Angry Birds!

When I purchased my iPad for the PattySue book, I thought about putting Angry Birds on it. But since the iPad was supposed to be for Christmas, I wasn't allowed to download it.

Christmas morning, Angry Birds appeared on my iPad. After I played one or two games, Diana took the iPad from me. She showed my sister how to play Angry Birds. I didn't see my iPad again for days. Between Diana and Katie, it was in constant use.

Katie left on Tuesday with Angry Birds downloaded onto her phone. I still haven't seen my iPad. Now Diana is playing the game most of the time. She has nearly completed the first level - called Poached Eggs. I have maybe conquered three or four games; the remaining sixty have been played and "three-starred" by Katie and Di.

I know that doesn't prevent me from continuing to try each game . . . but I am going to have to wait for Di to return to Texas before I even attempt it.

Teaching Bella Bad Habits!

Bella has been staying with us for Christmas, and I have tried very hard not to let her learn bad habits. But she seems to be at the stage where those things are becoming harder not to let her do. For example, I know she isn't allowed on the upstairs couch at home. But try keeping her off ours. Not possible. Let me show you why:

Sepia:

Bella:

She even learned the "legs hanging off the couch" pose.

I don't think Bella is allowed in the dishwasher either. But my dogs? Well, consider them the pre-wash cycle.

Babs and Sepia:

Bella:

Bella especially liked the butter from the Christmas artichokes!

I think she learned the art of cuddling from Sepia:

Bella:

I hope Bella's owners don't mind that she has learned some new habits.

Merry Christmas from Europe!

Last year we were in Europe for Christmas. The decorations were very special and beautiful. Here are a few to brighten Christmas for all.

An arrangement in Greece.

Innsbruck.

Athens

Advent wreath in Rothenberg, Germany.

A winter scene in Salzburg.

The horses await riders in Rothenberg, Germany.

O Holy Night!

From our house, where luminarias appear every Christmas Eve (at least when it isn't raining, snowing, or blowing), to yours . . .

May you have the most blessed Christmas ever.

A Cure for Heartbreak

There's no better way to ease the pain of heartbreak than to borrow someone's young dog for awhile. That's why we have Bella for a few days.

This morning, after she went outside and I went back to bed, she decided to join me. (Sorry, Susan and Rick.) But she didn't just join me. She wedged herself right next to me in the crook of my knees - just like Sepia used to do. It was so comfortable . . . and warm. We slept that way about an hour. I don't know what Bella thought, but I loved it.

Then later today, she taught herself to fetch. She seems to like Sepia's cow hooves. Standing near the stairs, she would flip the hoof down the stairs and then run down to get it. Back up the stairs; flip the hoof; run down the stairs to get it. I always knew she was a smart dog, but this beats them all. We are hoping to get a video sometime.

So far she hasn't gotten in any trouble - she hasn't gotten stuck under the deck, she hasn't caught any rabbits. She does leap at the door, get on the couch to snuggle, keep Babs company, and go crazy when she sees us. The perfect cure for heartbreak.

Heartbreak

I really thought our Sepster would be with us a little longer, but it wasn't to be. By this morning (Monday) I knew he was not going to last many more days. He couldn't stand up very well, he teetered and fell frequently, and he couldn't get comfortable. As much as I was hoping he would leave us on his own, he was such a loyal dog, I knew he would hang on for several more days. He had a really rough night, and I couldn't prolong his misery.

Thankfully our vet stays open late on Mondays, so I arranged to bring Sepia in at 7:20 p.m. All day, Diana and I sat with him while he slept. We hugged him, we pet him, we picked him up and carried him around. We did our best to make his last hours the best they could be.

After dinner, Don, Diana, Joey (our nephew), and I took Sepia to the vet. Thankfully, they had a special room all set so we could say good bye to him. And he peacefully slipped away from us. It was terribly sad, but he is out of pain now. We will remember the way he used to turn around and kick us when he wanted attention, how he loved to go to McDonald's for dog bones, how he would lay in bed on his back for hours if we would scratch his tummy, how he would sit on my lap in the RV, how he would wait in the car for us all the time looking out the window for us, and how he loved to take walks. We won't forget our Sepia.

Now I am worried about Babs, his sister. Currently, she is just confused. I am hoping she handles the quiet. We will all miss Sepia, one of the sweetest dogs ever.

Last week with PattySue

Last week we had four adventures with PattySue. First, we went to Sunflower School in Lawrence to read to the well-behaved, cute Kindergarten classes there. My niece, Lily, and nephew, Will, are students at Sunflower, and I got to see them while we were there.

Then, we went to the Kansas Humane Society to read to the youngsters on Tot Tuesday. Martha, from the public television show Martha Speaks, was there, too, and she got to hold PattySue. I am not certain that PattySue thought it was a good idea.

On Wednesday we visited St. Peter Schulte school in Wichita and read to some wonderful kindergarten and first-graders. Then on Friday, we ventured to Wichita Montessori School to read to the Kindergarten through third graders.

All of the children loved seeing "the real" PattySue, and she was quite the engaging guest. There's a reason Kathy and I decided to write about her.

Her book can be found at www.pattysuestories.com.