I used to laugh...

I have been feeling happy today. It's strange to realize how unusual a feeling it is to be free of worry, or guilt, or anxiety. Libby was a catalyst for laughter. Once she gained confidence, she would show sudden outbursts of joy, that were unexpectedly hilarious from such a reserved and seemingly mature dog.
We came home from work at lunchtime today and Libby was very excited. There's an association between arriving home and dinner time, for sure, but Libby also loves the cat, and the cat comes to greet us every time we walk in the door.
Added to Libby being in good health, she's now more secure in her surroundings. The old girl zoomed around in circles, as though she had a fire in her caboose. In her eagerness to engage Slinkie, the cat,  in her madness, she playfully pawed her on the head. Between the dog's joy and the cat's disbelief, I was still laughing out loud when there was a knock at the door.
Libby's ride had arrived. Her first stage on a road trip to become a beach-bunny, and gentle companion to an older collie, down south near San Luis Obispo.
The lift I got from the laughter was as good as any much-lauded tonic could have provided. The sudden freedom to do something just for myself first led me clothes shopping, to the local mall, where bright colors and polkadots could not be resisted. It's been a long, long time since I shopped for fun. Then I switched my shoes for barn boots and visited with a few horse-friends of mine.
The days are getting longer and the Friday evening lesson will soon be reinstated. In addition, there's a new dressage-based lesson starting up on Sunday afternoons.
Libby's not the only one with things to look forward to.

An Unplanned Journey!

If you're going on an unplanned journey...

take along good people...

and, above all, take along a friend.

Pre-appendicitis Sunday beside the ocean.

Barbecue in competent hands. Roast Venison "Yum!"

The Artistic one doing his thing.

Lovely Daughter with Handsome Hubby and Young Enzo, the Standard Schnauzer.

View over the Flea Market on Saturday

These are not fake orchids!

There is a lot of competition at the orchid vendor's. 

When grown-ups get married

Going to a wedding is usually more of an obligation than a pleasure. These grown-up friends of ours were anything but boring. (Please note clown nose).

The ring bearer was very cute. His handler was under instructions to prevent him cocking his leg on The Dress.

The palm tree was decorated by a nesting Egret colony and a couple of well dressed party crashers snuck in.

Can you guess which one of the above is the Genuine French Chef?

Bride and groom donned blindfolds for competitive cake decorating. We suspect the groom of cheating. What do you think?



It wasn't all goofing around. There were some teary eyes when the bride arrived on her Uncle's arm to the sound of Celtic Thunder - A Bird Without Wings.