When A Man Loves A Woman - A Favorite Percy Sledge Song

In this case it's more like when your male dog loves a doll! I came across these old photos of my late dog Jake, that ninety-five pound dog that showed up in my yard and ruled my life for twelve years. He passed away in April 2009 and started me on my hunt for rescue dogs to fill my heart. His was a good death. I did not have to make the choice to put him down. Although he had no use of his hind legs for months following the death of my husband, he had a spirit that loved every moment he was here. Even when he couldn't walk and I lifted him with a rear end sling he was smiling. He loved the attention and he loved food. Love and food, two good reasons to smile. And this dog could smile. He left me when he was ready. You can read about Jake in my book, The Unfaithful Widow!

Selling on Ebay for years, both my dogs, Foxy and Jake, were used to being photographed for my bio page (ME page) on Ebay. I slipped a little vintage handmade Raggedy Ann doll by Jake one day, and I think they fell in love.

Back in 1988 I started a newsletter, RAGS, on collecting Raggedy Ann dolls. Owned and published it for thirteen years. I sold it to a newspaper owner in Arcola, the birthplace of Johnny Gruelle, the creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy. It is now called Rags Magazine and if you love Raggedy Ann click here and check it out.

These photos brought back so many memories. Made me think of that old song by Percy Sledge and I am humming it as I post, but I think I'm singing when a dog loves a doll.

Old Jake sure loved this doll.

Widow Lesson Learned: Love knows no boundaries!

Dreams Can Come True

I've always dreamed about owning a Harlequin Great Dane. Lucky for me that dream did not come true. But, even better, I have six wonderful dogs. I wonder if I added up all their weights if they would total what a Great Dane weighs? Never mind, I can't count that high on my fingers.

This month finds me following my writing dreams. I am working on my new book: Covered In Fur: Life With Dogs and I am going to start an online magazine on dogs. Pretty outrageous for the gal who doesn't know how to do a print ready PDF. But I have some great helpers!

Trying to find a new Print On Demand Company made me a little crazy. I wanted to try something new for my dog book, something a little easier and lots of fun. I found CreateSpace, an Amazon Company. I have already started the process and am working hard on the book of my dreams. You know how much I love dogs and this book will be a great gift item and a tool for helping my favorite animal rescue groups. I am wagging my tail doing something this fun.

While checking on how to get my book in the works I found a great company ePaperFlip that converts your PDF to an online magazine where you flip pages. I hope to have my magazine online and ready to read, hmm, flip through, by December lst.  I'll keep you posted on this one. A big challenge for the technically challenged.

I like to dream big. The worst that can happen is that I learn something new. My brain spins at night thinking of things I want to create. It does leave me tired in the mornings, but then I have the dogs to get me out of bed!

Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Sleep tight! Tomorrow is another day for something great to happen!

Widow Lesson Learned: It is better to dream of great things and work hard to see what happens then to sit on your butt and eat potato chips. However, I have found that eating chips while you sit and dream is totally acceptable.




Dancing Merengue Dog! Move Over Usher, I'm In Love

Just when I thought Usher had all the moves I like in dancing, a book publishing/writer friend, Michael Marcus (his blog Book Making) sent me this YouTube video on the Dancing Merengue Dog. If you haven't seen it yet, you gotta watch this. ( Direct Link to it in case you want to share with your friends!). Or watch it below.

I love this dog, but I love a man who can teach a dog to dance like this. Where are you, Oh So Mr. Right? (I'm stealing that phrase from my friend Eliza from Silver & Grace who uses that one for her man!)

The most enchanting few moments you'll watch. I can never go back to Dancing With The Stars, not when I've seen the Dancing Merengue Dog!




Widow Lesson Learned: OMG, Dancing Merengue Dog. Never to late to teach an old dog new tricks. I'm putting on my dancing shoes!

Happy As A Bird With A French Fry

Had a shopping moment. I've been working hard on marketing my book and suddenly I decided I wanted something different for the day. Something to make me happy, happier than I was, since working on my book keeps me feeling groovy (oh, am I showing my age with that word?)For me, that is either adopting dogs or buying turquoise jewelry. The house is full of dogs (yes, all my friends and family say amen to that) but I still have some room in my jewelry box. I went to a favorite website  Etsy to look for my old stand by, vintage turquoise bracelets.

As I was browsing the shops, I came across this little poster and loved it. How can you not smile reading it and how can you not want to be that happy little bird?

copyright Studio Mela

That little poster haulted my searching for turquoise, just for the moment. I contacted Shelli of Studio Mela on Etsy and asked if I could share her work with you. All her limited edition posters are so awe inspiring. Simple little sayings for a sweetly charmed life. Go check out her shop on Etsy and then check out her web page Lovely Little Life.  This is a gal after my own heart. Living life in positivity (a Shelli quote). Shelli lives her lovely life in Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota.

copyright Studio Mela

I know what makes me happy, but I am throwing that question out to you. What makes you as happy as a bird with a french fry?

