The first night back from my trip, the dogs created a ruckus. Amber didn't want Sophie to come to bed. She got selfish and fought over ME. Sophie was dragged into a self defense fight. Poor Sophie went to the vet for her one good eye. Seems I had to pull
Amber and Sophie apart from a dog fight and Sophie got eye trauma and
now has antibiotic. Her behavior is like a blind dog but Dr Kirk thinks
she'll recover from an eye laceration. I got a bite mark pulling them
apart in the dark so I don't know who's tooth got me. CHANGES WILL BE
MADE!
Sunday Backstage with Manheim Steamroller. Great performance to get ready for the season. I was lucky to have a pass for this photo opportunity. Only a select few got in for this. One came and had their photo taken with a flip phone. Gee!
Tuesday morning I took Amber to another session of Agility with Lisa Schmitt. Many of the classmates have young dogs and now Amber has become the demonstration dog before we take our turns. She still needs to get a turbo run around before she focuses on the task.
Wednesday morning I had a dermatology appointment to get some spots on my face looked at. I am fair skinned and blue eyed so I'm susceptible to skin cancer. I've had 2 basil cell melanoma's removed in the past. If these spots are just age related, then it would be just vanity. If they are something to be concerned about, then the appointment is important. Well the PA said they are pre-cancer so he used liquid nitrogen on them and a follow up in August.
In the evening I went to the Interveterans council meeting. Poor turn out.
Thursday evening I took Amber to her Agility class. Friday I took Amber to the nursing home to do tricks for the residents. They were amazed. I've been putting together some of her trick videos because I get bored with the same tricks. Dogs do not get bored with the repetition. Here's what I have so far. https://ivetret.blogspot.com/2019/11/trick-dog.html
Friday afternoon, I took Amber to the nursing home to perform tricks for the residents. She sure brought a few smiles. That made me feel like the major goal of her adoption is achieved. Meanwhile my fellow dog club members seem to be getting all sorts of titles that we don't have like "barn hunt" and "nose work". I do believe all these agility classes we've been taking should have a goal. So I've enrolled Amber in NADAC Jumpers on Dec 6 in Delavan, IL. I took Sophie to Ring Ready obedience on Friday to see how she'd do. I usually take Amber since she's been to trials. Sophie didn't too bad. I never took Sophie on a figure eight and this was a bit mediocre but then Sophie does have sight problems. Funny thing was the "sit for examination". She rolled over for a belly rub. It's what she does as a therapy dog.
Saturday I got 4 new windows on the house. That took up most of my morning. Seems like the new windows leave a narrow window sill. I won't be able to put the blinds up. Curtains are ok. The living room looks newer especially since the dark curtains are down. I may just be looking for a lighter color curtain for the living room and a sheer won't do in the guest bedroom. That sheer was fine with blinds but not by itself. Maybe I won't have to put up plastic over the windows to stay warm. I had time in the afternoon around 3PM to go see the Memorial Festival of Trees. The theme was Jingle Bells and Seashells.
A train went around the gingerbread houses.
They had a cute skating rink that slid with socks instead of skates.
This is just to show how big it is.
Sunday morning I wore my tiara to Mass. It was the feast of Christ the King.The weather was nice yet unpredictable so I had to get the leaves picked up. I took my Toro into the shop for maintenance since it wouldn't start despite being on the charger. That means I had to use my back up, corded electric mower. Leaves are off the lawn and in leaf bags. Two rows and the bagger is full.
Stop n go. Meanwhile, neighbors are taking advantage of the weather to put up Christmas decorations.
I ordered the coat rack that I had been wanting for the doorway. I had wanted something similar since my sister's weekend because there was a similar one in the room where we stayed. I often walk the dogs and need a sit area for boots. I often have to dump my coat on the floor. I need an open area because of the air vent location to place this. I had been watching this for awhile but I didn't want it delivered while on vacation. I had too much on my plate earlier so glad I waited for a Black Friday sale. This is really better timing since the weather is getting colder.
