My Week

This week is primarily Amber's Week.
Tuesday morning, after going to Powerworks, I took Amber to Lisa Schmit's In the Zone Agility class.  She did wonderful.  This is the first time I didn't need an interim goal with a bucket to go through 2 hoops but rather the whole course like the other dogs in class. 

I figure if this 93 year old woman with a cane can do agility, so can I.





 After dog training on Tuesday, I came home, walked the dogs, then got dressed for tours at the Lincoln Tomb by 1PM.  I stayed for the flag lowering ceremony that starts at 7PM.  The regular staff leaves at 5PM.  This was a special day because Gen Grant and Gen Sherman attended the Flag Lowering Ceremony.  Grant is too tall so he stooped down.

Other ladies from our Soldiers Aid Society.   Best photo opportunity has the sun in our face.

We were also fortunate with fair weather and the 33rd Regimental Band played before the ceremony.

Wednesday evening I went to the Veterans Assistance Commission meeting.  I'm the secretary.

Thursday evening I went to the Civil War Round table and we had a great guest speaker named Randy who discussed his Civil War photography collection.

Saturday morning I headed out to the Champaign-Urbana Dog Club for AKC rally trials.  I paid for four trials:  2 on Saturday and 2 on Sunday.  Since three successful trials/legs mean a title, I had an extra test should one be disqualified.  If I did pass the first three, I could take the Advanced Rally trial with nothing to loose.  I hadn't really practiced that level but once.  

Oh and here's a funny: The judge looked at my dog puzzled because the secretary wrote down Boston terrier instead of border terrier.   We smiled and the secretary scratched in a correction.

I got our AKC Intermediate Rally title (1st score, 74, second score 89, third score 90).  Since I had paid for 4 trials, and passed the first 3 for title, I bumped up to Advanced Rally at the end of Sunday.  Shari stayed to watch which made me glad to have her witness as my mentor.  It was Amber's first time off leash and a jump was added.  I had only experimented with that once before.  Amber has a tendency to go turbo running around the ring sometimes and that was my fear going off leash.  I've seen others before me have dogs heading for the nearby gate after the jump and that had me concerned with Amber's freedom runs. Turned out to be our highest score of the weekend (94) but our sole competition in class was absent.  I thought I was competing with everyone on the yellow sheet with different height jumps!  So when it came time to hand out awards, he called 310 (I wasn't sure he meant me because of my hearing impediment).  I looked around and said "who me?".  He wasn't kidding when he said we were in a class by ourselves. I was shocked.  I was proud because of all we went through and still feeling we deserved this.  I don't think Amber was doing the advanced rally crisp but she did perform ALL signs.  I couldn't see her trailing behind me so I really wish I had that video.

Amber tends to keep a nose to the ground whereas others focus on the handler's face a lot more.  I practiced playing "leave it" during our down time but it's a fun game to her.  During the trial is still hard for her to resist.

We got a 4th place ribbon for the first trial with a score of 74.  Notice the sheet that has 3 NQs (non-qualified).  That bumped me up in placement so it's not really brag worthy.
        


She got a 4th place ribbon our of 4 that qualified. Note our number is 310 with a rather low score.  In the afternoon, we had a good step forward with a score of 89 for her second trial.  I got a qualify for the second trial with a score of 89 but no ribbon placement. You can see why in this illustration.  Number 210 passed in the previous beginner trial and asked to be bumped up to intermediate.   Look at this...three of them tied with scores of 98!

I returned Sunday morning after going to church and made it in time for our group to trial.  It's an hour and a half drive.  This time we got a score of 90 and got our Intermediate Rally Title.  I immediately went to the secretary to bump up the next level since I paid for that 4th trial.

  Only 2 in our class and the other was absent so we got a blue ribbon.  I really think a 94 is really good for not practicing at this level.  It wasn't crisp but it wasn't a miss.  I really can't believe we did this off leash.  Especially seeing dogs headed for the gate after that jump near the gate.  Whew!  I was given advice in advance to just keep talking to her and that helped a lot.  Amber tends to keep a nose to the ground where the others focus on their handler's face.  I sometimes think we're in the wrong specialty with that nose of hers.

 Amber and her first trial in the Advanced Rally earned her a blue ribbon that is too big for her to wear on her collar.

I once felt no connection to her on a leash. I thought I was walking a wild racoon or something. Then she clicked.   I really have to thank the members of the Capitol Canine Training Club for all their support.  I really didn't know much about dog training a year ago.  I still have a long way to go.  AKC rules seem to get more complicated going up the ladder. I'd been pushing hard and it would be nice to slow down a bit.   I want to keep the practice going but slow a little on the trials and focus more on therapy dogs.  Either way, I needed to understand this process.