Widow Lesson Learned: (But I knew this one already) It is the simple things in life that make life worthwhile. A little birdie told me this.

How Many Bras Does It Take To Make You Secure?

Recently the topic of bras has come up in my conversations. Two events prompted this.

First, my book. The story about my rescue dog stealing my only bra raised eyebrows. What, only one bra? Sadly, I had to admit it was true. At the time I only owned one. And my dog grabbed it as I was trying to dress for work. I did snatch it out of Bray's loving mouth, shook it out, then slipped it on. I was late for work and my excuse that my dog stole my bra did not impress my boss at the gift shop. However, it did make her snort.

A very reserved friend of mine finally read my book and I was worried what she might think about my dating stories. We knew each other well from the antique world, but she was not privy to my private life. And there in my book was everything I had done in the year following my husband's death.

She called me after she finished it. "I loved it. Just one thing shocked me."

I hunkered down worried what had stood out the most to surprise her.  "I almost hate to ask, what?"

"I can't believe you only own one bra!"

I laughed and then decided it was time to go shopping for another bra, maybe two.

Remember, I am the gal that shops at thrift stores, so an adventure to the mall was not my style. But I needed a plan of action. I called a good friend. "Want to go with me to find some bras?"

"I am so relieved you are buying a new bra." She did sound relieved. "I was afraid you were going to shop at the thrift store for one."

I spent $93 that day on two bras. It broke my heart. I wanted to wear the pretty lace one on the outside of my $4.49 designer blouse from The Last Chance Thrift Shop that I had bought the week before. Sad to spend more money on my undergarments than the smokin' hot top I got for nothing.

I thought I had the bra issue under control. I actually walked around straighter with my chest puffed out a bit. A crew from the county was trimming tree limbs in front of my house. I stood tall and sashayed down the driveway to pick up my mail and turned to eye a handsome male perched high in the truck.

"Morning." I smiled at him. I threw my shoulders back and proceeded to walk back up towards the house.

I heard a large limb crash to the ground and knew my bra was worth every dollar I'd paid for it. And to think, I still have another in my dresser.

The second time? If only I had my mind on walking on June 29th when I dashed into my kitchen and slid on the floor, dislocating my shoulder and tearing my rotator cuff. Suddenly the world of bras had a different meaning to me. I didn't feel sassy, I was desperate. How was I going to get on a bra wearing a sling?

So began my journey to find a front closure bra. Back to the mall where I only found one. It was made to hold up a battleship. Never saw so many clasps.I would have passed out trying to fasten them all. It was huge! I may have been in a sling, but I wanted my sexy back.

Next, I went online and found a front closure bra I could live with, maybe. Not so sexy, but I was sure it would be easier work with. I missed the boat on that one too. The straps and body were one piece and there was no give to stretch across my back. I got rid of it quickly. The next person who shops for a bra at Goodwill may just find mine, brand new with tags for 99 cents.

I finally pulled out a sexy, lacy, low cut underwire bra I had tucked away during my bra splurge earlier. I eased out of my sling, as I have to do to dress. I flipped the bra over, pulled it around my back til I could fasten the three hooks in front, then pulled it back around to the front. All with one hand! Slowly I slipped in my right arm and then the left arm, careful not to jostle my shoulder. Everything fell into place and with a tug of the right hand I was secure. I looked down and actually grinned. I looked hot in that bra.

I slipped on my shirt (one of many I had to purchase that buttoned down the front) and headed to the doctor for my first check-up after surgery. I decided that sometimes sexy works better.  The lower cuts on this bra made it so much easier to get in and I liked the fact a little lace peaked back at my doctor as he gently removed my stitches.

I love my new bras and, while I still have to do the backwards twirl to get myself dressed, I am working it well. I have extras if my dog steals one and my friends no longer lecture me on bra ownership! If only I had known this earlier.

Widow Lesson Learned:  Bras can lift your spirits as well as your.....well, never mind.

Lately I've Been Thinking About Shoes

This?

Or This?

I've been watching more TV than usual since my rotator cuff surgery. I lean back on the sofa, my big black sling rising like a phoenix from my side, a can of soda within reach, my little Chloe curled on my lap, five other dogs stretched over chairs and my feet propped up on a foot stool. I look at my feet and there are my cozy black canvas Mary Jane shoes tapping against each other.

I am bored watching yet another show. But I am resting my shoulder, arm and back since I have actually been out shopping and am in some discomfort from all the movement earlier in the day. I am not on pain meds, which may be why the current show I am watching is painful.