In the spring, I drag grass clippings in the house. In the fall I get leaves in the house.
One of the drugs I had a prescription for, zantac/ranitidine.was recalled. I hadn't used it in awhile because it didn't do anything. I returned what I had to the County Market at Fairhills for their drug turn in.
My Jesus figure fell off the wall when the windows were installed. I glued his foot back on and the metal hanger ring on his back and put him back up. He fell again. The foot that I glued was still there but his other foot and arm were broken now. :(
We have a big one just like this in church and He seems so welcoming because of his resurrection.
Wine and a memory.
I found a new pair of New Balance shoes at the Goodwill that were never worn for like $5. Here they are next to my $160 mall shoes. Improvement!
I picked this inflatable Christmas puppy at the Salvation Army. It will take up less space than my big plastic Nativity set. A dog really describes my year too.
I had dinner Sunday at Texas Roadhouse since their charity for the day was Honor Flight. So I got the special of the day.
Monday I had my massage at Terra Bella Spa. She is pregnant and I think I may try someone else soon. She really helped me with my neck pain.
I was struggling with Amber and the basket ball trick till I saw this trash bin basket at Menards. What a great transition to other disciplines. Soon she'll be an all star player. My first reaction seeing this in Menards was "who would want that?" I turned around and looked again not knowing this would work but for under $5 what did I have to loose.
Now she is good at basketball
Airplane around my arms as a wings on a plane
Pull the wagon
eventually litter in the step can
Not sure which level it is to unroll a yoga mat.
Amber picked up on "paws up" to the shopping cart real fast.
Amber is learning to push a cart. This is an Ekorre child's walker cart
from Ikea that I've modified with a soft handlebar. I like the fact
that there are screws to tighten the tension without a slick push away
and scare Amber from trying it again. It is weighted with a couple of
cans of dog food to practice grocery shopping.
"walk the dog" (similar to pull the wagon) I need to retake this. It's in slow mo. I thought that instead of using her mouth to pull the dog, she needs to just get used to it following so I put it on her collar.
rainbow ladder
say your prayers
finish left/front/behind
skateboard
Go in a box ~ Go table and turn on top of the box
tap light
wave bye bye
Jump through a Hoop
INTERMEDIATE TRICKS
Amber is learning to "beg". Also known as "sit pretty". This took a
little bit of balancing on her part but the finished product looks
really cute.
Play Dead
(she can do this ..video forthcoming)
Pull a wagon (in the works)
Wave Good Bye (she can do this)
Amber barrel racing (go around)
Amber's
barrel racing (AKA "go around") works well with a kitchen trash bin but
lately I've upped it to using a walker. There's more possibility for
mistakes with a walker as you can see. She will try to take a shortcut.
This trick is great interaction for seniors using wheel chairs. She
knows it. She just cheats! Notice that frustrated "Grr" on the last
one. 🐾
NOVICE
Her first trick was assigned by our beginner obedience instructor in Aug 2018. We were to spell her name out in biscuits and have her nearby without stealing the mini-bones using the "leave it" command for 10 long seconds.
Learning to pull a wagon with a scarf to grab
Halloween Paws on a pumpkin at Pawsitive training zone.
Push the coin in the piggy bank at Pawsitive Zone
Amber crawl under chairs.
Amber sit, down, stand, front and behind
Amber plays Piano
Amber walks on a board
Paws feet on a bucket
Amber shake and High 5
Amber Stop Sit
Amber goes in a box.
Amber can carry a basket a short distance:
Amber Kennel up:
Amber touching a light:
earlier version of the light trick
Amber conquers the wobble board with ease. Ah, remembering the first time and her fear of the sound.
11/21/19 agility class
On a ramp
Amber on teeter with a leash
Amber on teeter without a leash
This was the hardest. Partly for me because of the dance move. I really need a shadow dance this more. This is only a clip of the success after many frustrating attempts and Amber not paying attention.