I came home and got Amber a plain burger from Steak N Shake.  I had a specialty burger.  I hadn't had a burger in so long so I thought it would be a treat but it was too rich for my sissy stomach.    Sean was still doing laundry and I showed him all the ribbons.  Sean said Sophie was love sick and lonely when opened my house to do laundry.

It's nice to know that my little dogs have a purpose.
Here comes the rain.

My Week

Here's an interesting angle:  Last Sunday's Gospel was about being a good neighbor.  Many associated this Gospel with illegal immigration.
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/071419.cfm
 I contend that these illegals are sinners because of the blatant disregard for the commandment that says thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.  It's one thing to come across someone in need but there are groups of Americans that are going out of their way to bring people here and instructing them to use terms like "asylum".

I watched Benji.  I don't think I ever did watch it but since Amber resembles Benji, I ought to be familiar with the movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQl6G61JKk4

Tuesday morning, after exercise class, I took Amber to Lisa Schmit's groundwork class.  Amber did pretty good.  This was the deep thought for the day:

Then I came home, walked the dogs and then went to the Lincoln Tomb.  It was a special day because it was also the "death day" for Mary.  Someone said that I look like I'm floating.

 The last 2 weeks, the cannon didn't go off but it did this week.  Lee honors the flag after performing the duties of his post.

Wednesday I went to Powerworks and we had a group photo.  The parking lot was crowded.  I asked Traci about the form correction my sister told me last week regarding arm across to open the shoulder blade and adding a slight core twist to it.  She said that was fine as long as the arm is across the chest first.  Afterward, a representative from Core Life gave out samples of beet lemonade and ginger honey lemonade.

Amber did the rally course Wednesday off leash and made me proud.  I had my doubts because of her wandering nose causing her to break focus on healing.  I tried this because she needed to do a jump and that's hard on a leash.  I knew she could do the jump because she can jump in my car which is higher than the jump bar.  The challenge  was when she tried to walk around the jump instead of over.  Once she caught on it was better.  

 When I left the club, there was a big rain storm.  The following day the heat.  HEAT ADVISORY!
Thursday was hot.  I took Sophie to the nursing home and then later took the dogs to see a Bella, a 7 yr old granddaughter to one of my neighbors.  I'd been concerned about Amber's reaction to children.  Sometimes she's shy and sometime nonchalant.  It went well.  I gave Bella treats to ration out to the dogs.

Friday I went to the dentist for  a cleaning...no biggie.

I got a call that Amber's Trick Dog title may be invalid due to a complication with the evaluator's license being revoked. We took the test on July 13. I mailed the paperwork on July 15. The evaluator called July 19 to inform me that she had received a letter on July 15 that her credential / license was revoked on July 5 due to a complaint from some other testing she evaluated in confirmation. She later called and said to go ahead and submit the paperwork (too late...already mailed).    (I too noticed a lax item in the evaluator's test that failed to have a child present).  Amber was the veterinarian for a shot and got doctor to sign health papers for the other test she took by the same evaluator for therapy dog.  While in the waiting room, A man was there with is non-verbal autistic son and chihuahua.  I asked the boy to pet Amber. The boy took my arm and put my hand on the dog to pet Amber indirectly like a puppet.  This was good exposure for upcoming visits and I think it went well.

Amber got a new toy from Chewy and she seems to like the card it was attached to.

 My veterinarian thought she looked like President Trump.

In the evening I took Amber to our club's ring ready practice.  I was proud of her.  She especially did a perfect recall.  We were also celebrating Pixie's first birthday and all dogs got a treat bag.  I worry about Sophie getting lax on the requirements for TDI as she gets older. I took her in the yard for recall and she just laid there staring. Wouldn’t budge for a hot dog . When i said let’s go inside, then she moved.

Sunday Alan got a miter saw via Craigslist.  I met him in Elkhart in-case it didn't fit in his car but it did fit when the seat went down.   Sean did his normal laundry.  This is a good Sunday because I hugged both of my sons.

I took Amber to Powerworks Kids program. I needed to give her exposure to our youth since I don't have any children around my house. It turned out to be a fun experience after Amber sniffed around the environment. Amber did tricks and the kids were given treats so that Amber would approach them. I enjoyed watching this happen. It made my day to see a good thing.

My Week

Tuesday morning Amber did well in class too. She went thru the hoop and tunnel. On the downside, she had a sugar rush run around at turbo speed.

Then I went to the Lincoln Tomb after Amber's class. I gave tours up until the Flag Lowering ceremony.   I was assigned as the floater position this week and bumped upon the scheduled to master of ceremonies.
 
