of that....did I get it? Can't let the ladies see me uncool. Let me introduce you to some of my dogs...this is Zsa Zsa, Yes, really. And she is really pretty and really prissy. She even wears jewelry 'cause she knows how special Dog Nite is. One of these days I just might give her my number....if I ever figure out what that means. Seriously. What does that mean? This is one of my new dogs...this is Skye. He was cool so I let him in the crowd. This is Jack...Hi Jack. Get it? HI Jack??? Funny huh?? We love that joke. Never fails to break up the kid. He is a good guy that Jack. From Australia you know. At least, maybe. He is an Australian Shepherd. But he doesn't seem to know Russell Crowe who is also from Australia 'cause my Mom asked him. Like 54 times she asked him. Sheesh Ma. This is my girl Pepper. Cute huh? Pep always wears the cutest collars and stuff. She is a real lady. Loves that custard too. My kinda girl. Hey Bully dude! Should I like get her number for ya? Could anyone explain what that means first? I mean, do I get her licence tag number? Chill Bully. I will get it dude. Now, here is Riley. Riley is very, very laid back. He is one very cool dude. He can eat a whole cuppa custard in one bite. I swear, I have seen it. I was all like Dude! And he was like Dude! And I was like Dude! It was seriously cool. This is Cooper or The Coop as we call him 'round Ritter's. He is only 2 but he is very much a dude. Knows his custard and likes it. Very dudey. Greta my girl!!! Good looker right? She is a regular 'round Ritter's and we all love her. Greta and Stanley do the meet and greet. This is Nova and Zsa Zsa doin' a little meet and greet action. Now we got the family. This is my Auntie Abby. She is like my very bestest friend in the world next to my old man. This is some of my crew...that is Abby with her Mommy, my Grandma, and my sissy, Grace. They got some custard too but they were selfish and didn't give me and Abby none of it. They said it was 'cause it was chocolate but I know it is 'cause they was hoggin' it for themselves. Hmpf. This gorgeous red head is Sweetie. Just like her name, she is one sweet girl. Look over here and show 'em how cute you are Sweetie! Thata girl. Now go back to eatin' your cream! Ah, here we have my main bud Rebel. He is waaaaaay cool and really knows how to respect me as the leader. I like that in a guy. Aw gee Reb. Like the sign says, "Only one cup to each dog". I am sorry dude only ONE! Pull yourself together! Gee this is embarrassin'! Chauncey!!! Man, I haven't seen you dude since like last November! How you been dude? Man that Andy and Pal. They scarfed down their cream and then spent some time checkin' out the ladies. Hey Fred!!! DUDE!!!! I didn't think you were gonna make it! I was on my out! Man it is good to see you! Huh? Naw, they ran outta cream 15 minutes ago dude. Aw Fred dude. Don't cry man. Get a grip bro. Okay dude. Go talk to Rebel dude. You two gotta work on this man. If you are so gonna run with the big dogs, ya gotta act like one. Do you see me sniveling over no more cream?? *pssst* Hey Mom? You DID get that extra pint for me to take home right?? Whew. For a second there I almost cried...I mean...um... That's it for me dudes. This whole social whirl and ice cream thing wears a dude out. Till next time...be real dudes.

Aha!