My Golden Frontier Trip to Portugal ~ Duro River Cruise
Olah
Briefly put: wine, olives, river, almonds
We left Chatham at 6AM and met up with other travelers once we got to St Louis, including our guide from Golden Frontier, Craig Simoneaux
and his wife Jodie
On the flight from St Louis to Philadelphia, someone was in my assigned seat, Lucky me. I was reassigned to a seat in first class (the short trip tho). I got a little teasing by the rest in the group "aren't you special" and "they had to shift the weight in the plane".
We had a real long layover in Madrid...9 hours. Do a selfie with with the Davis Cup
They had ham on the hoof.
Once we got to Porto, Portugal, we got on our ship, The Duro Splendour. It is one of 3 similar ships. Our luggage went to our room by our porter while we were greeted in the lounge with a glass of orange juice. Our dinners on the ship arrived with white gloves!!! When we return from an excursion, we are greeted with a damp, scented towel and an orange juice by the staff.
I was assigned room 205 with Paula.
The lock on time lapse video:
The ship docked at Pinhaou while we were having Mass. Our Saint of the Day was Charles Borromeo. After Mass, Paula and I went on an excursion, I for a glass of local wine at "The Writers Place"
and she for gifts for family. She bought 5 Portuguese table cloths and because I was with her, she threw in a thimble for both of us. Here's the photos from the Pinao train station on TripAdvisor.
After dinner we had a demonstration of how to open a vintage port wine. This is not an actual video but I never knew about this tong thing.
Tuesday we went to Vega De Terron (boarder Portugal -Spain). The Duro Splendour could go no farther up the Duro River so we moored there and took the bus on the excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. We had hearing devises called "whispers" so our guide could talk to us away from the bus's microphone. We were greeted there with samples of various flavored almonds and even a glass of wine.
I walked all over the village looking for this pillar that was used for announcements and also public punishment and I found it just before we left for the bus. I pretty much got my exercise in and I was walking right around it too. As you can see, the buildings hid it a bit.
Seems many statues of Mary have real donated hair.
Here's my selfie on the steep walk way
We were told on the bus that we would be greeted with an almond sample and to only take one. However, there were samples of many different flavors. We even had a sample glass (not a sip like some wine tastings) wine that seemed to have an almond flavor to it. Here I am standing in front of the souvenir shop with lots of articles made of cork.
A house that says casa Roza. Paula took this. I had to add my hand for a little contrast in the silhouette.
When we got to the bus, I wasn't late at all. It was here that I pulled out my "flat Lincoln" by an 1864 graveyard.
We had free time in the morning before lunch to tour the cathedral. This is because of siesta time in the afternoon. Here we are at the shell house. See link. The Interior photos that we saw on our walking tour with our Spanish guide (Locals are required by law to have a local guide so our Portuguese guide had to step aside)
Since it was November, there was a display for "Day of the Dead" Inside the Shell House
This is the ceiling inside the shell house stairway.
Our guide showed us this influence entrance to an old building of the 3 religions, Christian, Jewish and Muslim influence.
Inside the old cathedral for 5 Euros. It's medieval. Note that on the exterior rebuild column, there's a devil with an ice cream cone and an astronaut from the 1980s reconstruction influence (see photos on line above.
Chapel of Solitude
We had lunch and flamingo dancing then a walking tour.
This manor house is best known for the image that appears on Mateus Rosé bottle.
Since so many were photo bombing, I decided to choose someone I know ~ Wanda.
This is my selfie taken on the steps down to the lower gardens.
This Matese house/garden is where they get the shape for the famous port wine from this region because of the semi submerged female statue in the reflection pool.
See photos here since we couldn't go inside. It was also raining. http://en.roteirododouro.com/heritage/mateus-palace
On Friday, Nov 8, the captain had open small group appointments to see the bridge. That evening we had a special "captain's dinner".
