Rosie Stories and Fun with Friends

 Rosie Stories: This morning  (7/17) Rosie and I had our longest (time-wise) walk ever! We ambled along at Rosie’s sniffing pace. We ran into Lynn and Bogey as they were turning the corner for home. Rosie insisted on walking them to the door and invite herself inside. We had a nice chat with Lynn and Tom and Rosie got her usual treats and attention from Tom. We headed home and R had a good roll on the grass along the way. Kurt, one of our other neighbors had chatted with us on a previous walk and invited us to stop by to see Norma (his wife) sometime, so we went to their door, R whined twice and the door was answered. R had been good at Lynn’s but here she had the zoomies and played rambunctiously with a toy. They got a real kick out of that as they had not seen that side of her. From there, we were almost home when Debby and Dave pull over for a quick chat. Debby opened her door and R was right there to get some loving. As we made our way home, one cyclist passed us for the 3^rd time and I told her we were still trying to get home! She acknowledged that we weren’t making much progress.

One day last week, we were starting our walk when Rosie stopped and looked at the house across the street. She stood for a minute, the front door opened and Deanna and Joe came out saying, “we thought Rosie wanted us to come out!” By this time R is bounding across the street to get her full attention. Needless to say, we have a very tolerant neighborhood to spoil Rosie this way. She does love people and I can’t tell you how much joy that brings me….and them, too. I think they feel good to be greeted with such pure affection.

Fun with Friends: It's been a busy and fun few weeks with friends beginning on July 23. Tippy, Keiran, and I went over to Beaufort to catch a little bit of the Water Festival. Unlike our plans for the concert, there was a light crowd and we got to browse the vendors comfortably and safely. Then we had a leisurely lunch outside at Plums. It was a very pleasant day and Rosie forgave be because Tippy and Keiran came inside to play with her before heading home!

Then on Thursday (7/29), Tippy and I met at Olive and Fig for the F-word. Again, it was pleasant enough to eat outside and we celebrated Tippy's good news, which I'll get to later.  We followed that by going to the local Farmers' Market. I picked up some peaches for my morning smoothie, Heirloom tomatoes (longing for a good sandwich!), and fresh corn! They have all contributed great flavor to my recent meals. It was a relaxing way to spend the day!

On the following Friday, Chris and I went for lunch in Savannah. Lynn and Tom were out of town so in their absence we decided to go for Indian food and, boy, were we pleasantly surprised! It was the best Indian food I have had in a long time (maybe since years ago when in England and Ann, Martin, the Snells, and I went for Indian food!). We shared our selections and just kept swooning and commenting on the flavors. This is a major discovery, and we learned that they have two restaurants with one being near the new Costco!!  But, before coming home we took in an interesting SCAD exhibit. Titled Bejeweled, all pieces were made of "reclaimed" jewelry from flea markets, thrift shops, etc. It really was a delight to browse and especially look at the detail. It was a very satisfying day, and I can't remember the last time I was in Savannah.

I've mentioned Tippy's good news, which followed two weeks of stress and anxiety! She went for her usual checkup at MUSC, feeling fine and dandy all the way. When the x-rays came back. there was an obvious change in her throat. The doctor recommended that she return for a biopsy, which she did at the earliest possible appointment. Even though it was a few days it seemed like an eternity. This was her third scare after two surgeries and it carries added weight and concern, as you might guess. She and Keiran had to be there at 5:30 AM for the biopsy and around 7:30 or 8 AM I received a call that everything looked good once they took a look inside. They did take snippets for the biopsy, but the interior did not look as the x-ray indicated! What a relief! I know how relieved I was and I can't begin to imagine how Tippy felt! That was worth celebrating! AND, the day we met for lunch, she had been to have the blood clots in her lungs checked and they were gone! Dissolved and gone!! Now I feel that we partners-in-crime can get up to no good with impunity! 

Everything else has been pretty typical - 

• My dishwasher broke and it took about two weeks to replace it (via American Home Shield). 
• We have had a few very hot days but by and large, it remains mild....and it's August!. We've had quite a few overcast days (I've almost gotten used to them!) and gotten so much rain that we are almost as green as the UK! 
• Lynn and Tom are back and our Pandemic Pals are getting together tomorrow night for dinner at Chow Daddy's. It'll be good to catch up. We are wondering how much longer we will be able to get together in restaurants with the Delta variant on the rise. I just find it so hard to believe - and sad - that there are so many citizens who do not believe what is happening before their very eyes! I guess if they are unwilling to protect themselves and their children, we can't expect them to be willing to protect the rest of society. I really feel that they have something basic to humanity missing in their makeup. It's beyond my ability to comprehend, and I can't pretend that what I know now about some family and acquaintances doesn't influence my opinion of them. It is very sad and while Biden is a tremendous improvement, we are not out of the woods yet! 

I can't leave you on that note, so I will show you Rosie in action. David called and wanted to come over for some Rosie time and this is usually what happens!

Please tell me I don't really sound like this!!

I hope this finds each of you doing well and staying safe. Take care and love to all.