Edited: Hello everyone and thank you for your sweet comments. Lilly asked about paint color. This is Laura Ashley #5 purchased at Lowes. The chandy was a closeout from Lowes as well, purchased last year. The shades and cord cover came from Hobby Lobby. The rabbit tray (Just as wonderful as you think it is!) came from our own Penny at Lavender Hill Studio! ````` Hey there dear friends! Our Pamela over at "The Dust Will Wait" is the only one that caught my *deliberately* misspelled word!! Or, perhaps you thought it was truly a faux pas on my part? I mentioned that the dining room re do was achieved with "2 cans of pain" and I meant that literally!! The results are well worth it (which I can say now that it is over!) but using that deep burgundy in a satin finish was...was...well, let us just say it was not Heaven. Ahem. Nope. And even after using a tinted primer, covering up that rich navy blue was torture. What? You are asking if we are experienced painters?? (Okay, so pretend you asked that.) Hmm...what gave us away huh? That answer would be a resounding "NO, oh NO, Help us NO Stop us if we attempt to paint again NO " but it does look oh so gosh danged purty. Then there was the putting everything back where it belongs but only after weeding out and cleaning and polishing and, well, you get the idea. But it is done and my Billy did good. He was the one on the ladder painting around the crown moulding which, contrary to all the rumors, is not really a laugh inducing activity! Especially since he is married to this chubby blond who would drive him batty if there were burgundy paint anywhere on the white moulding. Can you imagine? She really is a battle ax I am telling you. Thank you for your very dear and generous comments about the room. Several of you asked if I put the pictures up in my files at HGTV's Rate My Space and that would be a yes. Yes with a cute little asterisk. Yes, but I was almost sorry I did. I was initially bombarded with bad ratings but hey. I know how many users there are. I have seen the ugly comments left for others so I am grateful not to have received many of those. Just a few *very average* and *Ehhh* ratings. Like it or not, *I* love my room re-do and phooey to those who do not. Hmpf. My home is not grand and will never cause anyone to lose consciousness from design delight (and we all know how painful that can be) but I think it is pretty swell. I will never be asked to host an HGTV show but heck. I know how to do a room on a budget, create a home from many a blank, dingy canvas (Just ask any military wife!) and do it all while belting out Broadway show tunes. When was the last time you heard Clive Pearse or Donna Freeman singing "Annie Get Your Gun"? Any takers? Hm? I thought so. And speaking of New York, and when am I NOT speaking of New York, thank you for providing me with some comfort as I grieved the fact I would not be at The New York Public Library last Monday for the Irish writer and theatrical producer Josephine Hart's poetry evening which was here in the United States for the first time. One Mr. Brian Dennehy was there to read and I was, quite sadly, not. *sniff* I am still suffering but I will put on my brave face. Brian would expect that. I have posted a photo from the library's web spaces that was taken Monday evening. Now, I have no idea who this Susie Q he is reading about could be but we all know it can NOT be moi. Poor Brian had to endure the night without me at his side but I am glad to see he persevered. Heck, he even wore a tie! I am really impressed!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q

Spring Re-Do

I am still looking for the right thing for this wall (above). I am doing my *shopping* inside my own cottage! I will find it, eventually!

A girl gets bored sometimes right? A little change of scenery does the trick even if that scenery change takes place entirely in her dining room! 2 cans of pain, new curtains and a re-arrange of special treasures made a big difference. I like it...until the next time I need a change! I want to thank Penny for inspiring me. I have seen photos of her beautiful home and loved the burgundy walls in a few spaces. I also purchased the ever so sweet rabbit tray from her shop! Thank you Penny! And thanks to Kathy as well. It was 2 of her precious hearts that helped make my decision! Her works are so dear! I hope you are all well. I am still catching up here and yes. I do have many other photos to share. I promise to have them up soon. I am visiting each of you as I can and do try to leave a comment or two! Please know how much each of you means to me. You are all blessings in my life.

Love and Hugs, Susie Q

Echoes....

...from the past beckoned to me as I turned down the dirt road and then onto the gravel drive. I parked the van, stepped out onto the weed choked parking path and pushed aside the rusted gate. The day fairly glowed with light which now lay at my feet in dappled shadows beneath the cross patch of dying tree limbs. I tightly closed my eyes, sighed and took a deep breath. I could smell the rich earth that once fed a generation of families and now simply muddies my canvas sneakers. The dried leaves left to hang in the trees rustled and I felt a warm breeze gently caress my pale, sun starved cheek. I opened my eyes in time to catch a large flock of crows take wing as this intruder neared their makeshift home. Their noisy protestations told me I was most unwelcome! I ventured toward the old beauty with careful, almost reverent steps. Then they came. There, near the warped and peeling front door, I heard them. Children's laughter flew at me in swirling waves, gliding in on the wind only to flow briskly by and then abruptly disappear. They came in mysterious bursts, each round more pronounced than the one previously. They had lived here, for years and years, each passing era brought more of them to this place. It was here they had lived, played and learned some of life's most painful and glorious lessons. This once was home. Now their voices are carried in the warm Spring breeze...echoes of youthful glee and whispered secrets.

Dogs Already Know...

~A Dog's Purpose ~ Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the Family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt As though Shane might learn something from the experience The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life --like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The Six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live Simply.

Speak Kindly.

Love generously.

Care deeply. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Enjoy every moment of every day...be good to yourselves and have a sweet weekend!