I am on the E network, where yet another young star is prancing down the red carpet in tall heels. You know those sexy, spike heels that are called *whoops* F/ME shoes. I haven't worn heels of any height in 15 years. Day after day they parade by in shoes that are so high I tremble they may trip and fall. How does anyone balance on those spikes?

I am watching the TV over my own pitiful, flat, comfy Mary Janes that are propped up on a footstool directly in my vision as I am slumped down on the couch. (Note: since slipping in the kitchen in my bare feet I  wear shoes at all times).

Now, not only my sling is making me feel sexless, I am worried my favorite shoes are dated or, perhaps, just leaving me dateless.

I love Mary Janes. That is all I wear most all the time. Canvas for casual, black for business, and silver for evening. I do wear flat ankle boots in winter. But still no heels.

Is there a man alive who will consider me hot in my Mary Janes? Then I think, is there a man alive who could make me want to wear heels? My answer, no. That may be why I sit at home with six dogs.

I think style can be expressed in many ways. Mine is casual, funky, a little cowgirl in the winter. I am never as cute dressed in my clothes as I feel. But it is how I feel that I like when I am dressed in things I love.

I shop at thrift stores and buy designer coats for $10. Perfect. I find long skirts, frilly T's, and vintage hip length jackets to wear over jeans for dress up. I bought a Coach bag for $16.

I love to layer jewelry, both vintage and newly made artist pieces. I am eagerly awaiting my Silver And Grace necklace from Eliza's Fire Collection called Heartbeat. A red gem that will accent layers of chunky turquoise necklaces.

No one will care what I wear that day, my jewelry will bedazzle them. My flat Mary Janes will keep me grounded under the weight of my jewelry. Bet I would topple over in spike heels and, well, tear my other rotator cuff. So Mary Janes seem appropriate yet again.

Another plus, not related to fashion -  I don't mind short men.

I do have a fantasy. I am in a flirty skirt, my legs are flawless, my heels shameless and men are dropping like flies when I walk pass them on the street. I step over each man carefully so I won't accidently pierce him with my spikes.

I think this reoccurring dream comes from a song I love by Kristy MacColl, In These Shoes. It was the song in the end credits for the movie Kinky Boots.



Widow Lesson Learned: It is better to walk tall in flats than to fall flat on your face trying to be something you are not.

Sybil After Surgery - Donate To AAR And Get Your Angel Wings

Sybil relaxing after surgery. Oh my, what a sweet girl.

An update from Debra at Animal Action Rescue:
Sybil's surgery took place Tuesday, August 3 at Northlake Veterinary Surgery. When I took her in and met with Dr. Greenwood the reality of the seriousness and risks of open heart surgery hit my like a ton of bricks. They have never seen me cry, but I was terrified. This sweet, loving little girl had totally won my heart, no pun intended. NVS is an awesome group and supplied me with hugs and tissues and suggested an early happy hour since I had a designated driver with me. They kept me updated throughout the day and I finally got the call that she survived. I picked her up and took her to our emergency vet (AECD) for observation that night. This little girl is a trooper and is doing great and recovering well at our vet, The Village Vets of Decatur! She is alert, eating well and gets very excited when she has a visitor. She is a staff favorite and they say it was a pleasure to take care of her because of her gentle and sweet nature. She will be seeing Dr. Greenwood tomorrow (Friday) and if he gives the ok, Sybil will be going to her foster home that evening. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the generous donations provided that saved Sybil's life. She is going to be a wonderful companion and family member when she is ready for her forever home, I only wish it would be with me. Unfortunately, I have too many "forever" foster dogs to provide her the life she so deserves!

My update:

Sybil is just one of many incredible dog stories from Animal Action Rescue. This group is dear to my heart as you know. My book signing and silent auction was dedicated to them. 100% of every penny that came in went directly to AAR. 

My book sales through August 20th will still go to AAR as mentioned in my previous post. (So far no one has taken me up on my offer, but Deb and gang I am still pitching for you.) Sybil has had her surgery but there is work to be done. So many dogs need care and homes.

Meet some of the AAR group in the photo from my book signing:

It is not to late to donate. You can still help another dog. Link to AAR Donate and make a Pay Pal donation of $16 and forward a copy of your receipt to me with your mailing address and I will send a copy of my book The Unfaithful Widow to you. Plenty of dog stories there to make you smile. Offer good through August 20th.

Not in the mood to read or spend $16?  Go to the same link and make a small donation and earn your Doggie Angel Wings. Let me know you've made a donation and I will post a list of Dog Angels the end of this month. A small donation can make a huge difference.

Contact me at bb-bjd@comcast.net .

 Widow Lesson Learned: A healthy heart begins with sharing with others.