Nov 8
Friday we went by bus to Lamego to see the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remédios, (remedies) built in 1750. It is believed that the Virgin Mary fed baby Jesus her holy milk and know to have remedies. We had Mass there. There 638 steps but I only counted 606 coming down.
Fr John celebrated Mass here.
Then I went to the Lamego Museum which had old artifacts of the Cistercean Order
This is st John the Evangelist.
These are reproduction nets with waves in the background.
This is a 13th Century statue of St Peter in the museum made from carved chestnut. Church of Saint Pedro de Balsemao in Lamego.
In the afternoon (2:30), I was on a group appointment tour of the captain's bridge while we were enroute to see the screens and panels and talk to our "sailor". Paula asked for a selfie.
Nov 9
We got to see Porto, with the help of Paula and her uber app, we went to see the I visited Livraria Lello in Porto. Place they filmed Harry Potter.
We had a nice fancy evening at Quinta Da Pacheca.
Nov 10
We stopped at the Coumbra University and toured the old old old university. Years ago, students were wealthy and the locals took advantage of this. Students then wore these robes to identify them as a protected class. When our bus arrived, we were approached by students selling pens, pencils and magnets to help with tuition.
Here are some photos of the old museum on campus.
The ceiling
This room was a waiting room for students lined with old photos of chancellors
These 2 photos were taken in the old library before I was told it was forbidden. I thought it just meant "no flash" photos. There's supposed to be bats there but they are sleeping during the day. Very dark inside.
Statue in the courtyard.
This was our local guide showing us the student jail. Chancellors would be able to punish roudy or drunk students within the confines of the campus anywhere from 3 days to 3 weeks. If still bad, then the student would be chained to these steps in the nude like this. My guide looked at me and said thank you for taking my picture like this. His nave is Tiago Boavida.
We had lunch and I bought a gold handmade shawl that was made in Viana do Castelo.
It was 75 Euros so not cheap but quality. Not something made in China.
Then we stopped at Fatima for only an hour and a half. Some on the bus were British on and extended tour from the Duro Splendour which didn't go straight back after the cruise so the trip was no-so tailor-made for our pilgrimage. It was Sunday so those not affiliated with Golden Frontier got to shop and tour the chapels and we barely had time to use the facilities and have Mass. But it was nice to see Fr Alan Hunter and Fr John Nolan (our pastor) con-celebrate Mass with the Portugese priest.
The local priest welcomed the American pilgrims visiting in English but the rest of the Mass was in Portuguese. Fr Alan is on the left and he got to say a part in English.
As soon as Mass was over, I visited a few shops before getting on the bus. Sometimes pilgrims would burn candles but now some are using wax body parts for parts of the body that needs healing (or perhaps have already been answered)
Some pilgrims were know to kneel or crawl so I noticed these knee pads at one of the shops.
Since I didn't have much time, here's my rainy selfie of the cathedral I didn't get inside.
Arrived at Hotel Marques de Pombal in Lisbon. Went to expensive restaurant recommended by hotel. Now I know why. 6 of us went there and 2 left after seeing the menu. There was fresh fish on ice tray roller cart with the eyes. So first class that the waiter even used gloves and a table crumb brush. I had truffle rissoto.
Monday Nov 11 We went to see the palace in Sintra and Paula chose to go back to Fatima to see more. I decided on quantity rather than quality. Shortly after the bus took off, we stopped to let John off since he wasn't feeling well. When we got there, the printed tickets we were given by our guide on the bus were invalid. We had to buy new tickets which are to be reimbursed.
Yep, a king size bed.
This woman was restoring the tiles.
We had some difficulty with the validity on the group tickets that we received and had to purchase our own. We will be reimbursed. After that tour, we had 3 hours to roam the shops in Sintra before leaving. I toured St Martin's (St Martinho) Church and the Quinta da Regaleira for an extra 5e.