Love and hugs,

Susie Q

Poetry AND Mr. D

Throw in some chocolate and you have got yourself a party! How I wish I could just run up to my favorite city next Monday. Too bad, I have a hair appointment and a girl never cancels a hair appointment! *sigh* Life is SO unfair! ~Brian Dennehy in "Long Day's Journey Into Night"~ Dennehy and Strong to Read Frost and Lowell Poems at NY Public Library April 7 As Part Of National Poetry Month

By Adam Hetrick 03 Apr 2008

Actors Brian Dennehy and Mark Strong will read the poetry of American writers Robert Frost and Robert Lowell for the New York Public Library's Council of Conservators on April 7.

Dennehy and Strong will join Irish theater producer and writer Josephine Hart for the 7 PM evening of poetry. Hart, who has presented her British Library poetry readings to great acclaim in the U.K., brings the series to America for the first time. The program also celebrates the publication of Hart's book, "Catching Life by the Throat: How to Read a Poem and Why."

A 6:30 PM reception will precede the 7 PM readings. The Conservators Program, which directly supports the Library's Annual Fund, is a membership group of nearly 800 individuals.

Dennehy is a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actor's Guild Award, Tony Award and London stage Olivier Award winner for his performance in Death of a Salesman and also won the Tony Award for his performance in Long Day's Journey Into Night. He most recently appeared in the Public Theater staging of Richard Nelson's Conversations in Tusculum, and will head to Stratford Stage in a double bill of Hughie and Krapp's Last Tape.

Mark Strong, an Olivier nominee for the Donmar Warehouse staging of Twelfth Night, has appeared in the films "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day," "Sunshine," "Fever Pitch" and "Emma."

Welcome To The Poetry That Is April...

"The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day. When the sun is out and the wind is still, You're one month on in the middle of May. But if you so much as dare to speak, a cloud come over the sunlit arch, And wind comes off a frozen peak, And you're two months back in the middle of March." ~Robert Frost

April is National Poetry Month!

What is National Poetry Month? National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets as a month-long, national celebration of poetry. The concept was to increase the attention paid-by individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our poetic heritage, and to poetry books and magazines. In the end, we hoped to achieve an increase in the visibility, presence, and accessibility of poetry in our culture. National Poetry Month has been successful beyond all anticipation and has grown over the years into the largest literary celebration in the world.

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby. The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk. The rain makes running pools in the gutter. The rain plays a little sleep-song on our roof at night-- And I love the rain." ~ Langston Hughes

T. S. Eliot wrote, "April is the cruelest month." Let's hope that National Poetry Month lessens that effect!

I have been a bit neglectful about posting and visiting this week. I hope you will forgive me!

Grace has this week off from school and we have been enjoying ourselves. I have some pictures to share and will at the end of the week. I do want you to know that I think of each and every one of you so often, even when I am away from my computer.

I also want to thank dear Andi and sweet Debra for recently offering me the most wonderful awards.

As you may have noticed (or not!), I had to remove some of my sidebar and that also included the awards. For some reason, blogger would not behave with them there.

I am still trying to re-post with them added. If that fails, I will add a new blog page just for them. I feel they are an honor and a testament to how loving this blog community really is.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A Note From Brian...

Just a quick note...this is Brian Dennehy. I wanted to drop in here today and say hello and tell you about a fun new project I am beginning. I have been reading Susie's blog for a little while I must admit. My wife stumbled onto it about 6 months ago and we have enjoyed it, even when she gushes about me. Okay, ESPECIALLY when she gushes about me. Yes, yes, I am just kidding or I THINK I am. One thing I have seen very clearly here is how much she loves writing and photography. The girl LOVES it. She doesn't do too badly at either (And she is willing to work very cheaply!) so I have asked her (at my wife's prodding) to work with me on a little project. Oh yes, she is excited and yes. She made quite a spectacle of herself but I like women who aren't afraid to show their emotions. I'm Irish remember? I will let her fill you in on all the details but, until then, Susie has something to say to you all...go ahead Sue...tell them!

APRIL FOOL!!!!! Oh but poor Susie Q wishes it were so. Now, go out and play a little trick on someone you love. Happy April 1st. Happy birthday to one of the dearest people on Earth...George Ann O. in Florida! I hope you all forgive me for being full of silliness today! Love and Hugs, Susie Q

The Knit Knot Tree

Thank You Tree

Blessed be

This gentle tree

That patiently allows

The knitted swag of knotted loops

Upon it’s graceful bows.