I came home, walked the dogs, loaded the car for an early morning trip to New Glarus, WI with my sisters.  Before we left,  we texted about last minute packing.  Mine was something like "just throw some clean panties in a bag".  Another was don't forget your toothbrush.  When we arrived, Patty forgot panties.  Ha ha ha!  We went to find a Family Dollar store for panties and low and behold there was a Duluth Trading Outlet Store next to it.  They had panties and I needed a sports bra.  I also tried on some nice pocket pants but not quite a fit.

We stayed in the guest room above Kennedy’s Ice Cream and Grill.  Patty arrived with some sort of poison spots from weeding her yard.  She said it didn't itch but she had to wear long sleeves and use a special soap.

We visited a local brewery~  the New Glarus Brewing Co.  We bought a bracelet for the beer tasting.

Thursday morning we went for an hour walk on the trail after making breakfast.  In the afternoon, we spent an hour swimming at the community pool in the park across the way.  I was the only sister that dunked and got her hair wet.  I was the only one that did laps and went down the slide.  My sisters just bobbed up and down in the water.  Before exercising, we went to a winery since the place is not open real late ~ Bailey's Run

This is Bailey:

We went to WERQ fitness by Nichole.

https://www.facebook.com/werqNewGlarus/
We stopped at a pharmacy and had some nice things for 75% off.  I fell in love with a nice necklace.

In the evening we shared a chicken taco pizza.
Friday morning we wanted to make the most of the last bit of time together.  We went to see the covered bridge.  It was quite a hike and the signs were not very good.  I thought we were on the wrong path but just when we were about to tire out, there it was.

 This could have been a real nice photo of us together if Patty hadn't put 2 fingers up.

 Ginny crossing the covered bridge.

On the way back we looked for a traditional stop for a rummage sale.  There were many on the way to the bridge but none coming back so we stopped at the one in New Glarus.  It was a small sale but I did get a hall runner.  Few blocks away there was a Swiss History Village.

Mrs Fridolin Tschudi Shop keeper.  I learned more about the history of New Glarus here:
https://www.swisshistoricalvillage.org/new-glarus-history-timeline

Meat and smoke house.

The printing office:

 I was intrigued with this back basket since I have a willow basket for reenacting.

We all stood behind this vintage fire car.

The vintage corn sheller

Civil War era printing press.

The old church.  The gravestones are original but there are no bodies in the village.

Typical farmhouse display

At the entrance to the museum:

Traditional Swiss dress

Potato planter

We felt it good idea to patronize the Kennedy's Ice Cream and sandwich shop before we left.  I had a salmon burger. Ginny had a black bean burger and let me sample it.  That would have been my second choice.  Yum.  Here we are in front of the snack bar sitting on the cow bench.   I'm wearing my Hayward, WI sport shirt that says established in 1953.

I had an enjoyable time with my sisters.  Although they seemed to spar a bunch on who had the most steps on the fitbit....a game I don't play.  I'm just thankful to be alive and move period.

On the way back, I nearly passed up a sign in Freeport to the  Lincoln-Douglas Debate site and quickly turned back lest I regret it.  It was right next to Union Dairy so I felt I needed a cone since I was in their parking lot.

 The statues are in the shade so they don't show up very well.

 Notice the sign on the left is for an upcoming reenactment of the debate Aug 24, 2019 at 6PM.  (We know that Lincoln didn't grow a beard until after he was elected president when little Grace Bedell said he'd look more comely if he grew a beard)

On my way back I picked up my dogs, Amber and Sophie, in Peoria and saw some of Alan's projects.  He shared this video with me of Amber playing with a tethered rope.  I guess I need to get one.

I arrived home low on fuel and wanted to go straight to the gas station that I knew I'd get a discount and a car wash.  That made it 6:50 and I still had time to get to the Capitol Canine Training Club for 7PM practice.  Here I am waiting my turn with Amber and Sophie is in one of the kennels left side along the wall.  We are all intensely watching. 

Saturday morning, Amber took the therapy dog test this morning and novice trick dog test.  We passed but there's paperwork for both before it's official.  I screwed up 2 forms but the 3rd was a charm.   First, I only had a pencil and it needed to be in pen.  Then I used one of my address labels and that was wrong and had to be redone.  I was told it was a legal document.

Amber's Rally Novice certificate came in the mail on Saturday.

Ginny said she should start saving up for next year's get together.  She said her trip was funded with her "chicken money" and haircuts.

I close this week's blog with a meaningful video: I was so deeply moved by this that I think I'll share and re-watch from time to time. Hope you feel the same way.