St Martin had a Mass in progress that was nearly over so after that I took the museum tour and went in the bell tower. The lady that took me around had poor English and I sort of helped with some poor Italian but she was delighted to show me the treasures. No photos in the museum part. Apparently I was told I happened to be visiting on his feast day of Nov 11.
An old sanctuary lamp.
St Martin was a 4th century Roman soldier who is known for a certain miracle. Riding on
horseback in a snowstorm, Martin came upon a nearly naked beggar. Not
having any money or food, Martin took his sword, cut his cloak in half
and gave the cloth to the beggar. Legend has it that clouds dispersed,
the sun came out, and Jesus said to the angels, He is a
Roman soldier who is not baptized.
You must click that link for other photos on a sunny day. It was a 15 min walk uphill and well worth it. I thought it was more beautiful than the Mateaus garden. I think I was the only one from our group to go and they really missed out.
This is the well with many levels you can go down through the spiral stairway. You can see a man standing there. I just went down to this level only.
Here I am in one of the garden's towers. You can see the cloud cover because we were on a high hill.
Here's a photo of the hunter's dining room years ago fully dressed out.
The chapel was inspired by Manini in Milan who commissioned the work by Guiseppi Guelfi in 1908. Inside the above chapel on the grounds:
On the ways back to Lisbon, our guide stopped at the art museum and let a few of us off to tour. I, along with a few Brits, got off to see it. I wanted to see as much as I could for I knew I'd never be that way again and our guide promised a 20 minute walk back to the hotel. Well I got lost and ended up with a 3 hour 5 mile walk.
Nov 12, Our last day in Portugal. We had a city tour of Lisbon on the last day. While gathering for the bus, we had our group photo taken and Father John gave us a belated veterans prayer. We had a nice tour of Jerónimos Monastery. We got in at a good time because as we exited, there was a long line. Occasionally we would see school children on tours in uniforms or matching caps. Here in America, school tours seem to have matching tee shirts.
Here I am at the Belem Tower in Lisbon. I didn't go inside because of time, ticketing and the line.
This is the memorial for the Portuguese revolution. Only 2 casualties. It is located at the end of their central park in Lisbon.
Here's the view down the park from this revolution monument.
Our local guide showed us a place where the locals would celebrate. It is know as Alfama District. Great Lisbon earthquake occurred in the Kingdom of Portugal on the morning of Saturday, 1 November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40 local time. Many lives were lost while in church and buildings collapsed on them. The people of Portugal remembers this day of suffering.
There was a map mural on the plaza where our guide taught us the history of this port and the importance of the spice trading.
The last meal was at the Lisbon Hard Rock Cafe.
Our waiter really liked us and stood on a chair to take this.
Our return flight from Lisbon to London on British Airways, had a more Monty Pyton style video for the safety briefing. Oh those Brits to keep a mandatory briefing humorous. I realize hydrating is important flying but British Airways charges for everything other than water. I had been up since 1:30 and wanted to keep hydrated. I was the last to get on the American Airlines flight with such slow TSA and we never left a secure area on the connecting flight. She really took her time and scanned this wand over my computer multiple times as if to intentionally cause delay. I didn't watch any movies going to Portugal but I watched Kursk and Wild Rose on the way back with American Airlines. I'm really glad I brought my yellow rain coat. Not just for the weather but easy to spot my in the group. Our group had about 31 people from Golden Frontier and 12 of us rode the Chatham bus (or shall I call it our little party bus). I'm really glad to travel while I still can. There were a number of seniors on this trip with canes and even a motorized chair that couldn't get to some of the places that I went to. Some had to stay on the bus.
I ordered the coat rack that I had been wanting for the doorway. I had wanted something similar since my sister's weekend because there was a similar one in the room where we stayed. I often walk the dogs and need a sit area for boots. I often have to dump my coat on the floor. I need an open area because of the air vent location to place this. I had been watching this for awhile but I didn't want it delivered while on vacation. I had too much on my plate earlier so glad I waited for a Black Friday sale. This is really better timing since the weather is getting colder.