A strange conceit

To dress a tree,

When in good time

It’s own sweet leaves

Will gown it with such splendor.

It’s not the dress

But the tree

That causes all the wonder.

Blessed be

This gentle tree.

~Nancy Mellon

Have you visited Jafabrit's Art, one of my blog links? Corrine is an amazingly talented artist with a huge heart, great wit and a bright spirit. She lives and works in a small community, one of our favorite towns, not too far from Rabbit Run Cottage. Corrine is one half of the wonderfully creative duo of Corrine and Nancy Mellon that began this project...an art project that makes people smile, feel dog gone good and, well, just brightens up a dreary day. Today was one of those gray, constant drizzle falling on my head, days but then the Knit Knot Tree provided Mom, Grace and me with a much needed ray of sun. This bright and happy project has been featured in newspapers and television and radio...and yes, even the BBC recently interviewed Corrine about the tree.

There is also more information about this project found here, a link on Corrine's blog site: Knit Knot Tree

From the AP Associated Press:

~Knitters Dress Up Trees for Public Art~

By JAMES HANNAH – Mar 10, 2008

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio (AP) — No, that's not a hallucination. That pear tree is wearing a sweater.

Wrapped around the trunk is a colorful, crazy-quilt skin made up of panels of yarn knitted individually by residents and visitors alike. Good-luck charms cling to the yarn. Family photos, poems and jokes peek out of knitted pockets.

The art project in this southwest Ohio village, already known for its offbeat art, has become a conversation piece and even a photo op.

"What takes this to a different level is it is a community thing," said Corrine Bayraktaroglu, an artist who helped start the "knitknot tree" project. "People are really, really enjoying it. They're coming from towns to have their photograph taken with the tree. They're adding stuff to the pockets."

Knitters around the U.S. are dressing trees, street signs, benches, door handles and other objects.

Last month, residents of Columbus, Ind., knitted cozies for 33 ornamental pear trees that line the city's main street. One tree, called the People Hugger, has knitted arms.

Knitted coverings are showing up on trees and doorknobs in Charleston, W.Va. In Houston, knitters have dressed up park benches, car antennas, telephone poles and beer bottles.

"It's fascinating what's going on in the knitting world," Bayraktaroglu said. "Graffiti street art is going to a whole different realm. It's gone beyond just painting on sides of buildings."

Artist Carol Hummel is among the pioneers. She crocheted a cozy for a tree in front of City Hall in Cleveland Heights several years ago. It took her 500 hours and the use of a hydraulic lift to dress the upper branches.

The cozy has survived several winters and even a swarm of cicadas, which left their molted skins clinging to the material.

"There are a lot of copycats now," Hummel said. "A lot of people are getting into putting things on the trees. That's cool."

In Yellow Springs, the first knitted panel — a gold piece with the words "Knitknot Tree" and a smiley face — went up in October. It wasn't until early February that more panels began to be added.

"Then it just took off like crazy," Bayraktaroglu said. "People were coming from out of town and adding their own knitting."

Artist Nancy Mellon said people love to come up and touch the tree, and children like to check out what's in the pockets.

"There was a man — while I was working on the tree — who walked by, and all he said was 'Thank you,'" Mellon said.

Other residents in this village about 15 miles east of Dayton also seem to like the dressed-up tree.

"It looks like Yellow Springs; it's unique, it's colorful, unpredictable," said Lynda Sirk. "It makes me smile. That's what I like."

The tree is vulnerable to the raised legs of passing pooches. Because of that, the panels of yarn don't extend all the way to ground level.

As the panels spread up the trunk, the knitters had to follow, first standing on a chair, then a three-step ladder, a 6-foot ladder and finally an 8-foot ladder. They finally decided they had gone high enough after someone suggested scaffolding and village officials began to worry about someone falling.

"The fear factor has kicked in," Mellon said.

The artists who started the project tentatively plan to remove the knitting on Arbor Day at the end of April and give away the pieces of yarn.

But Bayraktaroglu has some reservations about that.

"People get very attached," she said, "and I think they'll be mad at us if we cut it down."

This poem was also penned by Nancy Mellon

Grace wants to add something so we will be making another trip back to Yellow Springs soon. Listen for my yodeling as I drive into town Corrine! I hope you are all well and enjoying the week. May it be a sweet one for all of you!

Love and Hugs, Susie Q